Why does nobody like gripshift?

[Ycawsfach]

It seems as if not many people have much time for these shifters, at least not on this forum.

Why is this? They've been around for years, are very simple and robust mechanically - a bit like thumbies - and have been fitted as original equipment on some reasonable bikes.

I've always been a bit dubious about them myself, but with no objective reason to dismiss them. I've only ever ridden a couple of bikes with them fitted and found them a bit awkward, but I'm sure that would change with practice.

 

[Pickle]

Had some X-Ray a while back on a build. Hated them. After years of thumbies and RF, I couldnt get on with the restricted grip space and accidental shifts.

Maybe its one of those things that after time you could adjust to, but I like 'normal' shifters. Twisting the grip just doesnt seem right!

 

[FluffyChicken]

Love them, though having just built two bikes back with RF+'s (M900/STX and M750) I find the RF+'s temperamental get in the way all the time and cramp the handlebar space, though the M750 are the better of them.
Next build will be back to GripShift SRT500R/600 are far better than the above.

 

[legrandefromage]

I prefer SACHs wavey

 

[mikee]

i like them ,nice and light simple what's not to like ?

 

[Dead Rats]

I quite liked them on a town bike I had a while back, but not on my MTBs thank you very much. Surely cool grips are more important!

 

[drystonepaul]

I prefer SACHs wavey

I'm with you on this LGF, although the SRAM ESP 1:1 versions were a vast improvement on the earlier Gripshift 2:1 ratio shifters like the X-rays.

You needed forearms like a gorilla for the front shifter with those.

 

[REKIBorter]

Gripshift is high maintenance compared to RF. The countless times I replaced cables, bought the latest widget (bassworm, coghog etc), stripped down and re-vaselined Gripshift to improve shifting. RF takes a quick squirt of GT85 or similar and jobs done.

 

[orange71]

Yes +1 for Sachs Wavey for precise shifting (but perhaps less comfortable grip).

I like gripshift though as well - although I found you do need to run a coghog or similar for slick shifting as they are more prone to failure with mud etc.

I never got on with rapdifire (constantly rapping my knuckles on the levers, and cold numb fingers don't shift as well as wrist-twist)

Now if I run gears at all it's back to thumbies for simplicity.

 

[Carge]

I've been running GripShift on my AluO for ages - and I quite like them.

The new MrXC has 8spd XT M740 shifters - and they have a nice light action - but I miss the ability just to "tune" the front mech - as I find depending where I am on the cassette, the chain rubs in the cage.

I think secretly I wish I'd gone for Gripshift on it.