Rapid fire or Grip shift?

[aquawife]

Okay ladies. I'm finally getting my dream bike built and I have a decision to make. Rapid fire (clickers) or Grip shift (twisties)? I currently use rapid fire and have for a very long time. Bike shop guy wanted to put SRAM 9.0's on my bike but I want to keep my XTR rapid rise derailluer (love it!!!). So he's suggesting a twist shift. Frankly I'm not in love with that idea. I've never used grip shift but I don't think I'd like having to move my hand on the handlebars to shift. I like the idea of being able to hold on while clicking away.
So do any of you have any preferences one way or another?

Thanks!!

[mimitabby]

I think grip shifters are great for people with no other experience, but I am not sure i would want to go back to them. If you love what you have, i can't figure why he'd want you to go to something so different!
Maybe you could try out a bike with grip shifters on it?

[spokewench]

I've ridden with both and to tell you the truth I do not have a preference. They both work perfectly well, both of them you don't have to move your hand much to shift; If you like one type of shifter, and it is your bike you are having built up, just tell you LBS guy what you want. For some reason, LBS guys are always trying to get me to do something different than I ask for. I've never been able to understand that?

Even tho I like both grip shift and rapid fire, my bike shop owner does not like grip shift - I think he has more maintenance issues with it and that is why he does not like it. I just have not had this happen to me personally.

spoke

[kerrybelle]

I know a lot of people don't like them, but I love my XTR dual control shifters. I even converted my husband over to them!
You'll have to tell us all about the bike, too. Good luck with it.

Kerry

[7rider]

I always had GripShift on my mtb and loved it. Very intuitive, I thought.
When I got a new mtb, I had the shop swap out the rapid fire for GS.
Then I got a flat bar road bike with rapid fires, which I ride tons more than my mtb (as my commuter). Now, on those rare times when I find I got back to riding the mtb, I have trouble "remembering" how to shift!
It's very awkward to go back and forth b/t the two.
So...I'd say pick one and stick with it. If you have and like rapid fires, stay with it. If you have another bike that you ride that uses one or the other, I'd say get both bikes with the same!
Or, maybe those issues are just me!

[tattiefritter]

Gripshift is just wrong!



Tried them once on my commuter (for about 3 months, 3 times a week) and hated them.

[Adventure Girl]

On my last two mountain bikes I had grip shift for my front derailleur and rapid fire for the rear. I couldn't use a rapid fire for the front because my hands are very small and I didn't have enough leverage with my thumb to get into the big ring. I personally didn't like the grip shift because I had to take my hand off the brake to shift.

On my current bike I have dual control levers (shift and brake with the same lever). I really like it. I have heard complaints from some people about this system, but it works for me. There must be enough complaints about them because Shimano has brought back the option of separate levers.

The nice thing about the 2007 XTR dual shifters over the 2006 is that now you can shift multiple gears in either up or down at once. It would be nice to "throw away" 2 shifts at a time.

I thought it would take a while to get used to a different shifting system, but after a few rides, it's second nature.

[SalsaMTB]

I've had rapid fire since I started biking, so I like rapid fire. I tried the dual control and I just didn't like it very much. I definitely prefer the independant levers. I haven't really tried the grip shift, other than the occasional ride on the road with DH bike. My Dh, on the otherhand, has ridden both and swears by gripshift. He absolutely loves it. He traded his SRAM XO rapids for gripshift (rapids being worth more) because he just loves the gripshift.

Basically, I think it's personal preference. If you're lbs thinks you should try gripshift and you haven't tried them, ask if they have a bike you can take off road to see if you like it

[aquawife]

On my last two mountain bikes I had grip shift for my front derailleur and rapid fire for the rear.

Haha! I had lunch with my husband (just got back in town after being gone for over a week) and was asking him what he thought of the whole shifting thing since he's ridden them both. He said that he like the grip shift for his front but liked the precision of the rapid fire for his rear. I emailed the bike shop guy and said I was thinking about doing this. Bike shop guy will do anything I ask so that's not an issue. Also, if I decide to be daring and try the grip shift and don't like it they can always switch it out.
I'm not sure I like the idea of the dual control. One, it just seems weird - although I'd probably be just fine after a few rides. But two, I am trying to contain costs a little bit here and buying XTR dual controls isn't really where I'd want to spend my money.

Someone asked to tell about my bike. Okay!!
Specialized Epic Marathon frame in PINK!!!
Pace RC39 fork (carbon legs - very sexy!) (a UK fork - light as a Sid WorldCup but better - and cheaper too!!)
Spinery Xcylone wheels - white rims and spokes!
Magura Marta brakes
And then I'll be transferring my Chris King, Thomson, and carbon monkeylite bars and my derailleurs.
I haven't found out what my crankset will be. I think that's the surprise that bike shop guy told my sister-in-law not to tell me - I can't think of anything else major that needs to go on the bike. (The bike shop in 4 hrs away where my SIL lives so I'm doing things by email and having my SIL pester). It's actually easier that way! I highly recommend having someone else be the pesterer!
I won't get the bike though until after Christmas. Once I do I'll do another post and brag about what a sweet ride it is!
Thanks for all you input!!

Update: the bike shop guy just emailed. He thinks the two different shifters is a great idea. He's seen it on some pro bikes. In fact, he likes the idea so much he's doing it to his bike right now!! Who knew I was a genius?!

[Pebble]

I thought about doing the same thing - only had Alivio rapidfires in the past and the new bike came with sram x7. It was hard getting used to having to push so hard with the thumb to get into the big ring up front I thought about switching to grip shift but figured the best solution would have been to get one grip shift just for the front - and yes it's not that uncommon.
I never did that though I ended up getting rid of the shifter and derailleur recently and going a 1x9 set up instead.

I think it's ideal and you should get the best of both worlds that way. I mainly didn't take the risk of going grip shift as I would have preferred to test ride a bike with one before doin so.
And hey if you end up liking grip shift you can easily switch to it for the rear.

Not sure exactly what it is but you'll be able to "trim" the front derailleur as well with grip shifters as opposed to triggers.