noglider 

I had one. It was lousy.

T-Mar

Back when I started working in the LBS during the early 1970s bicycle boom, both Shimano and SunTour already had friction shifting thumb shifters. They were typically used on derailleur equipped city bicycles with upright handlebars. Shimano's was integrated into the clamp of the brake levers, so I'd give the edge to SunTour, who had a stand alone Power Shifter version. It wouldn't surprise me if there were earlier precedents.

Twist shifters for derailleurs go back even further. Shimano had a twin cable twist shifter for the Lark-W that goes back to the mid-1960s. Like Sturmey-Archer, they also had a twist shifter for their three speed IGH, along with handlebar shifter that more closely resembled a thumb shifter than Sturmey-Archer's trigger shifter.

Ballenxj

Oh, I guess I'll cross that one off the list.

laughatdanger

Maybe someone here with grip shifter experience can help me.

I have a set of SACHS "Power Grip Wavey" 3x8 shifters, when I opened them, the left (3spd) shifter had a greased up metal coil type mechanism inside.. and the right (8spd) shifter does not

Is this normal? They look identical inside. I'm attaching some pics. Thanks in advance

52telecaster

Talk to wrenches nowadays about internal hydraulic lines. They hate them but have no choice.

Jeff Neese

Is replacing the shifters out of the question? I've personally never met a set of grip shifters that were any good, and I think most people would agree. If I bought a bike with them I'd immediately just throw them away. Shimano trigger shifters are the way to go. Reliable, bullet-proof, and affordable. 3x8 were still available last time I looked.

Reynolds 

My Nexus 8 Revoshift is still working OK after many years, the cable is easy to replace too. Made a wood grip for it:

cudak888 

Those are pretty beefy; more so than even some of the more modern SRAM examples here (which I've had mixed luck with).

I've been running a Microshift 8-speed trigger for my own Nexus 8. Seems to work nicely, but I can't tell whether it's the hub or the manner by which the shifter takes up cable that tends to result in the roller clutches slipping every now and then. Did a quick jaunt to the local Uni today and had more issues than usual with it, once it was in gear. And that's with a hub lubricated extensively in 00 grease.

-Kurt

xroadcharlie

The SRAM MRX twist grip shifters on my 2018 Giant Sedona, like 93% of the 470 Google reviews suggest work just fine. WAY better then I anticipated. I really like that I can shift 2 or 3 gears instantly.

I was looking for the trigger shifters but as it turned out, the bike I wanted came with these twist grip units. I was concerned about reliability, but after some research I discovered that the SRAM MRX twist grip shifters are at least as reliable as most trigger shifters, and more reliable then some. And since their so cheap, I'll just buy a new one should it malfunction in 5 - 10 years .

curbtender

REI had them on sale for $18. Included were shifters, cables, spacers and grips.
Still cheap.
https://www.rei.com/product/737410/s...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

LesterOfPuppets

Unfortunately those are some of the worst gripshifts. The MRX with the white piece work better, IMO. But can be a little stiff sometimes.

SRT-400 seven speed shfiters are a step up from those.

LesterOfPuppets

I have a pair on a Cannondale I have slated for the foster kids bikes program. I've never opened up a wavey, if it looks easy I'll take a peek inside tomorrow.

laughatdanger

thanks, keep me posted

they opens easily.. it just snaps off/on, no tools

t2p

not a grip shift fan - and would replace them if they were installed on my fav / most ridden bikes - but we have bikes with grip shift shifters and they work well

SRT400, 500, and 600

dddd

The Sachs front twist shifter has a helper spring that gets pre-loaded during assembly, makes the bigger twisting efforts easier while upshifting the front derailer.

The SRAM MRX shifters have always worked ok for me. Replacing them every few years together with the included grips and cables is very economical and refreshes the bike.

They will even index most bikes that have pre-index Suntour 5- and 6-speed setups, using the original Suntour ARX or whatever rear derailer, but this always works better with 14-28t freewheels than with larger freewheels because of the chain gap being more constant.

georges1

I tried once grip shift on an american eagle mtb years ago but it was a nightmare. I always prefered shimano for the versatility, better precision and ease of use of their rapid fire shifters , same with their thumbies indexed shifters.

Trakhak

Back when I was still commuting, I found trigger shifters almost impossible to use under frigid winter conditions because the action became stiff to the point that my thumbs could barely move the levers. Then I bought a used hybrid with Grip Shift. Problem solved. Almost effortless to shift, and, unlike the trigger shifters, I could easily use them with my favorite mittens (leather shells, wool liners).

I replaced the trigger shifters with Grip Shift on the original bike, too. I especially like the Retrofriction-like ratcheted-but-not-indexed front shifter. If they ever wear out, I'll definitely replace them with another set.

NJgreyhead

I have used the SRAM grip-shifters on a number of bike-share bikes. Don’t know how they hold up, but they were an economical replacement.

I see REI has the MicroShift brand in 3x6, 3x7 and 3x8 for only $12. I may stock up.

AdventureManCO 

I've got a set on my Trek 750 and I'm afraid to change anything on that bike because it is so smooth and just works.

Got no issues with gripshifts, I've had more probs w/ triggers. The micro adjust for the FD is nice. Maybe if there was more R&D and $$ put towards the tech we'd ever get Di2 gripshifters.

LesterOfPuppets

Sorry for the delay, finally got a chance to tinker with bikes today. My 8-sp Sachs has nothing in there either

laughatdanger

Interesting. Thanks for response.

Vermilion

I have been using GripShift MRX on all my bikes for more than 20 years, and only one shifter has failed. Note that replacement shifters are available individually, often for $10 or less. The factory grips have never turned gummy. I've never had a problem with accidental shifts using the SRAM short grips. Cable changes aren't my most fun activity, but are not difficult. You'll have a leg up with a SRAM cable or possibly some other brands because they apply a coating to the end of the cable, which eases its way through the shifter.

I commuted by bike year round in the Midwest for 24 years. Earlier on, one bike had RapidFire, but in cold temps, it wouldn't shift to the large chainring. I replaced those shifters with MRX, problem solved. Operating the trigger is awkward to barely possible when wearing mittens. I never had a problem with either shift quality or durability when using GripShift, even at subzero temps.

By a certain age, many of us experience thumb discomfort, and for us, GripShift is a better choice than lever-and-trigger. Front shifting effort is largely a function of the derailleur, assuming the cable and housing are in good shape. On an old hybrid I recently bought, the front lever required so much effort that I was reaching over with my right hand. I replaced the ancient derailleur, and with MRX, shifts require only a light effort same as on my other bikes.

I prefer the earlier MRX design, where the gear numbers are on the twist section and an index mark is on the fixed part of the shifter body. Functionally they are the same, and I've run the newer (current) style on several bikes for years with zero problems.

I run Microshift lever-and-trigger shifters on my recumbent, only because that contraption requires a road front derailleur and twist shifters that support the road pull ratios aren't currently available, as far as I know. It's less awkward than on an upright bike because the shifters are at roughly shoulder height and I can push straight forward on the lever. But I'd run GripShift on it if I could.

Rob L

I’ve never had too many issues with GripShift through the XRays but for any vintage build, I still prefer setting up with 8-speeds using XT 7sp thumbshifters. The ghost click for the 8 speed is great!

capnjonny 

I regularly replace broken or stiff grip shifters on the bikes I work on with Sunrace friction thumb shifters. I have them on my every day Trek Antelope and think they are hands down the best inexpensive solution for upright bars. They are cheap, work great, and you never have to take your hands off the grips or your eyes off the road to shift. Pair them with good derailleurs and a hyperglide freewheel or free hub and they are as easy and accurate to shift as index. While the provided cables and covers work o/k I always replace them with higher quality slick cable and covers with liners. My only peeve with the Sunrace thumbies is the red label which gets bent over time and looks cheap. Pretty much ANY old thumb shifter is better than a twist shift. My all time favorite is the Suntour thumbie with it's all metal construction. The old Shimano metal thumbie found on first gen Stump Jumpers is also a clasic though next to the suntour unit it looks clunky.

John D

For those of you who advocate grip shift but have worn grips on the shifter @lesterOf Puppets I recommend a few wraps of "self fusing silicone tape" to renew the surface, never gets sticky.