Finding the correct grip shifter to match my derailleur
08-03-18, 10:39 PM
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Finding the correct grip shifter to match my derailleur
I bought a used Giant Sedona LX hybrid style bike. I estimate it to be 10 years old. Works fine, but the grip shifters were thrashed - gooey and hard to move. So, based on a little research I bought a pair of "Shimano Tourney SL-RS47 Revo 3x8-Speed Shifters" on Amazon for $26. When I replaced the left shifter, however, it simply does not give the range of motion to move the Shimano C101 derailleur enough to use all 3 gears. Even using the fine adjustment knob by the shifter I can only adjust it to get gears 1/2 or gears 2/3.
Specifically, when the grip shifter is set to 1 I am on gear 1. When I shift to 2 I am still on gear 1 - there was not enough movement of the derailleur to move the chain onto gear to, but when I shift to 3 on the grip shifter, the chain moves to gear 2. But from there the grip shifter won't turn any more so there is no way to get the chain onto gear 3. Or if I do some adjusting, I can get it to where at setting 1 the chain is on gear 2, and then moving to gear 3 moves the chain to gear 3.
It would appear that not all grip shifters work correctly with all derailleurs - not even Shimano to Shimano. The grip shifter that was on the bike says Centera SRAM. I did not attempt to replace the right/8x shifter. So questions:
1. Am I correct that a grip shifter must be matched to the derailleur to work correctly?
2. If so, how do I find out which specific grip shifter is right for my bike?
3. If I go to a friction-style grip shifter, instead of the index-style... would that guarantee that it will work?
4. I see a Centera SRAM shifter set on Amazon for a little more money. Is there any guarantee that will work?
5. Is this whole process trial and error? (which could get expensive!)
6. Could it be this is a matter of adjusting the derailleur? (doesn't seem like it - the shifter simply does not seem to move the derailleur enough)
Specifically, when the grip shifter is set to 1 I am on gear 1. When I shift to 2 I am still on gear 1 - there was not enough movement of the derailleur to move the chain onto gear to, but when I shift to 3 on the grip shifter, the chain moves to gear 2. But from there the grip shifter won't turn any more so there is no way to get the chain onto gear 3. Or if I do some adjusting, I can get it to where at setting 1 the chain is on gear 2, and then moving to gear 3 moves the chain to gear 3.
It would appear that not all grip shifters work correctly with all derailleurs - not even Shimano to Shimano. The grip shifter that was on the bike says Centera SRAM. I did not attempt to replace the right/8x shifter. So questions:
1. Am I correct that a grip shifter must be matched to the derailleur to work correctly?
2. If so, how do I find out which specific grip shifter is right for my bike?
3. If I go to a friction-style grip shifter, instead of the index-style... would that guarantee that it will work?
4. I see a Centera SRAM shifter set on Amazon for a little more money. Is there any guarantee that will work?
5. Is this whole process trial and error? (which could get expensive!)
6. Could it be this is a matter of adjusting the derailleur? (doesn't seem like it - the shifter simply does not seem to move the derailleur enough)
Last edited by Rick7A; 08-03-18 at 10:54 PM. Reason: More clarification.
08-04-18, 05:55 AM
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[QUOTE=Rick7A;20487389]I bought a used Giant Sedona LX hybrid style bike. I estimate it to be 10 years old. Works fine, but the grip shifters were thrashed - gooey and hard to move. So, based on a little research I bought a pair of "Shimano Tourney SL-RS47 Revo 3x8-Speed Shifters" on Amazon for $26. When I replaced the left shifter, however, it simply does not give the range of motion to move the Shimano C101 derailleur enough to use all 3 gears. Even using the fine adjustment knob by the shifter I can only adjust it to get gears 1/2 or gears 2/3.
Specifically, when the grip shifter is set to 1 I am on gear 1. When I shift to 2 I am still on gear 1 - there was not enough movement of the derailleur to move the chain onto gear to, but when I shift to 3 on the grip shifter, the chain moves to gear 2. But from there the grip shifter won't turn a
1. Am I correct that a grip shifter must be matched to the derailleur to work correctly?
Yes.
2. If so, how do I find out which specific grip shifter is right for my bike?
Road fd needs road shifter and vice versa.
3. If I go to a friction-style grip shifter, instead of the index-style... would that guarantee that it will work?
Should be. Friction shifter does not care the spacing between chainring.
4. I see a Centera SRAM shifter set on Amazon for a little more money. Is there any guarantee that will work?
No answer.
5. Is this whole process trial and error? (which could get expensive!)
No. Determine if your crankset (and fd) is road or mountain and then buy the right one.
6. Could it be this is a matter of adjusting the derailleur? (doesn't seem like it - the shifter simply does not seem to move the derailleur enough)
Possible if the cable is slack.
Specifically, when the grip shifter is set to 1 I am on gear 1. When I shift to 2 I am still on gear 1 - there was not enough movement of the derailleur to move the chain onto gear to, but when I shift to 3 on the grip shifter, the chain moves to gear 2. But from there the grip shifter won't turn a
1. Am I correct that a grip shifter must be matched to the derailleur to work correctly?
Yes.
2. If so, how do I find out which specific grip shifter is right for my bike?
Road fd needs road shifter and vice versa.
3. If I go to a friction-style grip shifter, instead of the index-style... would that guarantee that it will work?
Should be. Friction shifter does not care the spacing between chainring.
4. I see a Centera SRAM shifter set on Amazon for a little more money. Is there any guarantee that will work?
No answer.
5. Is this whole process trial and error? (which could get expensive!)
No. Determine if your crankset (and fd) is road or mountain and then buy the right one.
6. Could it be this is a matter of adjusting the derailleur? (doesn't seem like it - the shifter simply does not seem to move the derailleur enough)
Possible if the cable is slack.
08-04-18, 06:28 AM
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Rick, welcome to the forum. Have you adjusted the limit screws on the derailleur?
https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair...eur-adjustment
Were the twist shifters you took off of the bike Shimano or Sram/Grip Shift? If they were SRAM, you'll likely have to replace them with SRAM, unless they were SRAM MRX which was designed to be used with Shimano. If the ones you removed were Shimano, then the ones you bought should work using the link to adjust them.
https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair...eur-adjustment
Were the twist shifters you took off of the bike Shimano or Sram/Grip Shift? If they were SRAM, you'll likely have to replace them with SRAM, unless they were SRAM MRX which was designed to be used with Shimano. If the ones you removed were Shimano, then the ones you bought should work using the link to adjust them.
Last edited by Paul Barnard; 08-04-18 at 06:34 AM.
08-04-18, 01:27 PM
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From what I can find, the Shimano C-101 front derailleur has the same pull as a mountain bike derailleur so it should work with the Revoshift twist shifters. Revoshift is only Mtb compatible.
I would not replace the shifters, if anything, I would replace the C-101 derailleur if you can't get it to work by adjusting the cable/limit screws. If you disconnect the shifter cable from the derailleur, you can move the derailleur by hand to see if it moves far enough. If there is too much play in the derailleur, it could effect shifting. That derailleur had a pretty bad reputation.
I understand your old shifter needed to be replaced, but there may have been an issue with the front derailleur.
John
I would not replace the shifters, if anything, I would replace the C-101 derailleur if you can't get it to work by adjusting the cable/limit screws. If you disconnect the shifter cable from the derailleur, you can move the derailleur by hand to see if it moves far enough. If there is too much play in the derailleur, it could effect shifting. That derailleur had a pretty bad reputation.
I understand your old shifter needed to be replaced, but there may have been an issue with the front derailleur.
John
08-04-18, 03:26 PM
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The grip shifters that came off were SRAM grip shift... silly me - ha - I thought a Shimano grip shift would work with a Shimano derailleur! Actually, after more tinkering I seem to be very close, so I think my next move will be to adjust the derailleur a little, as you suggest. Interesting that the rear 8X shifter went on and adjusted pretty easily. I also found an exhaustive PDF from Shimano that seemed to include compatibility charts for all of their products; all EXCEPT my front derailleur (C101)... maybe its just a really old bike. But as it stands I have a 2X8, and worst case all I have to do is by a shifter - maybe an SRAM - for the front.
08-04-18, 03:29 PM
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Thank you for the answers. I got the rear 8X on with very little problem, and seem to be very close on the front 3X... so I'll try adjusting the derailleur. I think my front derailleur is very old (Shimano c101) since I can't even find it on an exhaustive list of Shimano components. I'm also starting to think this bike has been around the block a few times and is a bit of a frankenstein - which I have now added even more non-original parts too! Next purchase - a bike repair stand - too old to be crawling around on the garage floor!
08-05-18, 09:18 AM
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Did you route the cable correctly at the front derailleur ? It is not obvious as to exactly where it should go, and on some FD, it does not go where most of us would think that it goes.
SRAM's Centera, like their MRX series is for Shimano derailleurs.
Personally, I find front derailleurs a pain in ____; and changed most of my bikes to 1X configurations which is more than adequate for my riding.
SRAM's Centera, like their MRX series is for Shimano derailleurs.
Personally, I find front derailleurs a pain in ____; and changed most of my bikes to 1X configurations which is more than adequate for my riding.
08-05-18, 09:50 AM
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I stayed with friction shifting my FD, in spite of the marketing ..
OTOH, on an IGH, I like the ability to roll thru the whole range..
and a Grip shifter on an IGH does offer that (Sram i-9) even stopped.
...
OTOH, on an IGH, I like the ability to roll thru the whole range..
and a Grip shifter on an IGH does offer that (Sram i-9) even stopped.
...
08-05-18, 08:53 PM
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As already mentioned, SRAM made Shimano Gripshift compatible shifters, so don't swap out your left (FD) shifter. SRAM MRX was their lower end shifters. There are better vintage Shimano compatible SRAM Gripshift shifters such as Attack and X-ray, but for your application I'd stick with the Revoshift.
John
John
