Page 3 - Grip shift vs rapid fire

31-10.-2003, 04:38 AM	#31
Hecubus Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 322	This is one of those arguments that has no way to win. It is just too much of a personal preference thing. The new gripshift stuf like SRAM's 9.0 and X.0 shifters shift very nicely. Depending on what you have currently you might need a new derrailleur though because SRAM uses a different pull ratio than shimano. Rapidfire obviously shifts extremely well too. SRAMS new rapidfire shifters are supposed to be great but shimano's rapid fire stuff is also very perfected by now. Now you also have STI shifting thrown into the mix with the 2003 XTR and 2004 XT line which other people really love. I'd say that if you have a friend with a rapidfire bike take it for a ride and see how you like it before you buy.

12-11.-2003, 04:32 PM	#32
toolman Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 1	I know what bike you have and the grip shift on that bike was low end. I've never had a problem with grip shift, I use the top two models, but as everyone says-it's up to you. If I used rapid fire I would probably say to get it. For newbies I think it is better but I've used both and I'm not in a hurry to get rid of the grip!

21-11.-2003, 09:54 AM	#33
juliebeanpie Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Chico, CA Posts: 24	I was a grip shift fan till I got my brain in gear (no pun intended) with my thumb and forefinger. Now that I can shift without thinking, the rapid fires live up to what they're called. Shifting is faster and smoother, thus giving more control on the trail. The only reason I started out with grip shift is that's what my bike came with. When I had the chance to build up my own bike, I was encouraged to go with rapid fire, and I'm glad I did!

08-12.-2003, 01:22 AM	#34
jmitting Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 94	Tried a KHS and a KONA with grip shift, bought a GIANT with rapidfire.

26-12.-2003, 02:17 AM	#35
blackice Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: on my bike Posts: 11	i would definatley go with shimano rapid fire shifters dont go for the cheaper sram ones that just came out __________________ mess with the best die like the rest

26-12.-2003, 06:03 AM	#36
b2b Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 7	I have experience with both and I vote for rapid fire. But after breaking my thumb I have problems to shift front derailleur. Stil pains even after more than a year.

27-12.-2003, 09:30 AM	#37
will1988 Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: ENGLAND Posts: 36	Use a gripshift as they are alot stronger and more less complicated to fit than rapid fire. Their shifting isn't bad either.

30-12.-2003, 07:13 AM

#38

jmcmillanut

Senior Member

Join Date: Nov 2003

Location: Salt Lake City

Posts: 116

Quote:

Originally posted by MGSuarez
there is a reason they call it Grip$hit!! One more vote for rapid fire! Really, it is just preferance.

Concur whole-heartedly! Rapid fire rules. It used to suck back in the early 90s (we used to call it "rapid failure"), but now it's kickin'. I've tried old gripshift and new, and I will never run a bike with that crap on it.

JMc

__________________
Don't go making snow cones at your local dog park. You will surely regret it.

04-01.-2004, 03:56 PM	#39
webified Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Southern California, USA. Posts: 2	No probelms ever with 'grip shift' in both mountain trail and street riding jouneys. No probelms ever with 'grip shift' in both mountain trail and street riding adventures. This discussion is much ado about nothing, aye? Cheers! Last edited by webified : 04-01.-2004 at 03:59 PM.

05-01.-2004, 04:39 AM	#40
Greg-O Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 163	i used to have a bike with gripdshifts, and i loved them..... until i tried rapidfire. With gripshifts i would sometimes shift by accident. it's really a preference though. It's a little hard to get used to having an up lever and a down lever at first.

05-01.-2004, 02:03 PM

#41

webified

Junior Member

Join Date: Jan 2004

Location: Southern California, USA.

Posts: 2

Grip-shifters shifting by accident. Huh?

First off, for who it may concern, I happen to use both.

Why anyone could have their grip shift shift by accident leads me to believe that there may indeed be a problem with the operator - NOT THE GRIP SHIFT! Whatever...

I have used both for so long and have never had any major issues that would lead me to believe the idea that one is obviously superior to the other.

Kind of like comparing Ford's versus Chevy's or Wintel versus Mac's.

Much flip-flop ado about nothing.

Whatever gets you though the night!

Quote:

Originally posted by Greg-O
i used to have a bike with gripdshifts, and i loved them..... until i tried rapidfire. With gripshifts i would sometimes shift by accident.

it's really a preference though. It's a little hard to get used to having an up lever and a down lever at first.

06-01.-2004, 12:25 AM	#42
Lab_Rat Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa Posts: 215	My 2004 XT dual control kit have just arrived, so I'm dead keen to get them on my bike. I've always used Deore LX changers and have never had a problem with them. They always do the business. Lets see how the new system works. __________________ Despite all my rage, I'm still just a rat in a cage

05-02.-2004, 01:56 PM	#43
dwj444 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Washington DC Posts: 61	Re: Grip shift vs rapid fire I rode MTB seriously for a while in college before a bad wreck and I would swear by rapid fire over grip shifting any day. I started on an old Trek 800 without suspension and with grip shifters. Less than six months later I upgraded to a Specialized Hard Rock with a front fork and rapid fire shifters . . . the difference was night and day. Although I ride road now, I have no hesitation recommending that you junk the grip shifter and go with the rapid fire. Good luck. __________________ Time to make the doughnuts.

21-02.-2004, 09:11 AM	#44
Solanog Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Costa Rica Posts: 220	Rapid fire, I've been told that with grip shift when wet or muddy is difficult to shift, it slips, specially if you're tired and your hands feel weak

23-02.-2004, 07:59 AM	#45
davebee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Manchester and South London Posts: 440	Rapid Fire for me. I have smashed several sets of gripshifters apart. They were lower end junk.

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