Submitted by
michael
a Racer
from Berkeley, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2004
Strengths: Set it and forget it. Front der. trimming ability. Ability to keep your fingers on the bar. No "gear indicator" nonsense. Brainlessly simple operation. Cool carbon fiber finish (poseur points...)
Weaknesses: None (period)
Bottom Line:
I'm a long-time rider, mechanic, and part-time racer. I recommend sram drivetrain components to any rider seeking advice. Don't even bother with that other S company. SRAM stuff is so sweet: put it on, set the limits, pull a little cable tension, go ride. It just works. Maybe feed it a little grease once in a great while and replace a worn-out grip. I supposed if Shi*ano ever figures out what SRAM is doing so well, we may have to worry, but thankfully they're too busy making flourine bushings and other fiddly stuff that's supposed to be replaced every 6 - 8 months. Yeah right. Shut up and ride. Got to get a shout out to Mike at Universal Cycles. Check 'em out, great deals and excellent service.
Submitted by
Mike Eckley
a Weekend Warrior
from Avon Lake,Ohio, USA
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2003
Strengths: crisp shifts-looks(cleaner looking cockpit) feel-ease of maintenance
Weaknesses: no longer made
Bottom Line:
much faster shifting than my '02 Stumpjumper Pro setup with XTR derailleurs and XT rapidfire shifters. I will be switching that rig to some N.O.S. Sachs power grip extremes I found on ebay cheap! ($25.00)U.S.
Similar Products Used: other sram shifters - shimano Deore-LX-XT
Bike Setup: Last of the medium Zaskar TEAM: XTR front, rear was 9.0SL soon to be XO, Sid carbon race
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Submitted by
weather expert
a Weekend Warrior
from iowa
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2002
Strengths: quick shifts, firm grip, light.
Weaknesses: maybe the grips that came w/ the shifters? i never used them.
Bottom Line:
fast and intuitive shifts with positive but not loud clicks. light action. i could retain a firm grip on the bar when i shift. not bulky as later models, and no indicator gimmicks. stealthy and utilitarian look.
Similar Products Used: lx, xt...oh wait those aren't anything similar.
Bike Setup: Mrazek XC rig.
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Submitted by
Ralph
a Cross Country Rider
from El Segundo, CA
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2001
Strengths: Simple, light, durable, shifts extremely well, ergonomically perfect for me
Weaknesses: SRAM stopped making the shorty shifters for a while -- D'oh!
Bottom Line:
Shifters were OEM, outlasted the original frame, and now are on my Airborne. I know shifting method is personal preference, but I just love the ability to dump gears instantly with a flick of the wrist, and to be able to trim the front derailleur. Very simple to overhaul also. I love the way these function and will never go back to Rapidfire. Just bought another pair for my Loco-Moto frame I have built up, see you on the trail...
Submitted by
Zeke 'The Man'
a Downhiller
from Ashland, Oregon, USA
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2001
Strengths: Solid click lets you know when you shift, easy to shift, light but strong, cool looking
Weaknesses: one of the little grease port covers fell off in moab, whatta bummer
Bottom Line:
i don't know what other people are talking about when they say this is a bad shifter. the majority says it good, and that's what it is. so far, nothing has screwed me over, it's easy to shift while braking(although it is stupid to do that anyway). they are not in the way, and it is so easy to shift that i do it without thinking and it isn't a noticeable effort. there is a loud reassuring click that lets you know when you have shifted, and the carbon fiber design is totally awesome. if you are on a budget, don't even think about this one. it costs a lot, and you can get some good shifting at teh 9.0 and 7.0 range without sacrifing much. if you have th eextra cash though, go for it. i love it adn there is no reason why you shouldn't either.
Bike Setup: Cannonndale F900SX, Lefty Fork, 9.0 derallers, everything else is CODA
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Submitted by
kenneth
a Downhiller
from arlington, virginia, usa
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2001
Strengths: light, fast, smooth lookin, more precise than a hummingbird, barrel adjuster, easy to maintain
Weaknesses: none!
Bottom Line:
these are the sh!t. no contest. some may complain that they are just expensive pieces of plastic. so! high density polymers (called composites) are plastics yet they have properties that make them far superior in weight and cost than metal - AND they still cost less than a xtr setup.
oh and try this if you dont like the diameter of the mechanism - trim an oury grip down an inch and it will match the shifter. it feels great and your hands are free to move all over the grip surface.
Submitted by
FritzMan
a Cross Country Rider
from Ottawa - Canada
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2000
Strengths: Light, predicatable shifting, ability to shift under torque, price, and looks.
Weaknesses: Absolutely none!!!
Bottom Line:
This is my best upgrade (even more than the fork) that I've done. I'm shifting 20% more frequently than before which translates into higher average speed & fun. Haulin' down a new trail and run into a steep hill around the corner? No problem, grab a handlfull of the SRAM shifter and select any gear you want. It's ability to shift under torque, and to always get the right gear is downright impressive, and something that I never knew was possible. I'm more pumped than ever to ride my bike. I actually find the shifting resistance perfect (some have posted that they're stiff) especially compared to my previous setup, where Popeye forearms were required. Purchased for $89 US at Universal (for 9.0SL shifters and 9.0 derailleur), you can't go wrong. At first I thought the lack of exact shifting for the front derailleur to be a nuissance, but the micro adjustment has turned out to be really cool to quiet the chain-to-cage noise that occurs on extreme ends of the cogset.
Submitted by
moonlighter
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester, New York , U.S.
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2000
Strengths: Long term durability , ability to shift full range of gears with one motion and to trim (multi detends)front shifter
Weaknesses: None .
Bottom Line:
You can not beat these shifters for performance or durability ! They have shifted flawlessly each and every time I call on them . Shifts are handled instintaniously and with such precision it is still surprizes me ...two years after installing them on my bike ! I love outshifting my rapidfire friends . Unexpected hills ....I leave them eating my dust as I shift thru my full range of gears and pedal away . They are left pushing or pulling wondering where I went . Dont be a follower ! Try these shifters .
Bike Setup: Gt Zaskar , 9sl rear der. , Sram 9 brakes , xt crank (ol squeaky) , rock shock seat post .
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Submitted by
Jack Meoff
a Racer
from Newhampshire
Date Reviewed: April 5, 2000
Strengths: easy set up light weight when compared to shimano uncluttered handle bar looks?
Weaknesses: none so far
Bottom Line:
Great product lighter faster and easier to use than shimano if u race on hacked terrain that requires quick shifts u can do that in one motion with these with shimano it took many motions and there fore slower
Similar Products Used: old GS from 96 they sucked shimano lx rapidfire they where ok but this is lighter and easy to use
Bike Setup: 98 m2 stumpy z2bam mustang rims specialized/xtr hub db alloy rf sprinkeled throuh out and ride on cables
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Submitted by
Damien
from Chicago IL
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2000
Strengths: Its not rapid fire, and it is extremely smooth. The 1999 stuff looks awsome with the graphite look.
Weaknesses: Takes allot more torque to shift between gears than most rapid fire. I also dont like their 2000 line as much as I like their 1999.
Bottom Line:
I first had Shimano LX shifters and an XTR rear deralier. They shifted fine and smooth, but when you are in the big ring and peadling as fast as you cat at an uphill it takes longer for you to shift into the small ring with rapid fire. I think my gripshift is great. It seems like you can go through all the gears in less time with grip shift.
With my rapid fire shifters when I would go off of a big drop or do some jumps I always would shift into some other gear. But with the gripshift that doesnt happen. And I have to say that the 9.0 and 9.0SL line looks so much cooler than XTR.
I also had problems with my rapid fire system. I would have to contanly re-adjust my gearing, not with grip shift though.
All in all these kick the poo poo out of that shimano stuff. I think these deserve 5 Flamin' Chilis
Submitted by
Josh Radlein
a Cross-Country Rider
from Colo Springs
Date Reviewed: August 29, 1999
Strengths: Smooth Light Easy to maintain Company support not Shimano
Weaknesses: none yet
Bottom Line:
SRAM is the topline in shifting technology. They are both a hometown favorite and have always been there to support their consumers. I will not hesitate to recommend these shifters as a year of hammering has yet to reap the damage most other shifters see. 5 burning worms. I await my halfpipe...