Submitted by
Cason Grover
a Cross Country Rider
from Huntington Beach, CA, USA Date Reviewed: September 9, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Rock-It
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Light weight, simple to use, ESP (1:1) much better than Shimano.
Weaknesses:
None noted in a year of use
Similar Products Used:
SRAM Rockets, LX, Deore and STX thumb/finger rapidfires, old DX thumb/thumb rapidfire, Suntour and Shimano thumbies
Bike Setup:
1998 DBR V-Link with lots of goodies. http://www.geocities.com/cegrover/DBR
Bottom Line:
These have been fantastic shifters. I got these on Ebay in late summer/early fall 2004 new in box with a derraileur for less than the price of just one such new model component. These are the 1998-1999-ish models. I didn't plan it this way, but they are exactly the same ones used by DBR on other models in 1998.
For a while, I didn't appreciate the 1:1 ratio's benefits, but more time with my wife's SRAM Rockets (twist, but Shimano ratio) made me realize I like the more positive shifting with longer travel. Worry not - these still give you the ability to shift several gears at once.
What a great product! Like another reviewer (three years ago), I'm staying 8-speed as long as possible...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jmoh
a Weekend Warrior
from Knoxville, IA Date Reviewed: December 16, 2002
Favorite Trail:
any singletrack
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
Simple, light, reliable, easy to use
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
Grip Shift 600, 400, LX rapid fire
Bike Setup:
Ellsworth Isis with XT and ESP 9.0
Bottom Line:
This set of shifters has never let me down. I have transfered them to my second FS bike and will stay 8 speed as long as I can. I don't know why anyone would not appreciate being able to trim the front derailleur. I know a lot of people like to shift while braking and prefer the rapidfire, but I think the reliability of these shifters will keep me using grip shift for a long time.
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Submitted by
Stephen Smith
a Cross Country Rider
from Georgetown, IL, U.S.A. Date Reviewed: October 12, 2002
I have used these shifters for a few years now and have yet to find a reason to replace them!! Cable replacement is easy, set-up is easy...life with these shifters is easy! I just don't know what else you could want.
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Submitted by
jonesin
a Downhiller
from calgary, alberta Date Reviewed: April 2, 2002
Favorite Trail:
look out
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$100.00
Strengths:
ease of use slow to wear fast shifts easy to repair
Weaknesses:
snapped both barrel adjusters due to crashes. Fixed with fiberglass and epoxy! this sole reason makes SRAM the way to go!
Similar Products Used:
gripshift 400 $ STX, shimano XTR rapid rise.
Bike Setup:
steel hardtail, 100mm forks, flats, 27" bars
Bottom Line:
SRAM shifting is natural and very quick. the ability to repair broken shifters due to their being plastic is spectacular. never a missshift due to holding on to the grips(as some think).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
scorch
a
from calgary Date Reviewed: March 24, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$25.00
Strengths:
quick shifts extremely simple lightweight accurate
Weaknesses:
can't brake and shift at the same time
Bike Setup:
2000 rm6, 01 Jr. t, shimano xt discs, maxxis/irc tires, xt disc hubs, lx f/sram r
Bottom Line:
this shifter kiks ass. Way simpler than shimano and way lighter. I love it. Especially the precise shifting even in mud. the front shifter can adjust the der to eliminate chain rub unlike shimano's barrel adjusters. Thanks to sram for making cable entry and removal easier. I can cross the whole cassette with about 1 1/2 twist and same for goin down too. Takes time to get used to not braking and shifting at the same time.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Aspen, CO Date Reviewed: August 21, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Maah Daah Hey
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
One twist at the top of a hill and you're ready to crank on a downhill.
Weaknesses:
Barrel adjuster is difficult to spin making on bike adjustment trickier, especially when on singletrack.
Similar Products Used:
Grip Shift Attack 8.0
Bike Setup:
Cannondale Raven 900
Bottom Line:
It's good but nothing exceptional. Changing a cable is extremely easy--kudos to SRAM for the design. Barrel adjuster is difficult to spin and sometimes the shifter is stiff,too. People with weak wrists may have some difficulty. LOVE the adjustability of the front; I never have to hear the chain rubbing against a derailleur guide as I've had to with Shimano's indexed system.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joe D.
a Cross Country Rider
from West Virginia Date Reviewed: August 6, 2000
Favorite Trail:
temple mountain Utah
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
downshifting on rear cassette (!!sweet!!) works better than G/S with Shimano derailleur (i.e. Attack)
Weaknesses:
none if you like grip shift....
Similar Products Used:
1999 SRAM Plasma with XT rear (same as Attack) 2000 SRAM 9.0 ESP half-pipe with SRAM 9.0 rear
Bike Setup:
K2 1000, swapped out LX pod shifters and derailleur for this
Bottom Line:
Bought this in a combo with SRAM 9.0 rear derailleur for upgrading a new bikewith pod shifters. Had for 2 years used a SRAM 8 speed Plasma (same basic shifter but with travel for Shimano derailleur) with a Shimano XT on my old XC bike, so this is really a comparison of the ESP shifter system between SRAM and Shimano derailleurs. The ESP system wins, hands down! Boy is the downshifting on the rear cassette silky, sweet, way different feel than with the Plasma/XT (with which I was not displeased) -- also the front shift is slightly less in angular travel and easier to turn than the Plasma -- the long twist on the front was my only real gripe with the Plasma, and I had considered leaving the click-shifter on the front....but gawd I hate click shift! I can live with this....
In comparison to the SRAM half-pipe (which I tried once on a long technical ride), I really like the older "narrow" style much better. The left (chainring) shifter on the half pipe, especially, was so sensitive that I found myself shifting inadvertently on lifts and technical moves. The narrow shifter (thumb and forefinger action) is much better for technical riding. Hope SRAM keeps it...
In these shifter reviews, it generally comes down to rider preference between grip shift and pod shifters, so the average scores don't tend to mean a lot. I'm a Grip Shift rider, for sure,and would tend to favor it in reviews. But among the 3 different grip shifts I have ridden (Plasma/Shimano, ESP with half pipe, ESP narrow), this is by far the sweetest. A clear upgrade from the Grip Shift/Shimano setup, and great for intense XC and freeride.
Buy this shifter (with the ESP 9.0 derailleur) if you know you like Grip Shift and want to optimize performance. Price is also excellent, good value. Don't worry about leaving the XT derailleur behind, the ESP works way better. You can sell the XT...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Diki Fenn.
a Racer
from haydenville, MA Date Reviewed: July 28, 2000
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Sweet feel half pipe grip never miss shifts
Weaknesses:
Advertising makes people buy the white ones which are no different they just cost more.
Similar Products Used:
crap compared these
Bike Setup:
Giant,00'9.0 shift setup,king,crosslink,this and that
Bottom Line:
Sweet feelin shifters never miss shifted yet got the info before i bought the 9.0sl and waisted money for the white paint.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pat Gleason
a Weekend Warrior
from Columbus Ohio, USA Date Reviewed: April 3, 2000
My new Coda disk brake levers would not let me mount optical Shimano type shifters. So in a fit of rage I went to the LBS and purchased an ESP9.0 Shifter/Der. combo. Now in the past I've been kinda pleased with GripShift, but Shimano had the edge and reliability. These new Gripshift 9.0's work extremely well, and in my opinion blow even the XTR's away. Very, very easy to setup, my only complaint is that the rear der. does not have an adjuster barrell like Shimano. He it's cheaper than XT or XTR and honestly works as good or slightly better. Skip the older style 800-900 series, they aren't near as good.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Racer
from London&Taiwan Date Reviewed: October 15, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Red Bull Run Wales
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Light weight. Good Looks. Easy set up
Weaknesses:
Needs lots of attention to cables. Stops working when conditions get very muddy.
Similar Products Used:
Sachs Shimano.
Bike Setup:
Giant ATX890 with Rock Shocks.
Bottom Line:
These shifters rock! They came as standard on the Giant I bought here in Taiwan and they are really good. The shifting is quick and precise. I used to use Shimano Rapid Fire but kept breaking the front shift units. Three later and the twist shift was suggested. My back home has the Sachs Power Grip Extreme married to an XTR deraileur but I think the Sram set up is superior. One problem I've had is that after very wet rides the gears seem to seize up. I'm sure the damp climate here doesn't help but you have to look after your cables. That's pretty minor really and I'd reccomend these to anyone.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
tony
a Weekend Warrior
from miami Date Reviewed: May 20, 1999
Favorite Trail:
oleta river
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Similar Products Used:
rapid fire
Bottom Line:
incredible product! i can't understand why anyone would use rapid fire knowing that this is available. to me this is the only way to go, twist baby, twist! it's lighter, stronger, more reliable, better-cleaner design, than shimano, i cant understand why anyone would want all those levers hanging out from the bottom of their bars!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
The Old Crank
a Weekend Warrior
from Atlanta Date Reviewed: April 29, 1999
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Easy shifting, especially with winter gloves.
Weaknesses:
After 2 years, doesn't like to shift to small cog.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano
Bottom Line:
I was glad to see that several other people installed the shifters in reverse. I felt like a dunce when I did the same and finally went to a bike shop, only to have the mechanic tell me I had the shifters reversed. It still seems to me the ESP decals are upside down. After 2 years they are still shifting well, but I find I have to pay more attention to keeping the drive train clean, because it hesitates when shifting to the little cog.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jm
a Cross-Country Rider
from Oklahoma Date Reviewed: March 27, 1999
Favorite Trail:
12moh(its all i got)
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Crisp shifting, light weight, trick looks.
Weaknesses:
Scratched the top of the shifters already by turning the bike upside down.
This product is awesome, super light(lighter than XTR) cheaper than XTR, great shifting. In extreme mud it goes slightly out of ajustmen, but a slight turn of the barrel ajuster fixes everything(maybe I dont got em set up quite right yet?) The action is great, no ghost shifting, precise, the non-1:1 front shifter is actually pretty good, I can ajust for chain rub now. Bottom line: Shifts as good or better than XTR, but cheaper, and lighter!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Guido Kerssens
a cross-country rider
from the Netherlands Date Reviewed: January 20, 1999
Bottom Line:
ESP 900 shifts smooth and very precise. Cosumer service is really great: one phonecall to the Dutch helpdesk and the lost/broken parts are replaced without a hassle (this happened to me twice). I fitted out both my bikes with ESP and I love it. It is a pitty the Shimano dictates the market....a 9 speed cassette with a 34 cog, who needs that? So don't ask for a lightweight 11-28, 8 speed cassette in a few weeks, cause they don't want it anymore! We want more affortdable alternatives for the S-compagny! Five stars for the reliability and services from SRAM
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sherman
a weekend warrior
from British Columbia, Canada Date Reviewed: December 24, 1998
Bottom Line:
I got this shift system on my Specialized FSR. I think they are pretty good for gripshifters. I have always been a big fan of rapid fire but I find that these shifters are pretty nice. They don't accidentally shift like I thought that they would and the setup is pretty simple. Cable changes are a snap with the easy access hole. I have also broken a shifter arm on rapid fires and banged my knees numerous times on them and the design if gripshifters are greatly appreiciated. It is always great to have an alternative shift system rather then always using Shimano. I am glad that SRAM has provided that alternative.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Darko Andreevski - okraD
a cross-country rider
from Skopje, Macedonia Date Reviewed: November 2, 1998
Bottom Line:
I just received '97 ESP set from Supergo.. As first i have to tell that guys from Supergo was really cool.. I payed 59$ for both shifters and rear deraleiur, and i got it after a week.. Good work guys.. Now about the shifters.. I have them only one day and i like how they work and how they look.. The only problem what i have was that the both shifters (rear/front) are the same, and i switched the shifters. After 3 hours of trying and when i was dissapointed i tried to swtich them (both of them have 8 clicks). When i put them correctly i need it only 5 minutes to adjust them for perfect smooth shifting... 5 chillies for work and look, 3 they are the same and is easy to switch them while installing.. So finnal is 4 chilie
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a cross-country rider
from Texas Date Reviewed: October 24, 1998
Bottom Line:
I upgraded to ESP 9.0 from a Shimano Alivio rear derailleur and Grip Shift 400. I also put an XT derailleur on the front. WOW! What a difference. The ESP works perfectly, mine has required no adjustmaent since I first installed it six months ago. The shifter also works great with the XT on the front. Shifts are smooth, quick and easy, and I have had no problems with accidental shifts. Also, I have crashed into a tree at high speed without damaging the shifter.As for the dumbass who wrote the review below, the fact that one shifter is marked 1 2 3 and the other 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 should indicate which one is which!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
eric
a cross-country rider
from arlington, virginia Date Reviewed: September 1, 1998
Bottom Line:
I have just one comment on the strength of the shifter: it sucks. Here's what happened, I was descending a fire road coarse when suddenly I saw a huge rock in the middle of the trail so I hit the rear brake and I hit a tree directly on the body of my front shifter. So now my front shifter is significantly lowered in performance unless I can find out if i can get a replacement. Also the difference between the two shifters is almost indistinguishible, it took me 4 months to figure out why i couldn't shift all the way up and down my cog set(the shifters were reversed).
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff Wu
a downhiller
from Hsin Chu Date Reviewed: August 16, 1998
Bottom Line:
The shifts are quick and precise. I've never missed a shift yet. the looks are great. It's easy to destroy one in a crash, but it's pretty cheap to replace. The ESP 9.0 SL looks even cooler and it's only bit more expensive. These are so easy to operate. The newly designed grip is great. I'm actually considering replacing the XT shifters and rear derailleur on my XC bike with these.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Johnny
a cross-country rider
from London, On., Ca. Date Reviewed: June 25, 1998
Bottom Line:
I just recently put the ESP 9.0 shifters and rear derailleur on my bike. They are awesome! I love the new changes that SRAM made to these shifters, the grips are much more comfortable on your hands now, and thanks to the cable ports changing cables is a breeze! When I installed the new system on my bike I found no problems or incompatability with my XTR 12-32 tooth cassette, setup was staight forward. The ESPs shift like a dream in muddy or dry conditions with a light crisp action. If you are considering trying a twist-shifter and are serious about performance of your equipment give the ESP 9.0 set a go, you won't be sorry. Oh yeah, I've NEVER had any problems with mis-shifts with any gripshift system that I've used, ie: keep your hands off the shifter and on your grips, problem solved. Enjoy!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff Bratteson
a cross-country rider
from NY Date Reviewed: May 24, 1998
Bottom Line:
I got Gripshift ESP 9.0 with my new bike. I tried them for about 2 rides to see if I liked them better than XT Rapidfire. Well these shifter really had a mind of their own. They would shift on their own and not stay in gear durring climbs (kinda dangerous). I guess these shifter really thought they had E.S.P. but they were reading the mind of someone else. I had been using XT rapidfire for about 4 years and was extreamly happy. Tomorrow I will be riding with XT again!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
steve
a racer
from canada Date Reviewed: May 7, 1998
Bottom Line:
I've got the new ESP 9.0 shifters with the ESP Carbon rear deraileur (came with a new bike). The old bike had XT thumbshifters and XT rear deraulleur. I find the gripshift works very well. Not really any better than thumbshifters (but then none of this technocrap is), but I like them. Solid reliable shifting, no dirt or mud problems, easily adjustable. It didn't take very long to get used to it, and I haven't had any accidental shifts. The only problem I have with it is that you twist the right grip (rear derailleur) wrist down for an easier gear (i.e to go slower, opposite to a motorcycle - which was a bit confusing), and the left grip(front shifter) wrist up for an easier gear. That may be because my front derailleur uses a cable coming down from the top, but it still seems to me that confuses things unnecessarily.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Thom
a racer
from Oregon Date Reviewed: April 28, 1998
Bottom Line:
I have ample experience wit both shimano and gripshift, either on my own bike or on many of the customers bikes I see during the day(I am a professional mechanic.) For the last three years I have been running predominantly gripshift paired with XT or XTR derailluers. I have found their action to be excellent if you keep your cables in good shape. The ability to trim the front derailuer outweighs the small problems. As far as cable replacement goes, the old gripshift wasn'ty that hard to replace once you knew the routine and the argument that rapidfire is easier due to a simple cable port is null and void. The new Shimano requires you to remove two incredibly small screws from a plastic plate. The old rapifire was much easier. The new ESP 9.0 shifter and derailluers work excellently. Maintainence is a snap, reliablilty is awesome(even in mud) ergonomics are improved a huge amount, barrel adjusters that work and are accessable, and warranty and customer service beyond par.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Marc
a racer
from CA Date Reviewed: April 24, 1998
Bottom Line:
Tried two sets of the '97 9.0 shifters and derailleurs on two of my bikes. The shifters work okay, but it's a pain to change the cables. They've made it much easier this year. These shifters only work with Sram derailleurs, which in my opinion, don't work worth a crap. If you have to use Gripshift, use the 8.0's with a shimano derailleur.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff Meikle
a cross-country rider
from Utica, Michigan, USA Date Reviewed: February 14, 1998
Bottom Line:
Just upgraded from gripshift 400 with 7 spd cassette to Gripshift 9.0 system and new XTR rear hub/cassette last fall. Always preferred the gripshift to Shitmano's complicated system. I've done most of my riding thus far over the winter in snow and mud and get totally psyched with each shift. It never ghost shifts, gets caught between gears like the 400 did. Bike is currently using the standard cable that came with the kit. Replace the old housing to eliminate tight bends. Not using bass worms or pulleys or teflon cable. Haven't had it out once above freezing and the mud and snow haven't slowed it down a bit.I've been riding and racing the hell out of my Cannondale for three years now and never had a problem braking/shifting or controlling my bike. Anyone who complains about accidental shifting because of bumps or climbing hills; don't blame the shifters, it's you. Only complaint so far is one time I left the parking lot without my gloves on. My hands kept slipping on the worn out 400's from the dirt and sweat. The ESP's have much deeper grips, even without grips the friction should be much higher, although I don't recommend riding without gloves. If you are looking at Gripshift, I highly recommend the ESP 9.0 system.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dan-Man
a weekend warrior
from Date Reviewed: October 19, 1997
Bottom Line:
Got the Gripshift ESP 9.0 system. Initially I was worried about adjusting from Rapidfires after 3+ years. No need to fret. Gripshift kicks ass. I would recommend it to anyone, especially now that the '98 ESP 9.0 system has its own front derailleur. (Take that, Shimano monopoly giant!) Go with Gripshift when you get tired of banging your knees on Rapidfires, or when you see how many tiny parts there are inside a Rapidfire..
Overall Rating:
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