Submitted by
Steve
a
from Port Angleles, WA Date Reviewed: February 12, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Limbo
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At:
Don't remember
Strengths:
Light, simple, good looking, decent shifting, can shift a handfull of gears in a single motion.
Weaknesses:
They suck in sloppy conditions cus your hand slips when you get tired. You can find your wrist in an unnatural position if you are supprised by a sudden climb. They ghost shift worse than your dead grandma over the rough stuff.
If you are a cc boy or girl or bike path person these things will work great for you. If you like it rough (the rougher the better) forget it. You can't huck anything or ride gnarley trail while holding on to the shifters because well, they shift(duh). As I got into freeriding these things had to go. I will never go back.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
N.B.GAS
a Cross Country Rider
from LAS VEGAS, NV. Date Reviewed: December 31, 2005
Favorite Trail:
EMPTY
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$190.00
Purchased At:
PRICE POINT .com
Strengths:
Its by SRAM! AWESOME SHIFTERS...FAST,CLEAN,LITE... A TRUE WORK OF ART! 190.00 INCLUDED DERAILEUR...
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Elora, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: August 3, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Very light, easy cable change, comfortable grip, crisp gear changes
Weaknesses:
See SRR's comments further down. Upshifting is extremely crisp, requiring good force (which one wants with a grip shifter, especially if you don't back off after a shift to the adjacent stationary grip), but downshifting (to bigger rings) is weaker, not as crisp. While there is different ring action in each direction (ramps down, not up) and one often wants to downshift quickly, I still find he difference too much.
Barrel Grip is bit too long; could be about 3/4 of an inch shorter
Similar Products Used:
Sachs power grip, Sram Xrays, Attack
Bike Setup:
Hardtail with Sram 9.0 cassette, PC99 chain and XO derailleur (and what a sweet derailleur it is)
Bottom Line:
Review is for rear shifter only. XO set-up (with rear derailleur) has been the most enjoyable, trouble free system. Tough, easy to adjust, durable. Only significant complaint is the difference in shifter action; therefore great but not outstanding.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason
a
from Johnson City, TN Date Reviewed: June 14, 2005
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Shift unbelievably well under load, light, damn good looking.
Weaknesses:
The grips wear pretty quickly and are rather expensive to replace.
Similar Products Used:
XT
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Superlight
Bottom Line:
These shifters are great working and look cool as hell too. My only complaint is the gooey rubber grip that is used on the twisting part, it wears quite quickly.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Frank B
a Cross Country Rider
from San Anselmo CA Date Reviewed: April 23, 2005
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$90.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Light, fast shifting through full gear range , Sexiest shifters available
Weaknesses:
Having to live in the cloudy past of Gripshift X-Rays
Similar Products Used:
Gripshift X-Rays,Sachs Power Grips, Shimano XTR DCL
Bike Setup:
Merlin Oreas Hardtail,Fox F80X, Full Sram Drivetrain Magura Marta SL's, Mavic Xmax SL's
Bottom Line:
Fast positive shifts every time , no adjusting period, set it up your done, just ride.Able to shift through your whole cassette in one shot,being able to use any brake setup you want and lighter than the BIG S's group( costs less too!)Plus how can you not love the Carbon look!If your only experience with Sram was an old set of X-rays and you are disgruntled with having to adjust your New XTR after every mud ride,give these guys a shot and you will be blown away!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mikhail Andro Galero
a Weekend Warrior
from Butuan City, Philippines Date Reviewed: February 21, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Malalag Trail na karon
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$142.00
Purchased At:
3M-J
Strengths:
-very easy to setup -very lightweight -cheaper than xtr ($140 inc derailleur)
Weaknesses:
-the grips, had to cut them coz its too long
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XTR
Bike Setup:
1999 Raven, X.O rear derailleur, 9.O front derailleur, Avid Flak Jacket cables, Truvativ Stylo Team crankset, XTR chain and cassette.
Bottom Line:
I have been using Shimano XTR's for almost 3 years and needed to upgrade my system. I don't like the latest XTR brake shifter combo, it's too bulky and looks like it belonged in a commuter bike. Shimano products are good, but i don't like it because everybody has it and they always come out with newer models every year. This year i'm going to remove all my shimano stuff from my bike exept for the cassette and chains, I already started with the Tank Lights hubs, Truvativ cranks and Avid brakes and levers, and this... my SRAM X.O ESP.
It's very easy to set-up, i didn't even have to use the barrel adjusters. Every gear just shifted on my first try. It has delivered crisp, authorative shifts with excellent consistency ever since i got it.
It's very lightweight, only 400 grams including cables, you also save more weight by cutting your grips in half to fit the gripshifters. My previous XTR setup weighed at 524 grams.
It's cheaper than the latest Shimano XTR products. Got my Sram X.O gripshifters & rear derailleur for only $140. The latest XTR system in my LBS costs around $268.
It has a very cool look. It goes well with my monocoque carbon fiber frame and polished swingarm. It also has uncluttered my handle bar area, it looks cleaner.
The only downside to this set-up is I have to learn a new way of shifting, I have been using trigger shifters ever since i got into mountain biking. But if i have gotten the new XTR, I'd still be learning a new way to shift gears anyway. But the SRAM X.O's gripshifters has a much simplier system, and simplier machines to me are stronger machines.
Buy this one, if your a trail rider looking for a simple drivetrain that's easy to setup with little or no maintenance.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kevin Pruitt
a Racer
from San Antonio, TX Date Reviewed: January 5, 2005
Favorite Trail:
lbt
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$169.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Simple to install and easy to dial in that perfect shift. Works great with the X.0 rd. Also, works like a champ with an XT fd. So nice to have components that were engineered for mountain bikes.
Weaknesses:
None yet
Similar Products Used:
Old school grip shifts that came on my bike when purchased in '96.
Bike Setup:
Pimped out, flip-flop paint, and overhauled Trek 7000 ZX Aluminum. The seat post is original. But of course pimped as well.
Bottom Line:
Nothing works better than SRAM X.0. I've gone with XTR brake levers/shifters with all the goods. But, Shimano can't compete with SRAM. Look online, find a deal, and ride like a care-free animal.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dr. Pete
a Cross Country Rider
from N. Bethesda, MD Date Reviewed: September 12, 2004
I was looking at upgrading the shifters I had on my Yeti which I bought used, and I took a look at XTR and X.0. XTR was big, bulky, insanely expensive, and locked me into using Shimano brakes. The X.0 was pure simplicity! They look insanely cool, are super light for a pair of shifters, and oh my lord do they perform. Paired with the X.0 Rear derailleur (which is the coolest piece of drivetrain components ever devised, IMHO) and the PG990 cassette, I'm shifting with a level of performance I've never experienced.
They're simpler, lighter, look better, perform better, are SO much cheaper than XTR, and you can use whatever brakes you want. These are the best shifters on the market, period.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
G.K.
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix Date Reviewed: September 12, 2004
I bought them primarily for the ability to micro-adjust the front end. I'm not always able to stay out of cross-over gear combos and being able to trim the front der is priceless. Shifting seems much more accurate than my old triggers. They work very well with the X-9 rear der and beat the pants off Shimano for price. Bottom line?.....Love 'em!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
svlbike
a Cross Country Rider
from NY Date Reviewed: July 12, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Mt. Beacon
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$240.00
Purchased At:
E-Bay
Strengths:
Crisp, precise shifting. Micro-adjust up front. Look way cool.
Weaknesses:
Choice of grips----->Lock-ons
Similar Products Used:
All Shimano levels and X-Ray
Bike Setup:
Totally Ti with XO Rear
Bottom Line:
These shifters are way better than the X-Ray I once owned. I'm considering changing my other bikes to these things. With the XO in the rear, I was amazed at their performance. I thought nothing could be as good as XTR, well, not so. Especially since Shimano has changed their whole shifting line just about. SRAM offers an excellent product at a great cost. Thanks for all the product testing at Palos.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
SRR
a Cross Country Rider
from Tacoma, WA Date Reviewed: April 21, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Little Bald Mountain
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$59.00
Purchased At:
CBO
Strengths:
These were on sale and actually cheaper than some of the other SRAM offerings.
Weaknesses:
Grips are too wide and the action is quite different between shifting up or down.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano Rapid Fire (wore out four sets), GS 800's, X-Rays, Sachs Power Grip Extremes, SRAM Plasma 7.0's, SRAM 9.0's.
Bike Setup:
Hammerhead 100X
Bottom Line:
I've been a die-hard grip shifter ever since the Sachs Power Grips appeared. I like grip shifters because they represent a mean between the simple reliability of thumb shifters and the speed of Rapid Fire. They are more male, muscular, and blue-collar than Shimano's offerings, which, by contrast, are more female, white-collar, and way temperamental. I'm disappointed with the XO's however because they seem to lean both ways. The shifting action is weak in one direction, burly in the other. I want them to feel the same both ways -- crisp and authoritative, like the older 9.0's or the Sachs. Plus the grips are annoyingly wide to no purpose and they feel squishy. I will probably switch back to 9.0's at my next cable swap, if I can locate a set in somebody's Bargain Basement.
Other than that, they're still faster, simpler, and more reliable than anything Shimano.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
kingfurby
a Racer
from St. Louis Date Reviewed: April 20, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Chubb
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$65.00
Purchased At:
greenfishsports.com
Strengths:
-Ratcheting shift system gives you four very positive detents between front shifts and the ability to trim your front cage in nasty conditions.
Weaknesses:
Twist shifters force your brake levers inward, so when you attach your race number you may have to cut little triangles out to get access to your brake lever adjuster barrels.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano rapidfire
Bike Setup:
Giant NRS with an XO rear derailleur and Shimano XT front derailleur.
Bottom Line:
I couldn't really think of any weaknesses for these excellent shifters. These sell for around $70 on the internet which is very competitive with Shimano LX level componentry, but the quality and accuracy of these shifters are better than XTR. When you consider what the new Shimano shift levers cost, SRAM XO is a bargain for a top of the line group. The 1:1 cable actuation means you get very positive, crisp shifting that is unrivalled by other manufacturers (Shimano). I find the gear indicators easier to read and more accurate than Shimano also, and they do not add a significant amount of weight to the setup. I'm happy I finally tried SRAM again after being stuck with Shimano for the last seven years, this stuff is amazing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
diRtdOg
a
from Tulsa Date Reviewed: October 17, 2003
Favorite Trail:
anything at turkey mtn
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
1:1 ratio, positive shifts
Weaknesses:
grips
Similar Products Used:
shimano
Bike Setup:
'03 superlight
Bottom Line:
aggresive cross country rider/racer have used XO for 1 year. very positive shifts, no hesitation. this system flat out works. has been completely maintenance free for entire year. my only complaint is the wimpy grips. they wore out very quickly. for this amount of dough XO should come with lock-ons.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Shawn
a
from sc Date Reviewed: October 3, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Looks great, works great
Weaknesses:
price? you get what you pay for though.
Similar Products Used:
LX, XT, XTR, SRAM 9.0
Bike Setup:
Ellsworth Truth SE
Bottom Line:
This stuff works better than anything else out there. Quick, precise shifts with low maintenance, light weight and great looks as a bonus.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael Halloran
a Weekend Warrior
from boston, ma Date Reviewed: October 3, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$69.00
Purchased At:
jensonusa.com
Strengths:
Smooth shifts, looks, ease of maintenance.
Weaknesses:
None that I have found
Similar Products Used:
XTR
Bike Setup:
Specialized Rockhopper comp, time pedals, xtr front derailler, sram X.0 rear derailler, Rockshock SID XC front shock.
Bottom Line:
I used to have an old stumpjumper with the thumb shifters. I upgraded to a newer rockhopper and wasn't happy with the rapid fire shifters. So, I upgraded those to XTR and still was not satisfied. They kept getting out of wack after 3-4 rides. I just upgraded my shifters to these - and I will never go back!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bruce Brown
a Weekend Warrior
from Des Moines, Iowa, USA Date Reviewed: September 14, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$239.95
Purchased At:
eBay (complete X.0 upgrade kit)
Strengths:
Light. Looks. Shifts are immaculate. Easy to change the cable when needed. Looks (did I say that already).
Weaknesses:
I wasn't too happy with the supplied SRAM grips that came with the grip shifters in the little tin can. I felt - and still do - that they are a tad too long and too thin as they don't match up with the twist shifter grip thickness and SRAM didn't provide any straight lines to help one cut down the length.
For instance my older SRAM shifters - a 1999 7.0 set have the twist shifter grip and the supplied grip matching each other in thickness for a nice blended gripping surface. And they had some straight lines to help guide one's cutting - although the length was just right that I didn't need to do any cutting with those.
The grip shifters themselves have no weaknesses, but if you use the the full length supplied grip, it means your brake levers are going to be quite a ways inboard on the bar so that you will have to move your hands inwards when you want to brake. Either that, or ride with your hands an inch or two in from the ends of the bar so that you can reach the levers. Small beef since plenty of third party grips are available in more traditional SRAM lengths - but I really don't know what SRAM was thinking when including these grips with the X.0 shifters. Had they been an inch shorter and a tad thicker - they would have been spot on.
Similar Products Used:
SRAM 7.0 as well as XT/LX/Deore.
Bike Setup:
Surly Karate Monkey with complete X.0, Avid Ti brake levers, Avid disc brakes, Race Face Next LP crankset, Race Face stem and handlebar, Easton seatpost and Selle Italia Prolink Gel saddle, Mavic Speed City wheelset with Bontrager ACX 29" tires.
Bottom Line:
Real happy I bought the SRAM X.0 upgrade kit. As mentioned above, the grip length and different thickness of the supplied grips have been a sore spot for me. I will probably get another grip made by another manufacturer as I have seen several at various LBS's around that are not quite as wide as the SRAM grips. At least that way the brake levers wouldn't be way, way over there almost out of reach.
The X.0 twist shifters, coupled with the X.0 rear derailleur are a real joy to shift with. The look sleek, feel sleek and perform sleek. I've got to knock one score off the value rating because of the supplied grips that come with the twist shifters.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pat Donohue
a Cross Country Rider
from Waterford, MI USA Date Reviewed: July 7, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Pontiac Lake
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
Pricepoint
Strengths:
Quick and smooth shifting. Slight twist of the wrist and you have instant gear changes. Do not have to readjust and always strong.
Weaknesses:
Costs because you have to get the matching derailuer
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XT and XTR
Bike Setup:
Trek Carbon-fiber, X.0 shifterrs, Avid ti brakes with Paul Duece 1/2 love levers, XTR hubs on Mavic rims, blah, blah, blah
Bottom Line:
After eight years of Shimano and 6 years of racing, these new shifers are a welcome relief. I will never go back to Shimano after using these. They finally did it right with these shifters.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
matthew chandler
a
from mississauga ont Date Reviewed: March 29, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
wheel world
Strengths:
these are the best grip shifts on the planet, hows that to start it of. they look sweet, you can go through all 9 gears in 1 turn soo frign fast, very light and very comfortable, the grips that come with them are sweet too
Weaknesses:
none, some people may comlain about price but what are you gonna do, if you want the best stuff then youre gonna have to pay some money, so that excuse about the money issue is bull crap.
Similar Products Used:
none of grip shifts
Bike Setup:
rockhopper/specialized, i dont want to name the parts that will take to long, mostly stock except for derailler, grip shifts and handle bars
Bottom Line:
these are the best grip shifts you can have, although i didnt have any on my previus bikes i have used some of my friends and they just dont cut it with the response that the sram X.0 shifters give you, all 9 gears in 1 turn!!! now is that sweet or what
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from Bakersfield Ca USA Date Reviewed: November 25, 2002
Russ Denny Hardatail-Sid SL-Paul brakes-Next Lps-Mavic Rims-time pedals-thomsom post and stem. Loaded Bascially
Bottom Line:
Shifts excellent and looks good doing it. Like the new shifter covers and the fact that they are actually shorter than the rockets. Here is a helpful hint: Change out the cables and put in jagwire teflon pre-strecth cables and it helps greatly. Haven't had to adjust anything since it was installed.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
1500MPG
a Cross Country Rider
from Michigan Date Reviewed: November 9, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$65.00
Purchased At:
Jenson
Strengths:
I bought these for the "Tornado" style grip covers becasuse the regular 9.0 shorties made my hands numb. Show-off factor. Advertised as light.
Weaknesses:
PRICE, OUCH !!!
Similar Products Used:
9.0 SL shorties both 9 speed and 8 speed, Rockets, Rapid fire.
Bottom Line:
Bike...$1800, hands not going numb...PRICELESS. SRAM, put those grip covers on other, cheaper shifters too please !!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Greg
a Racer
from Phoenix Date Reviewed: October 20, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Haas
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$65.00
Purchased At:
jensonusa.com
Strengths:
Light - stealth look / great feel
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
XTR
Bike Setup:
Airborne Ti hardtail everything else is also Ti - total pimpage: I am also going to put some XO's on my full suspension Cannondale Raven 2000.
Bottom Line:
These sweeet shifters will keep your game tight!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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