Well this is similar to riding flats VS clipless discussions. Honestly it's really a matter of rider preference.

Do you have one bike with grip shift and another with trigger? If so, then just ride both and see which seems to be most comfortable for you. I've ridden both and decided on trigger ultimately. Nothing swayed me besides I just liked it more.

 

Trigger shifters.

 

I hate gripshift. But I'm not you.

 

I believe Gripshifters can compromise wrist position. And I base this fact on absolutely nothing.

 

I had 9spd X.0 gripshift set and they were great. 1000% better than the old 90's gripshifters and the cheap dept store versions. Very light, very durable, never had an accidental shift or ergonomic issue. I doubt the newer ones are somehow worse

 

I like Shimano triggers, but I have never cared for SRAM triggers. When I got a bike that came with an XX1 drivetrain I swapped the trigger for a twist shifter, and I like it just fine. I started using Grip Shift in the early 90's, so I've always been used to twist shifters. So for me, if it's Shimano I'll choose triggers, but if it's SRAM I'll choose a twist shifter.

 

Pros and Cons.

Pros - Trigger Shifters

Cons - Grip Shifters

Done!

 

Pros and Cons.

Pros - Trigger Shifters

Cons - Grip Shifters

Done!

Case closed :smilewinkgrin:

 

😂😂😂

 

Supposedly the higher-end grip shifters are fine, but the low-end can be horrible. I've ridden two bikes with them, both friction shifting. A 2007 Specialized 3x7 and they actually shifted OK. And then a cheaper bike that had plastic ones. Well, going up hills I would accidentally upshift, which was not fun. Both of the shifters broke within 5 months. Threw the bike in the trash.

 

I like both, but prefer grip shift. Currently I’m using a Shimano trigger. It’s fine and I will likely stick with it now that Shimano finally figured out how to do it right with the current clutch derailuers. Before that I felt they sucked compared to SRAM.

High end SRAM grip shift is really nice, very positive shifts, and you can dump lots of gears with a simple twist.

 

Grip shift is a good option for those with bad arthritus (sp) especially in the thumb----and perhaps for other physical limitations-----mine is so bad I need to use the palm of my hand to work the triggers-----w/o these issues the triggers are great

 

Grip Shift is popular in winter around these parts. In the most extreme cold, pushing your finger against a paddle causes more heat-loss and the paddle tends to cold-soak when not used for a while, even inside of a pogie/bar mitt. May not seem like much, but every little bit helps when it's cold.

 

I am a huge fan of twist shifters. Currently running GX. Though I am contemplating going to a full XT group and would then have no choice but trigger. As others have said, the ability to go through a large chunk of gears with a single twist is nice. I have had one accidental shift in the 23 years of using twist shifters. The one negative is that twist shifters can limit the types of grips you can use (and no colors, only available in black grips).

 

I use ESI Chunky grips with my SRAM XX1 twist shifter. I just cut the one on the shifter side shorter. They are comfortable, lightweight, and the diameter matches well with the twist shifter. I use black ones, but you can get them in colors if you want.

ODI also makes shorter lock-on grips designed for use with twist shifters. I've tried them, but I personally prefer the ESI grips.

 

I had severe arthritis of my right wrist and thumb. Ultimately required a partial wrist fusion. Have a SRAM Eagle drivetrain. Converted the rear triggers to a SRAM grip shifter placed upside down on left. Worked perfectly. I still probably prefer the levers but it is a close call. As my wrist heals I may try the levers again only because of the dropper post.

 

I don't mind Srams triggers. I cannot stand and refuse to use Shimano triggers.
If I've got Shimano, it either gets Grip, or Di2. I don't mind SHimano's Di2 triggers.

I have always liked GripShift though. If twisting/shifting is a problem on rough terrain, please don't even attempt to ride a MX bike, where the whole grip moves, and will toss you on your can in 1/10 of a second with an accidental blip of a very light throttle.

 

Grip shift for winter rides with bar mits. Cons of grip shift is fat grips. Trigger shift for all other rides.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

Ergon make quite a few grips with a length suitable for twist shifters. Personally, I like GripShift as it doesn't stress my thumbs, and dislike SRAM triggers for the same reason. Shimano triggers are okay IMO, better than SRAM. I have one bike with Eagle and definitely want to get rid of the SRAM trigger on that. :-(

 

i recently got a new bike, first in a long time, after being out of mountain biking for a number of years. first time i've used trigger shifters since 1994. They've come a long way, but after riding my old bike today with my daughter, i do miss my grip shift. i'm considering making the change back to gripshift, but don't know that i really want to make the $200 investment (still haven't confirmed if i have to replace the front derailleur too) on a brand new bike. i went through 2 sets of trigger shifters (93' XT version) so maybe will just wait until i destroy this set.

 

I have bought several bikes with grip shift, and none of them lasted more than 2 rides before that shifter went in the garbage. Absolutely hate grip shifters.

 

Will be reporting back on this. Just ordered an XO grip shift for a 1x11 setup with XT disc brakes. Been happy with GX triggers, but wanted to try something different for all season and winter riding. A bonus with this is the XT brakes will mount up closer to the shifter. Will probably also change out the grip end with ESI chunky grips eventually.

 

Normally, it is best not to shove your brake lever up against the shifter anyway. Doing so puts your brake finger where it lands midway on the lever rather than the end of the lever and taking advantage of what a lever is. I have about a 3/4" gap between my trigger shifter and brake lever. As always, YMMV.

 

I prefer triggers. I have only used gripshift way back in the 90s. It was the top off the line weight weenie version of day (faux graphite look, don't recall the model). It was okay, but I recall having a tweeked thumb and oddly it made it harder to operate than the triggers of the day.
In general I didn't like the chopped up grips and having to move my hand inboard all the time to shift.

 

I think you will find today’s modern grip shifter a different experience. Requires no more force than a trigger and very smooth. I started using it because of arthritis. Now not sure which I prefer. Being able to smoothly make multiple shifts at a time is real convenient. Does not feel any choppier than a trigger shifter.

 

Triggers.

 

I use a grip shifter on my fat bike for winter riding. It is easier to manipulate with heavier gloves/pogie bar mits. I tried a grip shifter on my MTB but didn't like it when death gripping the bars and also on climbs when bearing down. I have had a few instances where I started to initiate a shift when I didn't intend to. So, I run a SRAM trigger on the MTB.

 

You guys that are accidentally shifting with Gripshift are running your grips too short. I have been running Gripshift since the mid-nineties without a single accidental shift. The new Gripshifters come with grips that are too short. You should use aftermarket grips that are cut a little longer than stock.