shifter question

"di" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:RuH6e.2303$uY4.688@okepread04...

Quoted message said:

My riding partner is developing arthritis in the first joint of her thumbs
and is having problems shifting the thumb shifter on her Shimano Deore
Shifters. We are considering switching to Sram Twist Shifters, but
having no experience with them I'm concerned if they would solve the
problem. She still has good strength in her hands so griping the shifter
should be no problem. I realize the Rear Derailleur would also probably
have to be changed with most Sram Shifters. Currently the bike has
Deore Shifters and Front Derailleur, XT Rear Derailleur. I am not
looking for something that would specifically work with the XT, but would
be interested in the most reliable Sram Shifter\Derailleur, that would
also be easy to shift.

SRAM do a Shimano compatible shifter:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=5715
(there are other specs for thier shifters too, so take care).

I've got one on a DH bike, which has recently had a rollamagig thing added
(thanks to a poster here for pointing out crimped gear cable). I find it
excellent for shifting - using the grip from forefinger against thumb rather
than thumb pushing.

I'd say that as long as you can grip, you can shift. Perhaps a trip to local
low cost bike store and try out the shifters on a bike like that (they often
have poor quality shifters), and if that's OK then invest in a shifter.

Another option might be to go to the SRAM 1:1 actuation thumb shifter, I've
got that on another bike and compared to XT shifters (18 months old spec)
they are a bit lighter.

Hope this all helps,
Andy

di said:

My riding partner is developing arthritis in the first joint of her
thumbs and is having problems shifting the thumb shifter on her
Shimano Deore Shifters. We are considering switching to Sram Twist
Shifters, but having no experience with them I'm concerned if they
would solve the problem. She still has good strength in her hands so
griping the shifter
should be no problem. I realize the Rear Derailleur would also
probably have to be changed with most Sram Shifters. Currently the
bike has Deore Shifters and Front Derailleur, XT Rear Derailleur. I
am not looking for something that would specifically work with the
XT, but would be interested in the most reliable Sram
Shifter\Derailleur, that would also be easy to shift.

SRAM has both the Rocket and Attack series that has a grip-shift design
specifically for 2:1 actuation, and thus, Shimano derailleurs. I've used
the Rocket with positive results. However, after eventually bending the
last loop of derailleur housing at the rear, shifting became very difficult.
Although it's a cheap and easy fix, it is a nuisance. AndyC put it best:
Get a Rollamajig.

http://www.sram.com/en/sram/mountain/21shifters/index.php

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

Have you checked the cables and cable housing?

I one found it extremely hard to shift (LX).

When I washed out the housings and regreased the cables shifting was
effortless. Much lighter than before.... I had to force to be able to
shift.... shows what a big diff. dirt in the housing can make.

Jo
"di" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:RuH6e.2303$uY4.688@okepread04...

Quoted message said:

My riding partner is developing arthritis in the first joint of her thumbs
and is having problems shifting the thumb shifter on her Shimano Deore
Shifters. We are considering switching to Sram Twist Shifters, but
having no experience with them I'm concerned if they would solve the
problem. She still has good strength in her hands so griping the shifter
should be no problem. I realize the Rear Derailleur would also probably
have to be changed with most Sram Shifters. Currently the bike has
Deore Shifters and Front Derailleur, XT Rear Derailleur. I am not
looking for something that would specifically work with the XT, but would
be interested in the most reliable Sram Shifter\Derailleur, that would
also be easy to shift.

Phil said:

Get a Rollamajig.

Just don't ask for one at a stuporgo store. They don't carrry them, as
all good bike shops do.

JD

With Sram you havre many ways of shifting without using
the non finger.

di said:

My riding partner is developing arthritis in the first joint of her
thumbs and is having problems shifting the thumb shifter on her
Shimano Deore Shifters. We are considering switching to Sram Twist
Shifters, but having no experience with them I'm concerned if they
would solve the problem. She still has good strength in her hands so
griping the shifter
should be no problem. I realize the Rear Derailleur would also
probably have to be changed with most Sram Shifters. Currently the
bike has Deore Shifters and Front Derailleur, XT Rear Derailleur. I
am not looking for something that would specifically work with the
XT, but would be interested in the most reliable Sram
Shifter\Derailleur, that would also be easy to shift.

As another poster wrote -- the Rocket and Attack shifters work with Shimano
rear ders. I have a set of each, both shifting XT rear and LX front. I've
been using similar equipment for a decade now and have never needed anything
more. I've tried Rapid Fire and the new SRAM triggers on the trail, and the
Shimano flippy things in the parking lot. Triggers stuck me as just another
way to shift -- no better or worse. The integrated things were an
abomination in my opinion, though I'm sure I'd learn 'em after a few miles
if I had to.

I don't think there's any one best method. It's all about preference
really. You can get all three types at all different price points now
(since LX went to the integrated stuff). Properly installed and tuned, I'm
sure you can get whatever she chooses to work well. If ya wanna twist, the
Rocket or Attack work well. You may want to try a few out at the bike shop
to see if the pressure on her thumbs is any better with twisties. I
normally grab the shifters between thumb and index finger unless I'm looking
to change a whole handfull of gears. Depending on how your friend grips it,
she may find it doesn't provide any relief. (cue Sornie)

All will perform, find what's comfortable and fits her riding style.

Tom

"tcmedara" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:NAZ6e.4301$5J3.888@lakeread01...

Quoted message said:

di wrote:

I don't think there's any one best method. It's all about preference
really. You can get all three types at all different price points now
(since LX went to the integrated stuff). Properly installed and tuned,
I'm sure you can get whatever she chooses to work well. If ya wanna
twist, the Rocket or Attack work well. You may want to try a few out at
the bike shop to see if the pressure on her thumbs is any better with
twisties. I normally grab the shifters between thumb and index finger
unless I'm looking to change a whole handfull of gears. Depending on how
your friend grips it, she may find it doesn't provide any relief. (cue
Sornie)

All will perform, find what's comfortable and fits her riding style.

Tom

Thanks, I'll check these shifters. But it's not necessary that they be
Shimano compatible, I would have no problems buying a Sram derailleur, just
want a system that works as well as possible. I think the twist shifters
would work, her problem is in the joint of her thumb so far and no problems
seem to be in the hands themselves. I've just never rode with twist
shifters, know nothing about their properties, although I have heard
complaints that you can accidentally shift them if you pull on the
handlebars while climbing.

"Mark Hickey" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

di said:

Thanks, I'll check these shifters. But it's not necessary that they be
Shimano compatible, I would have no problems buying a Sram derailleur,
just
want a system that works as well as possible. I think the twist
shifters
would work, her problem is in the joint of her thumb so far and no
problems
seem to be in the hands themselves. I've just never rode with twist
shifters, know nothing about their properties, although I have heard
complaints that you can accidentally shift them if you pull on the
handlebars while climbing.

Most riders get over that (accidental shifting) within just a couple
"real rides". The up side to twist shifters is that you can keep a
good solid grip on the bars and still shift (comes in handy in rock
gardens, for example). Kind of hard to do that with your thumb on the
ST( shifter button.

That's exactly why I went with the SRAM grip shifters - it seemed ludicrous
to have to let go of the bars on a DH bike to change gear!!
In fact, before now I've got to the bottom of a particularly hairy ride and
had cramps where I've been gripping the bars too tightly, making it hard to
let go!!! ;o)

And, although I'm up out of the saddle, swinging the bike around and
generally riding like a loon (albeit a poor grade one!) I've never
accidentally shifted.

AndyC

di said:

My riding partner is developing arthritis in the first joint of her thumbs
and is having problems shifting the thumb shifter on her Shimano Deore
Shifters. We are considering switching to Sram Twist Shifters, but having
no experience with them I'm concerned if they would solve the problem.
She still has good strength in her hands so griping the shifter should be no
problem. I realize the Rear Derailleur would also probably have to be
changed with most Sram Shifters. Currently the bike has Deore Shifters
and Front Derailleur, XT Rear Derailleur. I am not looking for something
that would specifically work with the XT, but would be interested in the
most reliable Sram Shifter\Derailleur, that would also be easy to shift.

Methotrexate and Prednisone, it works for me.

--
Craig Brossman, Durango Colorado
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"Anyone who isn't confused really doesn't understand the situation."
Edward R. Murrow