Front mech and shift combos - which is the easiest to shift?

Bike Forum

Front mech and shift combos - which is the easiest to shift?

13 posts & 7 voices | Started 3 months ago by agentdagnamit | Latest reply from AD

Tags:

No tags yet.

agentdagnamit - Member

2 chainring set up with bash. XT mech and x9 shifter (2010)

I'm getting a lot of thumb pain shifting my front mech. I've tried new cables, sealed outers and grip shifters (which I dont think I'm going to get on with). I guess the resistance to the shift is provided by the spring in the mech, friction in the cable and friction in the shifter (probably in that order)

What combination do folk reckon gives the shift requiring least pressure? Not necessary the smoothest, or shortest / longest throw. I've got an XT shifter on a hard tail and find that less uncomfortable than the x9 shifter, so may move to shimano.

But are newer SRAM any different? Would using a Hope brake/shifter combo mount help possibly? Is there any point going beyond an XT front mech?

Posted 3 months ago #
agentdagnamit - Member

Wow, I managed a thread with no replies!

OK, for starters, do people reckon the money spent on XTR or X0 shifters actually makes shifting easier, or is it just about weight and bling?

Posted 3 months ago #
UK-FLATLANDER - Member

In my experience shifters have more impact than the mech on the quality and feel of the shift. I have just upgrades to Gore cables and that also gave a noticeable improvement in shifting - not sure how long it will stay like that tough.

Posted 3 months ago #
PJM1974 - Member

You should be alright with that. My AM bike is X9/XT front and as you've probably sussed most of the shifting feel comes from the lever.

There are quite few possibilities here:

1) The cable routing is the culprit. Undo the mech and pull the end of the cable whilst shifting. You'll feel any pinch points where the inner might be pinching.

2) Lube the pivots of the front mech. Any wet chain lube will suffice, but give it time to soak in. This can make the world of difference.

3) Your shifter is on the fritz. It could be a corroded mechanism in the shifter itself or more likely it could do with a blast of GT-85 and some chain oil.

From what you've said, the action of shifting itself causes the pain and I doubt very much that replacing your drivetrain is going to help much. Do you have an existing issue with your thumb joints?

Posted 3 months ago #
agentdagnamit - Member

Thanks, currently investigating medical issues.... But regardless of that outcome, I need to fix the problem.

Am I right in thinking that because SRAM has a 1:1 Activation Ratio (or whatever their strap line is) this means that you're applying more pressure for a shorter distance to change gear(s), whereas with Shimano you probably have to move the lever further, but less pressure is required? Something like a pulley effect going on here maybe?

I have taken the x9 shifter apart and serviced it, which made for an interesting couple of hours replacing all the parts that had pinged across my living room.... And I'm running pretty new SRAM sealed cables. The mech is GT85'd regularly too.

I'm loathed to fork out for X0, but might be worth it in the long run

Posted 3 months ago #
mrjmt - Member

Me and a few others were commenting the other day about how much stiffer SRAM shifters are than shimano. I'd look at trying an XT shifter and see if its any better.

Posted 3 months ago #
GlitterGary - Member

A set of Shimano Dual Controls works for me on one bike.

They really do feel natural and take no getting used to at all. You can shift with either your thumbs or fingers, so sound like they could be an option, at least until you find out what's wrong?

Posted 3 months ago #
agentdagnamit - Member

Do dual controls let you shift up and down with your fingers?

If I replace my brakes, they'll need to be pretty powerful and up to a 6 week Alps / Andorra trip later in the year.

...actually, running 1x9 is maybe an option for that trip, depending how much climbing is in plan

Posted 3 months ago #
PJM1974 - Member

If you bought an X0 shifter and mech I think you'd be throwing money at the problem.

For front shifting, SRAM and Shimano run practically identical cable pulls. SRAM front shifters have a cam to even out the feel of the shift, but in terms of lever force they should be about the same as the front mechs require the same amount of cable to be fed through.

FWIW, I'd look at spending the money getting the cable routing checked by your LBS. However, your spannering skills aren't in any doubt as you've successfully rebuilt an X9 shifter which is only slightly less difficult than building the Forth Bridge.

Rear shifting is a different matter as SRAM shifters are noticably stiffer, this is indeed due to the different amounts of cable pull with SRAM and Shimano rear gears.

Posted 3 months ago #
agentdagnamit - Member

Thanks PJM, that's cleared up a few things. Not sure what I can do to improve the cable routing, it's a BLT2 with interupted outers so I'm using Avid Flak Jackets. Maybe I can lube up the mech a little more.

My hard tail, with uninterupted front mech and XT shifts much smoother after 2 years with the same outer and cable.

Posted 3 months ago #
GlitterGary - Member

Yeah, Dual Control shifters allow you to shift with just your fingers, it may be a pricey option changing your brakes too though. It might be worth doing a search for 2nd hand ones to weigh up the cost. They go all the way up to xtr level.

Posted 3 months ago #
GW - Member

old skool thumbie mated to a light action shimano deraileur* with brand new cable routed as efficiently as possible.

* you know? those ones from around 10 years back where the return spring in the mech was so weak you needed to replace your dirty cables far too often.

Posted 3 months ago #
AD - Member

I'm running an old Suntour XC Pro thumbshifter and an XT front mech with Gore Ride-On cables - really light action. Biggest difference with an old school thumbie would be moving the shift lever above the bars - not sure if this would help you though...

Posted 3 months ago #

RSS feed for this topic

Reply

You must log in to post.

Singletrack Mountain Bike Magazine

Bike Forum

Front mech and shift combos - which is the easiest to shift?

Reply

Don't miss…

Singletrack

Website & Forums

Exits