Kids bike. Gripshif...
 

[Closed] Kids bike. Gripshift to rapidfire - help please

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HI

Looking to change my kids bike from SRAM gripshift to trigger shifters of some description. Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced set? Hopefully I can get away without changing the deraiileur too so do I need to stick with SRAM?

Thanks

TS


 
Posted : 08/11/2020 2:20 pm
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if its 9spd I have a set of triggers I think left from converting all my bikes to gripshift!


 
Posted : 08/11/2020 2:35 pm
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I run 8 and 9 spd gripshift on commuter and xc bike.love them.if tj cannot supply you can you get a new low end set off Ebay .should be fine if they still do 9 spd stuff.


 
Posted : 08/11/2020 2:51 pm
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Did the same to the kids' Islabikes. Just stick to SRAM trigger-shifters with the right number of gears and get a bargain set somewhere.
You'll probably need a longer grip on the RHS too.


 
Posted : 08/11/2020 3:06 pm
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How many gears does it have and what spec of shifter is it? Most cheap kids bikes come with SRAM MRX shifters which come in 5, 6 or 7 speed variants. These have the same pull ratio as Shimano shifters (up to 9 speed), so a Shimano or named SRAM rear mech (Rocket / Attack) is needed

Some however will have shifters which look identical but are SRAM 3.0 These are compatible with SRAM rear mechs with a number (X3, X4 etc)

Hope that helps!


 
Posted : 08/11/2020 4:21 pm
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I've just bought a thorn tandem with 3x8 sram twist shifters and a shimano rear mech. There's a place on ebay selling Altus 8 & 3 speed rapidfires for 13 quid delivered.


 
Posted : 08/11/2020 7:13 pm
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Thanks folks.

SRAM 3 comp shifters.

SRAM x-3 derailleur.

7 speed

Sounds like I need something compatible with sram rear mech or a set of eg shimano shifters and new mech.


 
Posted : 08/11/2020 7:37 pm
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I went with a SRAM X4 shifter. Seems to do the business though our youngest is struggling with it after the other two have abused it, new cable time I think.


 
Posted : 08/11/2020 9:52 pm
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Yep, you'll need SRAM shifter, Shimano shifters have a different throw, and will not work with SRAM rear mech.

I recently discovered this when changing one of my kids bikes, ended up with Shimano Altius shifter and mech.

FYI - I did have a X4 shifter in the spares bin which I tried, but the trigger position didn't really work with the brakes and small hands (7 YO).


 
Posted : 09/11/2020 11:50 am