Easiest gear ratios for little hands?

scale20

I want to get rid of the SRAM grip shift on my daughters bike because she cant shift it up the block.

I've not used Shimano for years and cant remember how they feel and shift.

Which out of Shimano and SRAM will have the easiest Shifting ratio for 6 year old hands?

This all a bit trial and error and don't want to be spending big bucks if it doesn't work.

I have a post in the kids section regarding kids and gripshift but wanted to ask this question to a wider audience.

Cheers in advance.

benpinnick

Shimano uses a longer throw than SRAM, which makes changes easier, but longer. So its 6 of one and half a dozen of the other. Personally I would go Shimano, maybe even ez-fire as they are ridiculously light touch.

The Rookie

Gripshifts (especially cheaper ones) can be quite heavy.

Shimano do have a longer through, SRAM have a softer return spring on the mechs but that is offset by the effects of pull ratio.

We have 3 nine speed bikes (4 if you count the one on twist shifts!) in the family, one is on Shimano (Deore both ends), one on SRAM (X9 shifter and X7 mech) and one on mix (SRAM rocket shifter and XT rear mech). The mixture one has the lightest shift lever weight.

WindyG

Don't know if this is any help to you or not, my daughter struggled with grip shifters so I fitted a set of these and she can shift with ease now http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/shimano-tourney-sl-tx50-6-speed-sis-thumb-shifter-plus-pair-prod26057/?src=froogle

scale20

cyd190468 wrote:

What rear mech is it? If the mech is sram then you'll have to change that to go shimano.

Cheers, yeah I'm aware of that. I'm trying to avoid changing the lot to Shimano.

The Rookie

What is the rear mech? The commonest twist shifter is SRAM MRX which is Shimano 2:1 not SRAM 1:1.