Changing gripshift to rapid fire

shooter999

Hi all,

Appreciate this may not be in the correct forum, but I’m hoping someone can advise!

We bought my 10yr old daughter a 2nd hand bike which came with SRAM max grip shifts (with a Shimano rear derailerj. It’s a triple on the front and 6 on the back.

She physically cannot change the front derailer and can just about manage the rear derailer (with difficulty).

Can I fit rapid fire shifters to this bike? If so, would appreciate if you can recommend any (not looking for anything expensive)?

Thanks in advance for all replies.

https://flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/sets/72157692365396751

cooldad

I'm pretty sure Shimano never made 6 speed trigger shifters.

For the rear, the best you'll probably get are some old 6 speed SIS thumb shifters, or new ones:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shimano-Tour ... SwmphaFiM4

The front - pretty much any Shimano 3 speed left hand shifter will work. So any 7, 8 9 speed etc.

cooldad

I'm pretty sure I can dig a left hand shifter for the front out of my stash.

If you want to try, just PM me and I'll look when it's light. No charge or anything. (I'll just bask in the glory when she wins Olympic gold.)

cooldad

pps I might even have an old 6 speed thumbie. I'll look. But it'll be old and probably a bit cronky.

Another option might be to change the freewheel to 7 speed if it will fit, and get 7 speed trigger shifters.

shooter999

Hi Cooldad,

Thanks for the really generous offer and for the replies.

If I can get it it to work, it will really help my daughter, & another enthusiastic cyclist has got to be a good thing

I'll send you a PM.

Thanks

cooldad

Got it, will hunt tomorrow.

larkim

I switched one of our bikes onto the Shimano 6spd thumb switch. It's still reasonably tough to use, but was definitely an improvement on the grip shifter.

shooter999

A quick update.

Thanks to cooldad for his very generous offer (got to love the ethos / attitude of some forum members).

Managed to get it installed, and it is definitely a lot easier to change. Would recommend to anyone whose children are suffering with gripshifts.

cooldad

No worries. Glad to help.

The Rookie

[Like button]

cooldad

Haha I think that's the first time you haven't insulted me or called me old.

You're getting soft.

The Rookie

Calling you old is factual and used as a term of endearment, not insulting.....

kirkee

shooter999 wrote:

Hi all,

Appreciate this may not be in the correct forum, but I’m hoping someone can advise!

We bought my 10yr old daughter a 2nd hand bike which came with SRAM max grip shifts (with a Shimano rear derailerj. It’s a triple on the front and 6 on the back.

She physically cannot change the front derailer and can just about manage the rear derailer (with difficulty).

Can I fit rapid fire shifters to this bike? If so, would appreciate if you can recommend any (not looking for anything expensive)?

Thanks in advance for all replies.

https://flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/sets/72157692365396751

My youngest two had the same issue. In see that from your pic the units were exactly the same as ones that i found were hard to shift. I went on ebay and bought some Shimano Revo shift units, they do them in most speeds. They were cheap and much easier to use than the nasty ones you currently have. Still require a certain grip but easier.