The mountain bike community breathed a collective sigh as it became clear that many riders’ old favourite Grip Shift is now back, in 10-speed, for double cranks.
-By Neil Gardiner
Spies snapped a few pics of Jaroslav Kulhavy’s world champ winning handlebar setup to reveal his Blackbox (special SRAM R&D bits) twist-shifters, which seem like a slightly modernised version of the 9-speed ones, sans ratio indicator. Firstly the inside end is bulkier and made from alloy unlike in the old days when it was carbon.
Hardcore racers love them so much because they can dump several ratios at a time, in one movement – crucial in all-out cross-country event. Hands can stay firmly on the bars too. Also, the old version was lighter, but SRAM have yet to publish weights (or prices, or even release dates). No doubt it’ll coincide with the 2012 component group launch, as it’s their 25th anniversary this year.
Great news! Definitely a certainty for my next bike! Rode a Momsen 29er with grip shift recently and it was fantastic. Made triggers feel archaic. And grip shifters are cheaper, lighter.