SRAM 2 X 10 GRIPSHIFT REVIEW (X0)

[GLuvsMtb]

With SRAM finally launching its much anticipated 2x10 Gripshift internationally in April, we were all left wondering when we will finally get our hands on a set. I ordered a pair as soon as I saw them available at a local online store (even before CRC had stock...WOW!)

 

This meant a whole drive train upgrade from my trusty X0 3x9 setup, which I ordered all online with the gripshifts. I ended up going for the XX rear derailleur, cranks and front derailleur with the 1080 cassette and 1091 hollow pin chain to seal the deal.

 

A week later I received my goodies and that evening I installed the drive train and shifters. I have done enough cable changes on my X0 9 speed gripshifts and got the cables through to the derailleur in no-time. The gripshifts and handlebars combines to form a unit that locks onto the handlebars with a lock ring before the shifter and a lock ring on the handlebar, torqued to 3Nm. Setting the derailleur were quite simple, with fine tuning taking a bit of time to get 100% right. I managed to get out on the trails on Saturday and Sunday to get a real feel for the new shifters.

 

The shifts are precise and crisp and the XX derailleur seem to respond to my small moves of the wrist almost telepathically. You get a very nice "click" as the gears shift, but the shifts are much lighter than what was the case with the previous generation. Dumping gears are even easier than before due to the ease of which the shifting is done. I have not done any accidental shifting, but have overshifted once or twice as the spacing between shifts are shorter than with the 9speed setup. The front shifts as easily as the rear, but SRAM did away with the "micro adjust" functionality they had with the 3speed front derailleur (essentially you are able to make small adjustments on the shifter barrel to accommodate small front adjustments required). I suspect that these adjustments are now judged to be superfluous as you now have only 2 options.

 

Another omission on the new shifters are number dials to indicate the gear you are currently riding. This is a small annoyance in the daytime as a quick glance or simply counting gear shifts will always help you to know which gear you're in. I like to train certain climbs in certain gear ratio's from time to time to gauge my form and will now have to get used to not having the gear displayed on the shifter as before. Night riding is also easier with knowing in which gear you are (especially on the front).

 

The integrated shifter / handlebar combo also means that I had to ditch my trusty Ergon grips and bar ends and probably means that I will have to revert to bar ends for the longer rides. Hopefully SRAM or Ergon will come up with an after-market grip with a bit of a bar end as it feels wrong to destroy the classic look of the shifter/handlebar with bar ends at this stage.

 

I am looking forward to test the shifters in racing conditions this coming weekend in the Klein Karoo Klassiek at Calitzdorp and may just ditch my vanity to fit bar ends after the mammoth first stage doing Rooiberg Pass twice in one day.

[petatodd]

Hopefully SRAM or Ergon will come up with an after-market grip with a bit of a bar end as it feels wrong to destroy the classic look of the shifter/handlebar with bar ends at this stage.

 

They already have! http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=9687

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Images/Models/Full/9687.jpg

[GLuvsMtb]

Hopefully SRAM or Ergon will come up with an after-market grip with a bit of a bar end as it feels wrong to destroy the classic look of the shifter/handlebar with bar ends at this stage.

 

They already have! http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=9687

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Images/Models/Full/9687.jpg

These were compatible with the previous generation shifters. The new grip locks into the shifter to form a unit. Don't think these will work.

[kosmonooit]

Thanks for the review, from what I can see there was a major re-engineering, which is why it took so long.

 

I recently serviced my 9-speed X0 twisters, so got a chance to see how they are made. Its mainly made up of injection moulded plastic parts, no bearings as such. So if gunge gets in there it gets a bit sticky, but that's generally unlikely since its a practically a sealed unit. The 'click' comes from a flat spring that takes a fair amount of force to move in the notches so I am sure this new gen has seen an improvement of this mechanism, plus the bearings now present in the grip. the XX version is just more carbon bits so I am led to believe.

 

Don't think I will miss those indicators, never use them. Plus those plastic windows were prone to breakage.

 

Would it be possible to cut the end cap off so bar ends can be used?

[Coenie]

One day, when I have lots of money again I will be able to upgrade my X7 shifters to these gripshifts.

[Azonic]

R1799 is WAY too expensive. Like a grand too much.

[monsterINC]

Thanks for the review, from what I can see there was a major re-engineering, which is why it took so long.

 

I recently serviced my 9-speed X0 twisters, so got a chance to see how they are made. Its mainly made up of injection moulded plastic parts, no bearings as such. So if gunge gets in there it gets a bit sticky, but that's generally unlikely since its a practically a sealed unit. The 'click' comes from a flat spring that takes a fair amount of force to move in the notches so I am sure this new gen has seen an improvement of this mechanism, plus the bearings now present in the grip. the XX version is just more carbon bits so I am led to believe.

 

Don't think I will miss those indicators, never use them. Plus those plastic windows were prone to breakage.

 

Would it be possible to cut the end cap off so bar ends can be used?

Just installed my XO was not able to use the grips supplied as they used up too much bar space, current have a 630mm bar you need 680 and up if you want to use the grips supplied, using the ESI chunky that I’ve cut to fit, works well, also thought of cutting the XO grips, you lose the clamps that hold the grips in place, the grips have an inner barrel made of plastic with a rubber coating hence it doesn’t grip the bar without the end clamp.

[covie]

R1799 is WAY too expensive. Like a grand too much.

And how much are X0 trigger shifters going for?

[manbearpig]

I fitted mine on the weekend......laughably good!! It will take a bit of getting used to compared to the 3x9 gripshift as stated in the review the amount of movement required to shift gear is a lot less. Found myself over shifting on the way up a few times. It seems obvious but I think getting the cable tension 100% correct is absolutely imperative to getting the full value of the system. Ride it, set it and you'll see what I mean. I'm a very happy Manbearpig.

[b-unit]

I fitted mine on the weekend......laughably good!! It will take a bit of getting used to compared to the 3x9 gripshift as stated in the review the amount of movement required to shift gear is a lot less. Found myself over shifting on the way up a few times. It seems obvious but I think getting the cable tension 100% correct is absolutely imperative to getting the full value of the system. Ride it, set it and you'll see what I mean. I'm a very happy Manbearpig.

 

On the salsa? PICS!

[manbearpig]

On the salsa? PICS!

Yup on the Salsa, I didn't use the full lock on grips cos I feel they are waaaay too long, I mean whats the point of having 680mm bars when there is 25mm on either end of the bars that your hands won't ever touch?

The gripshifts just make the bars look so tidy though. Will try remember to take a pic.

[jannosmit]

Jis my dad loves his 3x10 Gripshifts, he says: "if you don't like it you either haven't used it or can't afford it" haha, also used Esi Grips, those Sram grips are rock hard.

 

[The Search]

Got the 3x10 XO in silver,looking super with my Ice Tec XT brakes. Loving them. Also using the silicon grips. Used them with my 3x9s. The supplied grips to hard for my liking but the unit looks awesome as a complete set. Barends can be fitted if the end caps are not fitted. It is cheaper in SA (Buycycle) than CRC or some shops in the US.

[Clinton1]

Jis my dad loves his 3x10 Gripshifts, he says: "if you don't like it you either haven't used it or can't afford it" haha, also used Esi Grips, those Sram grips are rock hard.

 

Your dad is probably right and for most it would boil down to affordability otherwise we'd all have the absolute top of the range bikes.

 

In saying this, however, at what point does what someone is paying for something reach the point where it is really not worth the benefit received? I always find this an interesting thought.