Gear shifter - kids bike

[ChrisF]

Most kids bikes comes with the "turn-grip" shifter.

 

Maritz is fine with the down shifting.  Shifting up sometimes works fine, but all too often not ....

 

 

If you use only the thumb and index finger it is easy enough, with plenty grip while turning.  But often he struggles, then grabs a handful and tries to turn the whole grip ....

 

 

It was suggested I look at a rapid fire set.  Naas at Evobikes is busy trying to source this .. seems rapid fire in 6-speed is not a common item.

 

 

 

Would love to hear your input.  What has worked for your kid ?

 

- different technique ?

 

- just give it more time until he gets the hang of it ? (he gets it perfectly in the parking lot, struggles in the ride ..)

 

- what other shifter worked for you ... and which did not ?

 

 

thanks

[WrightJnr]

I’ve had two boys move through the various size bikes.

 

The twist grips are used because it’s much easier (for most) kids to twist using their whole hand. Trigger can be hard to get full reach on the push if their hands are small and not strong.

 

I left them on twist grips until 24” bikes, then went into triggers. Now one on a 26” and the other on a 29”. Although there favorite bikes now are Racing BMX bikes and gears aren’t an issue. LOL.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bitsy]

Hey ChrisF,

 

I had the same issue with both a 20" and 24". They tend to get a little sticky and you are absolutely correct that they work well with index and thumb, but not when you grip the handle simultaneously. 

My one got blisters every time we went to the bike park and eventually he was put off riding completely.

Went to my LSB and got him the rapid shift and they work like a dream for him. Needless to say he is back on the bike.

 

Now if only I can get rid of that 3x in the front .

 

My advice is to go for it.....definitely worth it.

[ichnusa]

I changed my kids bikes to 1x10 - worked well.

Only issue is the integrated freewheel/hub/cassette of 6 speed. I changed the hub.

[ChrisF]

Thanks gents

[ChrisF]

Hey ChrisF,

 

I had the same issue with both a 20" and 24". They tend to get a little sticky and you are absolutely correct that they work well with index and thumb, but not when you grip the handle simultaneously. 

My one got blisters every time we went to the bike park and eventually he was put off riding completely.

Went to my LSB and got him the rapid shift and they work like a dream for him. Needless to say he is back on the bike.

 

Now if only I can get rid of that 3x in the front .

 

My advice is to go for it.....definitely worth it.

 

Okay so it does exist ... 

 

was beginning to wonder ..... when the leading day-special-store does not find it on their price list and tells you "for a fact" it does not exist ...... o-well, should know better by now than to trust that lot.

 

 

Back to Naas to find the rapid shifters

[Oufy MTB (Roadie)]

Most kids bikes comes with the "turn-grip" shifter.

 

Maritz is fine with the down shifting. Shifting up sometimes works fine, but all too often not ....

 

 

If you use only the thumb and index finger it is easy enough, with plenty grip while turning. But often he struggles, then grabs a handful and tries to turn the whole grip ....

 

 

It was suggested I look at a rapid fire set. Naas at Evobikes is busy trying to source this .. seems rapid fire in 6-speed is not a common item.

 

 

 

Would love to hear your input. What has worked for your kid ?

 

- different technique ?

 

- just give it more time until he gets the hang of it ? (he gets it perfectly in the parking lot, struggles in the ride ..)

 

- what other shifter worked for you ... and which did not ?

 

 

thanks

Both of my eldest boys got 6spd twist grip. When it sukkels , the cable needs replacing. I've done both and they twist effortlessly. For longevity they must not twist if they not cranking, they kids after all

 

Alternative is di2 or etap

[ChrisF]

I’ve had two boys move through the various size bikes.

 

The twist grips are used because it’s much easier (for most) kids to twist using their whole hand. Trigger can be hard to get full reach on the push if their hands are small and not strong.

 

I left them on twist grips until 24” bikes, then went into triggers. Now one on a 26” and the other on a 29”. Although there favorite bikes now are Racing BMX bikes and gears aren’t an issue. LOL.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I think he tries to do this when he gets tired .... ends up turning the grip, and then cant get the gear selection turned ....

[V12man]

Spray some q20 into the mechanism and cables - damn things are really sensitive to sticky cables

[Bizkit031]

Changed the rubbish twist grip on my daughters bike to Triggers and it the best thing we could of done,it’s easier on her hands and they don’t need the power of hulk to change them.

[Pikey]

Changed the rubbish twist grip on my daughters bike to Triggers and it the best thing we could of done,it’s easier on her hands and they don’t need the power of hulk to change them.

My son can’t changed up but he can down. He can’t get his around the grip enough and doesn’t have the strength. His bike is new ,so hoping it’s just that they new cables .

 

Would to put trigger on though. What triggger shifter did you use 6 speed?

[ChrisF]

My son can’t changed up but he can down. He can’t get his around the grip enough and doesn’t have the strength. His bike is new ,so hoping it’s just that they new cables .

 

Would to put trigger on though. What triggger shifter did you use 6 speed?

 

similar issue to what we are having ....

 

shifting down is no issue.

 

Shifting up is a hit and miss afair ... he typically struggles with this mid-trail, and exactly when he needs to shift.  So now he rather stays in the large gear so he is okay for climbing, which means he spins away ...

 

the search continues for rapid fire shifters, in 6-speed

[Bizkit031]

My son can’t changed up but he can down. He can’t get his around the grip enough and doesn’t have the strength. His bike is new ,so hoping it’s just that they new cables .

Would to put trigger on though. What triggger shifter did you use 6 speed?

7 speed Shimano

[Rocket-Boy]

Those twist grips on 24" bikes are all horrible things. My nephew struggled like mad too until I changed his to an old rapidfire I had many many moons ago.

[The Ghost]

Both my kids struggle with the twists, on my daughters new bike we changed out to triggers before giving her the bike and she does much better with them.

[droo]

Replace cables. Use proper lined outers. Problem solved, and will cost about one gorilla with no hunting about for random spares.

 

If this doesn't work, Sunrace do 6sp triggers.