Wednesday, November 24, 2010

How can I change my grip shift and put on rapid fire shifters?

I want to buy rapid fire shifters for my Raleigh M20, but dont know how to take of the grip shift. Also can I change my pad brakes to disk brakes.How can I change my grip shift and put on rapid fire shifters?
Changing the shifters is simple, but you'll need to understand how to adjust the derailleurs as well. Here's a link to Sram's tech docs....they have instructions and diagrams to help you out a lot more than just trying to explain the process. If you visit Shimano's page, they have info there if your new shifters don't have the info with them. http://www.sram.com/en/service/sram/view



If you want to go with disk brakes, you need to be sure you have disk-compatible hubs on your wheels, and also that both your frame and fork have the necessary mounting tabs for the calipers. If they don't, then you'll be spending more money than the bike is worth to upgrade the brakes. In that case, I'd recommend buying a new bike instead....you'll get more bang for your buck and have mostly modern components instead of a retrofitted older bike.



Also, keep this in mind: decent-quality v-brakes that are well adjusted and using good pads, will stop very very well. Disks do stop better, but there's nothing wrong with v-brakes unless you're doing long downhills or riding in wet/muddy/gritty conditions. It might be worthwhile to just set up your v-brakes correctly, possibly changing to a better quality lever if the ones you have are flexy.



Hope this helps. :o)How can I change my grip shift and put on rapid fire shifters?
Loosen the clamp screw that holds the Grip Shift on... it will slide off. If you have Shimano gears then using rapid fire isn't a problem.



You can change to disk is you have disk hubs and front/back disk brake hangers. On a M20 I don't think you do.How can I change my grip shift and put on rapid fire shifters?
MR is correct. If you look closely you will see a small hole in the shifter body that houses an allen key screw. Loosen it, remove the handgrip and brake lever, and slide off the shifter.



Putting discs on the M20 is like putting a jet engine on a biplane. It might be possible, but it would be more expensive than buying a bike with discs already installed.... and the performance would be less than optimum.
  • big hair
  • i have many invention ideas
  •