9 Speed Twist Grip Shifter for the left hand side

Fabian

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G'day all

I'm curious if a left hand side, 9 speed twist grip shifter exists to operate the rear derailleur.

I hate a thumb shift system but with a throttle on the right hand side, it leaves no other usable option.

Fabian
 
I don't know anything about a left hand shifter, but one alternative, if you're not aware of it is what's called "rapid fire shifters" with integrated brake lever. My Schwinn came with factory twist grips, which I hate period. When I installed my engine I swapped over to the rapid fires with integrated brake lever to get rid of some of the clutter on my handle bars and to allow space for a finger controlled throttle lever. The rapid fire shifter with integrated brake lever comes in both left and right hand configuration, but I don't know if you can find a left hand side that does more than 3 clicks for the front deraileaur. You can get good ones for aourn $40.00+/-. Hope this helps.
 
Why not use a right-hand grip-shift on the left?
Works perfectly and you soon get used to which way to turn it to change up or down.
Both my bikes have 6-speed (RHS) grip-shifts mounted on the LHS.
Up until a few weeks ago, like you, I was using a thumb-shift on the MB. (My electric came with a LHS grip-shift.)
Grip-shifts are heaps safer and easier to use, especially on rough ground. I used to often find myself double-shifting on bumps with the thumb-shift.
 
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Totally agree with you Steve, on the safety aspect of using a grip shift.

Personally, i don't find the ergonomics of using a throttle and a thumb shift conducive to having full control over the bike.
The concept of having to take your hand off the throttle and try and play around with the thumb shifter, haplessly trying to find the right gear and then placing your hand back on the throttle, whilst braking or turning is not the best way of going about things.

A twist grip shifter is a far more safe and ergonomically friendly.

I guess your method of using a right hand side grip shifter on the left works adequately - I'll have to try it out.

Having said that, it would be helpful if there was a manufacturer that made a left hand side grip shift for the rear derailleur.

Fabian
 
I reckon that a RHS grip-shift is more than adequate, it's better on that side in my opinion. Easier to remember.
It turns in the same direction as the throttle, in a sense:-
You turn the top of the throttle twist-grip toward you to go faster and you turn the top of the (LHS) grip-shift towards you to change up through the gears.

You can still clearly see the gear indication, except that the numbers are upside-down.
(I also got a little cable-driven 1 1/2" circular gear indicator gauge with my new grip-shift, but didn't fit it - too corny.)
 
Thumb shifters are better than twist shifters. But I do remember a few road bikes that use the brake lever if thats what some of you was talking about. It looks like a regular brake lever but you move it sideways and it shifts. I donot think iit matters which side you use. Frome the looks of it the brake lever is like a iPod click wheel it'll just shift till the derailure runs outta gear.
 
Thumb shifters are better than twist shifters.

Why? You have to partly remove your hand from the bars to change gears - not safe on rough roads at 40-60kph.

N.B. I just read back through the thread. What is not mentioned is that in this case the gears are being used in conjunction with a shift-kit, so they're being used all of the time while the engine is running.
 
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Why? You have to partly remove your hand from the bars to change gears - not safe on rough roads at 40-60kph

I totally agree with you Steve - can't put it better myself.
Considering i'm using a thumb shift, i can give some form of feedback.

A twist grip has a higher aspect of safety, and that's what i'll be upgrading my bike with; throwing away the thumb shifter - it's only place is to be inside the rubbish bin.

Fabian
 
I agree with you guys. Twist shifter on the left side is the only way to go, especially with the shift kit.
It's not sane having the throttle and shifter both on the right hand side.
The only somewhat tricky part is making sure you downshift before you need to pull the clutch in for stop signs and red lights.
Also agree with dual pull brake lever, after all we humans only have 2 hands.
 
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