ldonnay
10_1990_Rapidfire
1990, Shimano introduces one of the greatest changes to mountain biking: Rapidfire shifters. No need to loosen your hands on the grip, simply push a button with your thumbs. One button up another down! This changed it all: we became faster and rode more safely. And the first models worked perfectly, smooth and durable (apart maybe the exage models). From the very beginning, Shimano proposed some customization also with several brake lever lengths and forms.
Two drawbacks:
• First models merged the brake lever and the shifter. So, braking one of the two required a complete change,
• the servicing of the shifters was a nightmare: you could disassemble the shifters once but rebuilding them was a miracle with all the springs and micro components impossible to fit together again. Most mechanics new that once spread apart, you’d better order a new one to replace.
It took years for other brands to get there. And today thumb shifters in various forms are standard on most bikes.
SRAM latest generations are also now easy to service and can be completely disassembled and rebuild without any hassle.
10_1990_Rapidfire
1990, Shimano introduces one of the greatest changes to mountain biking: Rapidfire shifters. No need to loosen your hands on the grip, simply push a button with your thumbs. One button up another down! This changed it all: we became faster and rode more safely. And the first models worked perfectly, smooth and durable (apart maybe the exage models). From the very beginning, Shimano proposed some customization also with several brake lever lengths and forms.
Two drawbacks:
• First models merged the brake lever and the shifter. So, braking one of the two required a complete change,
• the servicing of the shifters was a nightmare: you could disassemble the shifters once but rebuilding them was a miracle with all the springs and micro components impossible to fit together again. Most mechanics new that once spread apart, you’d better order a new one to replace.
It took years for other brands to get there. And today thumb shifters in various forms are standard on most bikes.
SRAM latest generations are also now easy to service and can be completely disassembled and rebuild without any hassle.