Replacing grip shifts with triggers

[abo]

My seven-year-old son's Carrera Blast has grip shifts. Ever since I got my bike with triggers he has wanted some himself so I was wondering about the technicallities of swapping his grips for triggers.

The bike has a SRAM X3 rear mech, 7 speed cassette and some front mech I can't identify(...). I was wondering whether swapping the current shifters for say, SRAM X3 triggers would be a straightforward swap? I believe the gripshifts and triggers have different actuation ratios, does that make a difference when doing the swap?

 

[Riding in Circles]

You need the correct actuation ratio between shifter and mech in relation to the cassette, i.e. a 9 speed trigger shifter is not compatible with a 7 speed mech/cassette in general. Rule of thumb is that in general 6 and 7 speed work with each other as far as spacing goes and 8 and 9 work with each other. SRAM use a 1:1 shift ratio and Shimano use 1:2 in the current range and 1:1.7 in the earlier stuff, Campag is different again. The X3 7 speed trigger shifter will work fine with your set up.

 

[abo]

Thanks Catrike, was hoping that would be the case. As far as the swap goes, is it literally a case of pulling the grips off, removing the existing shifters, installing the new shifters and cables and then setting them up, or am I missing a pitfall somewhere?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Thanks Catrike, was hoping that would be the case. As far as the swap goes, is it literally a case of pulling the grips off, removing the existing shifters, installing the new shifters and cables and then setting them up, or am I missing a pitfall somewhere?

As far as I recall that is it

 

[Riding in Circles]

Thanks Catrike, was hoping that would be the case. As far as the swap goes, is it literally a case of pulling the grips off, removing the existing shifters, installing the new shifters and cables and then setting them up, or am I missing a pitfall somewhere?

No that's it, the outer may need shortening a touch depending on the placement of the new shifters but I suspect the difference will be marginal and will not require attention.

 

[abo]

Cool! Thanks