replying to drew:
I'm not claiming the coming of the gearbox, it's all ready here, kind of. I am perfectly fine with gearbox being a niche product. I know my tastes regarding bikes are weird, stuck in the past or whatever - so there's no way the shimano/sram juggernaut will be coming in my direction unless purely by chance. Don't get me wrong - if there is going to be a wide adoption of gearboxes, great, but if not, no problem.
I'am perfectly happy with my current mtb (had it for 15+ years), what is pushing me to buy a new one is the fact that I want/need a wider tire in the back for climbing steep technical stuff. Currently I can fit a 2.25, I would like to play with wider rubber to see what is ideal for me. Will probably end up with a 2.5\. I keep delaying it because the new bike fund keeps draining with purchases of bikes for my 2 sons, just bought a fuse for the oldest one. I have a bike lined up, it's an aluminum am 27+ hardtail with sliding dropouts, so no need for a tensioner, 3k€+.
Grip shift is another thing that I really like, it's cheap, light, unbreakable (Sram made sure to mute at least 2 of those qualities with the 10sp onwards) and hugs the least space under the bar. I don't know if others have the same problem, I keep banging my knees there. The only problem is the rubber - it starts "melting" after a couple of years. I'm sure I will not have any problems with the gearbox twist shifter.
June 7, 2017, 1:30 a.m. - ZigaK
replying to drew: I'm not claiming the coming of the gearbox, it's all ready here, kind of. I am perfectly fine with gearbox being a niche product. I know my tastes regarding bikes are weird, stuck in the past or whatever - so there's no way the shimano/sram juggernaut will be coming in my direction unless purely by chance. Don't get me wrong - if there is going to be a wide adoption of gearboxes, great, but if not, no problem. I'am perfectly happy with my current mtb (had it for 15+ years), what is pushing me to buy a new one is the fact that I want/need a wider tire in the back for climbing steep technical stuff. Currently I can fit a 2.25, I would like to play with wider rubber to see what is ideal for me. Will probably end up with a 2.5\. I keep delaying it because the new bike fund keeps draining with purchases of bikes for my 2 sons, just bought a fuse for the oldest one. I have a bike lined up, it's an aluminum am 27+ hardtail with sliding dropouts, so no need for a tensioner, 3k€+. Grip shift is another thing that I really like, it's cheap, light, unbreakable (Sram made sure to mute at least 2 of those qualities with the 10sp onwards) and hugs the least space under the bar. I don't know if others have the same problem, I keep banging my knees there. The only problem is the rubber - it starts "melting" after a couple of years. I'm sure I will not have any problems with the gearbox twist shifter.