8spd rapid fire shifter problem

[tonybv9]

I'm trying to change my worn-out gripshifts to some Shimano rapidfire levers that I've had hanging around for ages. Trouble is, I can only get it to shift between cog 8 and 4. It won't shift up to the biggest three cogs - even when it's not connected.
I've had the cover off and smothered it in lube, but I can't fix it. I'm reluctant to take it apart; it looks like a watch inside. Any advice greatly received.

If it's knackered, what's a half-decent replacement? It's on my everyday transport/pootling about bike, so not really heavy usage.

Thanks
I should add that I would be OK to stick with gripshifters, if there is a good one available.

[tonybv9]

Just looking at alternatives online, it seems I can buy SRAM X4 shifters and mech for about £28, which appeals to my cheap side. The bike has an XT rear mech - maybe I could put it on Ebay.

Would SRAM shifters and mech work with a Shimano cassette, or would I also need to change the cassette?

[bfergie]

Sram trigger shifters wont index with a shimano rear mech so you have to have the full set but X4 stuff is crap..rear mech fail and the shifters are brittle plastic.

You will get Shimano 8 speed shifters for similar money and you can use the XT rear derailleur, I have a 8 speed Shimanp brake/shift combo set for £20 brand new, I stripped a new bike for a customer who wanted the frame so I have a whole set of bits going up for grabs if that's of interest to you.

[tonybv9]

Thanks Fergie. I have XT brake levers and V-brakes, which I would prefer to hang on to.
I take it my old Trigger shifter is broken if it will only go from 8 to 4? I'm not familiar with the Shimano off-road stuff, so what's the difference between Altus, Alivio etc?
As I said, this is my general transport bike, with road tyres, so it doesn't need heavy duty stuff.

Thanks

[stepdot]

Fergie, i have to question your last comment! The sram shifters with names (eg Attack) are shimano compatible. Evans has these http://www.evanscycles.com/products/...ifter-ec006271 for under £30, i find them a much better shift than xt coupled to my xt rear mech

[bfergie]

They are but the X range mentioned above are 1:1 ratios so wont work. The difference between Altus and Alivio is a step in quality just as Tiagra is up from Sora.

[tonybv9]

Thanks again.
Now it's between an Alivio trigger shifter and Sram Attack grip shifter, both under £20 for the RH only. I might go for the SRAM gripshift option, as the LH grip shift on the bike still works fine. I know lots of people don't like gripshift, but I'm not bothered either way. A quick Google shows some positive reviews of the SRAM product.

[tonybv9]

I ended up with the SRAM Attack grip shift, which is now fitted and works perfectly.