Converting Frog Bike to Grip shift
Discussion
Just bought a second hand Frog 52 for my lad as his old single speed is frustrating him on longer rides.
The problem we now have is he can’t change down on the trigger style selector. He has small hands and you have to push the trigger a little too far and a bit too hard with your thumb.
Changing up is fine but obviously he needs to change down for hills etc.
I was thinking if I fit grip shift he should be good to go but can I just fit a shaimano 8 speed grip shift?
I need to measure the the diameter of the bars to see if one will fit for a start.
However I know nothing about grip shift does it have the same pull ratio as a trigger shifter?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264745814272
This is what I was looking at
Rear derailleur is a Shimano Altus 8 speed.
Shifter is just branded as Shimano and doesn’t have a model
Alternatively if there’s and easier/shorter stroke shifter out there I’m all ears, but all the ones I’ve used have been pretty similar for down shifts.
The problem we now have is he can’t change down on the trigger style selector. He has small hands and you have to push the trigger a little too far and a bit too hard with your thumb.
Changing up is fine but obviously he needs to change down for hills etc.
I was thinking if I fit grip shift he should be good to go but can I just fit a shaimano 8 speed grip shift?
I need to measure the the diameter of the bars to see if one will fit for a start.
However I know nothing about grip shift does it have the same pull ratio as a trigger shifter?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264745814272
This is what I was looking at
Rear derailleur is a Shimano Altus 8 speed.
Shifter is just branded as Shimano and doesn’t have a model
Alternatively if there’s and easier/shorter stroke shifter out there I’m all ears, but all the ones I’ve used have been pretty similar for down shifts.
Edited by EddyBee on Monday 22 June 10:50
I'm waiting on some eBay gripshift to turn up for my sons Islabike for the exact same reason with the trigger shifters.
Bar diameter shouldn't be an issue as the diameter of the grip area of bars doesn't change (its just the bar clamp area). I'll be running ours with a cheapo Shimano mech, Altus I think or SIS. Cable pull I don't think will be an issue...
Bar diameter shouldn't be an issue as the diameter of the grip area of bars doesn't change (its just the bar clamp area). I'll be running ours with a cheapo Shimano mech, Altus I think or SIS. Cable pull I don't think will be an issue...
Wasn’t sure on the diameter as we’ve only just bought it, but like you say it’s the same as a grown up bike (probably why he struggles to get leverage and why I’ve had to adjust the brake levers closer to the bars!)
I ordered a grip shift from eBay the other day so I’ll see how it goes. Hopefully it’ll work with the rear mech.
Will be good to see how they get on. I’ve not used a bike with grip shift for about 22 years.
I ordered a grip shift from eBay the other day so I’ll see how it goes. Hopefully it’ll work with the rear mech.
Will be good to see how they get on. I’ve not used a bike with grip shift for about 22 years.
Matt_N said:
Is the trigger shift working alright?
My lad has Altus 8spd on his bike and it seems quite a light action, he’s 5 and can operate it.
I suspect it’s the distance the lever has to be pushed, not the weight. Tricky with small thumbs. My lad has Altus 8spd on his bike and it seems quite a light action, he’s 5 and can operate it.
They boy has gripshifts for this reason.
Matt_N said:
Is the trigger shift working alright?
My lad has Altus 8spd on his bike and it seems quite a light action, he’s 5 and can operate it.
Yeah it’s all working as it should. My lad has Altus 8spd on his bike and it seems quite a light action, he’s 5 and can operate it.
As Mr E says it’s more the distance it has to be pressed. He’s pretty small for his age, one of the smallest in his year.
He can just about change down with it but it’s hard for him to do.
13aines said:
I hope it works, but it might be harder to operate? Grip shift in my experience requires a bit more strength to operate than trigger/push-button shifters.
We’ll soon find out. Like I say it’s been 20 odd years since I’ve tried grip shift. Worst case scenario is I’ve wasted £10 and an hour of my time.
I’ll report back once I’ve done it, just incase anyone’s interested
13aines said:
I hope it works, but it might be harder to operate? Grip shift in my experience requires a bit more strength to operate than trigger/push-button shifters.
Yep that was my thought too, most kids bikes cons with triggers for this reason and reviews on twowheeledtots etc seem to agree that triggers are easier for little ones. Gripshift are horrible for kids bikes, they are never smooth to operate and make it difficult for kids to steer whilst trying to change gear.
I swapped my kids bikes to use trigger finger shifters but sadly they found it difficult to thumb up the gears too (thumbs not big enough?). I instead swapped to EV Bike style gear levers SL-TX50-7R but I think they only came in 7 speed versions? They loved these, very simple to use and not difficult to change gears.
I swapped my kids bikes to use trigger finger shifters but sadly they found it difficult to thumb up the gears too (thumbs not big enough?). I instead swapped to EV Bike style gear levers SL-TX50-7R but I think they only came in 7 speed versions? They loved these, very simple to use and not difficult to change gears.
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