Changing over twist grip gears??

[dave_s13]

Got new bikes for 2 of the kids at Christmas and they are really very nice but my 5yo girl is struggling with the twist grip; she can change down but trying to go back up ends in tears all round and generally ruins any rides out.

Bike is a 20" charge cooker from Evans btw.

Pic of the selector and gears here....






I'm not that familiar with bike bits n bobs so can someone point me in the direction of what I need to buy to change to a more conventional push lever affair.

Ta very much.

[Mr E]

I think its an easy swap, but; grip shift may be easier for smaller hands (she may not be able to reach the conventional leavers)

The boy has a grip shift. I’ve not had to deal with on for about 20 years.

[shouldbworking]

Something like http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-altus-m... would do. You'll also need a new gear cable, and proper cable cutters - oh and you'll need new grips as I think you typically have to cut them down to fit gripshifts

[TwilightJohnny]

Looks like a 6 speed freeweheel - you'll struggle to find a six speed trigger shift.

If you're prepared to change the freewheel to seven speed there are trigger sifters available but cost would mount up so you'd have to decide if it's worth it.

While I don't like twist grip shifters, Shimano Revoshift are usually pretty good so if shifting is difficult ther may be a problem witth the routing of the cable.

[TwilightJohnny]

Actually just checked the spec and it says 7 speed so should be easy enough to change. As someone else has said you'll need a shifter and different handlebar grip but easy enough to do.

[mikey P 500]

My 5 yr old son has the same issues with the same shifter (when pulling tension on cable he doesn't have enough strength in his hand to turn it easily) giant Reval 20. He is slowly getting better with practice, and his same aged friend has issues with a thumb shifter which is also fairly stiff when shifting in 1 direction, I think basically they just need to get a bit bigger/stronger to use most types of gear shifter. (Or keeping pulling over while I help them with shifting down gears).

[Bobley]

Lots of the kids in our club who run twist grips swap to thumb shifters. I've seen parent's passing on the 7 speed shifters to the new kids in the club when they come to sell and upgrade the bike.

[dave_s13]

shouldbworking said:

Something like http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-altus-m... would do. You'll also need a new gear cable, and proper cable cutters - oh and you'll need new grips as I think you typically have to cut them down to fit gripshifts

Thanks chaps.

If that and a new cable sorts it then it's an easy win.

I can't fathom how she can't change bloody gear though. It feels dead easy to me. Girls and gears though eh....they aren't a good combo.