Apologize in advance if this is a newb topic/question.

My new Kona Honzo has SRAM shifters where I have to use my thumb to shift up, and shift down. I dont really love that setup, and I am looking for a better shifter setup where I can use my thumb to shift down, and my index finger to shift up. I always find myself trying to shift up with my index finger, and then I realize I have to reach further under my bars to shift with my thumb.

Does a setup like this exist? If so, any recommendations? Feel free to make fun of me if I am being dumb...I can take it. 

Im also looking to upgrade my brakes soon, mainly because I want some different levers, and I tend to upgrade ALL THE THINGS, necessary or unnecessary. Currently have Shimano Disc Brakes...unsure of the exact model. 

BudLeach wrote on 05/03/17 at 5:45pm:


Sweet, so I really need a whole new shifter/derailleur setup? Not an issue! Any recommendations?

santana wrote on 05/03/17 at 7:17pm:


Hi Santana, thanks for the tip! I have tried that, but it still just doesnt feel right to me!

I originally felt more comfortable using index and thumb when I first started simply because my first entry level shifter was set up that way.  After upgrading the bike and becoming more experienced I found the value in thumb only shifting.  Moving the index finger back and forth from brake to shifter makes for slower transitions between the two and doesn't allow you to ever rest your finger on brake lever while up shifting at the same time (I often do this as speeding up, but may need to grab brakes due to gnarly downhill).

I had the same issue as you with reaching the thumb paddles.  Try moving your shifter to the outside of your brakes on your bars if they are in a separate unit from your brakes.  Also you may want to change the angle on your shifter up and back towards you, making the paddles a much shorter reach for your thumb.

Good luck figuring everything out!

The Duckster wrote on 05/04/17 at 3:16pm:


Another cool feature of the XTR shifter is you can upshift two gears in one push, instead of having to double tap. At least I could on my old 10 speed xtr shifter. I assume the new 11 speed shifter still has this feature...

I also agree with the thumb for shifting, index finger for braking method. Especially since you are usually upshifthing as you are gaining major speed downhill. Always a good idea to keep a finger on the brake lever in that scenario.

BudLeach wrote on 05/04/17 at 6:26pm:


Correct assumption woot

XT gear indicators are removable...unless something changed....

My 2 cents.  I've been running SRAM since 2007 with X.0 3x9, then 2x9 then 2x10 then 1x11 and now 1x12.  Before that I was running XT 3x9.  I've ridden the new XT stuff and while it shifts OK I still like the ergonomics of the SRAM shifter better.  Ideally the SRAM shifter to get is the X.0, X01 or XX1 shifters as the down shift lever can be adjusted in relationship to the upshift lever.  To me shifting the the thumb only gives the most control in the cockpit.  The only thing I use my index finger for is the brake lever.

I am in exploring this conversion now too.  I'm done with SRAM brakes AND the thumb only shifters after a sketchy weekend at Dupont's beautiful Ridgeline trail.

Im converting from full couple month old SRAM XO/1/RS 11sp setup that I feel I gave a fair shake over the last couple months. 

I am trying to utilize my older flawless XTR 10sp + items.  I say + because I have a full set of XTR M980 shifter/brakes.  I would like to adapt / upgrade them by adding the M9000 11sp shifter to the M980 iSpecI brakes, but they now have iSpecII! 

Q1:  Has anyone bolted the iSpecI M980 adapter to the M9000 shifter and will it work? 
Looks like that common bolt is very simmilar and should work?  Anyone / thoughts?

Q2: Anyone have a M9000 to test they have laying around from maybe going from Shimano to SRAM?  And possibly said matching derailleur?

The Duckster wrote on 05/11/17 at 8:22pm:


Q3: @Duckster did you finish this and A: did you end up upgrading the derailleur as noted and B: how well did it work with SRAM cassette & chain? 

BudLeach wrote on 05/03/17 at 5:45pm:


Q4: @BudLeach, or anyone else that has used / tested the M9000 shifter w/the XO derailleur to test / confirm the pull ratio is off enough to not work? (to minimize my cost of conversion and not having to throw a derailleur on top of it all)

Lastly for the sake of the other side of the coin debate of the thumb only shifting on top of index braking.  I find taking both my thumb AND index finger off the grips on a gnarly decent minimizing how much hand I have wrapped around the bar is far less desirable then a wickedly fast index finger move.  And if its that gnarly your probably pretty hard on the front brake too so your not going to far out of control.  Just food for thought on the flip side and seems entirely a personal preference.

INTENSEcretAgent wrote on 06/20/17 at 4:29am:


Yep, I ended up with an XTR shifter and an XT derailleur...and it is awesome! Shifts wayyyyy better than the SRAM NX stuff in my opinion. And it works just perfect with the SRAM Cassette and Chain.