I had both set ups, X7 trigger on the DH bike and X7 twist shifter on the other bike. When I whittled my steeds to one bike only (the HT which I will use for a bit of DH and anything else) I chose to keep the trigger shifting.
I agree on grip choice being one of the main issues, I used trimmed Oury's with the twist shifter but the ends always wear out too quick. I don't like the sram grips that came with the grip shifter at all and as a result they are on my daughters 16" bike!
If use lock on grips I prefer a full grip with two lock rings not just one. I've never tried grip shift specific lock ons though.
A twist shifter with a standard grip means the brake is too far inboard.
Shifting for DH just seems quicker and more effective with a sram trigger shifter, you don't need to move your hand and reposition, so it would equate to a bit more bike control I think. Even if you're running the proper grip shift grips you still need to rotate your hand to shift.
The braking issue, well if you're like me and spend most of the time downhilling with your brakes on, then the shifting and braking at the same time isn't that much out of the question. It's something that you could easily get around though (ie just brake then shift).
I like to have my set up as grip, shifter then brake. As a result I've had to trim down the X7 paddles to have more hand room whilst at the same time not having the brake too far inboard and at the same time having the shift paddles within easy reach, now it's perfect!
In the end I think either set up works pretty good. I've certainly never had problems with unintentional shifts with the twist shifter while it has happened once or twice with the triggers. And with the twist shifting I think X7 works just as well as X9, I like the X7 because it's a bit slimmer actually.
I agree on grip choice being one of the main issues, I used trimmed Oury's with the twist shifter but the ends always wear out too quick. I don't like the sram grips that came with the grip shifter at all and as a result they are on my daughters 16" bike!
If use lock on grips I prefer a full grip with two lock rings not just one. I've never tried grip shift specific lock ons though.
A twist shifter with a standard grip means the brake is too far inboard.
Shifting for DH just seems quicker and more effective with a sram trigger shifter, you don't need to move your hand and reposition, so it would equate to a bit more bike control I think. Even if you're running the proper grip shift grips you still need to rotate your hand to shift.
The braking issue, well if you're like me and spend most of the time downhilling with your brakes on, then the shifting and braking at the same time isn't that much out of the question. It's something that you could easily get around though (ie just brake then shift).
I like to have my set up as grip, shifter then brake. As a result I've had to trim down the X7 paddles to have more hand room whilst at the same time not having the brake too far inboard and at the same time having the shift paddles within easy reach, now it's perfect!
In the end I think either set up works pretty good. I've certainly never had problems with unintentional shifts with the twist shifter while it has happened once or twice with the triggers. And with the twist shifting I think X7 works just as well as X9, I like the X7 because it's a bit slimmer actually.
