I'm sure these are mechanically dialed in, as are most SRAM products in 2011. I just never cared for compromising wrist position to shift in a tight situation when I could just use my thumb or index finger. Like recklessness said, throwing a table top or many other types of airs could have you accidently shifting through your entire cassette. Just depends on what you are doing on your bike.
Thank GOD ! Last set of Gripshifter's I used on a 9 speed did not work well, think they were X7 level. I still prefer Grip shifters that work well to the push push triggers I have now. I love thumb shifters too, they ruled the world and we all laughed at the Shimano Rapid Fire when they came out some 20 years ago.
This is the new SRAM XX grip shift I believe. It was displayed on Jaroslav Kulhvay's World Championship winning XC bike. Definitely nothing Walmart about it.
Yeah, there is nothing better than changing broken grip shifters or cables. Or even better is when you go to do a table top, twist your wrist and accidentally shift gears. You're totally right, they are beyond cool. I should definitely spend all of my hard earned money on recycled crappy technology because it is so cool (again?). Thank you for showing me the light, my life is now better in every possible way. (inb4maxnegprops).
Yeah like I said, just because they aren't cool for someone who's trying to use a screwdriver to put in a nail, that doesn't mean they aren't awesome. I rode the X0 ones for years, my wife still has them on her bike, and I've never had a problem with them. Although actually having been a bike mechanic I know how to change the cables (its not that hard) and I also know how to maintain them (and I still have a syringe full of X0 grease for them) And you know that these new ones are going to be way better than the old ones...