So I was looking into getting some SRAM shifters instead of some shimano ones as I'm upgrading my bike.
I have heard that the shifters are "designed so that you can change the gears using just your thumb,"
What does this mean, and can u still use your index finger? How do they compare to shimano shifters? And what sort of rear mech should I use, I was going to go XT, or should I try a roadie one or a SRAM one?

The two levers to change up and down are on the bottom of the bars and therefore operated by your thumbs.

You will need a SRAM rear mech as unless you get 'Attack' as they are not compatible with Shimano.

My Giant had SRAM X9 and when I changed the bike I had Shimano LX Dual control. After nearly six months of persevering with them I've finally gone back to SRAM X9 and only have one regret.........That I didn't do it 6 months ago!

IMO!

The SRAM shifters have a normal thumb shifter as you get on the Shimano ones, but the other one (where you would normally use your finger) is under the bar and you push it up to change, so it can only be accessed by the thumb, works well. As arry Monk said you need a SRAM rear mech, however, you can keep the Shimano front. One good thing about the SRAM shifters is you can change down up to 5 gears with one movement of the thumbshifter.

Have you ever thought of SRAM gripshift though? Gripshift has a really bad reputation due to Shimano attempting it, everyone tried it and hated it and it was seen as a failure. However, I have tried higher end SRAM gripshift and it was fantastic, really really ergonomic you would be suprised, far better than my XTR setup now.

I used to use Sram Gripshift for years, I used to love it. The only down side was that you had to run shorter grips so you could use your brakes properly! Oh and the occasional miss-shift when pulling up on the bars.

As for X9 / X0 it's nice and better quality than Shimano offerings, but I do prefer using my index finger to shift down Shimano style.

If you notice most of the pros riding SRAM stuff last year were all using Gripshift. The main reason I think is that it's the lightest system out there at the mo. I find the SRAM shifting very intuative. I had no problems adapting to it, which is more than can be said to the Dual control from Shimano, and I find when I get back on a bike that's fitted with Rapid fire I keep trying to push the finger paddle with my thumbs!

I've used Sram shifters on an old bike and they were very easy to get used to. The only downside I could see is that when you are pulling the front end up over obstacles I was often hitting the downshift with my thumb by mistake, not a massive problem but you do need to adjust your hand position a little wider.

I noticed that initially too but I just moved all the controls a little inboard and problem sorted. Plus it made braking with one finger alot more natural too.

i've one sram attack, and one shimano

i would like to match them, but i'm debating which make to get, i feel i'm going more towards the sram, they feel so easy, yet they're solid

the performance of the srams is, ime, a bit better than the shimano, and i do like the thumb only shifting. only prob i have had is with big winter gloves causing mis shifts. not so much of a prob on the front, as i would be changing down a ring, but with the rear it can be a bastard - shifting up while cranking it up a hill ain't much fun!!!

still, i'm considering upgrading my current attack/deore mix to the new X9 when it arrives later this year.

Hmm, thanks all. The general consesus seems to be that people prefer SRAM. My front centre chainring is worn, so I was considering upgrading my whole system, and this was going to be with a SRAM cassette and SRAM chain. Not sure if I'm going for the full upgrade yet tho, my budget shall decide!