While Shimano is putting much of their energy into DCL, they finally realized that there are almost as many RapidFire fans out there and they are not going away. Shimano put some much-needed attention into refining RapidFire, and the result is impressive. It is a new and much improved design, which is why the name has been appended to RapidFire Plus (RFP).

Really, it’s several plusses. First of all, the lever can be adjusted along the handlebar axis for ideal placement depending on your grip, lever preferences and finger length. As with DCL, RFP has “instant-release” and “multi-release” shifting. The former refers to an immediate shift when going in the “release cable tension” direction, no waiting for the distance to the click to be covered before releasing. The latter refers to the fact that releasing cable tension shifts up to two gears at a time, a 100% increase from the XTR 960. And the release lever has been re-designed to allow it to be either pushed or pulled to get the cable to release—the thumb working it one way and the index finger the other. And the reason we’re talking about the shifting in cable-release terms rather than up or down is that RFP shifters work with both top normal (the common way rear derailleurs shift) and low normal (reverse spring, a.k.a. rapid rise) rear derailleurs.

Aesthetically, the lever design is more industrial, something that seems to run throughout the line. In this case, the parts have a machined appearance and seem more skeletal, with only the relevant metal saved with everything else shaved away.

The SL-M970 Rapidfire Plus shifter set is designed for three chainrings in the front and nine cogs in the back. It features instant release, multi release, and two-way release shifting. It comes with Sealed SIS-SP41 shift housing and Shimano stainless steel shift cables. This Rapidfire Plus shifter can work with either low normal or top normal rear derailleurs, though Shimano recommends top normal. The weight is 215g. MSRP $249.99.