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Submitted by
tim geary
a Cross Country Rider
from london
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Dial in, lightness, image, modulation | | Weaknesses: | Small bolt fixing | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano range, Avid LP's, Pauls | | Bike Setup: | Light xc | | Bottom Line: | For V-brake use its great - you can adjust reach, adjust modulation via the in built bezel, they fit well on the bar and complement the XTR shifters & Ti bar (of course) and look really great as they wear in and get that shiny look of use that you just can't beat.
That and they feel great when using V-brakes on ceramic rims, you really can break in minute distances with total silence with this set up.
Fair enough fixing on the bar is with 4mm hex - but just ensure that key is well inserted and no chance of rounding out the bolt which would otherwise be an issue.
Definately a fit and forget item which just last forever. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brian
a Cross Country Rider
from mass
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | any trial that has alot of mud | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | came stook on a old royce union | | Strengths: | everything i have acidently hit it with a hammer and it showed no dent or crack. | | Weaknesses: | nothing | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | i got a stock old royce union that i found in the trash and everything is stock.rusty is what i named it.and it will kick enybodys ass in a race | | Bottom Line: | i love enything that will last a long as time and these has | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jarred wilson
a Cross Country Rider
from san mateo, CA
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | revolution trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | woodside bike shop | | Strengths: | very strong and lightwieght feels great hasnt broke or bent yet | | Weaknesses: | paint wears off after a couple of rides | | Similar Products Used: | any XT levers | | Bike Setup: | Giant warp | | Bottom Line: | the lever is really a great buy i recommend to any type of rider | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dontnomuch
a Weekend Warrior
from just north of Mexico
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | a bike shop in LA | | Strengths: | I've had these levers for 9 years. They've been on three bikes and operated xtr v-brakes and avid disc brakes. They're indestructible and work with everything. I can also run whichever shifters I want. This is the way to go!! | | Weaknesses: | Grey finish rubs off easily; not really cheap but you're getting bearings and higher quality construction and materials. | | Similar Products Used: | xt, lx, xtr--I have a bunch of different brands on my bike, but I've always run shimano brakes. | | Bike Setup: | SC superlight, SID XC, Sachs Plasma 8 speed grip-shift, and a bunch of other stuff that was too expensive. | | Bottom Line: | I recently went to walmart (oops...supergo) and all these rigs had the latest disk set-ups; half the levers flopped around they had so much play; the levers felt plasticky. Nine year old levers felt tighter and more robust. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc
a Cross Country Rider
from Saratoga, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Soquel Demo | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | phattire.com | | Strengths: | Great feel to them and strong pull | | Weaknesses: | EXPENSIVE | | Similar Products Used: | XT, LX, Paul Love Levers | | Bike Setup: | SC Superlight | | Bottom Line: | These are a bit $$ but hey it's XTR and I don't ever see the need to bump to shift/brake combo's thanks very much. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeremy
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Nice looking, High snob apeal, quality fit and finish | | Weaknesses: | high price, low mechanical advantage, somewhat uncomfortable | | Similar Products Used: | Avid speed dail, shimano LX | | Bike Setup: | oldschool Litespeed hardtail, XT/XTR, vintage bomber coil/ oil fork | | Bottom Line: | I'm a little disappointed in these levers. I replaced my integrated 9s LX shift/brake levers with these when I got a pair of pauls thumbies. I was surprised to find that even with the leverage adjustment cranked all the way up, my brakes were not biting like they did with the LX levers. The XTR design incorperates a sliding cable tie in point that yeilds increasing mechanical advantage as applied brake force increases. You can set the maximum possible leverage ratio with a small adjustment screw in the lever assembly. It looks interesting, but in practice I find the modulation, and overall available brake power is sub-par compared to either the LX, or the Avid levers I used in the past. I find my forearms are much more strained on downhills, and where I could previously use 1 or 2 fingers with total confidence, I'm now forced to use 3, with a higher fear level. Additionally, the crossection of the lever is a little small, and has sharp edges that are not comfortable for my hands.
In this case, the budget shimano stuff actually works better. Sure, the XTR logo will get you attention, and they look sharp on your bars, but these levers don't have the performance to back up all that flash. The LX stuff is butt ugly and cheap looking, but the mechanical design is far superior. Save your cash for something else.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig
a Weekend Warrior
from Mississauga
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Hardwood Hills | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS (Used) | | Strengths: | Good solid feel, and adjustability like you would not believe. | | Weaknesses: | none that I have found (price was not an issue since I purchased mine used) | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano V-Brake & shifter combination, Hayes levers | | Bike Setup: | Jamis Dakar, Avid CPS Disks, LX front and rear, Shimano drive train | | Bottom Line: | They feel solid, and you can set them up just perfect. After each ride I make minor adjustments to the position of the lever, the cable tension, and the amount of "leverage mushieness" until they are just perfect. All I do now is think of the braking power I need, and the combination of my hands and the levers deliver. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta, St Louis and soon Denver
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | friend of a friend | | Strengths: | pretty light, really durable, has lasted forever and a day, and really cool color | | Weaknesses: | can't be retrofitted to work with hydraulic disk. I mean come on. | | Similar Products Used: | avid, other shimano | | Bike Setup: | old carbon fisher thats getting ready to break | | Bottom Line: | these brakes are 1997 model year. I have had em since early 2001, i treat em like crap, and poof they still work like a charm, and they look really cool. So if you happen to find some old XTR V-Brake levers for a good price, pick em up | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DANIEL FRATER
a Cross Country Rider
from LONDON
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | FAST XC | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$85.00 | | Purchased At: | JENSON | | Strengths: | LOOKIN GOOD, FEEL STRONG AND GIVE YOU FAITH. | | Weaknesses: | AINT ONE! | | Similar Products Used: | XT ALL IN ONE GEAR+BRAKE, LX BRAKE + AVIDS | | Bike Setup: | VOODOO BIZANGO, XT/XTR SYSTEMS + HOPE HUBS W/ MAVIC F519 RIMS. TITEC + WTB EXTRAS | | Bottom Line: | GREAT LOOKING AND STRONG LEVERS, MAKE BRAKES - V BRAKES OR DISC - FEEL POWERFUL AND ALLOW FOR GOOD BRAKE ACTION WITH TOTAL CONTROL, EVEN IN THE WET CONDITIONS. A MUST FOR CABLE BRAKE RIDERS. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ace
a Cross Country Rider
from canada/korea
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | watershed | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | works... | | Weaknesses: | too weak..but i guess it does not matter very much | | Bottom Line: | light and very smooth...awesome colour of xtr is now matching perfectly on my handlebar... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kai Lindström
a Weekend Warrior
from Helsinki, Finland
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Strengths: | Works very well, good workmanship, it's XTR :-) | | Weaknesses: | a little bit too heavy (I think XTR SHOULD BE lighter than LX & XT) | | Similar Products Used: | LX, XT, Dia-Compe, old XTR, ... | | Bike Setup: | Haro Impulse Comp with XT/XTR, Egg Beaters & RS Judy SL (The original one '95) | | Bottom Line: | I paid too much for these levers but I wanted them 'cause they work very well. And you can't have them anymore in '03 for the new XTR comes... I considered Proshift VC2/Sram Rocket/Avid SD Ti combo but bought XTR BL-M950/XT SL-M750/XTR BR-M951 combo because I knew for sure that they will work brilliantly. No weight savings can win the trusting and safe feeling when blasting down the hill! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Racer
from Tallahassee, FL
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Razorback, Ocala FL | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Bike Depot, Sebastian FL | | Strengths: | Great 'feel', ability to modulate snappy brakes, look cool, hey, it's XTR man. | | Weaknesses: | How much do you like your money? | | Similar Products Used: | Avids, XTs, LXs | | Bike Setup: | Hartail, Sid SL, XTR, Avid Ti Brakes | | Bottom Line: | These levers feel/look great and there's nothing else to say. Bottom Line: XTR | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Billy Bob Thorton
a Cross Country Rider
from Southern Cal.
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Pork Rim | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Todd's Tool Barn | | Strengths: | There XTR what else | | Weaknesses: | The lever quality is the best hands down. | | Similar Products Used: | xt levers | | Bike Setup: | xtr with Avid Mechanical Disc Brakes | | Bottom Line: | Shimano People have been doing this bike thing for a long time. Everyone has some part of Shimano on there bikes. The levers are just a plus. Go buy them and a then take a nap. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DtEW
a Weekend Warrior
from SoCal, USA
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Strengths: | High stiffness, lightweight, good ergonomics, high quality appearance. | | Weaknesses: | Not rebuildable and pricy (but the latter is relative.) | | Similar Products Used: | Avid Speed Dial Ti levers, XT levers, SRAM 9.0 levers (pre and post SRS-era models) | | Bike Setup: | Relevant to this item, XTR V-brakes, SRAM 9.0 Halfpipe shifters and Gore RideOns. | | Bottom Line: | One of the few levers that gives me the option of two-finger braking while holding onto SRAM Halfpipe shifters. The only setup quirk is that the Halfpipe shifters will have to be rotated slightly more forward than with other levers, reducing visibility of the gear indications at the front.
Otherwise, the levers are high performers in all performance areas. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tyler
a Cross Country Rider
from New Mexico
Date Reviewed: December 23, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Clean, light, very ergonomic, doesn't stress you carpi flexors on long rides, big plus | | Weaknesses: | slightly expensive if you support your local stores, as you should, but you get what you pay for. | | Bike Setup: | hoo koo,wh-m575, xtr V-rear, Hayes Mech.-front, sx-r 1999 fork | | Bottom Line: | good lever, when properly tuned very responsive, low maint., haven't used the xt series, but if weight isn't a concern you may want to look into that line, if you're heart set on shimano. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pigeonhed
a Cross Country Rider
from Columbus, OH U.S.of A
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Devils ridge | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | like someone slapped a pat of butta in ya hand!!!!! | | Weaknesses: | ......wait.......looking........hold on..........oh, never mind. | | Similar Products Used: | Avid 1.9 w/ extra grit | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale CAAD 3 w/ XTR front and rear derailleurs, Avid mechanical disc brakes, mavic 317 disc rims w/ XT disc hubs, Raceface turbine cranks, Raceface prodigy handlebar, Selle Italia Trans AM saddle, Crank Bros. egg beater pedals (kick a$$)and good n' evil grips. | | Bottom Line: | The only way you could get smoother braking would be to stick your hands in some Parkay before you go ride!!! Get them on sale and you can't go wrong. Anyone whose brakes have lost that loving feeling needs to pick these bad boys up. Worth every Yen, er, dollar. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel
a
from England
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Any Trials | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Chain Reaction Cycles | | Strengths: | Light, Looks good, strong, not much mantinance to keep them working like new, quality make. | | Weaknesses: | Erm, maybe i'll find one... | | Similar Products Used: | Tektro, Avid 2.0, Grimeca discs, maguras, hope discs. | | Bike Setup: | Saracen x-tort frame, tioga headset, tioga cube stem, tioga bars, Xtr v-brake set, Fsa power pro crank with middleburn 22t ring, un52 BB, Mavic D521 on Xtr rear, lx front, tioga pedals, Michelin w.g hot s tyres, fatty-r fork, lx r-mech . | | Bottom Line: | The best brake i've used for balance between price and perfomance. They are super smooth and have stayed that way. The lever adjustment is excellent, it lets you have your brake levers the way you want them to feel. When they have had there day i will DEFINTLY BUY SOME MORE! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sindron
a Weekend Warrior
from Canada
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Cameron Cycle | | Strengths: | STRONG!!! Light, smooth.
Sweet looking! I can't stop looking at em.
They a good feel.
They're 2 finger levers which kicks ass, I'm used to 3 fingers. | | Weaknesses: | The price. I got the intergraded shifter/levers. I got them on deal for 300$, canadian retail they're 500$ (XT's are 260 intergraded) are the xtr so much better?
The little black thing that pulls on the cable touches my to plate of the lever, not a big deal. | | Similar Products Used: | Tektro | | Bottom Line: | They are good, I love them. The only thing better are problably those avid Dial Ultimate L, Which are very expensive! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Simpson
a Weekend Warrior
from Mt.juliet, TN, Wilson
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Lock 4 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikers Choice | | Strengths: | looks,smooth action,weight | | Weaknesses: | The xtr grey finish is starting to wear off the levers. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano LX, Avid SD 2.0 | | Bike Setup: | 2000 fsr/xc comp,CK Headset,xtr levers,Gore cables,monkey lite low riser bar,2001 body geometry saddle,Mountainspeed X-raded kit. | | Bottom Line: | These levers are the best,especially with gore cables.The
feel of these things are unreal and they look cool to. I
would recommend these levers to anyone who is wanting to
upgrade. Also when adding these great levers go ahead and
put on some gore cables,they are well worth the $.Mine are
6 months old and as smooth as butter. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luke
a Cross Country Rider
from Knoxville,TN,USA
Date Reviewed: September 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Lock4 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Solid design, very good adjustability, 3 year warranty | | Weaknesses: | UGLY! | | Similar Products Used: | All avid levers except the ultimates. Shimano XT and LX. | | Bike Setup: | 99 Jamis Dragon | | Bottom Line: | Excellent design. Very sturdy and well built. The leverage adjustment is as good as avids, just not as convenient.
If you tinker with it, you can get your brakes to feel perfect!
I suggest this lever to anyone who can find a good price for them as they are a little on the pricey side.
Those who don't like a lot of little adjustment possibilities should find something that is a little less complex, as the the seperate adjustments for reach/leverage/pull can be overly tempting for gear freaks like me.
The only downside is that they are (at least for me) terribly ugly! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Edmonton or Schleitheim
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Many | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | SRAM 9.0 Levers | | Bike Setup: | Supercaliber, Manitou SX-R(huge bang for buck), SRAM9.0SL Drivetrain | | Bottom Line: | In combination with Avid Mag(Single Digit) Brake, this brake system is almost overkill... a two finger pull tends to raise the rear wheel quickly (-: Compared to the SRAM9.0 Levers XTR is heavier by a bit, but the incredible stiffness is totally worth it. Wonderful machined finish. I dont like plastic as good as metal anyway... I got a good deal(98 model from a buddy), but otherwise its too much for a lever, so 3 pancakes for value, 5 for function. If your brakes are good, but you wonder why one finger doesnt cut a full stop, try a good lever. I can fully recommend this one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Guy
a Cross Country Rider
from Urbana
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Really smooth action, very strong. Looks cool | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | XT, LX | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale F1000, XTR shifters, XTR rear der, XTR brakes and levers, Race Face crank w/ rings, Time ATAC pedals | | Bottom Line: | Very good levers. Brakes are a very important aspect of your bike, so invest in XTR brakes and you will be happy.
A good buy | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
travis bickle
a Cross Country Rider
from Shilo, MB, Canada
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Ganaraska, ON | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | smooth, comfortable, good quality | | Weaknesses: | the leverage adjustment isn't as easy to adjust as avid speed dial. pricey | | Similar Products Used: | magura, XT, Avid | | Bike Setup: | Sram 9.0 brakes | | Bottom Line: | they work as a top of the line lever should, smooth, precise, with excellent return. They look good and come with cable and housing. I stayed away from shimano v brakes because of pivot problems but theywork very well with the 9.0's giving lots of power and good modulation | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix, AZ
Date Reviewed: December 10, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Trail 100 | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Looks
It works
speedy | | Weaknesses: |
display, remove it! | | Similar Products Used: |
gripshift | | Bike Setup: |
Santa Cruz Chameleon 16.5 ,XTR,Mavic 517 | | Bottom Line: | They really kick a$$, they never fail on you,
they look sooo damn eveil, XT is good too, but doesnt look half as cool! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tomcat
a Weekend Warrior
from la
Date Reviewed: November 28, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
good stopping power but still not as good as Precision Billet levers | | Similar Products Used: |
Precision Billet | | Bottom Line: | Very good stopping power and modulation. Still not as good as Precision Billet/Proshift levers. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Warren Perkinson
a Cross-Country Rider
from Redwood City, CA
Date Reviewed: October 1, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Bike Setup: |
Brake lever only (without the integrated shifters) with XTR V-Brakes. | | Bottom Line: | A great lever. I have had no problems and have been riding these hard for 6 months now. Easy to set-up, easier to adjust (although this has required almost no adjustment). I particularly like the 'Stepless adjustment Servo-Wave Action braking modulator' (as described by the Shimano marketing types), which is marketing hype, but actually works really well. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ERIK
a Downhiller
from VAN NUYS
Date Reviewed: August 6, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
NAME!!!!
COLOR
COMFORTABLE FEEL | | Weaknesses: |
WORKS JUST AS GOOD AS XT
BENDS EASILY
COSTS WAY TOO MUCH!!! | | Similar Products Used: |
XT LX DIA COMP TEKTRO | | Bike Setup: |
PSCYCLE WERKS WILD HARE, WHITE BROS DC 118 AND ALL THE OTHER GOODIES ( XTR BRAKES AND LEVERS, A LITTLE XT HERE AND A LITTLE XTR THERE) ALL COST TOO MUCH WHEN LX DOES THE SAME JOB | | Bottom Line: | LOOKS GOOD PERFORMS JUST AS WELL AS XT. I BENT THE REAR BRAKE LEVER TO MY AMAZEMENT COST ME 75 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE LEVERS ONLY (ONLY COMES IN PAIRS).....COULD AND SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT SOMETHING ELSE WITH THE MONEY!!! XT LEVERS AND A COUPLE OF POWER BARS...LOL...3 STARS CUZ WAY OVER PRICED | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joshua White
a Racer
from Easley SC
Date Reviewed: July 7, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
my trails | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
shifts smoothly | | Weaknesses: |
heavier than the LX | | Similar Products Used: |
Avid 1.9
Shimano LX | | Bike Setup: |
Gary Fisher Paragon 99
SID shocks | | Bottom Line: | they shift way smoother and the brake levers are real strong | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Travis
a Weekend Warrior
from Nanaimo, B.C.
Date Reviewed: May 31, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Light and strong | | Weaknesses: |
Price | | Similar Products Used: |
Avid 1.9 | | Bike Setup: |
Kona Muni-mula | | Bottom Line: | These are great levers and i have never had a problem with them, but the price of them is way to high. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
doug
a Weekend Warrior
from martinez, CA
Date Reviewed: May 30, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Good looks, nice feel, light. | | Weaknesses: |
See TBL. No evidence of user servicable parts, so they must be disposable. | | Bike Setup: |
Trek 7500 | | Bottom Line: | The front cable housing was cut *way* too short (12), while the wire was a massive 31 long. Zero in the QC dept for that. No written warranty included. Instructions show torque specs next to illustration of an Allen key in the bolt; no explanation on how *that little trick is accomplished. No exploded view with part numbers. Good luck if you lose/break a part, or want to rebuild them. Wrong corporate phone number. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Cross-Country Rider
from Song Tan Korea
Date Reviewed: May 29, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
The best feeling brake lvrs availible
XTR shifters are flawless | | Weaknesses: |
Retail Price is Nutz | | Similar Products Used: |
AVID 2.0
LX
XT | | Bike Setup: |
98 Schwinn S-Carbon
XT/XTR
Judy (Long Travel) | | Bottom Line: | I have the LVR/ Shifter combo.Big difference from XT in my opinion. Smoother shifting and great feel when braking.I don't see how the can get any better. I wouldn't have paid the retail price for them though. I got a good deal by teaching a local Korean a little bit of English. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tacoma
a Cross-Country Rider
from SLC, UT
Date Reviewed: May 4, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
great feel
nice finish
light | | Weaknesses: |
expensive
have to clock GripShift because of the clamp on the levers | | Similar Products Used: |
XT levers | | Bike Setup: |
They're on all my bikes | | Bottom Line: | Nice lever. I got a deal on mine, and if they're on sale cool, but retail on ALL XTR stuff is just out of hand. I had to rotate GripShift a bit because of the pivot on the levers, but other than that...
These levers are great for one-finger braking, they're at the perfect distance from the bar. One thing that is interesting is that they are a little skinnier, and more hooked than the originals from '96. I like the new ones better. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
happy jackass
a Cross-Country Rider
from Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 2, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
no name | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
These things look so cool and high-tech. Gun-metal grey. Pivot is smooth, finish is smooth, the best looking, they are the best, cannot beat them, they fit perfectly with my ESP 900 shifters, adjustable reach and stepless pwr adjustment, perfect ergonomics, . Couldn't imagine any others being smoother or better levers at any price. Top of the line. I am using the same stuff that famous people in mountain bike magazines are using! Too bad i cannot ride like them. | | Weaknesses: |
They are just so good to look at that I stare at them while riding and this causes me to crash. | | Similar Products Used: |
98 XT lev/calipers, these are not as smooth. | | Bike Setup: |
M950 XTR levers with M750 99 XT v-brakes, best combo i think; XT has leapfrogged XTR in the brake caliper category for 99. | | Bottom Line: | XTR levers are the best that money can buy. BARGAIN compared with AVID Ultimate L? These things have bearings, and are smooooth. Powerful and modulate well (although this may have to do more with caliper and pad design). These feel good under my fingers.
Top rating, 5 stars.
Shimano is a component monopoly because their stuff works. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phillip Lucas
a Cross-Country Rider
from Leiden, The Netherlands
Date Reviewed: March 27, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
These things just cant be beaten. For qulity, enginuity, Coolness and weight in the rapid fire type realm | | Weaknesses: |
Cost | | Similar Products Used: |
ESP 9.0, Gripshift Xrays, STX-RC, XT | | Bike Setup: |
Klein Mantra, full XTR (exept xt v & Formula md1 | | Bottom Line: | Brilliant, unbeatable pure quality | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cj
a cross-country rider
from Mi
Date Reviewed: January 15, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
These levers are simply the best that money can buy. Sure you could spend more on some CNC'd ultralight lever, but you would simply end up paying more for less performance. The bearings at the pivot have remained super smooth for a full season and give this lever a sturdy connected feel. The sliding pivot adustment works quite well. Unlike other systems this offers progressively increasing leverage, which means that initialy you can fell the padis hit the rim but recieve a boost of power after they do. The only real complaint I have for the lever is an annoying clicking noise from the sliding pivot. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
GalaxyGuy
a cross-country rider
from Mass.
Date Reviewed: September 25, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought the XTR lever\shifter combo and I LOVE them! They're great! They're the best money I have ever spent on bike parts! They shift and brake SO smoothly! They make everything work great! I would STRONGLY suggest you go right out and buy these! I give them the maximum flaming carcasses! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Crazy
a cross-country rider
from USA
Date Reviewed: September 21, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These things is great, don't see how they
can be beat, I have had bikes with less,
and these are the best. 5 chile's.
Very nice. MTBR outta give us less than
50 words because there is enuf said. Also,
I based my purchase decision on other
writer' comments. They were all right.
Go out and buy these puppies! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cory
a weekend warrior
from clinton, WA
Date Reviewed: September 17, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These levers look better then any others on the market! The finish also feels great. I bought the shifter/lever combo and it's extremely light too! what more can I say about them!? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jai
a weekend warrior
from Essex-England
Date Reviewed: August 30, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Is it me or do some shimano parts just feel cheap recently? I have their XT groupset which is amazing but the odd componet - Eg the M600 levers, XTR levers and XT shifters feel - like £2 bargain basement stuff? Sorry shimano re-think about overcharging for these badly made levers. Bloody paint comes off in seconds aswell!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
don
a downhiller
from disk
Date Reviewed: August 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
not that the are bad but i would rather have disk breaks or hydrolic over any v break so im not just against these levers but if i when i bought these i moustly bought them because the xtr name and the defenatly look good but i would give a 2.5 if there was one | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Win (not races, just my name)
a weekend warrior
from New York
Date Reviewed: June 26, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The '98 XTR levers have a great feel. They're very light. The screw control
allows for great power and modulation. I'm a strong believer in return springs. So far so good. Only three complaints (little complaints). One, the levers
just aren't long enough for 2-finger braking (I'm not saying there's no such
thing as 1-finger braking nowadays, especially if you have the right brake and
lever combo, but I still prefer two or three fingers). And I have relatively
thin fingers! Guys with bigger hands are in for an unpleasant surprise. The
bulb (or tip) of the lever is too thin and doesn't project far enough. I
think the bulb is the most important part of the lever. Oh I'd kill to have
my '89 Deore XT II levers back again, and I'd be using them still to this day
if they hadn't been stolen (now THERE was a dark day in my life). My last
complaint: there is some play that can't be adjusted out. But that's probably
a stupid complaint because unless play is REALLY excessive, it really doesn't
affect braking and you never notice it anyway. Overall, 4 stars. It'd be 5,
but I'm REALLY burned up about the whole short thing. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kev
a downhiller
from UK
Date Reviewed: April 13, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I had Avid SD 2.0's before, which were good, but the XTR ones are much better. The falling rate linkage gives the brakes masses of power (by the way, reccommend LX or DX ones without the PPM to wear out). I was going to get discs, as I have hope hubs drilled for them, but now I don't think I'll bother. These actually feel more powerful than my mate's Hope Discs. Just one thing, don't skank on the cables. Use sealed ones (like the gore-tex ones), and get amazing feel. You can honestly brake from around 45mph with one finger. Another thing, as they have so much power, you need tyres that brake well, and don't just lose grip. My Panaracer's cannot handle them, but IRC Missile/El Gato combo works superbly. Get some of these and say hello to a brighter, happier future!!!PS: that last sentence was supposed tyo be cheese | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
aKuma
a weekend warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: March 30, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
heh, i got the Xtr levers only . well i think this is the best v brake lever out in the market with the ' feel ' .well i mean it got the best feeling when u grip them.go get them if u had the money or else get avid.don't bother with Lx .it don,t work | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin Punter
a weekend warrior
from Sydney Australia
Date Reviewed: March 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The quality of these components is unquestionable and the performance is very good. Until I recently purchase a set of Avid Ultimate levers (and Arch Supreme brakes), the XTR's would have received my highest praise possible. The Avid top end levers are at a level of design and engineering above the Shimano XTR's. The same is true for the Avid Arch Supreme brakes as well.Sorry Shimano, 4 stars because you only beat the Avid offerings on price. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a cross-country rider
from Cincinnati, OH
Date Reviewed: March 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
XTR. The name exudes confidence in a product, and these live up to it. I have ridden the Brake/Lever Combo, and haven't had 1 problem. The best part of them is the feel of the levers, which I have found is superior to all others I have sampled. If you are in the market, these levers are the ones to get! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kimberley
a racer
from Pennsylvania, USA
Date Reviewed: January 22, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I had GripShifts before and loathed them. They hurt my wrists to turn them, especially in tight situations. I finally ditched them after one muddy race where my Shifts got coated and wouldn't TURN! Had to get off bike before each big hill and manually move to another gear. Well, I ditched them, got XTRs, and never looked back. The first time I tried them, they were so smooth I kept looking down to see if I had actually shifted! They make me a better rider. By the way, if you pair them with Gore cables, you'll get the ultimate in shifting and braking!! Y'know, people criticize Shimano for their domination of the MTB market, but they are dominant for a reason...their stuff WORKS. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charles Coker
a cross-country rider
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: January 2, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
having had Paul's, XT V, Avid 2.0s V, and XTR Vs (shifter/lever combo)
I have to say I prefer the XTRs
I do run them with Avid Single Digit brakes (which replaced XT Vs)
and I love the setup...
I like the ergonimic fit of the XTR shifter/pod assembly..
With XTR pods and Avid levers I was always fighting to get the right
placment/angle of the levers and shifters...
WIth the XTR shifter/lever combo, it's spot on.. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike King
a cross-country rider
from Sweden
Date Reviewed: October 15, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Just got them and they work great.
They are a bit expensive but it`s worth all the money in the world.
Buy them, ride them, love them. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
M.R.
a cross-country rider
from Portland, Oregon USA
Date Reviewed: August 3, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I Have The 97' XTR V-Brake Levers\V-Brakes And I've Had No Problems With Performance
Anywhere, Which Is Great.....These Levers Fit My Small Hands Perfectly And Are
As Smooth As Silk. Highly Adjustable Too.....5 Stars. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Conrad
a cross-country rider
from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 5, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Sweeeeeeeet! Very nice! I picked up the XTR brake/lever V set from www.bikeworld.com for 179.99, and I've loved it. Now, lets talk levers. Some play vertically in the lever, but it means nothing. Smooth action, excellent modulation with the screw halfway down (btw, you don't get the screw with the XT's, or LX. I hear dia compe has something similar . . .) The lever pull surface is wide wide wide! Great for people with big fingers. Works just fine with Gripshift, even with the really long SRT-400 models, however it would work even better with X-Ray. Spring return, the Servo-Wave adjustment kicks, but I'm still too afraid to screw it all the way down. If you're into V brakes, Get these levers or the XT's, and put the screw down half way, or pull out one plastic thingie from the XT's and you get Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat! leverage, cuz it's firm at the start, damn strong at the middle, and at the end of your pull, you either skid or endo. The barrel adjusters are nice. I would never pay full price for them, so I got them discounted at bikeworld. I like it!I would get them again, though.
Did I mention they work great in mud? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a cross-country rider
from RI
Date Reviewed: March 30, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
To state it plainly I'm not too impressed with these levers. I always thought they were so cool looking and that's mostly why I
got them. But now that I have 'em they're not that great. Don't get me wrong there's nothing really wrong with them, I just
expected them to be terrific. The construction and design are generally good. But I did notice a little bit of play at the hinge
and on the body of the lever, around the hole for the hinge, the metal is not smooth. At this price class I expected better. I got
mine with the breaks for $180. I would give them a 3.5 if I could. | | Overall Rating: |
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