Submitted by
tim geary
a Cross Country Rider
from london
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2006
Strengths: Dial in, lightness, image, modulation
Weaknesses: Small bolt fixing
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.
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
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
jarred wilson
a Cross Country Rider
from san mateo, CA
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2005
Strengths: very strong and lightwieght feels great hasnt broke or bent yet
Weaknesses: paint wears off after a couple of rides
Bottom Line:
the lever is really a great buy i recommend to any type of rider
Submitted by
dontnomuch
a Weekend Warrior
from just north of Mexico
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2005
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.
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.
Submitted by
Jeremy
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2004
Strengths: Nice looking, High snob apeal, quality fit and finish
Weaknesses: high price, low mechanical advantage, somewhat uncomfortable
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.
Submitted by
Craig
a Weekend Warrior
from Mississauga
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2003
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)
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.
Similar Products Used: Shimano V-Brake & shifter combination, Hayes levers
Bike Setup: Jamis Dakar, Avid CPS Disks, LX front and rear, Shimano drive train
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Jon
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta, St Louis and soon Denver
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2003
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.
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
Bike Setup: old carbon fisher thats getting ready to break
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
DANIEL FRATER
a Cross Country Rider
from LONDON
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2003
Strengths: LOOKIN GOOD, FEEL STRONG AND GIVE YOU FAITH.
Weaknesses: AINT ONE!
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.
Submitted by
Kai Lindström
a Weekend Warrior
from Helsinki, Finland
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2002
Strengths: Works very well, good workmanship, it's XTR :-)
Weaknesses: a little bit too heavy (I think XTR SHOULD BE lighter than LX & XT)
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!
Submitted by
Billy Bob Thorton
a Cross Country Rider
from Southern Cal.
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2002
Strengths: There XTR what else
Weaknesses: The lever quality is the best hands down.
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.
Submitted by
DtEW
a Weekend Warrior
from SoCal, USA
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2002
Strengths: High stiffness, lightweight, good ergonomics, high quality appearance.
Weaknesses: Not rebuildable and pricy (but the latter is relative.)
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.
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.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Tyler
a Cross Country Rider
from New Mexico
Date Reviewed: December 23, 2001
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.
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.
