The new X7 shifters are designedTo work with eitherThe 2x10 or 3x10 system. Either way, both systems provide smoother shifting and more efficient gearing. Double works with 2x10 only;Triple work with either 3x9 or 3x10 Removable clamps soTheyre compatible with Matchmaker or Matchmaker X Cable change port makes it easierTo change cables compared withThe XX Weight 232 grams approx. (2x10)
Submitted by
Rushfive
a All Mountain Rider
from York, North Yorkshire
Date Reviewed: March 4, 2012
Strengths: Quick possitive changes, good lever position. Easy removal from bars
Weaknesses: After six months of frequent use, the lever does not return when pushing gear changes leaving you to manually return the lever to make another change. Completely dissassembled & cleaned, but no better. Mate with same shifters had same problem in just a few weeks. The problem means missed gears & loss of flow, no good when racing.
No crfashes & well maintained!
Bottom Line:
Do not buy. Mine came on the bike so no choice really, but can't change for Shimano without changing rear mech due to SRAM 1:1 ratio (Shimano 2:1)
Similar Products Used: Shimano Deore LX combined brake/shifter. 5 years on Cannondale Rush without any problems although heavily worn & very slack.
Bike Setup: Cannondale RZ120 Lefty
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Submitted by
lew242
a Downhiller
from UK and China
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2011
Strengths: Great accurate and fast shifting
Weaknesses: Appalling reliability of new shifters
Bottom Line:
The old X7 shifters were reliable and lasted years, as in the above picture, the new X7 shifters without the numbers shift as well as the old ones. Don't get me wrong the way the shifter connects to the bar is more convenient, and I don't miss the numbers, you're either in the right gear, or you aren't! I can see the cost of production went up as the shifter looks more expensively made inside. However someone forgot to actually test these in the field adequately. Same piss-weak engineering as their Elixir brake line.
What happens is the up the up-shift paddle on these newer X7s goes outta whack and you end up with an unusable shifter that you have to throw away, mine lasted 4 months. What's worse is the new shifter is like a cheap Chinese fake Swiss watch inside and impossible to fix, whereas the old ones were much simpler, worked more reliably and were most likely cheap to manufacture!
3 out of five. 2 for new shifter, 5 for old shifter.
Similar Products Used: older X7, Shimano Deore, Shimano Alivio
Bike Setup: FR/AM FS
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Submitted by
Pollution Warrior
a Weekend Warrior
from Taiyuan, China
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2011
Strengths: I'm still thinking...
Weaknesses: Levers, no indicator
Bottom Line:
I put the bike together (new) for a friend. I hate the shifters. There is no indicator to show what gear you are in. I thought Shimano was retarded for not having numbers on their indicator, but no indicator at all is obviously much worse. I have no idea why anyone would buy shifters with no indicator.
Also, the thumb lever you use to shift the crank to the next highest ring has a flimsy return spring. You push it with your thumb, everything shifts ok, but the lever stays put. you have to move it BACK with your thumb after shifting before you can shift again. Maybe a defect?
This is my first SRAM drivetrain experience. I'm not impressed. Shimano's department store bike shifters are far superior.
Weaknesses: These came with my new bike and are unusable. The levers overlap, with the upper lever preventing access to the lower. This makes changing gear a time consuming, hit or miss affair. It's not quite essential actually to look for the lever to push, but pretty close. How did this product ever get past the first mock-up?
Bottom Line:
One to avoid. I'll be fitting the Shimano SLX/Shadow set from my old bike asap
Similar Products Used: Various Shimano levers (Deore, Alivio, SLX etc)
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Submitted by
Rad Rider 415
a Cross Country Rider
from PA
Date Reviewed: February 20, 2011
Strengths: Quick shifting and work smoothly
Weaknesses: It's a real pain when you have to take them apart to put a cable in and then you can not line up the gear indicator or even get that to work at all.
Bottom Line:
Worth it if you want to upgrade from x5 other than that, just go with x9 or higher.
Similar Products Used: Sram x5 and all Shimano stuff
Bike Setup: Redline D440
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Submitted by
mtclimber03
a Cross Country Rider
from Boone, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2010
Strengths: 1:1 actuation ratio, cool looking silver and classy metal push lever.
Weaknesses: Purchased in May broke in Oct. Tore apart and is repairable!
Bottom Line:
Junk do not buy! Sram is awesome but bump up x9 or higher the x7 will bust in mid-use leaving you with a single speed rig. Although I love the smoothness of Sram I've owned some low end shimano shifters that have lasted for up to 5 years! 6 months for the life of a shifter is just plain unacceptable.
There are some interesting comments on this product. Mine came fitted to an X9 rear and Deore front via Jagwire Felt cables. Both front and rear work flawlessly. Though I haven't actually run them into anything, they definitely haven't broken and show no signs of weakness. On inspection I found the access screw that allows you to spray lube the internals without pulling it apart-very thoughtful. Though I have used all other types of gear selection, I did not experience more than a mild, temporary confusion at this version, and find it comfortable. If your running into stuff and breaking these, you should try opening your eyes, or expensive carbon fibre cased units.
Submitted by
Farmer Ted
a Cross Country Rider
from Fort Collins, CO USA
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2010
Strengths: shifts well, no problems
Weaknesses: none so far
Bottom Line:
These came on my 29er and I was curious to see what the SRAM thing was all about after riding Shimano stuff for the last 20 years. Happily, these work great and I have absolutely no problems. For a $40 shifter, you can't go wrong. If they last for any length of time we'll have a real winner.
The dual thumb shifting is fine. If using thumbs to shift up and down confuses you that much then you probably shouldn't be riding bikes...stick to playing video games. I have 4 bikes (3 mountain, 1 road) and they ALL have different shifting styles on them, it doesn't take anything to get used to these...good job, SRAM. With the X-7 shifters being this good, I'm curious to try out the X-9 or X-0 now...I may be a convert.
Similar Products Used: 20 years of Shimano XT and XTR
Bike Setup: 29er
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Submitted by
bergm52
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver, Wa
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2010
Strengths: Reliable. Works good
Bottom Line:
These shifters are not as fancy as the shimano rapidrise but they shift smoothly, are reliable, and i have never had any problems with them. If your looking for new shifters on a budget get these, used on Craigslist if you can. You can get a set for $35-40 used
Bike Setup: Ironhorse Azure with DW link, Manitou Skareb Super SPV, Magura Marta SL's, Stans ZTR Alpine wheelset.. 1x9 drivetrain
23.4lbs complete bike with pedals
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Nitrometal
a Cross Country Rider
from Lanham, MD USA
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2010
Strengths: crisp shifting
Weaknesses: least intuitive things i've EVER had on a bike!
Bottom Line:
Ok, they shift fine which i guess is their main purpose but why the hell do they have to be so confusing! My old XT rapid fires were perfect! thumb triggers up-shifts, finger for down-shifts, and they move opposite directions. not with these babies however. both triggers are actuated by your thumb, both triggers move the same direction (forward), and if that isn't bad enough, THE UP TRIGGER ON THE RIGHT SIDE IS THE DOWN TRIGGER ON THE LEFT SIDE! the learning curve just to manage your gear selection is just unreasonable. this actually brings about a deeper contemplation...once a rider passes training wheels, why should there even be a learning curve for riding your bike? good value because they came on my bike, 3 chilies because they work well...once you figure them out!
Bike Setup: 2008 Specialized Enduro SL Comp with nearly everthing new.
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Submitted by
wutty3
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston Tx
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2010
Strengths: Light, Accurate, Shift Nice
Weaknesses: NO GEAR INDICATOR
Bottom Line:
They shift good, they look good,they're matchmaker compatible (I have no use for matchmaker) but...NO GEAR INDICATOR. I'm sending them back and getting last years model that has the indicator. What was SRAM thinking?? If you want gear indicators, the entire 2010 x-series apparantly do not have the indicator. You'll have to get last years model.
Bike Setup: Mongoose Tyax Pro upgraded to X-7 derailleurs. stock otherwise
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Submitted by
Hardrock_Spec
a Weekend Warrior
from Ontario
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2009
Strengths: The Thing works great and (I know this is standard for sram) It looks so sweet how its like MADE for my Juicey 3 levers
Weaknesses: Is not Compatible with the Avid matchmakers... such a shame but oh well i will deal nither are my Juiceys lol... but i think this years X-7 is Matchmaker compatable
Submitted by
marshall5686
a Weekend Warrior
from Stansbury, UT, USA
Date Reviewed: September 28, 2009
Strengths: Clean shifts, dependable, cheap to replace
Weaknesses: plastic
Bottom Line:
I've ridden these for over a year now. Like how they shift, good feel. I'm writing this review because they are easy to break. I've broken both the left and right shifters on separate crashes - that were both minor. Even added bar ends, partly to prevent this after the first break. Broke in the same spot, where the bar clamp mounts to the shifter housing. Good thing they are fairly cheap. Still - I rode XT for 4 years and never broke one.
