Acera is an MTB-style component group that offers a choice of 7 or 8-speed drive trains. Acera delivers the responsive feeling of a real mountain bike to casual riders and entry level cyclists.
Strengths: Value for money, Simple Design, Dependable. Cost Effective.
Weaknesses: Wide Gear Ratio, Difficult to Tune, Quite Heavy.
Bottom Line:
Definitely an entry level Gear Set... In my opinion, it Shimano Acera serves better purpose on Hybrid/City Bike rather than MTB... 24 Speed is always welcome, although the gear ratios are quite broad. Overall, it's the best bang for the bucks!
Strengths: All the components of that series run smoothly and do not need maintainance or adjustment.They are strong and beautiful.
Weaknesses: The cassete sprockets should be a litle bit lighter-but who cares?
Bottom Line:
Acera components prooved to be hard and rigid even in the roughest downhills. They don't brake easily and rarely need adjustment. There was a period that I hadn't adjusted them for 3 months!!! They DO worth the money you spend on them!!!
Similar Products Used: SRAM 5.0,SRAM 7.0 Shimano Altus,Shimano Alivio and Shimano SIS
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Tim
a Cross Country Rider
from Central IL
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2003
Strengths: They work. period.
Weaknesses: They may lack a bit in strength, as I bent the derailers a few times. They were easy to get back into shape.
Bottom Line:
Everyone who complained about these not shifting correctly does not know how to set them up. I have used them on this bike (my first mtn bike) for 4 years, and have never so much as thought about replacing them. They did the job every time. They do require some maintenance and attention, but then again so do XTRs.
I have had that bike in more dirt, mud, water, weeds, and s*#@! and have never had a problem with the indicator dial that someone said to never get dirty.
Submitted by
paul
a Weekend Warrior
from janeville,WI, USA
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2003
Strengths: cheap - price is right and it works
Weaknesses: it works, but not too well
Bottom Line:
its cheap, it works, not perfect, but all it really needs to do is work and it does that. i've had it for a while and it has never failed me yet, but you shouldn't expect it to be amazing. its inexpensive, and it works- but not great. i wouldn't buy them for my new bike, but they are prefectly fine for my old GT.
Bike Setup: GT hardtail bike with acera parts package
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jason Reid
a Cross Country Rider
from Birmingham, AL
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2001
Strengths: Value,design(except front D.), durabilty
Weaknesses: front D.
Bottom Line:
This set appears to be a great for entry level biking. If you're a hobyist you can't go wrong, excepting one fact: you need to know how to adjust and tune your bike. If not, then the Acera will drive you batty. I can't count the number of mid-trail adjustments I've made to my front derailleur. That is the crux of the problem, Shimano has yet to release a decent top-swing derailleur. They all have problems downshifting under load. Again not a big problem if your not racing ... just annoying. Also if you're planning on getting muddy a lot, then upgrade to at least a Deore rear derailleur and while your at it throw your Acera front derailleur away.
Similar Products Used: Shimano LX, XT....and my buddies rig with all XTR stuff(sigh)
Bike Setup: Shimano Acera Shifter pods,BB,Deore Rear D., Acera Front D., Aluminum hardtail, Rock Shox Jett C front fork
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Kris Furr
a Cross Country Rider
from suburbian, IL
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2000
Strengths: Can't say too much here. Although I hear they are cheap.
Weaknesses: Teeth on the chainring are worn down alot more than you would expect for only having it 6 months(about 500 miles. Big prob with ghost shifting from 1st or 3rd to 2nd, you think it shifted from the clicking but it didn't. You actually need to put just the slightest pressure on the shifter again and then it goes, real p.i.t.a.
Bottom Line:
It seems I get this same stuff from all the reviews I have read on them. If your on a budget at least swap out the deraileurs for Deore. Otherwise go to Lx
Submitted by
Andy
a Weekend Warrior
from Fairmont, WV
Date Reviewed: September 11, 1999
Strengths: Cheap Does what it says... shifts.
Weaknesses: You have to reach all the way over the top to shift (like thumbies) but have to reach BACK down to shift the other way. The gear indicator is mounted on a 'wheel' and isn't enclosed (read: don't even THINK about getting these dirty)
Bottom Line:
Cheapos. Pay extra for at least Alivo. But if you are in a race, yours break and need to buy a pair of shifters fast, but your jersey only holds 5 cents... go ahead and get them.
I can't complain...they shift with no major problems, and look pretty decent. however, they do seem to be reluctant to shift with any significant pedal pressure...however whether this is due to the shifter, or my various other weak componentry, i dont know...lol
Submitted by
Alex
a Weekend Warrior
from Washigton DC
Date Reviewed: July 27, 1999
Strengths: Cheap shifts nice looks nice
Weaknesses: Front derailluer 7-speed
Bottom Line:
Came with bike. Nice shifters. Had it for 'bout a month and front derailluer (less then 100 miles!) has so much play I had to replace it. My advice, trash front der and get better one, LX or XT. Nashbar sells LX for $13.95+$5.85 ship, no tax
Submitted by
Marcus
a Weekend Warrior
from Dallas, Texas
Date Reviewed: July 19, 1999
Strengths: Solid, quick response
Weaknesses: Not sure I've found one, yet.
Bottom Line:
Great shifter. The only problems I've had, I created. I dinged up the middle & outer chain ring going over rocks & stumps I never should have. They still performed really well and after I straightened the spokes back out, are as quiet as ever. I really can't complain, so I won't.
Similar Products Used: Schimano - Alivio Rapid Fire`
Bike Setup: Novara Bonanza
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Submitted by
Ann
a Cross-Country Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: July 12, 1999
Strengths: none
Weaknesses: Brake levers uncomfortable and flimsy.Front shifter shifted derailleur the wrong distance.
Bottom Line:
I put this shifter/brake lever on my roommate's bike, because it was the only 7/3 combo they had in the shop. Silly me. The brake levers are really short and uncomfortable, and the front shifter couldn't be adjusted to shift the derailleur the correct amount. It would always *way* overshift, so the chain ended up off the outside of the large ring. Adjusting the limit screws on the derailleur kept the shiftert from reaching the stop, so the chain wouldn't stay on the large chainring. I ended up replacing them with GripShift shifters and Dia Compe brake levers, and life is good again.
