The rear mech. shifts very well.A little bit difficult to adjust but then it works well.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brad
a Cross Country Rider
from Lancompton, CA USA Date Reviewed: September 11, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Any
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At:
CBO
Strengths:
Set it and forget it.
Weaknesses:
Takes a little more set up attention, but after that it just disappears.
Similar Products Used:
LX, XT, XTR
Bike Setup:
2001 Specialized Enduro Pro, XTR shifters/brakes, Stylo team cranks, Marathon S fork.
Bottom Line:
I used this until I switched to 9-speed and found the cage wasn't long enough for a 34 tooth cog. After my XTR wore out I made a long cage for my Proshift and put it back in service. It's the most troublefree derailure I've ever used.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dennis Grunbeck
a Weekend Warrior
from Long Island, NY, USA Date Reviewed: August 12, 2004
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
Cambria/ebay
Strengths:
performance, strength, looks, cool factor, not ShimaNo, made in USA, rebuildable (except I wouldn't know where to get the parts)
Weaknesses:
none that I can tell other than that they are out of production
Similar Products Used:
shimano
Bike Setup:
k2 Oz carbon, proshift rear der, shimano XTR front der (unfortunately the proshift front der does not fit, all carbon everything including Rev X Roks wheels, Moots TiBeam stem, FSA carbon cranks, Easton carbon seatpost and handlebars, pb brakes and brake levers, you get the idea, also on Giant carbon HT with proshift front and rear derailleurs, proshift twist shifters (really cool billet shifters that work awesomely)
Bottom Line:
These derailleurs are the best I have ever used. They never complain, they just shift perfectly. I use metawire cables and my K2 has sachs twist shifters, and my Giant has proshift front and rear der and protwist shifters. the pb derailleurs on both bikes work awesomely in all conditions. The cable adjustment needs a little tweaking from time to time, but have not had any major problems with any of the proshift derailleurs, brakes (most powerful I have ever had and they modulate extremely well) or shifters . yes, they did make shifters for a while and they work great, except they don't have a gear readout. too bad precision billet (now bombshell parts) apparently didn't make enough money on these parts to keep them in production.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rod
a Cross Country Rider
from Macon, GA Date Reviewed: June 1, 2004
Favorite Trail:
it's closed now...
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
Local Bike Store
Strengths:
Strong as an ox.
Weaknesses:
Expensive (when I bought it early 1995).
Similar Products Used:
XT, LX, etc.
Bike Setup:
Klein Attitude ('95), XT front, Rock Shox
Bottom Line:
I bought it because I was after an alternative, and wanted durability and "rebuildability". I had a BIG crash (~30mph) and bent the mess out of the derailleur hanger, but didn't do anything to the Proshift! Nine years and counting without an overhaul...pretty good in my book.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steven
a Racer
from Maine Date Reviewed: January 17, 2004
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
Well designed, light weight, rebuildable, works great, made in the USA
Weaknesses:
At the time of purchase, these were more expensive than XTR.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XTR,XT,LX; SRAM (900,9.0); Campy
Bike Setup:
Which one?
Bottom Line:
I've had two of these deraillers in service for close to 10 yrs now ( bought'em in '95 I think, back when Precision went by Gorilla Billet). They are highly under rated, hardly require any attention, and have proved to be quite durable. I had to rebuild one of them several years ago - ripped the derailler off the hanger when a branch attacked my rear wheel during a race...had to rebuild that wheel too. Anyway, anyone with a little mechanical aptitude can rebuild one of these babies in about 30 min...it's a nice option to have instead of just tossing it when you mangle a component.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tom Essick
a Racer
from Kindsbach, Germany Date Reviewed: August 27, 2003
Favorite Trail:
To many to list
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At:
Cambriabike
Strengths:
Lightest derailleur, colors, not the "Big S" company
Weaknesses:
Needs more attention than Shimano derailleurs, Sram 9sp incompatibility.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano, Shimano, Shimano
Bike Setup:
Dean Duke, Pace and Stratos shocks, XC setup
Bottom Line:
These derailleurs rock! However, they do need more attention during initial set up. I find they work best when using Gore cables and a Shimano floating top pulley. If you have Sram 9sp shimano compatible shifters, don't even attempt using this derailleur! They mixed like oil and water! I had to ditch the Sram shifter for a shimano XTR 9 sp unit, and perfection! Shifts are clean and crisp, with no problems what so ever. I use a Dura Ace 12-27 cog in the rear, so people with larger gears may have a problem with the mid cage design. Bottom line: It works great, but if you aren't mechanically inclined and don't work on your own bike, then I wouldn't recommend this derailleur.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Ireland
a Racer
from Devon Date Reviewed: May 15, 2003
Favorite Trail:
2and8 Trails
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$90.00
Purchased At:
The Bike Show
Strengths:
Incredibly light-lightest I've ever used, wicked graphics/ Colors easy to fit and it won't break. Don't take my word for it go and buy one!
Weaknesses:
A tad pricey but you really do get what you pay for with a Proshift, don't buy one if you are a X- country rider, leave em for the big dogs
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XT, XTR
Bike Setup:
Orange Ms Isle
Bottom Line:
The Dogs B*****ks, really they are and they will make your transmission extremely responsive
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
chuck
a Weekend Warrior
from ny Date Reviewed: February 13, 2003
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
durable, shifts on par(if not better than)shimano
Weaknesses:
i guess lack of availale parts
Similar Products Used:
xt, xtr, sachs...
Bottom Line:
ive been using these for years and although i stated that parts arent readily avail anymore to fix them...i havent had to. ive used it with 8 and 9 speed drive trains and have never had a problem. they need to be set-up and adjusted like every other bike part, and once they are, they do a great job at what they are made to do. been working for me for years...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Aaron McGraw
a Weekend Warrior
from Oil City, PA, USA Date Reviewed: January 4, 2003
Deore front mech, LX and Syncros 'rings on a Truvativ 5-D crank, Kore and Titec goodies.... Weinmann Rims and Formula hubs..SRAM gripshift and NOW an XT mid-cage rear mech
Bottom Line:
Well, I was right in thinkin' it was kind of flimsy. I absolutely crushed it on a huck gone horribly wrong. And as for rebuildability? No parts are available from Precision Billet OR Cambria (like the guy on the phone said "WHAT kind of derailleur???" I have to modify my review. Don't buy this deraileur - it's little more than a novelty. Fragile, flimsy, and now, un-fixable.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Aaron McGraw
a Weekend Warrior
from Oil City, PA, USA Date Reviewed: November 26, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Venango County, Sugar Creek trail
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At:
Cambria (heh heh...they're pretty cool)
Strengths:
Gnarly colors, ligther than all get-out, and highly rebuildable
Weaknesses:
Seems kinda flimsy and very finicky. Works well on 7-spd set ups.
get a load of this... El-Cheapo Mongoose FS Frameset, Formula hubs (black), Weinmann rims (black), deore front mech (spiffy black clamp and adapter), Truvativ 5-D cranks (black), Syncros outer chainring (black), Proshift rear mech (black), LX middle ring (not black), Truvativ Stainless inner ring (not black and not light), Kalloy 30.0 mm x 350 seat post (not black), SDG saddle (black), Kore light stem (hell, you know what color it is)...Diacompe Aheadset (err..its black, too), Nashbar clipless pedals (gee, they are black, too), WTB Nanoraptor blackwalls, KKT chain (brown...ewww), SRAM MRX seven speed shifters, Nashbar 13x30 7-speed cassette, Titec bar (black...), and profile bar ends (err...they is black too...) host of black and red lizard skins goodies, and a black Mozo ML-10 fork....sparkly red Shwinn grips.
Bottom Line:
WHY didn't my derailleur have PROSHIFT etched on it???....hell, a sticker would have even been nice. Okay, it's a touchy piece of equipment, liberal use of threadlocker is a must. two reasons to buy this derailleur LIGHT...rebuildable...ecclectic...excentric..weird...wait, that's more than two. Very nice...not for everyone. A good derailleur for former SunTour owners seeking to bring themselves into the 90's....isn't that the decade we live in?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Donat
a Cross Country Rider
from france Date Reviewed: December 31, 2001
Favorite Trail:
singletrack
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$110.00
Purchased At:
local dealer
Strengths:
light, nice, efficient, reliable .
Similar Products Used:
XTR short cage
Bottom Line:
Short cages are nice but confidential.
Poor compatibility with standard 9Speed MTB. Standard 9 Speed gear staging is stupid in MTB, so to get the best, use 8Speed cassette or 'road 12/27'. Very reliable, very low maintenance, works always, no tuning never needed ... short cages are nice!
BUY it if you accept to be precise with you gear settings (no crossing).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ivor biggon
a Downhiller
from england Date Reviewed: December 12, 2001
Favorite Trail:
smelly alley
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
willy wonkers
Strengths:
material irs made from
Weaknesses:
flimsy
Similar Products Used:
xt rear mech
Bike Setup:
saracen x-ile
Bottom Line:
excellent product from pro shift but a bit flimsy
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chuck
a Weekend Warrior
from Ithaca, NY Date Reviewed: October 3, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Anywhere bikes are allowed and college campuses!
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At:
cambriabike.com
Strengths:
Smooooooth, effortless shifting, super quiet, rebuildable/serviceable, beautiful machining, US-made, lighter than just about anything else out there, and did I mention smooth shifting?
Weaknesses:
Somewhat finicky to set-up, tiny bolts MUST be threadlocked, top-floating pulley doesn't really float.
Similar Products Used:
XTR, XT, LX blah, blah, "S" this and RAM that...not that shimanoram makes bad products-but when you have great-performing alternatives...
1) I find that the spring tension on the derailleur is stiffer than most of the big "S" derailleurs, or at least just as stiff. 2) Smoooooth and effortless shifting. Remember though, it is a medium cage which = NO CROSS-CHAINING. In trials that isn't an issue. On my GT, still no problems and good shifting = no cross-chaining anyways. 3) What gear am I in? did I shift? SUPER quiet. Most times I don't hear the derailleur shifting, it just happens. 3)Totally rebuildable and serviceable. Personally I don't feel good about throwing away a whole derailleur when you can just replace the parts that you've broken. It's such a waste and is environmentally unsound. Why do you think the big companies make their products one-time use only? So you HAVE to buy a whole new part instead of just buying individual replacement parts-it's a strategy that puts profits over practicality. 3) Made in the USA. No, I am not a Republican (nor a Democrat for that matter), nor a redneck, nor a really patriotic person - I just think too much money and too many jobs are lost to foreign trade/third world contracting. Support the little guy! 4) Lightweight, but not to the point of compromising its durability. 5) Cost-effective. $100 on their site, $75 at Cambria - same range as XTR with the added characteristics above. 6) Pretty to look at-as far as aluminum objects go.
I can go on and on, but you guys get the picture. Buy this and you will have a derailleur for life. It's a little finicky to fine-tune, but when you do it is nothing short of beautiful. A full 9-spd setup didn't work well for me (especially the cassette)-lots of jumping, but IMHO 9-spd just plain *sucks*- I'll stick with 8 until internal gears are perfected and lighter. Be sure to threadlok the tiny screws and such or they'll come loose, it's important that you follow the instructions that come with it. That's all.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sean
a Downhiller
from Santa Cruz California Date Reviewed: September 16, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Magic Carpet
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
www.Bombshellparts.com
Bottom Line:
Clean shifiting, Cool colors VERY easy to service but you dont need to
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ken
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City, Utah Date Reviewed: August 10, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Desolation Lake
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Still has great shifting, has not fallen apart, still the lightest available. Machined look is still better than Shimano or SRAM. Cheaper than XTR, too, from the right places.
Weaknesses:
Still no anodized ultra dark purple or tan? More seriously, I still think PB should look at mildly revising this derailleur to be more mass-market friendly, and perhaps adding other components to their lineup. I'm personally biased toward being able to one day get PB shifters.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano
Bike Setup:
RM Instinct w/Z2-Atom, Thompson post and stem, Chris King hubs and headset, Precision Billet brakeset and derailleurs, Raceface Next splined cranks, XTR shifters, XT cassette, Frog pedals, Fly seat, Salsa skewers, SRAM chain.
Bottom Line:
I look at my setup and I wonder why the only things that have been damaged are the two Shimano items. I try not to hate them; some of their products have done fine on my other bikes. Though sometimes I ride extremely fast, I try to keep my form smart- I pick good lines, land my drops smooth, and keep a smooth pedal stroke so as not to uselessly abuse my ($$$) equipment. Nevertheless, my XT cassette and XTR shifters have been the first, and thus far only, equipment to suffer any real damage (half-season each). Odd since they're relatively removed from where most trail abuse is received. The plastic casing of the XTR shifter is not as burly as it looks--cracked quite easily on an unweighted endo, and even then the handlebar took the brunt of the impact. Probably a miscellaneous pedal somewhere. Luckily it's still rideable. I'm looking at replacing the XT cassette with SRAM 9.0, but dammit I sure wish Precision had shifters. Can you imagine XTR-quality shifting encased in an aluminum billet shell? Perhaps I should have stuck this in an XTR shifter review. XTR shifters are still the best right now, but Precision has the best derailleurs and rim brakesets.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bill
a Cross Country Rider
from chicago Date Reviewed: July 25, 2001
Favorite Trail:
anywhere but in the city
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At:
cambria
Strengths:
made in USA, colors!!, works as good as XTR...if not better, not made by shimano.
Weaknesses:
had a bit of difficulty fitting it to my old-a$$ c-dale der. hanger
Similar Products Used:
shimano xt, lx, xtr
Bike Setup:
built up c-dale killer v 900
Bottom Line:
I have nothing against shimano really, but I like variety....no, I like QUALITY variety. You can get this jammy in several attractive colors (can you say BLUE??)!! It works, and works well. The mechanics that built my bike up were a bit skeptical until they got it working...I'd bet within 1 month they'll have em on their bikes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian
a
from Chicago, IL, USA Date Reviewed: July 23, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Cmon, I'm in Chicago!
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At:
Cambria
Strengths:
smooth shifting, light, nice looking piece of metal, comes in a variety of colors, good customer service...they have tons of extra parts.
Weaknesses:
I'm not a mechanic, so I can't install it myself....but most(not all) mechanics looked at it like it was a foreign object, but of course, we know where it was made. It also has a bad rap--my cables were a bit loose, causing initial shifting problems...they wanted to blame the derailleur. They also said it wouldn't shift well....I TOLD THEM NO! And when they rode it, they agreed that they were mistaken.
Similar Products Used:
Sachs, Shimano, SunTour
Bike Setup:
Ritchey Softail, rockshox Sid xc, morati cranks and stem, moots post and handlebar, paul brakes and levers, precision front derailleur, king headset and hubs.
Bottom Line:
Better shifting that the other ones that I've tried. I'm not MTB savvy, but I know a good derailleur when I use one...and this is a good one. If you have 75 and an old derailleur, call cambria.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
vomit remnats
a Weekend Warrior
from hellafax Date Reviewed: July 21, 2001
Favorite Trail:
jacks stunts
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
off-limits
Strengths:
looks good,shifts clean.....100% cnc machined.
Weaknesses:
it will not take much abuse, i bent the bolt that holds derailleur onto the hanger.
Similar Products Used:
XT,XTR
Bike Setup:
FSR big hit,24"dbl wides,azonic,f.u.n.n.,kooka,black spire,IRC ..........
Bottom Line:
i'm liking this derailleur alot, however i don't think it'll last very long? will just have to wait and see.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim
a
from Medina, Ohio USA Date Reviewed: June 29, 2001
Favorite Trail:
the great outdoors
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At:
Cambria bike(where else?)
Strengths:
If it breaks, I can fix it, rather than fork out 90 bucks for a new XTR
Weaknesses:
None yet.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XTR
Bike Setup:
Litespeed Obed, Sid race, Mavic 517 w/Chris King front and rear, Proshift front and rear derailleurs, and proshift V brakes, Dean Ti seatpost, and bar, ringle stem, kooka levers-cranks-chainrings, hutchinson python kevlar tires, Chris King headset, World Class Ti bottom bracket, Xt shifters,
Bottom Line:
Im all after the lightest setup, that has to be strong at the same time, proshift came first.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
me
a Racer
from nb Date Reviewed: June 18, 2001
Favorite Trail:
one w/ dirt
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At:
cambria
Strengths:
cousterm servess it is alsome. light, color
Weaknesses:
nothing
Similar Products Used:
lx
Bike Setup:
listed on the review befor this one
Bottom Line:
buy it
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
chris
a Cross Country Rider
from north branford Date Reviewed: June 15, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At:
www.cambriabike.com
Strengths:
light, strong, a chose of 5 diff colors, you can order a long cage(87mm) for all of you xtr cass. people
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
lx
Bike Setup:
schwinn meax gsx, spinergy m1, pro shoft rear del, avid brakes, club roost bars, kore gass pedles, titec stem,(soon to have race face crank, xtr front del, xt shifters, xt 11-32 cass).
Bottom Line:
great prod. but you should bye when on sale
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chase Abbott
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle Date Reviewed: May 16, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Somethin' fast and bumpy
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At:
Cambria (on sale)
Strengths:
Light!!!! Strong!!!! Did I mention Light???
Weaknesses:
No long Chain cage from manufacturer.
Similar Products Used:
XT,XTR
Bike Setup:
199X Klein Pro Comp... customized up the wazoo...
Bottom Line:
If the thing came with a long chain cage I would elect this derailluer for presidency of the USA. So what if I like a bit of cross-chaining... if I ride the granny and a slightly small cassette ring, there is a lot of play unless I take out a LOT of chain. Otherwise, I love it. Nice and stiff (unlike my XTR or XT). Lets see how it does after a few of my patented deskinner crashes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ninja Fly
a Downhiller
from UK , Berkhire Date Reviewed: May 9, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Bucks hill DS
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
ner ner ne ner ner didnt pay for it
Strengths:
Looks sexy , acts sexy , is sexy an shifts as smoothly as a babys bum
Weaknesses:
small cable differentials
Similar Products Used:
deore, lx , xt , xtr , dragon 300+
Bike Setup:
Azonic prototype DSX , Marzocchi Monster Ts , Mavic DeeMax , Azonic Ultracross DS bars , Tioga fat 66 DH 3.0 , Shimano XT disk hubs , Hope open 2 pot disk brakes (Braided cables) , FSA V-Drive bash ring crank , Azonic A Frame pedals , Funn Henchmann stem , Chis king headset , Hope Ti bb , Azonic Love seat , Proshift rear deraillier , and a cool sticker.
Bottom Line:
Well ummmm what can I say , I ride profeshional under 18 DS and I have been using this piece of equipment for 1 year now and I love it , I have never had any problems with it and I dont think that I ever will , It shifts like a dream and whoops Shimano 's ass in every aspect . Its a very sturdy and hardcore thingie. If you are serious about good shifting then get it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rich pro Rider
a
from compton Date Reviewed: April 30, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Any large drops
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Purchased At:
A shop
Strengths:
Look cool
Weaknesses:
Price
Similar Products Used:
xtr
Bike Setup:
Check my bike:- BRISA TRIALS< KING HEADSET< HOPE AND MAVIC WHEELS< KORE STEM< AZONIC STEM< MIDDLE BURN CRANKS< MAGGURAS<
Bottom Line:
AS u can tell i have a verry nice bike so thats why i chose this rear mech, what the f**k are those choices for what type of riding i do? RACING what the f**k do they think im gay or summut, im a f**king pro trials rider whers that mother F**king option.
well get the mech as it it cool. and very cool, believe me it has withheld me when i do 15 foot drops, and 7 metre gaps, and jump up 4 ft rock's and it hasnt died.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Hurd
a Cross Country Rider
from Flower Mound, Texas, Date Reviewed: April 5, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Tyler state park
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$90.00
Purchased At:
Cambria
Strengths:
Easy to install, shifts clean, excellent workmanship, lightest available, simple, 8 or 9 speed compatile
Weaknesses:
Adjustment knob difficult to use, threads did not go all the way to the end making the adjustment range short
Great product, I called Proshift before buying it and asked if they were going to stop production. They said they were stopping the front derailleur but NOT the rear. No problems with bolts loosening. shifts really good.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Endo & Mr. Squishy
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, Ca. , USA Date Reviewed: October 11, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Anything still open
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$95.00
Purchased At:
Soul Cycle
Strengths:
Fast, positive shifts
Weaknesses:
None Yet.
Similar Products Used:
STX-RC, 105, XTR
Bike Setup:
Giant XTC DS-2 frame with WB fork, XTR wheels, Titec and Raceface
Bottom Line:
The product does just what its suppose to do, and looks good while doing it. Precise response, very tight and very fast. Just remember, the product has a "medium cage" so it may protest when cross-chaining. But who would do that anyways? (uh-hum, not me!) I like it much better than the XTR. Fine American engineering and production.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ken
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City, Utah Date Reviewed: September 24, 2000
Rumor has it it won't be available much longer. Short cage doesn't go through all the gears if using new Mega-9 on the large chainring (Standard drive-I would advise using the compact drive). I'm not as sold on front shifting (yet). I'm putting loctite on now rather than taking chances.
When I first brought them into my shop to get them installed everyone was skeptical, including myself. Then the rear wound up shifting beautifully. Way beautifully. And then they found out they accidentally put an 8-speed chain on my Mega-9 drivetrain! It was already too good to bother nitpicking the difference (if any) to XTR. Nine-speed chain on and a lot of riding in very little time and I'm way happy. What puts it over the top i.e.-better than XTR is the machined finish and the fact that it weighs 2/3 as much. That makes it the best. I have not been as sold on the front yet, but there are two reasons I don't care: One, 97% of my riding is in the middle ring, the rest in the granny (no pavement). Two, it's attempting to shift on these mediocre old LX cranks. I've got a feeling things will change when I can finally slap on some splined RaceFace Next cranks. Actually, even as it is the front shifts fine, just not wicked-fast like XTR. Between these derailleurs and their brakes and levers I'm convinced; Precision Billet is thee company that can beat Shimano at what it does best. It's really sad that they won't be doing the derailleurs anymore. Shimano makes great derailleurs, but I do like variety and Precision's rear derailleur, in my opinion, was better, and one of the industry's best-kept secrets. They should try again but with a second line priced near XT without the user-servicing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sean Freeman
a Cross Country Rider
from Somewhere in Kansas Date Reviewed: June 24, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Trail?
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Stands out in a crowd of shimano clones. Great shifting...easy to dial in (I think it is, anyway..)
Weaknesses:
Breakaway bolt doesn't always function as designed.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano products (STX, XT, and XTR)
Bike Setup:
It has wheels, brakes, shifters, deraileurs, some spoke type thingys, pedals, a frame....you know...8 speed, baby.
Bottom Line:
This deraileur rocks. No, I don't work for PB or anything like that, I just really like this thing. I have only been riding for about a year and a half and, as you can see, I have gone through a load of deraileurs. Shimanos just don't seem to last. I was really upset when I spent $70 on an XTR and broke it a week later. I tend to crash alot. The only complaint I have about the proshift is the "breakaway" dropout bolt. I ended up having to replace a dropout because it din't snap when it should have. PB sent me some new bolts for a nominal fee which look to be a little more "breakaway-able". Only time and a few more crashes will tell.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago Date Reviewed: June 14, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Palos Hills
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Light strong rebuildable
Weaknesses:
None yet
Similar Products Used:
Shimano xt, xtr ,lx Suntour xcpro
Bike Setup:
Sunn Revolt, Ritchey wheels, Grafton Joystix, full Billet setup Sunn Bar, Club Roost Stem
Bottom Line:
This Derailler is light strong and ifthe chain is properly lubricated it shifts like a dream (I thing Shimano should take a note). The shifters are smooth with no cheap plastic feel while the fropnt derailler looses nothing to xtr. Great product.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
luke remiasz
a Racer
from chicago Date Reviewed: June 14, 2000
Favorite Trail:
palos hills
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
light weight ,durability,looks,performance and price
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
xtr,xt,9.0
Bike Setup:
sunn revolt gp with zokes fork, full precision billet caramba cranks cane creek wheels maguras .....
Bottom Line:
This stuff rocks. The key is to install it properly and well.My first deraillers broke when installed it wasa old one but it was warrenteed no questions.The new one is fantastic shifts just like xtr. I went ahead and got the shifters and front derailler. Now my brother also runs it and I am getting one for my road bike. They are 99 bucks direct from them in cool colors and the service is great go to bombshellparts.com and take a look
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Richard Abbott
a Racer
from Bountiful UT USA Date Reviewed: May 20, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Any
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Light. Cool Looking.
Weaknesses:
Expensive. Shifting isn't as good as XT (or XTR, I suppose). Requires more maintenence than XT. Remember your Loctite!
Trek 9800 with XTR cassette, Sachs grip shift, and Gortex cables.
Bottom Line:
This is a pretty good product. Mine blew up the second day I had it (I think a pulley locked up). They hasseled me a little about fixing it with parts the same color as the one I bought, but in the end they did. Since that time, I haven't had much trouble with it, except for another locked up pulley and one of the main pivots seems to have recently been damaged (this really mucked up the shifting). I'm not really sure what happened to the pivot.
Shifting is pretty good, but it was better with a Shimano derailleur, which also happens to be cheaper (even for an XTR). I like the re-buildable idea, but this one takes more maintence than Shimano. I guess what I'm saying is, I like this derailleur, I like the idea of the light weight, but if I had to do it again I'd just buy an XTR.
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Submitted by
Neil
a
from oz Date Reviewed: March 10, 2000
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
light, looks cool, storng, works!
Weaknesses:
nothing really
Similar Products Used:
XT,XTR
Bike Setup:
GT STS 1000, BOMBSHELL BAD BETTY, SPINERGY SPOX, FULL XTR (EXCEPT REAR DERAILLEUR)
Bottom Line:
I HAD THE ORIGINAL ONE THAT COST $200, RODE IT FOR A YEAR AND HALF. IT WORKED OK. WHEN I PUT IT THREW MY BACK WHEEL AT A RACE, THE PEOPLE AT PRECISION BILLET WERE VERY HELPFULL IN GETTING ME INTO A NEW ONE. THE NEW MODEL WORKS 100 TIMES BETTER THAN THE OLDER. TAKE CARE OF IT AND IT WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU. AND SINCE THE NEW ONES ARE AROUND $100, 5 CHILIS FOR VALUE
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ethan
a Racer
from Chicago,IL Date Reviewed: November 21, 1999
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
bulletproof 100% rebuildable adjustable spring rate
Weaknesses:
blue loctite is your friend
Similar Products Used:
XT, STX
Bike Setup:
fisher, XT shifters, XT cassette, Gore ride-on cables, sachs chain
Bottom Line:
i've put about 2000 miles on this derailleur in the past 18 months. there's a nice gouge in the cage - no idea how it got there, but it stills works great. i've never had the break-away bolt break - instead my derailleur hanger has had to be re-aligned, but the derailleur still works great. it'd be fair to characterize my shifting style as abusive - i use big-big alot, i shift under power, etc. still works great. i did have the problem with the three socket-head countersunk screws underneath the return spring, but hit 'em with the blue loctite and tightened 'em up - since then no problems.read the instructions, follow them. keep it clean, but don't lube it unnecessarily (PB recommends only lubing certain sealed parts) and you'll get many miles of enjoyment out of it.overall, if you've got XTR-type $$$ go for this instead.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bob
a Weekend Warrior
from KCMO Date Reviewed: August 1, 1999
Favorite Trail:
ragbrai
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Light weight, precision build, crisp shifting.
Weaknesses:
The recommended use of Loctite on some screws is necessary.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano Dura-Ace
Bike Setup:
Hand made vintage road bike.
Bottom Line:
I put the proshift rear derailleur on my road bike. I needed a 32 tooth capacity for the rear cassette, but I didn't want a long cage that lacked crisp shifting. The Proshift medium cage derailleur was a good choice. Matched with a Shimano hyperglide (ti) cassette it a very smooth, fast performer. There was no loss in performance from my previous Dura-Ace, but I had greater capacity. That's good engineering. After 538 miles across Northern Iowa (it ain't flat!) in a week and I'm very satisfied. Very pleased with the factor rep, too. Max chilis to this well made American product.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kris Durgin
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA Date Reviewed: June 9, 1999
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Can replace any part of it, shifts nice at first
Weaknesses:
Aluminum=soft; not mud-friendly
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XT, XTR
Bottom Line:
It shifts real nice at first until you get it muddy. Don't try to lube the cage spring with oil or you'll just get it more gunked up. I stripped the bolt that held the cage onto the body and sent it back and PB rebuilt the whole thing for free, even replacing some parts that were worn but not broken. I went from XT -> Precision Billet -> XTR and XTR is the best so far.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Johnson
a Cross-Country Rider
from Nashua, NH Date Reviewed: April 26, 1999
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
100% Rebuildable. Cool Colors. Nice shifting
Weaknesses:
Not meant for riding in the snow.
Similar Products Used:
I've had just about every Shimano 'railluer out there. They all bust after a couple months.
Bike Setup:
GT Zaskar, Ringle' stem, Mavic rims, Proshift rear, Shimano front (want to replace), Cook Bros. cranks, Manitou fork, Old-ass shifters (shimano SG?), Kore seatpost.....the list goes on and on...
Bottom Line:
Reliable, smokin' colors, totally replaceable, a true mix of style and performance.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Thomas
a Weekend Warrior
from Stockholm, Sweden Date Reviewed: April 16, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Vaxholm
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Very light - the ligthest! Good shifting. Easy to maintain.
Weaknesses:
The small screws comes loose.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano LX
Bike Setup:
Syncros Rings, Wipperman chain, combination of SRP ti cogs and Real alu cogs, Gore cables and P.B. gorilla twist shifters.
Bottom Line:
This derailleur really rocks. Its light - mine is only 172g with all bolts changed to titanium and aluminum. It shifts well and it looks good. If only P.B. could make those small screws stay in place.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Anthony
a Racer
from NYC Date Reviewed: March 24, 1999
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Looks good, light weight tougher than you might imagin.
Weaknesses:
hmmm, hmm well I guess the front seems to work best with 42t chainrings I use a 44 still works fine
Similar Products Used:
XTR< XT ( Hated the xt)
Bike Setup:
a beautiful,92 merlin, 93 xtr shifters pods, Kooka ring(ok) sachs chain, gore cabels
Bottom Line:
They work. I was surprized at how tough they seem. but im sure there is a rock with the rear derailleurs name on it somwhere (I may spell like a downhiller but x country is my thing)
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Wayne
a Weekend Warrior
from Camp Zama, Japan Date Reviewed: March 16, 1999
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Shifts better than XT Doesn't chatter on rough ground like XT.
Weaknesses:
Avid cable roller won't work!
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XT
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Heckler
Bottom Line:
I have only had the derailler for about a week, but so far, so good! It shifts better (using grip shift) and is much quieter than XT. My XT would really clatter and bang around on rough downhills. The Proshift is solid! The Proshift also seems to wrap more chain on the cassette which can't be bad! (Maybe the lighter Shimano B-spring wasn't such a good idea?!)
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Desmond Rolf
a racer
from La Marque Date Reviewed: January 17, 1999
Bottom Line:
I have been riding with this rear deraileur for about a year and have to say after a few initial problems it has been performing really well. I had the cage length problem mentioned in one of the rewiews but was able to make a longer one which allowed me to keep my wide range of gears.The only real problem I have had is all the small screws that hold the thing together started falling out and the deraileur went into the spokes. A lot of my riding is on quite rough terrain so it takes a beating. One great thing though I just went to the local nut and bolt store and for a couple of dollars replaced the screws,I put a small dab of blue thread locker on the screws and have had no more problems. When I first installed this unit I had to file a little off my rear Cannondale hanger to allow it to fit properly.I really like the derailleur and it must be workin well as I don't even think about it have not even made any adjustments for ages. I am now thinking about getting some of their brakes,down with brake squeal.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jack Harris
a cross-country rider
from Shropshire, England. Date Reviewed: December 27, 1998
Bottom Line:
I recently bought a ProShift rear derailleur at the cost of $125. The reason it is so expensive is because I had to ship it over here; it's not sold in the UK. All I can say is that this product is THE BEST derailleur on the market today, bar none. People that buy XTR are getting ripped off. They are cretins who just want the name and when they hid a tree or crash boom goes $70 or derrailleur. But with ProShift? $7 for a bolt. All the components are replacable and I LOVE the way you can take the whole thing apart and clean/repair it. It will soon pay for itself in spares and wear. BUY IT!!!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Moondaddy
a racer
from North Carolina Date Reviewed: December 10, 1998
Bottom Line:
Obviously, the Precision Billet line of products is aimed at those of us who demand the absolute best. The build quality is top drawer; and functionality does not suffer in the interest of aesthetics. Keep these components clean between races, and respect the engineering. A derailleur will not take care of itself. And, make no mistake, these components will take all the shit you can dish out and then some. I am currently using Proshift shifters, front and rear derailleurs. I spent a bit of time tweaking the drivetrain to get things just right, but with a little patience, the setup is second to none. I have complete faith in these products. XTR?! Kiss my ass! No Shimano on my bike, thank you. Proshift requires a little mechanical inclination and a lot of respect. In return, you get a great AMERICAN product, one which makes XTR look like a cheap prize from a gumball machine. In my opinion, it simply doesn't get any better, or any more economically responsible than Proshift.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alacritas
a weekend warrior
from Auburn,AL Date Reviewed: August 24, 1998
Bottom Line:
I'd like to update my previous review on the '96 rear derailleur. It continues to withstand a lot of hard knocks and twigs, but two months ago a monster stick-in-the-spokes threatened to end its life. The stick caused the pulley assembly pivot and the hanger bolt to snap. Also, the piece that holds the hanger bolt was bent. So I sent it back to Patti for a repair, which ran in the neighborhood of $40. The repair cost was worth it, because I can't buy a rear derailleur that performs nearly as well for $40. Yes, friends, this is one aftermarket part that may actually live up to your expectations. Everyone of my riding partners has asked about the derailleurs, and I guess the attention they garner is kind of cool. I plan to give the Precision Billet chainrings a shot when I can get my hands on some.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Craig
a racer
from nevada Date Reviewed: August 16, 1998
Bottom Line:
This thing broke 3 days afetr it arrived on my doorstep. I was riding along and the bottom pulley fell out. The chain rapped around the thing and ripped it off. At closer examintion, I was able to see that the bottom of the arm had broken completely off and thats why the pulley came off. I am pissed as hell and they wont send me a new one.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jerky
a cross-country rider
from U.S.A. Date Reviewed: August 14, 1998
Bottom Line:
This is the best rear derailluer that I have tried yet! It has never tried to kill me like the guy belows apparently did??? So far there are no complaints on performance or appearance. I think proshift could very well be the best aftermarket CNC company out there... just look at their reviews and you can see for yourself!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Francis Willimete
a racer
from Oregon Date Reviewed: August 11, 1998
Bottom Line:
At first I thought that Proshift was the best derailleur I had ever used. Then during a race, it began making eerie whistling noises. Suddenly the jockey snapped out of place and lodged itself into the back of my calf. When I contacted Proshift they said Only one out of ten derailleurs were flawed. They promised me a new derailleur but it has been four months now and still nothing has arrived.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jhune Reyes
a racer
from Guam USA Date Reviewed: July 1, 1998
Bottom Line:
Truly functional and beautiful masterpiece. Very exceptional customer service to mention Patty and Tony. I've been using it for 6 months and performed great. My San Andreas can not use the new low profile clamp Shimano and gave ProShift a try. I'm very satisfied with performance and looks. Paid $60 on mine and is worth every penny of it. Did I mention it looks good. The appearance sets it above others. Buy one and your friends will see!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Les Harunaga
a weekend warrior
from Honolulu, HI USA Date Reviewed: May 28, 1998
Bottom Line:
Been using the Proshift rear derailleur for the last year and it has been completely trouble free, just wash it off...I was told not to lub any of the pivots like I do my XT on my other bike and it still shifts cleanly. Really a great piece of work! The only thing I wish it had was a longer cage so it would take up more chain slack, but that is pretty minor.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
justo
a cross-country rider
from maine Date Reviewed: May 15, 1998
Bottom Line:
I have had their newest model rear derailleur for about a year and all I can say is it kicks ass. To tell you the truth I have had more problems with shimano derailleurs than with this one. I wash my bike every time I ride which may also have alot to do with it. Everybody always asks me how it has been working, like it is supposed to be crappy or something? I let them see for themselves and they can't believe that it works better than their shimano/gripshifts do!!!! Definately worth the extra cash, I reccommend it if you can get your hands on them.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve
a weekend warrior
from Auburn,AL Date Reviewed: May 2, 1998
Bottom Line:
I run the model '96 front and rear. I've been really happy with the durability of both. I think the stiffer spring in the rear really does shift better than shimano XTR. I use Shimano shifters with gore-tex cables and these derailleurs, and the shifts are nearly telepathic. I've had no trouble in working on the rear, and only a little trouble setting up the front for a top-pull cable. The front seems to have more play in the joints than Shimano's, but it still seems to shift fine. I had to send the front back to have the cage adjusted to fit my 46/36/24 chainrings, which precision billet handled courteously. I tried a new XTR front der. on a friends bike, and I think it shifts a little faster on the same size rings than a Proshift. On the rear, my chain also rubbed the inside of the cage sometimes on shifts, so I installed aluminum pulley screws (from Loose Screws) that are Shimano length (longer than proshift's) and some thin washers on each side. I got a real deal on both derailleurs separately; if I had to pay full price I guess I'd just be using Shimano. Since I got them cheap, it's my pleasure to run these made-in-USA components. 5 chilis for the rear, for beating XTR; and 4 for the front, for not being quite as good as XTR.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Haze
a weekend warrior
from Chicago, IL Date Reviewed: April 28, 1998
Bottom Line:
Is it extrememly light? Yes. Durable? No. I had mine for a year, and until recently, have had no problems. I must have hit a rut or protruding branch...I'm not sure, but the damage was severe.A bent drop out hanger (the bolt didn't break like it was supposed to) and two bent cage plates (both sides). At least the upper and lower links (and islands that connect the two) is intact. I know it's rebuildable, but the more durable an item is, the less you'd have to rebuild it.I've just mailed it back to Precision Billet for a rebuild, but they're out of the drop out hanger I need (red). When they'll get more made was anybody's guess.The front deralliuer is a work of art, but is hard to set up. Once done,however, is stays put.Overall, their rep (Patti) was great. I'd just wish they kept their stock up. I also happen to run their brakes, which in my opinion are the best L-Pulls in the market.I'd love to give this item 5 stars, but since the break-away bolt didn't break away, busting up the rest of the unit, I'll have to give it 4. That's 5 for looks, 3 for durability averaging 4 hot peppers.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Craig
a weekend warrior
from Cupertino, CA Date Reviewed: February 25, 1998
Bottom Line:
I've got the mid size caged Proshift on my mt. bike because I couldn't get the long cage one. I put one on because it's only 175g (suppose to be the lightest on the market), we got them at a killer price at my shop (tell 'em Stan sent ya!), and I like the anodized red colored one (it lookes trick on my bike). Anyways, I'm running it with X-Ray 800 gripshifters. My over-all opinion is that this rear derailleur shifts pretty good and that it is not bad . . . not the best, but definitely not the worst. I was using a Shimano XT (256g) before hand. The proshift seems to work just as good if not better. I like the fact that this derailleur is totally rebuildable, extremly light, and most of all, you can adjust the spring tension with an allen wrench. I had to replace the pully wheels with the ones on my XT because the Proshift ones didn't float and pivot enough when the chain is at an angle causing it to scrape on the corners of the derailleur cage when pedaling. That's really no biggy since the pully wheels from the XT weigh about the same. One thing I didn't like was that the manual says not to go dumping lube at every metal to metal contact point, but only at precisely specific strategic points to avoid clogging up or something or rather ... as if! I figured this derailleur would need to be finely tuned often since it is an expensive high end precision component, but so far I haven't found that to be the case. I'll probably be putting the new '98 ESP 9.0 system on my bike in the future. But, I won't be in any hurry. This rear derailleur with my shifters work just fine.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul W. Regner
a cross-country rider
from Moreno Valley, California Date Reviewed: January 14, 1998
Bottom Line:
Having used the Precision Billet Proshift rear derailleur since it first went to market in 1995, I feel qualified to make the following statements: This derailleur is AWESOME!!!!! It is really nice to have an affordable, reliable and durable alternative to Shimano componentry. Since I've been riding with my Proshift derailleur, it has paid for itself almost two times over in savings just from its re-buildability. Biffs that would have sent an XT or XTR derailleur into the dumpster are a mere minor annoyance with the Proshift. In two years I've gone through three derailleur hanger bolts (they're designed to shear off befor the component is damaged), at a cost of $10.00 each. The alternative to this, if I had been using Shimano deraileurs, would have been laying out $70.00 or more, for an entirely new derailleur on each of those occasions. Additionally, on the rare occasions when the crispness of my shifting begins to lag, I simply dissassemble the unit, clean it, and reassemble it to restore like new performance. Incidentally, the dissassembly and reassembly are easily accomplished, with no special tools required. The unit was easy to install and set up, and should you have any questions or problems, Tony at Precision Billet is awesome with tech support! This is obviously a company dedicated to providing a quality product at a fair price, and they stand behind their product 100%! If you're tired of the Shimano and SRAM Bash-it Trash-it philosophy of designing and building components, then I highly recommend giving the Precision Billet Proshift a try!
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