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Shimano
LX Rear Derailler
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Submitted by
Dante666
a Cross Country Rider
from Victoria
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Mt Beauty | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Artavillas | | Strengths: | Looks okay, decent quality components, shifts well if properly tuned and not stressed | | Weaknesses: | Needs tuning every week, Shifts abominably if stressed, not designed for high performance, Cable loop gets hooked on just about evrything | | Similar Products Used: | Sram x.4 to x.9, Shimano Alivio, | | Bike Setup: | Apollo Ascent 08 model | | Bottom Line: | These gears came standard on the bike and as has been frequently mentioned are fine for the average weekend warrior or commuter. They immediately fail if put to the test in any form of competition. it is hard to justify using them even on price when you can have essentially the best drivetrain around in the form of the Sram X.9 for not a whole lot. planning to replace the gears as soon as possible to the frankly much better product of the X.9 or XT. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dane
a Weekend Warrior
from San Antonio
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Flat Rock Ranch | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Hasn't broken | | Weaknesses: | Shifting is just as poor as I remembered from the last LX I had with a previous bike (before switching to XO/X9) | | Similar Products Used: | SRAM X9 Shifters W/ XO der. X7 8-speed | | Bike Setup: | Jamis XAM 1.0 | | Bottom Line: | Shouldn't shifters/derailleurs shift reliably and predictably? SRAM components do, LX's, in my experience at least, dont. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
lampy29
a Racer
from NY
Date Reviewed: January 22, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Letchworth State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | LBS - Towpath | | Strengths: | Great until you really need it | | Weaknesses: | In high torque situations when you need your derailleur the most the LX fails by either not shifting quickly enough or ghost shifting. | | Similar Products Used: | Deore SRAM X.9 | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Tassajara, Shimano M520 clipless pedals | | Bottom Line: | This rear derailleur is fine for easy casual rides and for most weekend warriors, but crank up the intensity and the LX fails to perform. On steep climbs it rarely can move the chain at an acceptable pace. On demoing a bike (Cannondale Scalpel) using the SRAM components I was amazed at how SRAM outperformed the LX. There are better derailleurs out there for hardcore riding, but this derailleur will work fine for the casual cyclist. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TrailX316
a Cross Country Rider
from Kanata Canada
Date Reviewed: December 21, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Bottom Line: | This is an awesome derailleur, my friend went on a trip and he lent me his bike, I took it for a few rides and wow! Incredible!
Can't beat this price for this rd | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
gkmeador
a Weekend Warrior
from nashville
Date Reviewed: December 20, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | +Reliable
+Cheap | | Weaknesses: | -Derailleur bounces into frame causing damage
-Cable routing results in a big loop that easily snags branches and twigs | | Bottom Line: | This derailleur came with my bike. I thought that it did its job fairly well, it shifted 9.5/10 times i pulled the trigger on my deore shifters. But there are design flaws. This derailleur bounces into your chainstay and will chip the paint of your frame, and score the aluminum/alloy if you do not do something about it in time. The cable routing is not direct, and leaves a large loop out the back of the derailleur that will snag twigs and branches. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Neal
a Weekend Warrior
from Bella Vista, Arkansas, USA
Date Reviewed: September 23, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim: Moab | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Strengths: | Easy to install | | Weaknesses: | Weak spring makes the unit flop all over the place when riding. The chain is not tight enough because of the weak spring. My chain bounces all over...even hitting my tire. Ghost shifting due to chain slop. A piece of junk... My bike is unrideable & I've only had this one on for less than 2 months. I should never have used this instead of my traditional SRAM set-up. Now I remember why I went to SRAM in the 1st place. | | Similar Products Used: | SRAM products | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Gemini | | Bottom Line: | Do not purchase this unit. Go with a SRAM product or use a different rear set-up from Shimano. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
phils trailehead mtb
a Weekend Warrior
from Bend, Oregon, USA
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Kent's Trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$430.00 | | Purchased At: | Costco | | Strengths: | Fast, Strong | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | another shimano derallier | | Bike Setup: | don't know | | Bottom Line: | Fast, Strong, Easy to shift | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joe
a Weekend Warrior
from ireland
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | local shop | | Strengths: | price was okey... | | Weaknesses: | spring tension-too loose,,,didnt have crisp shifting | | Similar Products Used: | xt,,deore,,,older xt | | Bottom Line: | it is a cheap derailleur which is fine for normal use....but for racing or heavy use a higher model would be better...price is good though,, | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Weekend Warrior
from Michigan
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | cannonsberg state and game | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$34.00 | | Purchased At: | Freewheeler bike shop | | Strengths: | LX shifts good, can take a beating, easy to work on and generally dependable. | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | deore, SRAM X9 | | Bike Setup: | Haro Zero-Eight frame, truvativ howitzer crank/bottom bracket ,avid BB7 brakes and shimano LX derailler | | Bottom Line: | This is a great derailler, I ride just about every day, every thing from road rides to 10-15ft drops. I've had this bike for two years and probably put between 3000-5000 miles on this same derailler. The jockey wheels are starting to show a little wear. I'm 15 and don't have a job so I cant exactly afford SRAM XO but this is a great derailler and I would recommend it to any rider at just about any skill level. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Louis Wilner
a Weekend Warrior
from Shawnee KS USA
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Overland Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Trek store | | Strengths: | fast accurate shifts | | Weaknesses: | reverse to previous | | Similar Products Used: | tourney | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Mako LX rear, straps, specialized nimbus tires, medium bar ends. | | Bottom Line: | The rear tourney finally went out after 4months(the chain ripped through the cage and bent the heck out of it)
Instead of replacing it I went to the LX. It was an awesome choice!!! It shifts super-fast and accurate. It was 10x better than the stock stuff.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nicholas
a Cross Country Rider
from Louisville, KY, US
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Sport | | Strengths: | It's uniform in color? | | Weaknesses: | Kind of heavy. Ghost shifting, delayed shifts, hard shifts, skipping. Really, really noisy. | | Bike Setup: | 2006 GF Piranha (mostly stock). | | Bottom Line: | I had a 2006 Shimano Deore LX on my bike that lasted for about six months of hard riding and only needed to be adjusted once. It finally died, blowing apart and launching itself into the spokes (and bending several). I replaced it with a brand new Shimano Deore LX and I am really, really disappointed. I wouldn't say that it's total junk, but it comes close. Sorely disappointed in my purchase. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone else. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Bielas
a Weekend Warrior
from Tucson
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Fantasy Island | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Fair Wheel Bikes | | Strengths: | They were not expensive they came with the bike. | | Weaknesses: | Unreliable shifting, hard shifts, ghost shifts, and constant adjustments | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Acera | | Bike Setup: | Rock Hopper Pro disc, LX on the rear, and Deore for the front, and Deore trigger shifters | | Bottom Line: | The LX rear derailleur since day one when I brought my bike home from the shop have needed to be adjusted. They ghost shift, they are loud, and they are unreliable. I don't have any fancy stories of eating logs in my derailleur or bending it backwards but what they do consistantly is always needing adjusting. Also, there is plenty of chain slap on my frame when the ride gets rough. I have used the low end Acera derailleurs on my first bike and did not have as much trouble as the LX. Bottom line I do not recommend this product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nik Graham
a Weekend Warrior
from Scotland
Date Reviewed: January 31, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Glentress Red | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | some now non-existant mail order firm in 1999 | | Strengths: | It changes your Gears, and changes them, and changes them, and changes them, and changes them, and changes them, and changes them, and changes them, and changes them, and changes them, and changes them, and changes them, and changes them... you get the idea! | | Weaknesses: | Never really liked that weird Bluey Grey colour! | | Similar Products Used: | Various Shimano | | Bike Setup: | S-Works Epic, Rock Shock Revelation 426 air u-turn forks, Race Face Atlas Cranks and Handlebar, Thompson Seat post and Stem, Chris King threadless headset, Hope XC/Mavic XM 819 wheels, Formula ORO K24 brakes... | | Bottom Line: | If you want a reasonably priced, good quality rear mech that's going to last and last and last, then get an LX.
I bought this rear mech in 1999 and it's had a ton of use since then. When I upgraded my old hard tail to my Epic I popped most of the bits from my hard tail onto the new frame and have been replacing the components over the last 5 months now. This may not sound relevent, but when you look at my bike set up above you'll see what this LX mech is working alongside and I have to say I can't fault it.
It's done 1000s of miles and dispite the pins now begining to show wear it still shifts nicely enough for me not to have to rush out and by a shiney new SRAM X.something.
When I rebuild my hard tail it'll be an LX going on it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Keith geebs
a Downhiller
from Hope, B.C., Canada
Date Reviewed: November 26, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | waters edge singletrack dh | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | cheyannes | | Strengths: | cheap, easy maintenence, adjustability, reliability, strngth, stays true | | Weaknesses: | skips ocassionally , needs a short cage | | Similar Products Used: | deore | | Bike Setup: | manik 888 diabolus deore lx double track snake bite | | Bottom Line: | worth the money unless you race downhill, then get an x9 or an x0 if you gotz cash | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dustin Dever
a Racer
from Melbourne, Australia
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | This product shifts very smoothly, requiring little effort and continually feels smooth. Nice and strong | | Weaknesses: | ghost shifting, lot of movement incluuding hitting the frame and making a bad noise. | | Similar Products Used: | deore, xt | | Bike Setup: | hardtail | | Bottom Line: | Yes i think this is a great derailer if you are not really hard on the gears and pedals. I found that if the ground was rought and i was cranking there would be a lot of ghost shifting. I was able to minimise this by having a larger tyre with less pressure. But i can never trust it over rough stuff if i am pedalling. If you are racing you must have a derailer that is never going to miss a beat. 90% of riders will love it but if you want to sprint like a demon up and down rough single tracks then try another derailer. I am going to try a sram x9 setup. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Larry
a Weekend Warrior
from Lafayette, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Cheap and it works when it is in one piece. | | Weaknesses: | The pins fall out. | | Similar Products Used: | Deore, XT, XTR | | Bottom Line: | I'm writing this because the pins fall out. This review has real events with real people whose names have not been changed. I'm riding with Steve and Howard and Howard's derailler fails. One of the pins in the pivot fell out. Another guy rides by (didn't get his name) and checks it out and says "that happens on LX's". I tune up Michelle's Rock Hopper. A week later she tells me there is something wrong with her derailler. I check it out. The pins fell out of the pivot. I talk to the mechanic at the LBS and he says that happens to the LX and it is too bad it does. So, Steve decides to try out the new reverse spring LX. Surely, Shimano must have figured out by now that the pins have been falling out. I asked him if he was sure he wanted to do this. That was less than two months ago; the pins fell out last weekend. Value rating is based on while the derailler is working. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J Darling
a Cross Country Rider
from Marshall, MI 49068
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Strengths: | cheap, and shifts smooth | | Weaknesses: | week spring, keeps hitting my frame even on small bumps | | Similar Products Used: | alivio, deore | | Bike Setup: | 2000 GIANT YUKON SE, shimano LX deraillers, XT BB, everthing else is stock. | | Bottom Line: | not bad for price, change the spring if you can, once again good and cheap, I can't ask for much more, but if you have the $$ to spend go XT or XTR. DOWN WITH SRAM! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex
a
from SLO, Ca, USA
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | came on bike | | Strengths: | Fast shifting and many adjustments are able to be made. | | Weaknesses: | Strength of material. It broke a jockey wheel in half, bent the cage, and cracked the main body of it half, but it didn't fall off. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Deore | | Bottom Line: | It's ok if you're not going to hard on it, but if you are a jumper or downhiller you might want to invest in a XT, Saint, or Hone. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Jordan
a Weekend Warrior
from Lee County FL
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | LSD Mountain, Bristol CT | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | came with bikes | | Strengths: | Was hanging onto the bikes I bought and started doing things real, real good like. | | Weaknesses: | Cannot serve up 'Prince Albert in a Can'. And my neighbors dogs bark alot when the neighbors are not home. I think this is because so many people spend big bucks on rear derailuers when these LX units area as kitten as a cat. Hence the bark. | | Similar Products Used: | My own two feet. | | Bike Setup: | Dialed in IronHorse Warrior HT. So sick it puts a thermometer and hot water bottle in and on your bike. | | Bottom Line: | All that I've had to do to this my latest is tighten the pivot 5mm bolt a bit and clock the idle pitch with the set screw behind the hanger. I've a e.thirteen 38T DH ring up front, and a 11-34XT cassette. XT 93HG chain, and the e.thirteeen SRS. It works flawlessly and with the LX shifters still. May put Avid Flackjackets to match the Full Metal Jackets for my V7/V6 F/R combo, but that would just be for appearance. All told, you are the butt of many Eddie Murphey jokes if you diss this derailuer. Audi 5000, bro-bros. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob
a Cross Country Rider
from RSM, CA
Date Reviewed: March 25, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Aliso Woods | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Came with bike | | Strengths: | Reliable, durable, smooth, excellent value. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | XT, Alivio, Acera | | Bike Setup: | 2005 Kona Dawg, Manitou Minute 2, Hays 9 | | Bottom Line: | Just as good as past XT's. When I first got my bike I was expecting to change out the derailleur for an XT, but, I've been really pleased with the opperation of it. It actually works better than the XT I had on my old bike when it was new. No need to spend the xtra bucks for the XT when the LX works just as good! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jake
a Weekend Warrior
from cranbrook bc canada
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | beer run, roller coaster | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | gerick sports | | Strengths: | strong reliable dosent gost shift | | Weaknesses: | hard to clean | | Bike Setup: | spesalized endro bomber forks LX componts fox vanlila shock
avid disc braks | | Bottom Line: | vary good prodect needs agustment only 1 to 3 times a year never had problem with shifting its quiet and reliable ive used it for 2 years with no troble at all i would recamend it to any one who just wants a good prodect thats reliabale | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Gardner MA USA
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Bald Hill: Leominster State Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$44.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint.com | | Strengths: | Great looks, smooth shifting | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano SIS, Atlus, Deore, XT | | Bike Setup: | 05 Trek 4500 lots of upgrades; Raceface everything, WTB moto raptors, RS pilot TIme ATAC Alium | | Bottom Line: | I bought a rapid rise XT and one of these cause i wasn't sure if i was gonna like the reverse action.... Great shifting, stayed adjusted for as long as i had it on my bike (3 months) Great derialleur for the money | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nate Phillips
a Weekend Warrior
from Pacific Grove, CA USA
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Bay Bikes in Monterey | | Strengths: | Very smooth shifting, light weight and good-looking. | | Weaknesses: | May take a while to set up. I had to take it to my local bike shop for ajustments right after I bought it. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Deore XT, Deore, Alivio, Tourney. Sram Sx5 and X-7 shifters. | | Bike Setup: | Kona Hoss Dee-lux with LX rear derailleur, Easton EA50 cockpit, Mavic XM 117 rims, Hutchinson Scorpion Airlight tires, WTB Rocket V Seat, BB7 discbrakes, and Raceface Ride XC ISIS crankset. | | Bottom Line: | I had a very good experience with this rear derailleur and would recommend this to any XC rider. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh
a Weekend Warrior
from VT
Date Reviewed: January 13, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | stock on bike | | Strengths: | Super smooth shifting seems pretty strong | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Some crapy old shimano | | Bike Setup: | marzocchi forks hayes discs truvativ stem deore shifters deore front lx back fsa cranks wtb speeddisc rims kenda tires | | Bottom Line: | pretty good for stock my bike was only 380 so i think thats pretty gosh darn good price. i would recomend it for any intermediate xc rider | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JOHN
a Cross Country Rider
from MD
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | LOCH RAVEN | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | PERFORMANCEBIKE.COM | | Strengths: | RAPID RISE WORKS GREAT, SHIFTS QUIET, NO PROBLEMS SETTING UP AND MAIANTAINS SHIFTS | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Similar Products Used: | PICE OF JUNK THAT CAME ON MY BIKE | | Bike Setup: | IRON HORSE WARRIOR DISC, XT HUBS, MAVIC DISC RIMS, AVID BB DISCS, DT SWISS CENTERLOCK, LXM580 CASS, MEGA 9 SIIFTERS, TRUVATIV CRANK
AND LEVERS, | | Bottom Line: | GOOD RESULTS WELL WORTH THE $, I RIDE MORERATLY ROUGH AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH IT. THIS SEEMS FAIRLY WELL MADE AND HOPEFULY WILL NOT BEND AS EASILY AS THE JUNKER THAT CAME ON MY BIKE. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
andrew sutherland
a Racer
from philadelphia
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | anything in the mass races | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | bikeshop jeffersonville-good people | | Strengths: | good 4 the first 6 months after that it isnt so great | | Weaknesses: | doesnt hold ajustments good guzzles lube jumps everywhere | | Similar Products Used: | shamano alevio-not on my raceing bike | | Bike Setup: | stock basicly | | Bottom Line: | not soooo great but gets the job done | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
andrew sutherland
a Racer
from philadelphia
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | anything in the mass races | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | bikeshop jeffersonville-good people | | Strengths: | good 4 the first 6 months after that it isnt so great | | Weaknesses: | doesnt hold ajustments good guzzles lube jumps everywhere | | Similar Products Used: | shamano alevio-not on my raceing bike | | Bike Setup: | stock basicly | | Bottom Line: | not soooo great but gets the job done | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a Weekend Warrior
from Central Colorado
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$33.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Smooth, positive shifts up & down; relatively inexpensive. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Alivio; SRAM 5.0 | | Bottom Line: | Recently had my LBS upgrade my Trek MTB to the LX rear der cause I wasn't satisfied with the slow & clunky downshifts of the stock Alivio. What a difference- smooth, positive upshifts and downshifts. This is on a par in terms of smooth shifting with the SRAM 5.0 on my wife's bike. Neither of us is hard on the equipment; but I certianly strongly recommend this one for the other "easy riders" out there. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
adam
a Weekend Warrior
from mt beauty, victoria, australia
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | big hill | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | came with the bike | | Strengths: | shimano name
smooth shifting
solid look and feel | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Similar Products Used: | acera | | Bike Setup: | stock gt avalanche 1.0 disc 2005 | | Bottom Line: | great durability, very smooth shifting(9 gears on rear).
sleek smooth not bulky look. good brand not expensive compared to some other the other rear derailleurs on the market these days much better than the one on my old bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed
a
from USA
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | -cheap
-shifts very well
-new '05 looks
-strong | | Weaknesses: | Weight | | Similar Products Used: | XT, Alivio, Acera | | Bike Setup: | Stock '05 Fisher HKEK + LX HTII crankset | | Bottom Line: | This is a review on the 2005 LX Rear Derailer:
This is me:
-I ride trails XC/All Mountain style singletrack 2-4 days per week.
-I ride every day to work on the street.
-I ride 2-4 days a week with my wife on the road.
-I CLEAN AND LUBE my chain after every TRAIL RIDE(not road)
That said...the 2005 LX rear derailer is superb! I used to swear by XT because back when I rode XT...the technology was just not there for LX. With the '05 LX, I have missed absolutely ZERO shifts from mechanical failure. (a couple from hard root hits) Today's LX is much better than XTR was a few years ago. LX has evolved quite a bit in the last few years.
I used to ride a C-dale with XT 8 speed setup. After a few rides, I always had to monkey with it to get it to shift well. The 9 speed LX that I currently ride is so smooth, that I sometimes don't even notice the shift. I run a SRAM PG950 cassette for the moment. I don't plan to upgrade it for mechanical reasons, but maybe for weight savings. The only reason I would get rid of the LX derailer would be to save weight.(only 48 grams heavier than XT, though...that's only 0.11 pounds) I could think of more cost effective places to save weight.
Remember:
-Clean and lube your chain after every long or off-road ride and this product will serve you well.
-If you don't know how to adjust it...pay the shop. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kenneth
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne, Australia
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Simple, good for normal riders but definitely not for extreme downhill or whateva. | | Weaknesses: | Sometimes the shifting is lagging. | | Bike Setup: | GT Avalanche 1.0 disc | | Bottom Line: | A solid built Rear Derailler, it is obviously much better than some cheap one. reliable and value for money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charles
a Weekend Warrior
from Sturgis, MI USA
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | anything | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | local bike shop | | Strengths: | Shifted great, even on uphill and under loads this was the Rapid Rise version. Held adjustments well after getting it set. | | Weaknesses: | It was difficult getting it adjusted properly. | | Similar Products Used: | Mostly OEM style, Deore, last bike came with LX | | Bike Setup: | Rigid bike, mix of LX and Deore | | Bottom Line: | The local bike shop did not want to touch this one as it was the Rapid Rise, it shifted backwards, but it shifted smooth (after finally getting it fine-tuned.) My new bike is on order but when the stock Deore derailler dies, I would purchase this one again as a replacement. I am quite rough with my bikes and weigh in at 240 and it took all the abuse that I threw at it. I do frequent maintenance (cleaning and lubricating) so that may have something to do with it. Great product for the price, but a little tricky setting up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from sodus, ny
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | jensonusa.com | | Strengths: | inexpensive, great shifting, pretty durable, has mud guards for the cable | | Weaknesses: | not XTR, still shimano... | | Similar Products Used: | cheap stamped steel shimano | | Bike Setup: | too much to bother typing | | Bottom Line: | worth it for somone who doesnt ride more than say 4 days a week. if you spend that much time on a bike buy an xtr or xt, they are far better anyways, or sram X.0 are supposed to be good. but if you are on a budget you wont be let down, these shift good and last a long time, IF you maintain them. they arnt maintainance free now are they? NO. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alan Koslowski
a
from Seattle, WA USA
Date Reviewed: February 20, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$32.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Reliable, durable, functional | | Weaknesses: | Heavier than XT & XTR | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano: Sora, XT, 105 derailleurs | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Trek XO-1 cyclocross bike, 105 hubs, Velocity dyad rims, bar-end shifters. | | Bottom Line: | (I ride mostly on pavement and dirt roads, so keep that in mind.) This is a good, solid derailleur. If you want something functional and don't want to spend $50+, this is a great choice. Probably not for racers b/c it's not light, but for the general/rec riding, it's one of the best choices (like most LX components). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Woodbridge
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | don valley river trails | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | pedal performance | | Strengths: | Strong Shimano body with coated pin which allows min. friction. | | Weaknesses: | Well it came stock on my 2004 charger hardtail. By the end of the season, the bottom jockey wheel was completely worn out and the upper pulley screw was loose. I almost lost it! Its a good thing a check the bike once a week for such things!! I had to retighten it quite often. | | Similar Products Used: | Standard Deore ..........way too bouncy.....ugh!! | | Bike Setup: | charger hardtail with some upgrades!!
hard tails rule!! | | Bottom Line: | Ok, but for a few more bucks buy the xt or if your feeling brave dish it out for the xtr!!!
Well worth the money I am sure! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick
a Racer
from Richmond,VT USA
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Any trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | came on bike | | Strengths: | Worked purfectly on the last 2 bikes ive had. they worked awsomely and i never had to think about it. light enough | | Weaknesses: | they look cheap | | Similar Products Used: | XTR rear derailer | | Bike Setup: | FSR specalized rockhopper with XTr rear derailer mx compo with eta up front | | Bottom Line: | i upgraded to xtr and it hasnt worked right at all really sense i got it but i think i need to ajust it. i would say if u dont have lots of money get the lx but maybe try the xt cuz it seems to work well for alot of ppl | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Juan Carlos
a Weekend Warrior
from Quito, Ecuador
Date Reviewed: November 22, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | Price Point | | Weaknesses: | Since the beginning, never shifted well | | Similar Products Used: | Deore, XT | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Trek Fuel 80, Lx shifters, Lx Brakes Levers, Lx Brakes, Lx Rear derailleurs, WTB Velociraptors | | Bottom Line: | When I bought it, I tough it would be a great improvement over my Deore derailleur, but maybe my unit had a problem from the beginning, and never showed too much.
One day, the chain fell out and after that, I stared having problems, finally one day the pulley just fell out and I got stock in the middle of a course.
Now I came back to my Deore derailleur and I am planning to jump to XT.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
butters
a Downhiller
from west ern australia
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | scarp road | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | stock on second hand haro 8.2 | | Strengths: | none | | Weaknesses: | everything | | Similar Products Used: | my old huffy derailer but that was better | | Bike Setup: | haro 8.2 stock bar DMR chainguide and no deraiuler at the moment | | Bottom Line: | absolout s$#t. had my bike for 2 days went downhilling at a nice easy peadling track cleaned my bike went for a ride droped a four stair rode around for a few mins and it just SNAPPED. before that it kept sliping gears and miss shifting dont buy it i never would. it may be good for XC riders but if you are going to do anything bigger that 2 foot drops and riding on the road its CRAP | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brett Samms
a Cross Country Rider
from The land down under
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything without any hippies | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Looks good, changes well ,dosen't klunk when not freewheeling (ie going up a steep hill) | | Weaknesses: | Tends to change gears by it's self. | | Similar Products Used: | altus | | Bike Setup: | Giant xtc3 | | Bottom Line: | I am not overly impressed with mind. as i was riding i pushed off hard and it changed gear by it's self resulting in me stacking. it has done this a few times now. when i took it to the repair man he could not find anything wrong.
other than that it is great | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marcus
a Weekend Warrior
from Sweden
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Shifts smoothly, looks nice, need very little adjustment. | | Weaknesses: | Haven't found any yet. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Deore | | Bike Setup: | Scott Expert Racing, everything's stock except the pedals, Shimano SPD M-520 and the saddle, some cheap Velo. | | Bottom Line: | I'm not a very rough rider and I haven't worn out many derailleurs, this one is my 3rd. I've never had any problems with it. Always smooth shifting, never miss a gear, relatively silent if lubed properly, only required adjustment once due to cable stretch. It's cheap and according to an earlier reviewer it's almost the same as XT, only heavier so I'll probably replace this one with another LX when it's worn out, besides, even some of the really rough riders recommend it so it should fit almost anyone due to its low price/performance ratio.
Good value and performance. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Noxx
a Downhiller
from Broomfield CO
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | came on bike | | Strengths: | NONE!!!!!! | | Weaknesses: | Never stays in gear, slips all the time, never shifts all the way in to gear. I adjust it or even when I have the LBS adjust it when drop, jump, bump etc... it's all out of wack. | | Similar Products Used: | XT (suck too) and XTR | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Jekell 400, Avid mechanical Disc brakes, Marzocchi Z1 Drop off 2. Crane Creek double Xc headset and a some other little upgrades | | Bottom Line: | This thing is the biggest pain. I have had problems from day one with this thing. I do a lot of Freeriding and Dirt Jumping so I'm much harder on components but still. I did a 10 foot gap and when I landed sure enough I was in a different gear. I went did some tech singletrack and even if I did 3ft drop it would get all jacked. I some how bent the derailer so now this thing won't shift smooth at all. I finally took it in to have a "professional" adjust my bike and fix this problem. Sure enough I take it out for a little urban assault and drop of a set of 5 stairs and boom same s#$t.
So bottom line if you do any other kind of riding other than light XC or if you like to bomb some jumps or drops don't get this product. If is comes on your bike CHANGE IT RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE IT REALLY SUCKS. I WISH I COULD GIVE IT NO CHILI PEPPER THINGS
I going to get something tomorrow but I still have no idea what to get but I anything must be better then this thing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ruben Garcia
a Cross Country Rider
from Madrid, Spain
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Every XC | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Performance, accuracy, speed, looks, reliable…. | | Weaknesses: | Maybe it isn’t worth to buy it instead a Deore… | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano SiS, Alivio, STX-RC, Deore | | Bike Setup: | Merida Matts Speed 2003 Standard with V Brakes Avid Single Digit 7 (levers | | Bottom Line: | Bottom Line: This derailleur came with the bike and I’m using it together with Deore sifters. At the start, it was a little bit complicate to tune it, but after some trials, it works fine and doesn’t need many attention (I revise it every 500 Km) It works fine and very fast, it doesn’t matter to sift up or down, up hill or down hill. It is also very noiseless, especially when the chain has enough grease. I don’t have any complaint about it and it still works like the first day. For what I ride, it is perfect.
A very recommendable derailleur for the normal to the advanced rider, it brings. People who likes to race or to do more extreme riding should use something solider. If you have an Acera, Alivio… in your bike and want to get some serious equipment, the upgrade is OK. If you have a Deore, spare some money for other parts of the bike and wait before it blow, because the difference is not too big.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bonjing
a Weekend Warrior
from Pasay City, Philippines
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$22.00 | | Purchased At: | Cartimar | | Strengths: | Easy to install and adjust. Good Looks. | | Weaknesses: | None that I can think of right now. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Deore | | Bike Setup: | GT Hardtail, Shimano LX Group, SRAM Powerglide Cassette, Avid 6" Discs and Brake Levers, Mavic Rims, Michelin Tires | | Bottom Line: | GREAT Equipment! Unlike the Deore that sticks up the chain on my SRAM Cassette, the LX shifts smoothly you can't hear it. It's as if it was made for smooth riding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike
a Cross Country Rider
from canada
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | it will shift | | Weaknesses: | it breaks | | Bike Setup: | '99 rocky mountain oxygen race | | Bottom Line: | well it lasted me 4 years, and i broke about 3 hangers on it, and i bashed it up doing trials quite a bit. it broke in half the other day, messing up my hanger, spokes, and wheel truness. i will buy xt, don't care about weight just want something more durable | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Vic
a Cross Country Rider
from Moscow, Russia
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Velomir | | Strengths: | Works. Withstands slight abuse. Easy to maintain, adjust and setup. | | Weaknesses: | All in all weak construction. Rises slowly. | | Similar Products Used: | Deore, XT | | Bike Setup: | Merida Matts Speed 700, currently with XT setup | | Bottom Line: | Mountain biking assumes abuse to the parts. With that thing you are to take care. So, it's not truly "mountain". Better goes for weekend recreational trips, not for real trails. It broke up during one, and I cannot rely on a part like this. Also, the rising speed causes discomfort.
Well, anyhow, much better than Deore, but no comparision with XT. Excellent value for weekenders, just not for me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Vernpn Paulett
a Cross Country Rider
from Huntsville
Date Reviewed: December 21, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Monte Sano/Landtrust | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Stock on Bike | | Strengths: | Shifts well, stayed in tune | | Weaknesses: | Weak material on attachment bracket | | Similar Products Used: | Shiamno XT | | Bike Setup: | '02 Giant Rainier w/ several cockpit mods | | Bottom Line: | Cheasy attachment bracket sheared after only ~50 miles, and of course it happened 2+ miles into ride after a 300 foot decent. Had loads of fun pushing the bike up the hill and through the woods. The XT on my old bike latest 10+ years with never the slightest problem. Shimano LX equipment should only be used Walmart and kids' bikes. My bad for not changing it out earlier. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ricardo Pinto
a Cross Country Rider
from Aveiro, Portugal
Date Reviewed: December 11, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | All | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Zé das Bikes | | Strengths: | CHEAP, resistent, reliable, works quite well even in complete mud conditions. If you don't want to spend what is needed to get XT (or higher), go for this one. | | Weaknesses: | UGLY | | Similar Products Used: | Deore | | Bike Setup: | Giant MVM Team, all Lx (XT chain), Thomson seatpost, Ritchey handlebar, still building it. | | Bottom Line: | I was(am)still upgrading all the bike little by little so I had to go for LX instead the XT/XTR group, because of the price diference. And, for the money, I got a very effective derrailleur. After being properly tunned it has never failed me, not even once, and I abused of it in really deep mud. I don't know how long it is going to last, but I'm really happy with it, because I made a good quality/price option. When I'll break it, I'll probably be able to get the XT | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jarrad A
a Downhiller
from Ladysmith BC
Date Reviewed: December 8, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Benson | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Came on bike | | Strengths: | If adjusted properley, quick shifting, not easy to get out of line. Pretty good for the price compared to other similar deraileurs | | Weaknesses: | Nothing really, take care of it and its fine. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Deore | | Bike Setup: | Norco Rampage, Doubeltracks, Jr.T etc.... | | Bottom Line: | This is a pretty good deraileur. I would definatley buy this for the price over an XTR for twice as much. It may be a little heavier, but performance-wise, if you tune it, it is equal. Every deraileur needs to be tuned though. Final word - go for it | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MTBcolorado
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Came on bike. Cheap, nice entry level rears... | | Weaknesses: | Doesn't last long, and very weak. I am a person who destroys things very easily and this thing is OK as far as durability. I have had lots of probs though... | | Bike Setup: | 2001 K2 Zed 4.0 | | Bottom Line: | Ever since I started doing more "extreme" rocky technical singletrack (XC), I have had some pretty hard time dealing with my rear derail.'s. I would get a tuneup, and after about two weeks, I have to get it tuned again. It could be partly my fault but the rear hanger start to ride up against the wheel spokes, thus my wheel has to get trued and my rears adjusted. When I rapid shift 2 gears or more, it just takes so damn long, and sometime it even misfires.
I do fall alot so I blame myself for some of the probs, but shimano knows this is a mountain bike rear derail. and they should be more durable. I give it 3 for value and 2 for overall. If only they would make a "guarenteed" not to bend, break or misshift derailleurs.... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tommi Bass
a Cross Country Rider
from U.K
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | ya sisters house! | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | evanscycles.co.uk | | Strengths: | Its strong, runs well, no frills! It wont let you down! | | Weaknesses: | It looks ugly... but i like it! A bit heavy (bit its sooo strong baby)Oh yeah change the jockey wheels cuz they are poo!
| | Similar Products Used: | Alvio,deore,xt(short cage) | | Bike Setup: | Merlin 7005 xc, with a bell and reflector and a basket for E.T! | | Bottom Line: | This puppy is very strong it's been punished and it still works fine. If you like throwning your steed around rocks, sets of stairs and the like, this is the one to get because its very strong and it will take a good twating. XT will not take a direct hit, this is the standard for the new skool of bike nutters! Not one for people that ride in circles with tight clothes on! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ray
a Weekend Warrior
from Pittsburgh, PA
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Any | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA | | Strengths: | Low Cost, reliable | | Weaknesses: | None, well maybe the color, my next one will be the cool new black/gold combo, it will look better on my bike. That's if I ever wear this one out. | | Similar Products Used: | Alivio, Altus | | Bike Setup: | Aluminum hardtail, Judy C fork, Truvativ cranks, Avid SD3 brakes, Deore front derailleur and shifters | | Bottom Line: | Shifting has been fine, tuned once to compensate for cable stretch and that's been it. A lot of hills around here so it gets a ton of work too.
I've had no problems with this derailleur in two years of use in all conditions, the trails don't dry up around here until July. I've banged it enough that a good deal of the paint had been knocked off and it just keeps on going. A couple tips, keep the rollers and your chain clean and the bearing issue is moot point. Second, I had such good luck with mine, I put one on my son's full suspension bike that came with an Alivio (he's not full grown yet and I ain't sinking' a bunch a money in a super good bike until he is) but had problems with phantom shifts, retuned with the rear suspension compressed and it works fine now. Also, works fine with the Deore shifters (run on both bikes), neither of us has had a problem there.
If you don't have a ton of money to sink into your bikes (kids cost a bunch) and you don't mind keeping it clean, you can't go wrong with an LX. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joel
a Weekend Warrior
from Philly
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$27.00 | | Strengths: | very tough, price, absolutely unbreakable | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Similar Products Used: | deore, and XTR | | Bike Setup: | 2001 schwinn mesa GSX, | | Bottom Line: | This thing is incredible, absolutely indistructable. I have hit it on many rocks and logs and haven't had a single problem with it. It deserves 6 chilis | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pawn
a
from Seoul, South Korea
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Cache-Creek Game Trail, Jackson Hole, WY | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Good entry level derailleur on stock mid-ranged bikes | | Weaknesses: | Other than the fact that it didnt take being smacked very well, none that I can think of | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano XT | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Trek 6700 Stock with exception of Fly Saddle, (new) XT Rear Derailleur, and some bar ends | | Bottom Line: | This derailleur took a lot of punishment in two years of riding, but I gave it the final blow on my last ride. Smacked pretty hard into a rock, even bending the rear derailleur hanger in the process! Replaced it with the XT derailleur and must say that I notice a good increase in performance. The LX was great for what she was. Never really had problems with it going out of tune and whatnot, so I don't have anything bad to say about the LX. Any derailleur would have got smashed up after what I put it through! All in all a good solid buy for the price, but after having tried the XT, there's no going back. Now time to upgrade that Front Deore to XT as well! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
michael
a Cross Country Rider
from Knoxville, TN USA
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint.com | | Strengths: | Looks nice. Worked well for about 30 miles. | | Weaknesses: | Breaks in half. Needs to be adjusted alot. | | Similar Products Used: | Alivio | | Bottom Line: | I had nothing but problems out of it. It snapped off and ruined a chain and wheel. I just ordered a XT to replace it. I was told I should have went with XT to start with. I will listen to my buddies from now on. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
OZ-TRAIL-YAAAAAA!
a Weekend Warrior
from Brisbane, Australia
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Mt. Cootha | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Lifecycle | | Strengths: | Keeps on going and going and going and going. As a matter of fact I've nearly worn the teeth clean off the lower jockey wheel. | | Weaknesses: | If it's still going after three years then there's nothing weak about it. | | Similar Products Used: | XT, Alivio | | Bike Setup: | Avanti hard tail, mainly LX groupo, 2000 Judys etc. | | Bottom Line: | This thing has been thrashed and for a very long time. No gimmics here, It just works.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
peter lowe
a Cross Country Rider
from gurnsey
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | fort homet | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | white rock bike shop | | Strengths: | smoth light good looks | | Weaknesses: | loud needs regular agustmant | | Similar Products Used: | xt alivio | | Bike Setup: | kona kula 02 | | Bottom Line: | very good worth the mony grat foe all round use it will never fail | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a
from Bellingham, Washington
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Stock | | Strengths: | Weight | | Weaknesses: | Weak broke clean off my bike after a 2 foot jump. It broke my chain off in the process too. | | Similar Products Used: | Deore and Sram 9 speed | | Bike Setup: | Haro Extreme x2 | | Bottom Line: | Ok for price. I wouldn't reccomend. Pretty long foot can get stuck in wheel easy. Shimano XTR's seem nice but expensive. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jacob O'Neall
a Downhiller
from Eubank,Kentucky, USA
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | any thats rough and technical | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | came on bike | | Strengths: | durability, quality, low price, good performance | | Weaknesses: | not the absolute best( Sram X.O. holds that title) | | Similar Products Used: | Deore, XTR, Sram Esp, suntour | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Mongoose Pro Valient, 2002 Rockshox Psylo, WTB Motoraptor 2.4, Sun Mammoth rims/WTB Speed Disk hubs, Truavtiv cranks, Kore chain Reactor, Formula Activa mechanical disks | | Bottom Line: | A good all-around rear derailler. A derailler that's for the average person, or someone who's gonna be hard on their equipment and doesn't want to blow $125.00 on just a rear derailler. A great value, and a good performer, just not 5 chili good. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jacob O'Neall
a Downhiller
from Eubank,Kentucky, USA
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | any thats rough and technical | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | came on bike | | Strengths: | durability, quality, low price, good performance | | Weaknesses: | not the absolute best( Sram X.O. holds that title) | | Similar Products Used: | Deore, XTR, Sram Esp, suntour | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Mongoose Pro Valient, 2002 Rockshox Psylo, WTB Motoraptor 2.4, Sun Mammoth rims/WTB Speed Disk hubs, Truavtiv cranks, Kore chain Reactor, Formula Activa mechanical disks | | Bottom Line: | A good all-around rear derailler. A derailler that's for the average person, or someone who's gonna be hard on their equipment and doesn't want to blow $125.00 on just a rear derailler. A great value, and a good performer, just not 5 chili good. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bruno Abreu
a
from São Paulo Brazil
Date Reviewed: January 12, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Strengths: | Strong, reliable, shifts EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE LONG CAGE XT!!! | | Weaknesses: | Dont shift as fast as XTR | | Similar Products Used: | 93LX,96XT,93XTR,2002XTR,2002XT | | Bike Setup: | Steel hardtail XT/XTR/LX mix | | Bottom Line: | After almost 9 year of good service I retired my 93LX (I upgraded to 9 speed and the 93LX could not handle a 34 teeth cog)I got the 2002LX rear derraileur. I must say that I ride an average of 6000 miles/year always fast and hard!The old LX run 54000 miles with an outstanding performance and I expect the same from the new one!(The shimano deore groupset can last very long with proper maintentance and adjust)I must also say that I care a lot abut proper setting and maintentance ( I change chain every 500 miles)I´m always adjusting and lubbing every single moving part of the bike looking forward to get the highest performance possible.
Now guys seriously, dont get XT not because it is no good but because it has the exactly same shifting performance than LX!!! The difference between them is minimal you can feel it and see it at shimanos website (europen website)at the exploded view section.
THE SHIFTING PERFORMANCE AND CHAIN TENSION IS THE SAME ON BOTH BECAUSE THE SPRINGS ARE THE SAME (for the long cage versions, the XT short cage version keeps chain tension a little bit higher)!!!
The only differences between LX and XT long cage are:
-Outer plate and inner link(alloy on XT, steel on LX)It is this that saves up 33grams...
-O-ring sealing at the bracket pivot(single on LX double on XT)
-Pulleys (sealed ceramic on XT and conventional on LX)
Is that worth 10 bucks since shifting performance is going to be the same? I don´t think so...
So since XT and LX are pretty the same and if you want to increse chain tension and shifting performance get an XTR, than you will see an difference!( XT short cage is only going to tension your chain a little bit more, the springs on this one are still the same as on LX, what is going to tension the chain more is the shorter cage, not the spring)XTR springs (b-tension spring,p-tension spring and parallelogram spring) are different/stronger than the ones on XT/LX you can check that out by visiting shimanos website and/or testing them at your local bike shop, You will see that XT and LX offer the same shifting performance!!!
PS: Freeriders should get an LX since the Plates are made of steel and son they can handle more impact since the plates are always hitting something on the trails.
It gets 5 flammin´chilis for value and 4 for the overall rating since I´ve used XTR.....
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Thomsen
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Barbara CA USA
Date Reviewed: December 30, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | For the price, it's a great deal. Shifts just as good as my friends XTRs.Didn't have to adjust it too much. | | Weaknesses: | It did jump around a little bit. I also got a lot of chain-suck on really technical sections and when I land some drops and jumps and start pedaling right away.(That's kind of expected though) Finally, just today I went off a farely small jump and when I landed I got a ton of chain-suck, and it broke right near where it attaches to the frame. The thing broke completely in half. Maybe it got weak over time, but I don't think that they're supposed to do that! | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Sugar 4+
| | Bottom Line: | Maybe it is the frame of my bike. I don't know. They are very cheap and work very well until they break of course. So, for now I'd say that you can try them out and see for your self. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from USA
Date Reviewed: December 24, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Stock on bike | | Strengths: | 1. Tough
2. When adjusted correctly, works very well.
| | Weaknesses: | 1. Might not be as light as some of the more expensive options. | | Similar Products Used: | XT, XTR, SRAM 7.0, SRAM 9.0 | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Schwinn Moab, Almost everything to XT/XTR except for derrailleurs | | Bottom Line: | This is a great product from Shimano. It came stock on my bike, and has taken several tough hits from trail objects and falls and hasn't quit yet. I have also competed in several races with the bike and the derailleur hasn't left me with many missed shifts to complain about yet. Still going strong with almost three years of use. Some complain about the weight of the derrailleur, but it really doesn't make a big difference. Derailleurs are going to be damaged over time, so why not save some cash and go with the LX, which works great, rather than with a mnore expensive option that will weigh a little less but be more expensive to replace when you catch it on a stick at 20MPH. 5 Chilis all around. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
deaner
a Cross Country Rider
from East Coast
Date Reviewed: December 15, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | came with bike | | Strengths: | strong, cheap, works well, takes abuse | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | XTR, XT | | Bike Setup: | Rockhopper FSR | | Bottom Line: | LX works great, is sturdy and cheap. If you can deal with an extra 100 grams or so save your $$$ and go with LX. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
andrew w
a Downhiller
from englend,surrey
Date Reviewed: December 11, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | reigate hills | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | big bills wacky racing bike hut with a cherry on top! | | Strengths: | smooth and strong with no rattle and keeps the chain tight | | Weaknesses: | i cant say thair is any | | Similar Products Used: | nothing i have ever used can match it | | Bike Setup: | un marked frame,lx drive train | | Bottom Line: | good all round part!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bruno Abreu
a
from São Paulo Brazil
Date Reviewed: November 19, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Pico do Gavião Trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Tech | | Strengths: | A great value, strong, shifts well | | Weaknesses: | The pulleys wear out fast in muddy conditions, but when you replace them with alloy pulleys everything gets fine again! | | Similar Products Used: | XTR,XT | | Bike Setup: | Caloi Italia CROMO, RST MOZO PRO W fork,selle italia nitrox,XTR 8 spd shifters/levers, XTR hubs, Ritchey Comp Crank,LX V-Brakes, LX front and rear derailleur and XT 8 spd cassete | | Bottom Line: | Well, I think this Lx rear derailleur is a great buy if you are not someone looking to save up weight, if you want to save weight go for XTR, if you want something that really is going to last and dont worry about weight go for LX . I have two bikes on the bike that runs on XTR the only advantage I noticed is that it looks nicer and save up 88 grams because of the steel parts( Plate Pivot Bolt, Inner Link, Outer and Inner Plate, on XTR its all aluminum) but on the other hand steel can handle much more impact than aluminum!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug
a Weekend Warrior
from Pt. Bob
Date Reviewed: October 19, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | A-Line: Whistler/Grave Robber: Pt.Bob | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | www.airbomb.com | | Strengths: | Very strong Very lite does what its made for. | | Weaknesses: | Jumps gears on me sometimes. Keeps chain tension fairly loose. | | Similar Products Used: | -NONE- | | Bike Setup: | Full Suspension Freeride Bike. | | Bottom Line: | This is a very good derailleur that is powerful yet lite.
Once I was bombin through the Grave Robber and some little wussies put a down ladder to the first ladder and it looked fairly weak so i braked as hard as I could weaved inbetween a few trees going way to fast, fell on a hole and my derailleur was nailed by a cut up root. The derailleur was fine but my hanger was bent so bad that I can only use gears 6+ or my derailleur rubs against my spokes. (which may be why my derailleur jumps so much) Although this really angered me because I couldnt do any of the tecnical things in one of my fav trails. But im getting a new bike soon (a NukeProof) so its no big deal. I would NOT recommend this derailleur to downhill riders, but its fine for everything else. freeride XC...
-Peace- | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Fulks
a
from Oklahoma City, OK
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Dirt | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Came with bike | | Strengths: | It moves the chain from one gear to another. Never has broken on me, it's easy to adjust, etc. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano XT on My 2002 Trek 8000 | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Trek 6000. Duke XC. | | Bottom Line: | This thing works fine if you set it up right. It shifts reliably and fast and I've never had any problems with mine after two years. I have a Trek 8000 with XT and I works just as good as the XT. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jimmy freeride
a
from BX, New York
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$34.00 | | Purchased At: | price point | | Strengths: | the weight..........."heavy is good if it fails you can hit him w/it." | | Weaknesses: | like all derailleurs it breaks, just not as fast. | | Similar Products Used: | xt, sram 9.0 | | Bike Setup: | RM7dh, monster t, raceface mrp minime 34t, double wides, king steele set | | Bottom Line: | this is it ya.......the freeride derailleur. its been the only one to survive the game. the rest have died in shame. forget what u heard and listen to my word...this is the sh_t! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SGT. ROCK
a Racer
from Edmonton, AB
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$38.00 | | Purchased At: | MEC | | Strengths: | Rigidity
Smooth shifting
Decent seals
Nice color
| | Weaknesses: | Heavier than XT (30 grams) | | Similar Products Used: | XT | | Bike Setup: | Hardtail | | Bottom Line: | I usually run XT rear derailleurs with LX front, but I was putting together a commuter hardtail and decided to save some coin. Other than the color, it is difficult to tell this unit from an XT, and it was actually a little easier to adjust than the (count 'em, four) XT's mounted on my other bikes. The rigidity of the cage (complete lack of side to side play) seems better than the XT. This may explain the ease of adjustment.
If it proves as durable as XT, I'll be very happy. Four chilis for a very solid product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean
a Weekend Warrior
from Bavaria, Germany
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Fondo Grande (Italian Alps) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Ease of shifting. I had no problems with this derailleur until today. I can't wait to get it fixed so I can get back out and us it. | | Weaknesses: | It just broke! I must of hit a rock or something and the next thing I new the rear derailleur was hanging near the ground and I was walking. This totally screws up my weekend. | | Bike Setup: | HM Comp SL, components came with the bike. | | Bottom Line: | I really like the components but don't understand what happened. I came online to see if the piece that broke in half could be replaced and ended up here. I would recommend the derailleur to everyone because of the ease and smoothness of shifting. I do have to wonder how the racers continue without breaking components like I did. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Cylinder
a Cross Country Rider
from USA
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | The Bone | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Wheels | | Strengths: | Everything. shifts well, is durable, looks good, light, i love it. | | Weaknesses: | Have not encountered any at all and I ride hard on rough terrain and jumps. | | Bike Setup: | Haro Escape 8.2 (Red/Black 19.5”): Manitou SIX Comp (100mm); Avid disc brakes (f&r); Shimano LX rear derailleur; Shimano Alivio shifters and front derailleur (8-speed); ProMax brake levers; TruVativ 5D Cranks; SRAM 5.0 cassette (8-speed 11-32T); Shimano IG51 Chain (8-speed); Alex DM18 Doublewall rims (32H); Intense 2.25" CC tires; Haro disc hubs, handlebar, stem, and seatpost; WTB Inner Peace ST headset and Speed V Comp saddle. | | Bottom Line: | I love this derailleur. My previous bike was awefull and had bad compnents, but I road my friend's bike before getting my current one and he had deore 9-speed. LX feels a little better and I love it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Billy Sutherland
a Weekend Warrior
from Golspie scotland
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | the ben | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | chainreactioncycles | | Strengths: | colour,weight,price and overal smoothness after a year of abuse | | Weaknesses: | only long cage avaible | | Similar Products Used: | acera(crap)esp 3.0 crapper | | Bike Setup: | gt chucker,lx gears mavic ,rigid ,hs33 maguras,247 bars ect 14 inch frame | | Bottom Line: | i do trials and xc so my bike is getting abuse all the time
but this thing has survived being smashed into a rock breaking my gear hanger and the mech went though the spokes
and yestarday i fell off and broke my tail bone so im out of action for 6 weeks sucker! anyway just buy it ! if u r loooking 4 long lasting smooth gearing at an afordible price and want 2 b different
go 4 lx sick of seeing xt on a bike arnt u?
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
WA
a Cross Country Rider
from Redhill, UK
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Ones that point down | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Broadway Cycles, Stonleigh | | Strengths: | Shifting, toughness, weight. | | Weaknesses: | Jockey wheels wear out too fast (in sandy Surrey conditions!) | | Bottom Line: | My LX derailler is on it's second frame and it's outlived a specialized chainset, a derailler hanger, two sets of jockey wheels, a rear cassette, one shimano chain that wore out and two that broke chains. It still shifts pretty much like it did on day one, and i've done nothing except keep it fairly clean and spray a bit of lube in where it moves!
It's survived a couple of heavy clumps, i've bent the cage back once by hand (on the trail) and it's still working fine.
Overall, my best and most reliable bit of kit so far, along with the LX shifters that operate it.
Great shifting, cheap as chips, why bother with anything else? I'll tell you why - it looks cack. Which is the only reason to buy XT, because it's certainly not going to work any better! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Leonard
a Cross Country Rider
from Belfast
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | came on bike | | Strengths: | I think this shimano beast is fantastic. its been on 2 years on my bike an survived all the rough treatment. I usta neglect it without oil and stuff for first year but then i nutured it for another years and its still going strong. Smooth shifting and excellent value for money.Nice colour too | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano stuff | | Bottom Line: | For the money this dereailleur will do you great service like it did me(hopefully)
I would recomment it to anyone startin off espiecally. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joe
a
from NZ Wanganui
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | anything | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | umm its got LX on it | | Weaknesses: | This is crap
My first ride i got a tiny stick in it and it bent up and snaped parts off it stuffed my hanger and worst of all has me off my bike for a coupple of weeks | | Similar Products Used: | Dearo and lower which has had lots of sticks and stuff in it and never had any problems | | Bike Setup: | 2 wheels a frame some forks etc | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line i have learnt from this is dont buy it | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Weekend Warrior
from Manchester VT USA
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | any!!!!!!!! | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Strengths: | Runs like a charm!
worked when my fat butted cousin ran over it with his dumpy huffy.
Good price | | Weaknesses: | Color, a bit doudy | | Similar Products Used: | Shamano Acera | | Bike Setup: | Trek 8500, (sweet bike) | | Bottom Line: | The gratest value. Great price and can survive a pummeling.
This one is a A+++++. Get it!1111111111 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mathieu Lajoie
a Racer
from gatineau, quebec, canada
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Bromont | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | mtb store | | Strengths: | durability, easy shift... | | Weaknesses: | none have occured yet | | Similar Products Used: | shimano deore xt | | Bike Setup: | n/a | | Bottom Line: | excellent product, very recomanded for competitive mtb, great for the price... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Al B
a Weekend Warrior
from RS
Date Reviewed: March 1, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | My Own | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Newswangers | | Strengths: | Tough, i have put this derailleur through every thing from mudd to sand and it still runs like a dream. If you have a good bike shop or are good at tuning this is a good choice. Chosts less than others and runs at the same level. I bent my derailler hanger on a rock and shoved the derailler into the sprocket teeth and the only thing affected was the paint job. | | Weaknesses: | Looks corney the color is not the best. Silver and black like the XT would make this allready good product even better. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano XT, and Acera | | Bike Setup: | Came on bike | | Bottom Line: | If you can afford the XT go there but if you cant this is the next best choice. It definatly is worthy of the shimano name. One more good product from Shimano. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick Leonard
a Weekend Warrior
from Bay City, MI
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | BIG DROPS! | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | jensonusa.com | | Strengths: | Well.. It will shift gears. It is better looking than deore?
Fairly light | | Weaknesses: | Well.... Dont over due the Low gear adjuster dealie. I did and on a 4 stair gap (weak) the derailler got caught in my spokes, twisted all the way around and bent my derailler hanger all to hell. It wasnt a pretty sight, BUT IT DID SOUND COOL! | | Similar Products Used: | XTR, Acera, Deore..... They all shift! | | Bike Setup: | RF, XTR, SUN, Marzocchi..... ect... | | Bottom Line: | Well... Good derailler. Buy it. Its good..
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Terry Mitchell
a Weekend Warrior
from Manchester UK
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Any Bumpy bits of road | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Halfords | | Strengths: | good all round performer, smooth gear changes | | Weaknesses: | easy to make the chain slip | | Similar Products Used: | SRAM 3.0, Shimano Deore | | Bike Setup: | Saracen Rufftrax custom built, full Deore LX Drive Train, Alexrims G3000, 24 Speed conversion, Aheadset conversion, Azonic double wall bars | | Bottom Line: | Great for the price without going over the top | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Herraghty
a Cross Country Rider
from Edinburgh, Scotland
Date Reviewed: November 28, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Pentlands | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | On bike | | Strengths: | Shifts Well, takes knocks, not too expensive | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Similar Products Used: | Alivio, XT, Acera | | Bike Setup: | Marin Eldridge Grade, '96 Judy XC forks, LX, XT drivetrain, XTR Levers, Avid Arch Rival Brakes, LX Hubs, Mavic rims | | Bottom Line: | This is a great product. Not too expensive and shifts perfectly even when clogged with mud and grass. I really don't notice the difference between this and XT. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lester Browne
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: November 24, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1.00 | | Purchased At: | OEM | | Strengths: | Unbreakable... shifts up the gears... shifts down the gears... doesn't break easily... simple... works with SRAM or Shimano shifters... cheap... kinda strong. | | Weaknesses: | Probably heavy if you weigh it... it keeps working so you have no need to upgrade to a lusty xtr. | | Similar Products Used: | XT ('98) | | Bike Setup: | A hardtail with Marzocchi Z.2 Atom Race and two wheels | | Bottom Line: | It works and it works well. Setup is simple and straightforward. As far as most bang for the buck, nothing compares except perhaps XT components. I've crashed drive side, knocked it against rocks, thrown a rock directly at it (and chipped the bottom pulley -- naughty bike), cleaned it never in three years, yet it never complained nor failed. Even with the missing pulley tooth, it worked fine. I purchased an XT deraileur with the intention of replacing the LX but never had a need to until i finally just overhauled the entire shifting system on the bike (and the LX was still working). That was about a month ago and the LX was stock on my older bike from '95. Utilitarian, not flashy, but gets the job done. Damn straight. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex
a Weekend Warrior
from MARS
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | cme on bike | | Strengths: | strongest mech out there
cheap to replace, havent yet! | | Weaknesses: | only long cage avaliable | | Similar Products Used: | all the shimano's, sram, campy record (the best road/trials mech in the world) | | Bike Setup: | Identiti DR Jekyll | | Bottom Line: | the strongest mech out there, stronger than XTR and ESP 9.Osl, light well, sort-a. works as well as any mech.
Ive bounced landed on and hit this mech against trees, but it just keeps on shifting, the only thing that bent was my mech hanger, but hey! thats what their there for! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick
a Cross Country Rider
from Tempe, AZ
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Cheap. Relatively light weight for the price. It looks pretty slick, and does what it's supposed to. | | Weaknesses: | The color doesn't match anything except other LX. Doesn't come in anything except long cage. | | Similar Products Used: | Lower-end Shimano, and XT | | Bike Setup: | Azonic DS1 set up for XC | | Bottom Line: | Something needs to be said here- the derailleur is not going to make much difference to your shifting. It's a moving system of pullies. How much it moves is completely dependent on your shifters. If your shifting is sticky, then clean your derailleur, and re-lube it at the pivot points. Maybe do the same to your shifters. The major difference you're going to see between derailleurs is crash strength and weight. Your shifters will affect the quality of your shifting far more, as will your cassette. If your pullies make noise, clean and lube them, or get new ones. They're pretty cheap. Bottom line, I felt this was a great derailleur for the money. I had a friend tell me he'd have no problem decking a Moots out in LX, and I agree. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
weather expert
a Weekend Warrior
from iowa
Date Reviewed: September 12, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | looks cool | | Weaknesses: | needs constant adjustment. shifting is rarely smooth. 9 speed! | | Similar Products Used: | alivio 7 speed (better than lx), xt 8 speed (rocks) | | Bottom Line: | 9 speed sucks. my 7 and 8 speed derailleurs all worked better than this one. the shifting is clunky and takes forever to adjust and just about a second to go out of adjustment. i am gonna switch to the sram system as soon as the new short cage comes out. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BRIAN
a
from LITTLETON
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | PERFORMANCE | | Strengths: | IT LASTED FOR A RELITIVELY LONG TIME, NEARLY 2 FULL SEASONS, AND WHEN YOU BANG IT ON THE EDGE OF ROCKS AND STICS AND THIS AND THAT AND IT DOESN'T BREAK FOR THAT LONG ILL GIVE AT LEAST 3 CHILIS | | Weaknesses: | STICKY SHIFTING IN WET CONDITIONS, AND NOT INDESTRUCTABLE,(THATS THE PROBLEM WITH EVERYTHING, WELL EVERYTHING BUT MY '98 MONGOOSE FRAME. | | Similar Products Used: | SRAM, XT | | Bike Setup: | 98 MONGOOSE NX 7.1 WITH TEAM LX RACE KIT, EXCEPT MY DERAILERS, I UPGRADED THEM TO XT AND THE BADDEST XC SHOCK EVER THE MARZOUCCHI Z5. | | Bottom Line: | THESE ARE GREAT COMPONENTS FOR THE BUCK, IF YOUR BROKE BUT NEED GOOD SHIFTING FOR A SEASON THIS WILL PRODUCE. AND THATS THAT. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Holovác
a Cross Country Rider
from Budapest
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$28.00 | | Strengths: | Light and durable, most of the time accurate shift with minimal force. Extremely durable. As a city biker I've been hit twice this year, both from the back. Some paint lost, but no functional damage, amazing. | | Weaknesses: | Terrible noise. Rattles like hell, no matter how much time you devote to finetuning. Sprocket wheels of rough surface. | | Similar Products Used: | XTR but for testing a bike before buying only. | | Bike Setup: | Trek 920, Deore LX front and rare deraileur, shifters. RockShox Jett front fork. Setup for rough city riding. | | Bottom Line: | Imressive for a while, then the noise just takes away all the fun. Accurate but impossible to finetune. If noise does not bother you, it is worth a try. For noisy city it can speed you up pretty good with fast, low force operation, but when in the "parks", birds will be just scared off. For the price it is definitely a good buy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jamez
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Ontario
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Came with bike | | Strengths: | Clean, crisp shifting ALMOST everytime. Very durable, I've only had my bike 2 weeks and I've put it through hell. The derailer doesn't seem phased at all and has no visible damage [YET].
Despite the reports that this derailer can handle hills I find that it handles them more then adequately.
Can't beat the price can you? | | Weaknesses: | Why does it look so cheap? Oh, i think i know... | | Bike Setup: | Rockhopper FSR Comp | | Bottom Line: | I've only been riding on this thing for a few weeks but I can't figure out any problems with it. It climbs great, it shifts great and I never worry about any hill anymore.
The LX Front however is another story, and another review.
Good buy, if you're low on funds check it out. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Berkeley, CA
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | price, durability | | Weaknesses: | ummm... weight? | | Similar Products Used: | STX-RC, STX-SE, '88 Shimano SIS | | Bike Setup: | Airborne Lucky Strike, XT cassette, PC-99 chain, 8-speed Carmichael derailleur pulleys, Gore Ride-On cables | | Bottom Line: | Very good derailleur. Sure, it doesn't want to shift under heavy loads, but they're not *supposed to.* Maybe once in a while to bail out when you weren't prepared, but you're supposed to ease up on the pedalling when you shift.
Anyway, even with my mutt drivetrain, everything worked great (bike was stolen recently). I firmly believe that the SRAM PC-99 is the best 9-speed chain on the market today, and that includes XTR/Dura Ace. I kept my chain clean, used Pro-Link lube, and everything was jake.
If you're having a problem with your derailleur, chances are it's either a worn cassette, stretched chain, stretched derailleur cable, or a worn pulley. Or you're not keeping the chain clean and lubed.
Minus one chili for rumors about long-term durability of the parallelogram pivot bushings, which aren't Teflon-coated like the XT. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David B.
a Cross Country Rider
from TN
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Omaha Rim | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | It shift ok if your on level ground and don't need to shift in a hurry | | Weaknesses: | Ghost shifts, Binds up, will double shift on ya. | | Bike Setup: | 2000 KHS Alite 4000, Thompson seatpost/stem, Pyslo SL fork, full xt, WTB velocirapter tires F&R/ SST ti leather saddle. | | Bottom Line: | I would spend a few more deer and go with XT. Looks better, feels better, works better, and braggs better. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
phishin
a Cross Country Rider
from tulsa, ok
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | turkey mtn network | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | Nifty Blue ano color. Shifts okay. | | Weaknesses: | Cage is pretty weak (i.e. bends easily). Lower Jockey pulley worn out in 3-4 months even with tender loving care (i.e. clean and lube after every other ride). | | Similar Products Used: | Deore, XT | | Bike Setup: | bike with 9 speed shimano and LX rear der | | Bottom Line: | Its cheap, it shifts ok. Dont expect too much in terms of strength. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ken
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City, Utah
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Longevity, assuming no outstanding accidents. Four years and its shifting still isn't terrible. | | Weaknesses: | I don't think it's all that much worse than XT, or all that much heavier. At the price, its drawbacks are expected and fair. | | Similar Products Used: | Precision Billet, and it is badass! | | Bottom Line: | You get what you pay for, and a little money for "okay" shifting for a decently long time is preferable to fabulous shifting for a week and a half and then everything goes to $h!+. I don't know if the newer LX derailleurs have followed in the footsteps of the old (i.e.- mine), but if they haven't then Shimano is selling out on one of the last things it does well in the LX line. With the exception of the new Hollowtech crankarms, much of the LX lineup has sunk to Alivio-reliability. I hope Shimano reverses this trend and goes back to reasonable, journeyman equipment (even if heavier) rather than the "poser" priorities they've come to embrace. I like my old LX derailleurs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick Johnson
a
from Glastonbury CT USA
Date Reviewed: June 7, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | case mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | PIG IRON | | Strengths: | evry thing | | Weaknesses: | none that I've seen | | Similar Products Used: | none this one has lasted me forever I'v never needed another one | | Bike Setup: | trek 6000 frame but only the handle bar and LX rear deraler(those are the only ones that have lasted me) other than that have mazzochi atom bombs and all XT. | | Bottom Line: | this deraler is great. iv done every thing on this bike. I've been through 3 broken bones and 5 stiches on this bike and this derailer is still going strong. I've done the rockest mountains, I;ve been in 2 races and placed third in one. I've riden my own north shore trails I've hit 4 1/2ft + drops and I've done it all and more witht his deraler. its been knocked agents brick walls, logs, trees,stairs and every thing. but even when i bent the derailer hanger this derailed just needs a slight knock and its back in action. now im not saying its better than XT but i know its stronger than XTR all my shifting it still smooth. but if you ride like i do and you dont have any money like me, buy this. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alexander
a Weekend Warrior
from São Paulo,sp,Brazil
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$44.00 | | Strengths: | very low manutence,resistant,smooth shiftings | | Weaknesses: | i did not find any yet...... | | Similar Products Used: | shimano Alivio(a total crappy piece of !#@$%¨&*) | | Bottom Line: | very good.till know it was ready and work out very well,never left me down.
if you are looking for a good rear shifter and a good price this is it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
nick
a Weekend Warrior
from bay city, Michigan
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | any good 1 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | jensonusa.com | | Strengths: | Piece of total crap, none at all!! | | Weaknesses: | The thing got caught im my spokes, ripped the whole back cage off, it happened cause some pin popped out. | | Similar Products Used: | Acera, works better, got an XTR now. | | Bike Setup: | Full lx with XTR rear. Marzocchi Z3 with full rhynolite. | | Bottom Line: | total junk, look for at least a xt, or an xtr. Alot better quality. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg
a
from Dundas, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Price, smooth shifting, rarely needs adjusting, durable | | Weaknesses: | Looks kind of fugly | | Bike Setup: | 1999 Rockhopper | | Bottom Line: | This is a great derrailleur. I've had it for over a year now and just adjusted it for the first time. Shifts great into every gear, I don't have any reason to upgrade to the xt or xtr. Also, if I break it (a very plausible eventuality), I'm not crying over the replacement cost. I've had absolutely no reason to complain about the part and recommend it highly. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joseph Coniggs
a
from New York
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Everybodys Favorite Bicycly Shop | | Strengths: | The LX is the lowest priced competative Deralliuer that shimano has. It has clean shifting and is low maintanence. I use to have a Acera X and the LX is a lot better because of the clean and quick shifting. Tune ups are also fewer than they are if you bought a lower Deralliuer. | | Weaknesses: | Still does not shift well when climbing. | | Similar Products Used: | Acera X | | Bottom Line: | This is a good deralliuer for commuting and it can handle some minor racing. However it has trouble shifting when dirty so if you are a X-treme biker, get a XT of XTR. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Baecker
a Racer
from Budd Lake,Nj
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Deer Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | cycle craft | | Strengths: | Durable..shifts great...good shimano quality..even after a long period of time still works the same as when i just bought it | | Weaknesses: | expensive for the LX level | | Similar Products Used: | shimano stx rc | | Bike Setup: | `00 Access Alu-HT, Manitou Mars C, Rolf Dolimite wheelset,LX build kit. | | Bottom Line: | a must to have if your low on cash and u cant afford XTR. Another thing thats ironic is that my friend has XTR and it always seems to crap out on him where as my good ol` LX hasnt failed me yet...Great shimano quality...good bang for your buck | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Weekend Warrior
from Nova Scotia, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Wrandee's | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | It shifts, it looks good. | | Weaknesses: | Does't shift well, falls apart | | Similar Products Used: | STX-RC, XT, Deore, ESP 3.0, 5.0, 7.0, 9.0 | | Bike Setup: | '99 Mongoose NX 7.3, Judy Race, LX/STX-RC drivetrain,Avid Arch Rival brakes, Sun Rhyno Lites on Deore Disk. | | Bottom Line: | It seemed to be an ok rear deraileur when I first got it but the shifting started to go down the crapper after about 3 months and it was not because of my chain or cassette, which are brand new and compatible. Then only a couple of days ago one of the pins that held the plate behind the spring came off and nearly drove the thing right through my brand new wheels. I have had trouble with Shimano Rear deraileurs before but never this much. If I don't get better preformance from my next Shimano Deraileur I may go with SRAM. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dennis Dales
a
from Cornwall, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | The Dam | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle World | | Strengths: | Relatively inexpensive, performs well | | Weaknesses: | break in period for adjustment | | Similar Products Used: | Acera X,STX, STX-RC, XT | | Bike Setup: | 98 GT Backwoods | | Bottom Line: | I bought the 9 speed version for an 8 speed bike. Probably why I had to spend some time tweaking the dang thing. But I have to say that once I did Get that dark blue mother set up right (after about a week) it works like a charm. Weight isn't an issue for me but reliability and price is. I like banging around town here in Cornwall and Brockville all spring, summer and fall so I want my bike to work ALL the time. LX does it in spades. Plus if I rip one off I won't scream in agony. It is for the price what you will be looking for. Basically this changer has XT performance for a significantly lower price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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