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Shimano
XTR Front Derailleur
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Submitted by
cowpoke7
a Cross Country Rider
from encinitas, ca
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Noble Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | bike shop | | Strengths: | Excellent performance--- Never misses shifts, never drops chain. | | Weaknesses: | After 12 mos of riding, mine is developing a hairline fracture in the top of the cage. It will break apart soon. My bike shop pointed it out after the last tune up and mentioned that the 2009 model was beefed up in this region. When I discussed warranty, they told me not to expect anything and told me I needed to baby XTR. In their mind, I broke it by shifting it under load. I am experienced and reasonable with my gear so I doubt this. (I ride a lot but do clean the drivetrain and perform a tune-up after every real ride.) I think this problem is really with the shop and will try my normal road shop--- Shimano has always been awesome when it comes to tech support. | | Similar Products Used: | Old school XT, Dura Ace and Record on road bikes. | | Bike Setup: | Ibis mojo, XTR build. | | Bottom Line: | Awesome performance but the 2008 model has durability issues. Even if I have to pay to replace it, I will. The performance is just too good. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
supersleeper
a Cross Country Rider
from RSA
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Lightweight, looks good. | | Weaknesses: | This is for the M971 top pull bottom swing.
El Crappo. | | Similar Products Used: | XT, LX, X9, Alivio | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Blur XC, Full XTR, Fox RL 100, DT 4.2d & 240s hubs. KCNC stuff. | | Bottom Line: | M971. The outside plate bent open when shifting from big to middlering. Had to bend it back to get it functioning again. After a few of these episodes, it broke clean off.
Flimsy. Rubbish. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zachariah
a Cross Country Rider
from Palm Desert, California USA
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Hurkey Creek Park(24Hrs/Adrenalin Course) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Craigslist | | Strengths: | Light, at 112 grams; shifts flawlessly; differential plates actually LIFT the chain to the next chainring; great design. | | Weaknesses: | Very tricky to properly setup; aluminum limit screws strip too easily. Instructions are inaccurate. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Deore LX,XT | | Bike Setup: | 19-pound Cannondale XC hardtail: Mavic Crossmax SLR disc; Shimano XTR M960 BB/Hollowtech II Crankset; Ritchey WCS Carbon flat bars; Thomson Masterpiece seatpost; Specialized Phenom SL saddle; SRAM X0 Twist-shifters, Rear Derailleur; Maxxis Maxxlite 310 race tires; Avid BB7 disc brakes; Cannondale Ultra Fatty Headshok 80mm; Avid PC991 Hollowpin chain; Crank Brothers Candy 2ti clipless pedals; Cannondale Si 100mm stem; Token 7075AL seat clamp. | | Bottom Line: | This old school XTR front derailleur is just the BOMB. If you ever get one- keep it forever....Shimano don't make them this nice, anymore. I have a bottom-pull 31.8 one and could not be happier, with this FD. It has NEVER missed a chainring shift. I just select......and it always delivers....and it's FAST too! In fact- it is one of my favorite Weight Weenie parts on the entire bike!
Back in the day(1999), these retailed for $180. I got mine for $30- which is a STEAL. Such a simple, functional design that Shimano should have expanded upon, but didn't. The two lightweight aluminum differential plates literally cradle your chain to the next chainring- what a concept!
The KEY to getting this FD to work like it's intended, is to have your LBS install it on your bike. I tried to do it myself....and almost threw it out!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marek
a Cross Country Rider
from Tuchola, Poland
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Gluszyca | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$58.00 | | Purchased At: | Allegro.pl | | Strengths: | low weight (124g), smooth and fast work, cool look | | Weaknesses: | price | | Similar Products Used: | Deore downswing, XT FD-M760 top swing - good but worse than XTR! | | Bike Setup: | Simplon Mythos, Reba Race, SLR xc gel flow, thomson elite seatpost, XTR derailleur front: fd m-970, rear rd m-960, hutchinson python tires | | Bottom Line: | it costs much but is worth! I prefer topswing! Smooth and fast work and low weight! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
justjoshnya
a Cross Country Rider
from Lake Ozark, Missouri
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Four Winns, Lake of the Ozarks State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Oz CYcles | | Strengths: | Best shifting Front Der on market. Light. Sexy. Strong Spring. Fast and smooth up and down shifts | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Deore, LX, XT, sram garbage | | Bike Setup: | Custom built 08 Trek Fuel EX 8 with full XT drivetrain (except front der) | | Bottom Line: | Best shifting Front Der on market for sure. I've sold some to customers of mine and they all agree, it makes a huge difference. I had an XT model that I could not swap over onto my new frame, and my shop owner talked me into getting an xtr, he said it was the best. I realy thought that it wouldn't be any better than my xt but I was dead wrong, huge difference. Maybe newer xt is better??? My xt was 4 years old, this xtr is 2 and I've sold newer xtr to customers and they say its the bomb | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nuno Prazeres
a Racer
from Lisbon, Portugal
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Monsanto, Grandola | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | http://www.bike-x-pe | | Strengths: | M-970 - Precision and low weight | | Weaknesses: | Showed some play after 2000k. Broke after 3000km | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano XT - 96 model still around in my HT after 15000 km with zero play | | Bike Setup: | Fox F100RLC. DT Swiss Wheels (240s, XR 4.2D, Aerolite). XTR crankset and F Der. XO R Der. and twistshifters. Magura Marta SL brakes with Hope Mono Mini Pro rotors. Crankbros EB SL pedals. Nokon cables. XTR cassette. SRAM 991 hollowpin chain. Syntace seatpost and stem. Easton carbon handlebar. SLR XC sadle. Nobby Nic 2.1 kevlar tyres without inner tubes. Total weight 10600g | | Bottom Line: | Excelent in the first times but cannot stand a rough winter...
I am a careful cyclist (wash & lube type one) so I cannot imagine how fast this deraileur loses capacity for people who ride in muddyer trails and does not wash and lube that often.
It couples so well with the crankset and it is so precise when new I might buy one again and be ready to replace it yearly | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Western Australia
Date Reviewed: September 28, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Boddington | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | On bike | | Strengths: | None | | Weaknesses: | Face plate is too weak. | | Similar Products Used: | 950, 960, 760. | | Bike Setup: | 07 Giant XTC carbon, full XTR. | | Bottom Line: | This is for the 971 unit. The outer face plate on the cage is too weak near the pivot point. On dropping the chain off the big ring the outer plate will open out, this can lead to the chain coming off on the next up shift and no granny gear. Bending it back in place is only a very temporary solution. This unit didn’t last long at all, very disappointing from Shimano. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gerald Badoz
a Weekend Warrior
from Orlando, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Jones Trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$67.00 | | Purchased At: | EBay | | Strengths: | Design, appearance, function, weight, quality, fit, and finish. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Deore | | Bike Setup: | 2004 Raleigh Ram 2.0 with full XTR, RockShox 318 Tora and Rear SID, Avid Juicy Carbons, Truvativ Team Carbon Riser, Cane Creek Solo head set, Titec Pluto Carbon seat post, WTB Speed V saddle, and Jagwire cables. Plus a few other things... | | Bottom Line: | XTR M970 front derailleurs is amazing!!! It shifts butter smooth. I got it with the matching M970 rapid fire pods and the response is simple incredible. Right as you are pressing the button, click the chain shifts...
ITS FREAK INCREDIBLE!!!!! Highly recommend it...
I had easy performance with the Deore components. I had to search for the sweet spot for shifting and the lever strokes are much longer on the Deore. The XTR shift is just a short quick stroke... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steve holcomb
a Weekend Warrior
from tampa florida
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | n/a | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | beyond bikes | | Strengths: | Still working with no flaws. Its 5yrs old with many 1000's
of miles of use. The very best ! | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | campy record and super record | | Bike Setup: | doesn't matter | | Bottom Line: | The very best | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
evilgeek
a Cross Country Rider
from calgary, canada
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Strengths: | shifting, setup, bling | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | LX | | Bike Setup: | sram pc99 hollow pin chain | | Bottom Line: | replaced my 2001 LX front der with 2006 XTR, and the difference is night and day. the XTR is actually 4g heavier than the LX, but the weight has obviously been put where it counts, and isn't just untrimmed fat. the XTR is crisp, really, really crisp, making the LX seem like a piece of bread that's been left in the rain. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan R
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Island N.Y.
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Pandora | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$85.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Junkie | | Strengths: | Strong, cage is acutally a double cage for extra strength
Light weight, for a double caged derailleur
Stiff, Never misses a shift not a one, perfect shifting!
Reliable, Once it's set it is eally a set a forget item! | | Weaknesses: | A little on the pain in the a$$ to set up intially. At least the e-type model it took a little bit to set it but no it's a set and forget item . Took two rounds of tuning and a fine tune from a friend at a shop to get it running right. I have yet to have to mess with it since! A little expensive for a Front Derailluer | | Similar Products Used: | Mostly Shimano: LX (SUCKS) XT (Good but has draw backs) XTR (THE BOMB) | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Stumpjumper FSR XC With a full Shimano XT XTR Drivetrain (soon to be switched out for SRAM X.0) with much too many goodies to list here and do you really want to read the list? | | Bottom Line: | This is the one piece of drivetrain equipment on my bike that will survive my drivetrain rebuild! I like Shimano for their Crank sets so far so good with my XT's and I like the M525 Deore discbraks on my bike. They are inexpensive to mantain and cost less for parts then the XT or the way overpriced XTR's. If they do decide to go then I'm going for Avid or Hayes for brakes. As for this derailluer I like it allot. It has crisp action you don't get with the XT and it is much more reliabable than the LX that came on the bike. The LX never seemed to be able to stay tuned and I was always messing with it on the trails. I like to use my front derailluer I paid for all 27 gears I'm going to use them!! I have yet to miss a shift or have the chain drop of or jam up! It is a little of a chore to set it up though but I think this is only for the E-Type my buddy had no problems setting up his clamp style one what so ever! If your interested why I'm changing over to SRAM X.O see my newest review for the non rapid rise XTR rear derailluer. For this piece of the Shimano XTR drivetrain I like it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MAXXED
a Cross Country Rider
from Honolulu
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$59.00 | | Purchased At: | Price Point | | Strengths: | Smooth, silent shifting. Never misses a shift! | | Weaknesses: | Only comes in top swing configuration. Will not work on Cannondale Jekyll, Mountain Cycle San Andreas, and other frames that require a bottom swing derailleur. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano LX, XT, and '03 XTR. | | Bike Setup: | '04 Mountain Cycle Fury, Avid 160mm discs, Avid Speed Dial 7 brake levers, XTR front and rear derailleurs, '04 Shimano XT crankset, Progressive 5th Element rear shock. | | Bottom Line: | This is a review of the '04 FD-M952 derailleur with differential plate action. The two side plates of the cage move independently and are hinged at the rear of the cage.
Dramatic improvement in upshifting and downshifting over the rigid cage XTR '03 derailleur.
Shifting is lightning fast and never slips or skips on the chainrings.
It is noticeably quieter on upshifts and downshifts than the '03 XTR. The chain is literally lifted off the chainrings and dropped onto the next chainring.
In the non diff plate action XTR, like the FD-M953, you can feel the chain being forced against the chainring, and grinding into it when you upshift. I was disappointed in the FD-M953, which displayed no improvement in shifting performance over the XT derailleur.
The diff plate action also solves a nagging problem inherent in all conventional fixed plate front derailleurs; sluggish shifting or hanging up when downshifting to the granny gear.
I can be in the smallest rear cog, and it will instantly and silently downshift to the granny gear. You'll never use that particular gear combo, but try doing it with your current derailleur!
Upshifts are amazing silent and quick, without the grinding against the chainring to upshift as described above.
Another welcome design improvement is the angled seatpost collar mounting setup. This is a blessing for those with full suspension bikes, as it makes it so much easier to access the derailleur mounting collar allen screw head.
Also, the cable mounting clamp bolt is angled, making access much more convenient for those with full suspension frames and elevated chainstays.
Another improvement is a wider derailleur cage that makes chain rub almost nonexistent in those awkward chainring/rear cog combos. The older FD-M953 was a real pain with it's narrow cage. It really limited the gearing combos you could use with each chainring.
Shimano really did their homework on the new '04 diff plate derailleur!
Only problem is, it is currently available only in top swing configuration, which will not work with all frames, as mentioned above. If you can't use a top swing derailleur, you're out of luck.
It is quite a bit more expensive than their non diff plate action derailleur, but once you've tried it, there's just no comparison.
I'm hooked, and can't go back to the non Diff Plate front derailleurs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Saxon Victor
a Cross Country Rider
from Slovakia, Middle Europe
Date Reviewed: February 17, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | everything | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike shop in the capital | | Strengths: | Its beautiful! So strong, rigid, and it works like a dream | | Weaknesses: | i havent found yet | | Similar Products Used: | Deore, LX, Ultegra | | Bike Setup: | Merida SE, XT, XTR, Marzocchi, Truvativ, FSA, Maxxis | | Bottom Line: | Ive changed my Deore2003 for this. The difference: night and day. It moves so lightly, with the XT rapidfire it moves like a Deore rapidfire without de derailleur. Its incredible for me, cos here in Slovakia we dont have the money to buy things like this, but i think we should. I recommend it to everyone who has the money, and wants incredible shifts. Anyway, i use it with LX chain and Truvativ Stylo Team cranks and its perfect, so i just cant imagine how would it be with XTR chain and XTR cranks... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thomas Vacek
a
from Ithaca
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | not telling | | Strengths: | very pretty, very precise shifting | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | shimano LX | | Bike Setup: | trek | | Bottom Line: | my shimano LX front derailleur won't even move now - i greased it plenty and it just won't move - i had to buy a new front derailleur - and this solved my problems. It is a very excellent mechanism. Don't let those cheap pansies with their stupid reviews discourage you. The bolt does not strip if you use a metric 5mm alan key. The dumbass was probably using alan keys in inches. the 2003 line of XTR is very good. I recently purchased the 2003 XTR crank and rear derailleur and have yet to try both. Very nice, quality products. I wouldn't pay the ridiculous retail for them, though. Find them in places other than online retaillers - and DON'T GO TO YOUR LOCAL BIKE SHOP. Mine always rapes me on pricing. They mark things up even beyond retail. It's ridiculous. Stupid! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Darius
a Racer
from D-Town, TX
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | wouldn't purchase, but work on them everyday | | Strengths: | matches the paint on the other XTR drivetrain parts | | Weaknesses: | Over priced, works as good as or worse than cheaper versions. | | Similar Products Used: | XT, LX, DEORE, STX, everything | | Bike Setup: | Merlin Iliad, Sram drivetrain, Raceface Next LP cranx, XTR hubs ti spokes sun 0degreeXC rims, lots of light stuff | | Bottom Line: | XTR front derailleurs are a waste of money no matter what version you get:
02 and before - On top swing versions, the parallel plate movement does absolutely nothing to improve shifting, but it does add weight for no apparent reason. Traditional versions are identical to XT and LX, they're just painted with XTR grey paint. WOOHOO!
new 03 version- the cage is so narrow that an extrordinary amound of chain rub is inevetable, and the anchor bolt is far too easy to strip out. What's even more strange is, the steel bolt strips before the aluminum threads in the derailleur do. This adds to my conclusion that with the exception of the cranks, 03 XTR can eat a bunch of goat crap. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Reno, NV, USA
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Peavine | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$85.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Warehouse | | Strengths: | Stiffness, Weight, Stiffness, Shiny | | Weaknesses: | Failure can occur when a small rock wedges between the rotating cam and a pivot bar. | | Similar Products Used: | 1997, 2002 XT | | Bike Setup: | Switchblade, XTR, King, Thomson, Hope | | Bottom Line: | This is for the newly re-designed 2003 XTR Front Deraileur. This product is sooo stiff, and shifts so cleanly as long nothing gets in the works. There is a small little space inside of the unit that debris can get trapped in. This has happened to me FOUR TIMES in the last two months. A small rock becomes wedged in the space between the rotating cam and one of the stationary pivot bars when in the small chinring. When you try to shift up to a bigger ring, the gap closes. Anything solid (like a rock) in the gap prevents the shifter from working at all, and you have to get off and pop the rock out. Better have a small stick handy. Heaven forbid that this happens in a race. For all the positive attributes, the complicated dual pull design and abundance of stiff pivot points says one thing: Over-engineered. The old simple designs work better, and since the deraileur has completely failed me four times in two months, something that has never happened on any previous front deraileur that I've used, I'm only giving it one chili. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
.cliff
a Cross Country Rider
from City of Lights
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | single track | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | jenson.com | | Strengths: | quick smooth light consistent | | Weaknesses: | none except the rattle reminds me when I'm cross chaining from small front ring to smallest cog (mega 9) | | Similar Products Used: | STX, Alivio, Suntour (classical gas roaddie), | | Bike Setup: | XT Mega 9 cassette/rear derailleur, XT shifters/cables, Stylo Team crankset (9spd type) | | Bottom Line: | Nice, very nice - but I ride a lot of slower rough single track stuff using granny ring and, yeah it's bad, but for some short down stretches, I like to kick up to the small rear cog for speed for a few seconds before hitting a steep climb section (not have to shift the front up and the cassette down...then back again on the steep and rough -whine/complain) Bugs me to hear that chain scrape but I guess it doesn't hurt anything. Shimano even tells you in a separate little instruction sheet that you'll get the chain rubbing. Buddy told me to try a SRAM shifter with the extra clicks to move the cage over a little???? Anyone out there using a newer XTR front derailleur with the SRAM shifter??? If so, is it worth it? OK, bottom line is that the strengths are awesome. I set it up according to the instructions on a new Team Sylo crankset (22-32-44))without a problem. Haven't had to "readjust after breakin" or mess with it. Keep chain well lubed and I expect the derailler to last; if not will post again. After continual frustration trying to get and keep previous derailleurs adjusted/shifting right, I rate this one 5 flamers for value (way worth the price), and 4 for overall cause of the rattle (cage could be another mm wider or something). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martin
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: December 30, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Smooooth shifting, well made. | | Weaknesses: | Pricey | | Similar Products Used: | XT, Alvio | | Bike Setup: | Superlight/Bomber/XT/XTR | | Bottom Line: | Had to replace an XT shifter that would not consistently shift to the granny ring despite constant adjustment (about 700 miles on it). Replaced with the XTR and front shifting has never been smoother. Setup is a little tricky and you will get some rubbing if you use gear combinations that are ill advised. Price is high but like most things you get what you pay for.
Oh, and one nice thing. the limit screws are made out of real metal not the 'cheese' metal that Shimano use on the XT.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Philip Mitchell
a Cross Country Rider
from Berkshire, UK
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Local store | | Strengths: | Independent pin betwen plates - superbly smooth. | | Weaknesses: | Price. | | Similar Products Used: | LX F/Mech | | Bottom Line: | If you've got the money buy it because what this F/M really did for me was to highlight the deficiencies in my shifting and taught me to make sure I was shifting in time with my pedalling. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Concord, MA, USA!
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | www.jensonusa.com | | Strengths: | Works extremely well. Never had any problem with this. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | XTR rear der | | Bottom Line: | This product kicks ass. I don't use the front derailleur often, but it has never failed me when I needed it. I think the secret is in the dual plates design, becuase it shifts much smoother than the XT model. Good work Shimano. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Racer
from Atlanta
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Gift | | Strengths: | Light, Shifts Smooth and it will never miss when you need it the most. | | Weaknesses: | Can't really think of one. | | Similar Products Used: | Any highend Derailleur | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed | | Bottom Line: | I've riden anything from LX and XT and had no problems but the response and accuracy of the XTR is unbeatable.
I have to give this product 5 flamming terds. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Les
a Cross Country Rider
from Fairfax, VA
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Fountainhead and Difficult Run | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Washington Bike Center | | Strengths: | Precise Shifting, Extremely Reliable, Pretty Damn Durable | | Weaknesses: | Are you kidding me? The only thing that even comes close is the original cable clamp, it's a little weak. | | Similar Products Used: | XT(also good, but not as good as XTR,LX and Deore (Both are crappy) | | Bike Setup: | XT/XTR/LX/Easton and Thomson. | | Bottom Line: | Put it on and forget about it. While setting it up maybe a little difficult, then again most front deraileurs are hard to set up. I have the top swing, top pull model and I have had no problems with it except for the clamp (see weaknesses area), I had to replace it because I cranked down on it too much (an LX clamp works great). Have fun with not having to adjust the front deraileur EVER. If you're sick of bad shifting, get this derailleur. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J
a Racer
from Columbus, Ohio
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$49.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo.com | | Strengths: | Smoothest shifting derailleur. Inspires confidence even under the most strain. Hold up much better than their XT model (2 broken XT's in 1 year). | | Weaknesses: | Can be costly if purchased at a retail shop. | | Similar Products Used: | XT | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Stumpjumper, Mars fork, S-works wheels, XT Crank, XTR derailleurs | | Bottom Line: | Worth every penny if you are serious about biking and expect your components to hold up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rob
a Racer
from santa cruz
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | twin gates | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$85.00 | | Purchased At: | Sprockets | | Strengths: | it shifts great, and is a major step up from the XT! | | Weaknesses: | none yet. i hope i don't have any at all. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano XT | | Bike Setup: | Klien Mantra Pro, Judy, Mavic, titec, and all shimano XT and XTR compenents. | | Bottom Line: | great product and is worth the price. the low weight is great.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stefan Gluske
a Cross Country Rider
from Nuertingen Germany
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Schwaebische Alp | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | LocalBikeShop | | Strengths: | Great shifting action | | Weaknesses: | not easy to install (like all front derailleurs) | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano XT topswing | | Bike Setup: | Steppenwolf hardtail, Rond Magura Air Front Shock w/Firmtech Rimbrake, XTR-Drivetrain except LX Crankset | | Bottom Line: | Found that 98s Front Derailleur at my bikeshop for a good price and it works well w/9speed setup and the LX Crankset (smaller chainrings than XTR).
Anything works well in every condition (snow, rain, mud...).
Shifting is a little faster and quieter than XT.
Not really a must-to-have, buy it when you see a special offer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J K
a Racer
from Sterile Heights, mi, US of A
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | poontang trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$85.00 | | Purchased At: | Antoonns | | Strengths: | The shifting is smooth, accurate and done when I want, not when the component wants. A wise investment if your are not happy with XT or less. | | Weaknesses: | It requires breaking the chain to install. I advise having the shop do it. If you buy it from them maybe they'll do it for free. | | Similar Products Used: | XT | | Bike Setup: | '97 Swine Moab, | | Bottom Line: | If you are getting into some hard-core XC racing this is a good investment. Sometimes climbs are not easily foreseen and the confidence this derailleur instills is worth the $$.
I give this 5 flaming poops. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam VeraSforzza
a Racer
from Seattle, Wa, USA
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Whistler BC | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | online somewhere | | Strengths: | Fastest front shifting, better quality than XT and especilly LX, weight, overall function is awesome. | | Weaknesses: | Sometimes price depending on where you get it but the best always costs a finger or two. A little intolernt of the wnt to shift to baby ring, oh well I never need the 26 small ring. | | Similar Products Used: | LX & XT | | Bike Setup: | 19.8 lb 2000 S-Works M4 with all the bling-bling, the important thing is that I can push a 26/36/48 XTR rings and shifting is just like the rear, works even better/faster since I don't need the small chain ring. | | Bottom Line: | Must have, all XTR is greaat, but this is one of the best XTR components, world of difference over LX, and still very noticeible improvement over XT, AAA+. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a
from Houston
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Jack Brooks | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint.com | | Strengths: | light, looks great, works well, easy to install, easy to set up, and easy to clean.. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Deor LX | | Bike Setup: | Trek 4900, Marzocchi Dirt jumper, XTR everything, Avid disk, Race Face Turbine LP, Race Face SRX BB, Chris King nothread headset | | Bottom Line: | Great product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Giant --
a Cross Country Rider
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: January 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | all XC | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | T.H.H | | Strengths: | Very smooth n light shifting, good looking n well designed,
very light n easy to clean. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Alivio | | Bike Setup: | GIANT ATX890, xt brakes disc n hubs, xtr drivetrain, xt crank. | | Bottom Line: | A reasonable price for this derailleur. N Its smooth enough even i cant feel the chain was changing. i like its nickel plated chain cage color almost like titanium colors. N really the cage is wide enough for the chain from rubbing against it. no others. i think i really pay for the resonable price for the best looking n smoothest derailleur without regret. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a
from PA
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Bottom Line: | This is a review for the '01 top-pull, traditional (high/top mount) design.
I went from an LX to the XTR when my new Klein FS frame (old frame cracked) required a different front derailure due to the chainstay/seat tube pivot.
Huge difference. Front shifting is smooth and requires much less effort. I set the derailure up myself quite easily and it has worked flawlessly.
Pricey but definitely worth it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary Gao
a Weekend Warrior
from Shanghai China
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | a local shop | | Strengths: | incredible shift accuracy, light, able to use a 48teeth chainring, the colour,the different plates mechanism | | Weaknesses: | perfect adjustment takes too much time | | Similar Products Used: | acera-x | | Bike Setup: | bridgestone hardtail, rockshox indy-c, xt-xtr | | Bottom Line: | my previous fd kept making me headache. i wanted to buy a bottom pull xt fd, but in vain. and i happened to find this xtr fd, after installing, i found a big difference. no more worry, not at all! just pedal,click,and this machine will guide the chain to where u want. though my crank is a 96 xt 5-arm, but no problem with the xtr fd. it makes the front shift as fast and accurate as the rear. i love its exquisite design. two different plates move independently which makes the shift an ease. so if u are not a downhiller, buy this xtr front deraillieur, it's worth every penny u pay. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
T P
a
from Reno/Tahoe Ablaze!
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Charcoaled! | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$89.00 | | Purchased At: | Adrenaline | | Strengths: | Blew away my XT-Specifically paid a fortune to find a 34.9 top swing top pull FD950 8 speed model, almost extinct, still riding 8 speed. This baby can handle a 46,34,22 spread. | | Weaknesses: | None-time will tell | | Similar Products Used: | XT | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed Obed, Uraccos, XTR der's, Race Face Crank, Avid SD brakes, Sram 68 chain xray shifters. | | Bottom Line: | No problem with chain drops, mechanism is really cool. Power shifts are possible with finess. Wide cage, can shift 5 cogs in rear without trim adj. Worry free shifting has made me more confident downshifting before the big speed climbs. I use a 68/107 BB Chainline-perfect. Worth the gouge to find an honest-new one. Will baby untill 8 speed is dead and fossilized. Good for aagro riders! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
a Weekend Warrior
from Wisconsin
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | the one you can't find | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Strengths: | The front now shifts as rapidly and precisely as the rear, pimp factor | | Weaknesses: | price, hard to set up | | Similar Products Used: | Deore, LX | | Bike Setup: | 27 speed converted to 18 | | Bottom Line: | This derailleur was intended for three front cogs, spaced 12 teeth apart. I am running a funky setup with two Race Face rings. At first, this screwed up the shifting with lots of chain suck/dropping, but everything was fixed by a competent mechanic. Now it works fine and has withstood various abuses, both urban and offroad. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron
a Cross Country Rider
from Maine
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | secret | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | OHHHHHHHHHH, so smooth. I'm finally able to shift to the outer ring without problem. | | Weaknesses: | NONE! | | Similar Products Used: | LX | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Paragon, XT, XTR | | Bottom Line: | This is the most justifiable XTR upgrade. There has been a total night and day difference between my old LX and the new XTR. If what everyone says is true, have your LBS set it up, I did.
Just get it! You won't be disappointed! You'll pay for it, but you'll never regret it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
minimag
a Cross Country Rider
from teulon
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$49.00 | | Purchased At: | jensonusa | | Strengths: | shifts well once set up, top swing doesn't interfere with water bottle mounts on my seat tube | | Weaknesses: | has very short reach- you better have a really low profile crank. fussy set-up | | Similar Products Used: | regular bottom swing xtr and xt | | Bike Setup: | sandvik titanium, all xtr, raceface next | | Bottom Line: | i found installing this derailleur pretty annoying, you have to break the chain and you know how good that is for shimano chains. also it didn't reach far enough outward to shift into the large chainring. i had to get a 107mm bb. if this derailleur comes with your new bike, fine, but it's not a worthwhile upgrade. more trouble than it's worth. certainly dosn't seem to shift any better than regular xtr or xt.2 for value because it is NOT worth the price, 3 for overall because it's not really a bad shifter, it's just no better than averge | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ray Jaimez
a Cross Country Rider
from Cedar Park,Tx
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Rocky Hill Ranch in Smithville,Tx | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Mail Order | | Strengths: | Best shifting front derailler you can buy. It works really well under any conditions. See Craig's comment in the next review below. | | Weaknesses: | None. It truly kicks tail. | | Similar Products Used: | STX,LX,XT. | | Bike Setup: | Full XTR. | | Bottom Line: | If your looking to upgrade your bike to XTR, do it! You will not be disappointed. Remember! If you do not spend the time to clean and maintain your bike, it will ride like crap. Do not blame your bike. This is a Five Jalepeno product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig
a Cross Country Rider
from St. Louis MO
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | The performance of this deraileur is incredible!! On most front deraileurs, you have to often turn or push the shifter a little bit past the indexed point. This bike give constant accurate shifts without thinking, and in all conditions. | | Weaknesses: | It is hard to set up - compared to other fds. If you have never doen it before, take it to your LBS and get it done right. You will not be disappointed | | Similar Products Used: | XT, LX | | Bike Setup: | Specalized StumpJumper, Full XTR, SID, Mavic (FOR SALE!!!) | | Bottom Line: | Get it, install it right, and you will not be disapointed, in any condition. It is worth the extra scrillas. 25 flamin chillis! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Terrence
a
from New York, New York
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Strengths: | From all the other reviews I'm sure the xtr is a quality product, the problem is I have a Race Face 9 speed crank set, I was told that this derauiler will never work properly??? | | Weaknesses: | set up | | Similar Products Used: | lx | | Bike Setup: | klein attitude comp, race face cranks, xtr rear/front deraulier, rock shox xc | | Bottom Line: | somebody help, the bike store told me the xtr front derailer will never work properly with my raceface cranks, this bike store is very reputable so I'm thinking they are right. Can anyone tell me for sure wether this is true? If it is what is my best bet for smooth shifting?? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jobe Biker
a Weekend Warrior
from NYC
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | RingWood | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Internet (I forget witch site) | | Strengths: | Great shifting for real MTBs with big rings. | | Weaknesses: | Very hard to set up. | | Similar Products Used: | lx, xt, that one under lx | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Kaitai, XTR Crankset upgrade | | Bottom Line: | It took me a long time to set up the shifting setup; My original setup had a avilo crank and derailleur that really sucked!! BigTime!! They were about as tuff a lead & It was the e-type derailleur witch I truly don’t see the point of. So I had to switch out my BB crank and my derailleur to make it all good. The install was a B*tch for the the new front derailleur. So I gave up and ended up bringing it to 2 different bike shops nether got it working the way I expected. . . . (a span of time) . . . . Then I got a job in NYC and had to move and find a new bike shop. Who would think there would be anyplace yet alone a great place to bring my bike in this $hit hole. (I have yet to adjust to life in the big apple, My apologies to all of its fans) Anyway back on topic, they had it working perfectly in a few minutes. Now I never have to think about shifting. It shifts every time with no problems. It truly makes my biking experience more enjoyable.
So my bottom line is that the XTR Front Derailleur is great but if you’re not a pro you have to find someone that is to set it up for you.
The shop I used is in West Wood NJ I highly recommend them, e-mail me if you want more info.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jonathan Maddock
a Cross Country Rider
from Wolfeboro, NH, USA
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Tumbledown Dick Mountain Road | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Great flwless shifting. It never screwed up a shift, except on it's last ride. | | Weaknesses: | Pivot pin works loose & drops out | | Similar Products Used: | LX | | Bike Setup: | XT all over except XTR large chain rings 46-34-24 | | Bottom Line: | I like the standard size rings, so there is no other choice. I'll keep a closer eye on the pivot pin that articulates the cage. After the pin dropped, the outer part of the cage caught in the chain ring & snapped off. Nasty! I could shift up, but had to use my toe to down shift the rest of the ride home.
Just bought a new one with hopes of better durability.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a
from Visalia
Date Reviewed: March 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Cow trails | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Trisport | | Strengths: | shift the front as fast as the rear | | Weaknesses: | price (almost 3 times as much as XT) | | Similar Products Used: | LX, XT | | Bike Setup: | Custom frame, XTR | | Bottom Line: | THE BEST EVER. Worth every penny. Difference between night & day. The only thing is it needs plenty of room to get to the granny gear. Make sure your bottom bracket is long enough. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SANTA
a
from NORTH POLE
Date Reviewed: December 24, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | SMOOTH SHIFTING, LIGHT, SET-UP | | Weaknesses: | RELIABILITY, PRICE | | Bike Setup: | KIND THINGS ALL OVER | | Bottom Line: | THIS DER IS GOOD IF IT IS GIVEN TO YOU FREE. OTHERWISE YOUR IN FOR A SURPRISE WHEN THIS CRAP FAILS ON THE TRAIL. IT IS LIGHT AND SLEEK BUT THE COMPRAMISEIS STRENGTH AND RELIABILITY. FOR THOSE WITH DEEP POCKETS IT'S GOLD BUT IF YOU RELY AND DEPEND ON YOUR EQUIPMENT TO CARRY THROUGH THE RUFF STUFF THEN YOU MIGHT WANT A CHEAPER REPLACEABLE ALTERNATIVE. I BROKE ONE AT A HINGE POINT WHEN SHIFTING DOWNHILL ON THE FLY. NO CRASH, NO FORCING, JUST BLEW OUT. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Westy
a Racer
from Peterborough, Ontario
Date Reviewed: November 28, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Cyclepath Peterborough | | Strengths: | Light, XTR cool factor. Best fr. unit available. | | Weaknesses: | You gotta pay for it (a lot). | | Similar Products Used: | LX STX/RC XT | | Bike Setup: | XTR drivetrain with Race Face Turbine LPs and rings. | | Bottom Line: | One sweet derailer. A lot of the guys I ride with say "it is just the fr. derailer," XTR actually made a difference. Smooth shifting, especially between my 32 and 44 tooth rings. Looks way cooler than an XT. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Julian Hughes
a
from Exeter,UK
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | everywhere | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | will run a bigger chainring. shifts flawlessly.
looks nice | | Weaknesses: | costs lots. tricky to get set up perfectly but must be done perfectly. | | Similar Products Used: | lx,ultegra,105,dura ace | | Bike Setup: | rigid mtb,slicks,suntour compact drive cranks,but
with 26,36,46 TA rings,11-23 ultegra casstte on rear.. lx shifters. | | Bottom Line: | This was the ONLY front derailler i could find which would both fit my bike,(have to use a topswing because of bottle bosses location)and will also run bigger
chainrings than a 44. It is VERY specifically designed to work with a middle chainring 12 teeth smaller than the big one,with the inner plate carefully machined and spaced to be almost snug to the middle ring when you're running the big one so set up was a little painstaking with a 10 tooth difference...but it works when nothing else would and it works perfectly... in the end. This isnt a criticism of the derailler as it is very clearly brilliantly designed to work within its own groupset. The criticism is that these days if you want something beyond whats available within a Shimano groupset it might be a lot more difficult to achieve than would have been the case a few years ago,tho if you stick to the groupsets you do get a slick package of course,everything works together...I shouldnt complain.
The bottom line is this derailler is the best available and (over)priced accordingly.loses 1 chillie for the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Barry
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver, BC Canada
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | crisp shifts using Shimano thumbshifters
much more positive action than XT | | Weaknesses: | no significant ones | | Similar Products Used: | XT various vintages | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Rocky Mountain Vertex with Race Face stuff, and thumbsifters (retro-land) | | Bottom Line: | For the retro-grouches using 7/3 speed thumbshifters this is a primo upgrade, and now that the 8 speed XTR stuff is out of style, it's availabel at a fair price. The shifter action is much more positive, especially with the RF Race Rings with ramps/pins. Clear improvement over XT. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder CO
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Bottom Line: | I just got the 2000 model about 2 weeks ago. I have always had trouble with my LX model, but didn't know that it was because the LX is a cheap piece of metal. After only 1 use I could tell the XTR was worth it. Smooth shifting and when downshifting to my small ring it doesn't pop off like my LX did sometimes. Great deal for only 60 bucks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Piers
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | City Park, Austin, TX | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | This works *way* better than the stock Alivio that came on my Cannie F500, and way better than the LX I upgraded to. It seems to grab that chain and push it onto that small cog very well. | | Weaknesses: | Too expensive to buy from the retail store I'm afraid, so you'll have to mail order! | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale F500, XTR front, XTR rear. Great combo. | | Bottom Line: | If you can get it for $65 or so, I'd say it's well worth it and removes all that front-derailleur frustrations! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill W.
a Cross-Country Rider
from Baltimore
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: |
Patapsco-McKeldin | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Light, XTR bragging rights, shifts well | | Weaknesses: |
Had no choice; others didn't work | | Similar Products Used: |
Pre-articulating XTR, LX, XT | | Bike Setup: |
Dagger FSR Elite, FS Mac-strut, 8 speed compact drive, Gripshift | | Bottom Line: | It works great for me, though I had to replace the previous one because one of the pivots took a dive (I made it work for a while by replacing it with a cable end - thanks Heloise), but the last one was free so... I tried to get away with a MEGA-9 XT but it couldn't be adjusted so it wouldn't hit my 8 speed compact chainrings but still shift correctly. Moving soon to standard chainrings so maybe that will get rid of the occasional chainsuck and chains thrown onto the bottom bracket. 4 chilis because it works well, but not 5 because it doesn't work as well as my old '95 XTR group, which NEVER suffered from crainsuck or derailment. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
hank
a Cross-Country Rider
from pasadena
Date Reviewed: August 25, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
strength | | Weaknesses: |
not free | | Similar Products Used: |
xt lx stx | | Bike Setup: |
xtr on cannondale | | Bottom Line: | bike makers spec higher end rear derailleurs than front because the rear derailleur is more visible and glamorous (glamorous for a bike parts anyway ...). I would rather have an xtr front and xt rear derailleur than the other way around. the reason: the cheaper rear derailleurs i've owned never really misshifted, but the cheaper front derailleurs suck compared to the xtr. An xtr front derailleur slaps the chain down into a lower ring when you are grinding uphill (yeah, shift early, but sometimes this situation come up anyway) like Ike to Tina. The xtr derailleur pushes your chain very hard. This is not so with the less-than xtr front derailleurs that only suggest to the chain that it might want to down shift when it is convenient. My chain shifts on my schedule, not its own, even when it is wet, dry, gummed up or frozen.PLUS the cost difference between an xt and an xtr front derailleur is low compared to other parts. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dave
a Racer
from boulder, co
Date Reviewed: August 20, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
shifted great | | Weaknesses: |
reliability, broke | | Similar Products Used: |
campy, xcpro, xt, 95xtr, lots o others | | Bike Setup: |
steel hardtail, Man SXti | | Bottom Line: | The derailer, in good conditions, worked great. However, riding in winter, ice sludge would freeze the der and make it inoperable. 1st time this has ever happened to me with a frt der. Winter passed, frt der good again. whooaaa. There are 2 pins at the lower rear section of the cage that allow the mechanism to articulate. Watch those pins carefully. I had one pin remove itself from the der last weekend in a race. When that happened, and I shifted to the big ring, the der overshifted, I dropped my chain on the outside, and the outer der plate broke off. Snap! I called Shimano & they will warranty the der, but this wouldn't have happened with a regular design der. I'm going back to my '95 XTR - it's a good thing I had one around! Hey, no frt der is perfect, so I'd have given it a 4, but how often do you break one of these? I'll average out 2 chilis. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bikey Boy
a Cross-Country Rider
from Auckland
Date Reviewed: August 15, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
lots in OZ | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
light, it's XTR, easy set up | | Weaknesses: |
have to break the chain to fit it. | | Similar Products Used: |
1997 XT | | Bike Setup: |
Now all XTR drive train on 24lb Marin Quake 9.0 FRS with 1999 Plasma Gripshift shifters. | | Bottom Line: | I had used the OEM XT that was fitted and it seemed to work ok.I fitted the XTR the other day and discovered that front shifting is so much smoother and easier now. If you don't use one you will not know how much better it is compared to others. Well worth the money! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Finney
a Cross-Country Rider
from Lund, Sweden
Date Reviewed: July 30, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Light. Good up-shifts | | Weaknesses: |
Misses shifts down to smallest chainring. Sensitive for mud and stones | | Similar Products Used: |
Deore DX | | Bike Setup: |
Litespeed Unicoi. 9 cog XTR drivetrain. | | Bottom Line: | The only XTR component that has not impressed. This mech has often missed down shifts due to mud or small stones blocking one of its many linkages. It usually works well at the start of a ride, but on a wet track I tend to try and avoid the smaller chainring (often involuntarily). The difference between this review and the many happy users below could be the 9-speed system's fault.
The old DX had its own problems, but was still better. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Sparks, MD
Date Reviewed: July 15, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Bunker Hill | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Light
Smooth
Reliable
Status | | Weaknesses: |
None | | Similar Products Used: |
XT, LX, STX-RC | | Bike Setup: |
1997 Jamis Dakar | | Bottom Line: | Just look at the XTR. It is a piece of art. Even though this is one of my least used components, the XTR has always worked flawlessly. I love when something works so well that it is not noticed. With XTR rapid fire shifters, you don't have to touch it more than once to get a clean, positive shift. Go total XTR drivetrain and you can't go wrong. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fat Boy
a Cross-Country Rider
from Highland Lakes
Date Reviewed: June 28, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Shifts well | | Weaknesses: |
no better than XT | | Similar Products Used: |
LX | | Bike Setup: |
Caad3 w/ SX TI & XTR | | Bottom Line: | Can't complain about performance, it works fine but it is at least twice the price as XT and I haven't noticed a big gain in performance. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mr. K2
a Weekend Warrior
from CA
Date Reviewed: June 23, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
East Government | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
good shifting, light | | Weaknesses: |
not much better than lx, where did the pricetag come from? | | Similar Products Used: |
LX, XT | | Bike Setup: |
my bike | | Bottom Line: | It shifts more smoothly than any other der. I've tried, but certainly not worth 70 bucks. I would have stuck to my Lx if I had known. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross-Country Rider
from TRaverse City
Date Reviewed: March 31, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Vasa-North Country | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Flawless shifting | | Weaknesses: |
Little tricky to set up | | Similar Products Used: |
Older XTR Front derailuer | | Bike Setup: |
Klein Attitude, Judy Sl | | Bottom Line: | Far and away the best front derailuer on the market. Setup takes an extra minute because of the independent cage but it's worth it. Shifts flawlessly from dry to mud and crud. I've used a few different sets of rings and different chains, and no matter the setup this thing flat out rules. XT may be half the price, but spend the extra dough and get the XTR, mine is going on three years of awesome performance something you just cant put a price tag on. 5 big ass flammin peppers | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
squish
a Weekend Warrior
from redfield, sd
Date Reviewed: March 27, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
draper lake oklahoma | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
shifts flawlessly...once it's set up...very light...dependable...looks good...doesn't plug up in the mud...i love it | | Weaknesses: |
expensive...can be a bit picky to set up... | | Similar Products Used: |
lx...and xt...neither come even close | | Bike Setup: |
gary fisher big sur with full xtr drivetrain | | Bottom Line: | great procuct...light...durable...shifts flawlessly...i'm impressed by the full xtr line 4 chillis for the difficult set up | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Max from Berkeley High Racing Team
a cross-country rider
from Berkeley Ca, USA
Date Reviewed: March 7, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I would have check the racer, xc, dh and weekend warrior, but they wouldn't let me. Anyways, I went from LX, to XT, thinking there would be a difference. The only change was a few grams lost, no performance. Later my sponser said I should look at an XT and XTR, I did, and jesus, there is a huge difference. XTR uses pivots, springs and an actual moving cage, that lifts the chain up, and over, resulting in perfect shifting, even under heavy pedalling. A better upgrade the even a rear XTR, though those also work like dreams. Spend the extra cash, save weight, and never worry about shifting, XTR rules, oh and, BERKELEY HIGH RACING TEAM is the shit, and a shout out to my bike company, NORTHSIDE BIKES
5 flaming psychedelic chili peppers | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a cross-country rider
from Brookfield, WI
Date Reviewed: March 5, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Absolutely one of the best upgrades for the money. I have ridden with LX and XT before, if only I had known the performance of the XTR much earlier. I couldn't count the number of times I have looked down at the front chainrings making sure it shifted. It always has. The XTR operation is smooth, fast, and seamless. It's dual cages moves the chain quickly and without hesitation. It operates well under load. I am using XT chainrings and a IG-90 chain. It has remained bulletproof, needing no adjustment. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Juanita Fajita
a weekend warrior
from From in your Mom
Date Reviewed: February 23, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
These are great. They remind me of your mom last night. Now I am just writing to get 30 words so just go find yourself in the corner. 1 2 3 | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DanK
a
from monterey ca
Date Reviewed: February 21, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I have the topswing xtr and it works excellently! I used to have the older xtr version and this newer version works noticeably better. I got it for $47 and it's well worth it. In fact, I can't find one thing wrong with this simple yet effective derailleur. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jan Saver
a racer
from Belgium
Date Reviewed: February 20, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Somewhere last year I reported some negetive things about the xtr's ability to shift back to larger gears. It's all fixed now : it turned out the chain was a bit too short. Be sure to check this before you start blaming the derailleur or, worse, investing in expensie xtr shifters (as i did). Must add though that the whole set up is not yet satistfactory : shifting from 38 to 48 is still tricky and very delicate, but at leats I don't have to use the tip of my shoe anymore to assist it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chris
a cross-country rider
from
Date Reviewed: January 27, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
sorry the word I should have been using was swing not pull, for the type... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a cross-country rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: January 27, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I had this set up on XT cranks and it shifted better with that than it did XTR cranks I installed that it was desined for. I then took it off and put my XT back on which is a bottom swing not top swing like this and it shifts far superior. The spring tension noticed at the shifter is much lighter with the XT Bottom pull and its stationary plates. I think that is why it out performs its big brother. They came out with a new bottom pull model this year because of this it is the M953 I believe... Supergo has them but they list them as top pull on thier site... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy
a cross-country rider
from Johannesburg South Africa
Date Reviewed: January 17, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Like all XTR stuff, the XTR front mech is light, durable and expensive. Its main forte is that it will work with bigger ring combinations better than an XT or LX shifter. I (like many other XC racers) was very happy with my standard 22 - 32 - 42 compact drive rings for a good couple of seasons, but then realised I needed bigger rings for more speed. I upgraded to an XTR crank with 24-34-46 rings and thats where my LX front mech suffered. I bit the bullet, bought the XTR mech fitted it and forgot it. I've never since missed a shift, changed cables, or done anything else. For me, thats the definition of quality. Anyway 5 stars for functionality, durability and lightness. minus 1 star for cost. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Caleb Story
a racer
from NM
Date Reviewed: December 12, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
works good but is expensive and hard to put on ( you have to break the chain )
all in all its light and worth the money. you should buy it and put it on immediately. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben Romero
a racer
from USA
Date Reviewed: December 2, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Would a XTR derailleur work on my LX crank? I need to know because Im considering buying one and if it doesnt work im gonna stick with XT. Its been ok, but it kinda sucks. I race tons and want the best.-Ben | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
f. jordheim
a cross-country rider
from st. paul mn
Date Reviewed: December 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This is a fine product and works very well. However being a mechanic for many years i must tell those people who are considering using this front derailluer to keep it matched with xtr cranks and rings. it doesn't match up well with certain crank/ring combinations. You should know by now that shimano doesn't build stuff to work with anything but their own line of products. they didn't get to be the biggest by designing stuff around others products. I wish they would though. - 1 star for noncompatibility with non OE cranks and rings. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
IGGH
a cross-country rider
from Victoria CANADA
Date Reviewed: November 24, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have an E-type front derailleur and my bike came with the braze-on boss already installed. I have all XTR drive train components except for cranks, rings and BB. Because this is an XTR derailleur review I think it would be helpful to decribe my experieince as it points to an XTR limitation.I wanted RaceFace cranks and an XT BB as I am a heavier guy than most and it seemed like a good robust alternative to the XTR crank/BB system. This opened the door for ring options and I chose Real. (Yes, this is a derailleur review, really...)The crux of the problem arose when I tried to use REAL compact 22-32-42 rings with my XTR E-type front derailleur. According to Shimano, the XTR front derailleurs can only be used with standard rings. XT and lesser can be used with compact. Strange but true. There is no compact-compatible XTR front derailleur. Having said that, the compact rings did shift with the XTR derailleur albeit poorly and with a lot of free-spinning. Ouch.Shimano says XTR front derailleurs can manage a minimum of 24 teeth and a maximum of 48 teeth. For smaller (compact) grannies (18, 20, 22) you must use XT or below.So I changed my rings to be 24-34-42 and increased the ring spacing a bit as a separate solution. Now the rings shift like butter using the XTR rapid-fire pod. Unfortunately, my LBS was not able to obtain a REAL 24 tooth granny immediately so I'm using a Black Spire in that position with REAL 34 and 42 tooth rings. Its a fine ring too. Oh well.... I can only assume that a REAL 24-tooth granny would work as well (and would have been my preference - only from a cosmetic prespective.In summary, ring spacing and tooth-count are both critical factors in successful shifting with the XTR front derailleur. Don't assume that all derailleurs will work with all ring sizes. I am able to continue using my IG-90 chain as the ring-spacing modification added to the solution.Thanks again to Physical Culture for excellent service and a willingness to solve problems. As for Real, they did answer my email although they did not specifically solve the problem. It seems that the XTR/compact incompatibility issue is not well known. Shimano technical support was extremely helpful and they didn't really try to presure me into buying Shimano rings and cranks although they did, quite rightly, point out that compatibility would be assured with full-on Shimano.In summary, with proper ring tooth selection and chain-line set-up, this derailleur does what it should - quickly, smoothly, and with a minimum of effort.Five flaming triple-coilers with a DQ twist. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ian
a downhiller
from Philadelphia, PA
Date Reviewed: November 22, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I decided to write a review for this part after installing the second one I've purchased on a bike. I recently (last night) built up a Yeti Lawill DH6 for trail riding. One of the main selling points of this bike for me was the ability to mount a front derailleur. So this morning I took the bike out for it's maiden ride and the front shifting was incredible - even better than my I.F. which has the same drivetrain. To me, the best feature of the XTR top swing der. is how the cage moves in an upside down j pattern, lifting the chain on to the big ring and surrounding it there. I bombed down stuff that would have thrown the chain on my old Foes (with an old style XTR derailleur). Whenever I asked it to shift, it was there.I have found this derailleur to be very easy to install. The cage can be set extremely tight to the big ring and I have never had a problem with cable runs. I would recommend using a flat head screwdriver to set the limit screws.Also, to JWallace of State College Pa; I don't know if your derailleur came in the box, but mine has clearly printed on it, A special boss must be brazed on the seat tube to mount this deraileur. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John D
a racer
from Columbia, Maryland
Date Reviewed: November 21, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I replaced an XT with an XTR about 3 months ago and had the exact same experience as Dave (see below). When I adjusted the min and max screws for the first time, they stripped. Inexcusable for a product this expensive. I replaced the cheesy aluminum screws with the steel ones off of my old XT (the cheesy clip that holds the pivots together on the old XT snapped, but that's another story) and it has worked flawlessly ever since. The rest of the derailleur appears to be built extremely well and seems ridiculous that Shimano would sacrifice reliability for a few grams. My only other gripe, and it is minor one, is that the XTR derailleur cage cannot be unbolted open like the XT can. 1 chili for the reliability of the screws and 5 chilis for performance. 3 chilis overall. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a cross-country rider
from Redmond, WA
Date Reviewed: November 16, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
OK, an update on my previous post where I described how the min/max screws melted down on my 98 XTR front. The mechanic at the bike shop explained (and I'm taking his word for it) that the 98 front XTR (at least the one on my bike) had aluminum screws to save weight. I told him I didn't need to save the weight of two screws and so he replaced them with stainless steel ones. He also explained that the 98 XTR has a lighter spring than the 97 and 99 and that this was due to complaints about the amount of effort it took at the shifter. That said, he demonstrated that the less load is on the chain, the better the front shifts. He said that it may be a little more quirky compared to the other year models as a result. Regardless, my experience after he worked on it has been superb. I haven't had to adjust it at all and the shifting performance both up and down has been flawless. So with the screw upgrade, 5 flames. Oh yeah, any mechanical engineers or metallurgists want to comment on the use of aluminum screws? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dave collins
a cross-country rider
from Orillia ont
Date Reviewed: October 30, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
To Dave, I put on the front XTR derailleur and followed the directions on the sheets in the box. It worked perfectly and the shifts have been smooth as puppy poop in tall grass. I suggest you take it back to the dealer and get him to replace it and you put it on yourself. It's not hard. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a cross-country rider
from Redmond, WA
Date Reviewed: October 29, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have the 98 XTR front. When it's setup correctly, it shifts very cleanly. However, 2 days out of the shop and I couldn't get into the granny gear at all. It was very smooth for 2 days over a 50/50 mix of road riding and smooth single track. I brought it back to the house and tried to adjust it using the min/max adjuster screws. After some effort turning the screws, the shifting didn't improve at all. Finally, I removed the screws completely and lo and behold, the one that controls the stop on the granny gear was ground to bits. It goes halfway down through the plastic part and then all of a sudden the diameter of the screw is half what it was. It seemed stripped but this is ridiculous. I couldn't believe that Shimano's top mountain bike front derailleur uses screws that are made of balsa wood. How about titanium or something? So back to the shop with it. If you're considering an upgrade, I'd look at the options and cost closely before you dive into XTR. We'll see if it improves after the screws have been fixed. 5 for the performance when it's right, 1 for the durability, average 3. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
celly
a cross-country rider
from Calgary, AB, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 19, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I heard over and over so many times on this site that there is no need for XTR. XT is fine. I ran an XT for over a year on the front and was never truly satisfied with my shifting on the rings...especially when it's muddy. Now I never have that problem with XTR up front. Shifting is smooth and precise as advertised. I even find myself switching into and out of the rings in situations I didn't want to before with XT because it took too long before. The XT had also developed a lot of slop, but XTR seems to be working as well as it did when I bought it six months ago.I'm satisfied | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
vince
a cross-country rider
from Goleta, CA
Date Reviewed: October 12, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had my '94 XTR front derailleur for about 4 years and it still shifts ok, despite being tweeaked all to hell a few times. I just bent it back 'cuz I'm a cheap bastard and I didn't want to buy a new one. Anyhow - it works but never was spectacular. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
eboos
a racer
from Santiago, Chile
Date Reviewed: October 7, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I can't beleave that this has a 4.41 avarage rating. This is the shortest lived product that I have ever owned. One months worth of use, and it has a large crack in the inner plate. What a piece of crap. It shifted ok, but that doesn't make up for the lack of duribility. I wish that the XT front derailleur fit my chainring setup. I never had a problem with the XT. $55.00 for a one month, disposible front derailleur gets one fat flaming turd. Hopefully, the 99s are a hell of a lot better. By the way, the rest of the Shimano components I have ever used, with the exception of the chains, were outstanding. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Crazy
a cross-country rider
from USA
Date Reviewed: September 21, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This thing is great, don't see how they
can be beat, I have had bikes with less,
and these are the best. 5 chile's.
Very nice. MTBR outta give us less than
50 words because there is enuf said. Also,
I based my purchase decision on other
writer' comments. They were all right.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Go
a cross-country rider
from San Diego CA
Date Reviewed: August 24, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
It is a nice unit once you get it set up. I was a little concerned because I had micro drive 20-32-42 XT cranks, but if you follow the guide to a tee (the sticker that they put on the outside of the gate) and then set the minimum and maximum through settings it shifts great in both directions... I was bummed out at first because the inner gate was hitting the 2nd chanring once it ingaged to the outer ring but and that through all of the addustments off cause it did not use the sticker guide and it shifted like crap worse than my XT that I was replacing... but like I said once changing it so the rings mach up with the guid everything shifts great... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
HO HO
a cross-country rider
from Denver CO
Date Reviewed: August 7, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Where does Shitmano get their engineers from? Local Tech schools. The new 98 XTR has some of the worst design i have ever seen. Who put that little cable guide on their bottom pull. It is not compatable with most bikes without manipulating the bb cable guide. It shifts no better than an old design xtr. And by the way Shitmano is redesigning the front XTR for 99.Cant wait for Sram to get their front out in the next year!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Skitch Mobley
a cross-country rider
from Pittsburgh
Date Reviewed: July 31, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I don't know how anyone can say the new XTR front deraillure doesn't shift well. They probably don't have it set up right or their chainline is goofed up. It's a sensitive adjustment, but once it's there, it's there. The difference between XT and XTR is night and day. My XTR works so well, I find myself looking down at it in disbelief because it makes shifts so effortlessly. It shifts in the mud and it shifts under load. It'beautiful. It almost brings tears to my eyes. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jspirtle
a
from cross-country rider
Date Reviewed: July 3, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
OK-so it's XTR-so what? It shifts ok, but the moving cage plates actually create a lot more flex than shifting help. I can only guess that all the people who are raving about this silly thing either get it free or are moving up from pre-1988 Suntour components. Save your money for xt or buy a traditional XTR (yes, despite what your shop may tell you, they ARE still available). Fewer moving parts is always a good thing, and lighter as well! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J Wallace
a cross-country rider
from State College PA
Date Reviewed: June 29, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought this on sale in April to upgrade my not very trick '92 XT front. I got the version with the carbon fiber mount. What Shimano forgot to mention was the fact that this version, besides requiring a BB-cup with a right-side flange, also needs to be bolted to the frame. They include a second bolt, which looks just like the one used to secure the body to the mount plate, but mention nothing in the instructions. So, I'd try to shift and just twist the mount plate around. I went to Shimano's web site, found nothing. Finally, I went to my local LBS, and saw one of the new TREK carbon frames, and notoced a braze-on type hole right above the BB shell. I asked what it was for, and was told that since the frame was oversized/non-round, it needed the plate mount derailleur, which had to bolt on at that point. I had to buy a special clamp for $23.00 to do the same thing. Of course, it shifts so smoothly now I don't know it's there, and it never rubs the rings, so I guess it was worth it. I recently went back to Shimano's site, and noticed they'd updated everything, and that the newer groups also have plate mount FD's, and they finally mention the braze-on needed. So, great front der, but minus one flaming thing for bad instructions. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jan Saver
a
from racer
Date Reviewed: June 13, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have a combination of XTR-front der, XTR-chainring (28-38-48 5spoke) and STX-rc shifters, and this isn't any good. Wjen i get to the middle front gear, it's impossible to get back to the 48, and it occasionally slips. I even sprained my ankle because of the damn setup. The 5spoke is an old one and was forced on me (for $500 -rip off or what ?) by a local bike shop. Now I switched shops and am having XTR shifters installed instead of the crappy stx-rc's. Hope it helps - I'll report as soon as I've done some miles with em. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bud
a cross-country rider
from SF Bay Area, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 6, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I'm not convinced the '98 XTR front derailleur is an improvement over the '95 version. Mine (a top pull) doesn't seem to have the same muscle for downshifting from mid to granny ring. Any pedal pressure at all locks the chain on the middle ring, even though I'm using a Shimano XTR 36T chainring with shift gates. I'd give it 4 chillies for fit and finish, 2 for performance. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Zolotusky
a cross-country rider
from Acton, MA
Date Reviewed: May 16, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I just got this derailleur and I think it is great. I can shift much easier with this derailleur than with my old STX and a friend of mines LX. It is worth every cent I paid for it. I would recommend it to anyone who asked me. It is a great step up from my old derailleur | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stick
a cross-country rider
from So. City, CA
Date Reviewed: April 26, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
All I can say it does shift much better than XT. When downshifting, especially on an uphill, it just clicks right on. On my XT, it would have a hard time shifting. Also, there is no rubbing sound when in gear. I would definitely recommend an all XTR drivetrain to anyone. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kris
a cross-country rider
from Houghton, MI
Date Reviewed: April 5, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I just did a big upgrade and choose the XTR derailers front and back. Until I tried the front derailer and listen to friends talk about it I was convinced there couldn't be anything that great about a front derailer to make it cost that much. Now I won't ever be able to go back. The shifting is so smooth that when I first put it on and tried it I had to look down to make sure it shifted because I didn't hear anything. I can't imagine anything better than this and will recommend it to everyone. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dave
a racer
from mi
Date Reviewed: March 18, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The XTR shifts fine but, it doesn't shift any better than the XT. It certainly isn't worth the extra cash. The dual actuating plates hasn't done a thing for me. I haven't had a problem adjusting the thing with a compact drive either. Stick with XT. This is one thing on my over-customized bike that certainly wasn't needed. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a weekend warrior
from Newton
Date Reviewed: March 15, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Another excellent derailleur by Shimano. It solved a lot of shifting problems I had before with my old LX. It works great with SRAM 9.0 shifter. I have not experienced any problems in muddy condition but smooth shifting everytime. I would strongly recommend this derailleur to anyone who is in the market for a replacement or an upgrade. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clayton
a weekend warrior
from Slave Lake, AB, Canada
Date Reviewed: February 13, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The XTR front derailleur shifting is as smooth as butter, but has problems in the mud. The derailleur clogs up to quickly do to its possition on the bike frame thus stops sifting. In dry conditions this is ideal derailleur. The light weight is an added bonus. I would still reconmend this derailleur. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CrashTest
a weekend warrior
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: November 25, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This thing works fast and reliably every time, and it's so smooth I can't believe it's not butter! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Curt
a cross-country rider
from Crested Butte, Co
Date Reviewed: November 22, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have a full XTR drivetrain, and so far this derailleur has had close to flawless performance. It works beautifully with the XTR cranks and Gripshift 800's. No complaints | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Torpedo
a cross-country rider
from
Date Reviewed: November 9, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have owned two of these puppies now on two different bikes. Shifts way better than the XT and older style XTR.. Works well in the mud/snow. Even works on micro/hyper drive cranks.. The price has come down alot since it was first released.. Best investment you can make.. It shifts so good, you have to look to see if it shifted. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim G
a downhiller
from Mammoth Lakes,CA
Date Reviewed: October 11, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
For performance, the transitions are smooth as butter as XTR usually is. Not as much of a change from XT as I hoped. As for the chain being lifted onto a higher ring claim, the differential plates did little of that but they do create a smoother and quicker transfer. The theory is interesting and I would love to see a front d with more of the vertical movement integrated. WARNING: noone in these reviews must have an ovalized or tapered bottom end to their seat tube because the lower mount position created a nightmare of customization that had to be done to the clamp. Older Zaskars as well as many older and current frames won't allow the newer clamp configurations on some of the new front derailleurs to mount up. Performance=5 Installation=1 Avg=3 chilis | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Bays
a weekend warrior
from Charleston, SC
Date Reviewed: August 20, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I put this baby on, then the LBS said they had LX crankset in. Got it put on and the derailleur only shifted pretty good. Then notice the gap between derailleur and chainrings...closed this gap and now it rocks. Never misses a shift, even under power. And don't worry 'bout mudd, this baby loves it. So get a loan and get one!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
M.R.
a cross-country rider
from Portland, Oregon USA
Date Reviewed: August 3, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I Have Both The 97' XTR Front\Rear Derailleurs.....No Problems Whatsoever.
Just Constantly Smooth\Efficent Shifting, Every Time.....5 Stars. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
PMC
a weekend warrior
from Billings, MT
Date Reviewed: July 28, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought the new '97 top-pull XTR derailleur w/the carbon fiber plate mount. This thing looked awesome and performs just as well. But if you're upgrading, watch out before you buy. You'll have a really hard time adjusting this bad boy if you have a compact drivetrain like my Sugino Impel/XT crankset (22,32,42 in front). No matter how much adjusting you do, the chain will always rub on the bottom & outside of the front derailleur gate in the higher gears on the small chainring. I think that now I'll eventually have to convert my entire drivetrain if I ever want to use those gears, but oh well, for now, I can just ride in the middle ring most of the time. Other than this compatibility problem, the thing works great. Lightning quick shifts and the carbon fiber plate make it functional and trick looking (especially on composite bikes like my '96 DBR WCF 6.0). You should be able to pick up the plate-mount model for around $70. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Carbone
a weekend warrior
from Mountain View, California
Date Reviewed: July 22, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
It doesn't get any better than this. Flawless performance. One note: there are two mounting styles available. The newer of the two attaches much lower on the seat tube and does not fit many non-traditionall frames. I use the old style mount on my Cannondale. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fly10243
a cross-country rider
from NY
Date Reviewed: May 2, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Got it two weeks ago. Put it through hell since then. It rocks! Once properly adjusted, shifts every time. Keeps your chain where it should be. Looks killer too, very impressive. Couldn't do any better in front shifting than XTR. | | Overall Rating: |
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