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Shimano
XTR Rapid Rise Rear Derailleur
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Submitted by
Bill
a Cross Country Rider
from Concord,NC USA
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Shermans Branch | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Strengths: | Easy to set up. Seems like it will last forever. | | Weaknesses: | Can be pricey. | | Similar Products Used: | LX,XT and other lower grade Shimano | | Bike Setup: | 2004 Superlight,Marzocchi MX Comp fork, mechanical Avid disc,various wheel and tire combinations | | Bottom Line: | I bought this XTR rapid rise used for about $40. I coupled it with some old Scram grip shifters. It stays in adjustment and has never ghost shifted on me. I do my own work.With it I'm confident to stand on the pedals and down shift as needed. As with any nine speed the adjustments to keep it in tune are small. You have to be adaptable to shifting backward.I think XTR is overrated and too expensive. When I replace this unit it will be XT or another used XTR. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brett Fisher
a Cross Country Rider
from Asheville, NC
Date Reviewed: February 10, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Bent Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | came with bike pkg | | Strengths: | Light. | | Weaknesses: | Using with rapid fire finger shifter sucked being backwards. Did not want to get the 32t gear. Slow shifting to larger tooth cogs. Felt like I could never get enough tension in it. | | Similar Products Used: | XTR XT | | Bike Setup: | DEAN Colonel X-light XTR M-960 | | Bottom Line: | Never liked it and at the time I got the bike there were no XTR 'normal' spring type derailleurs. Maybe it worked better with their brake/shifter combo. I just changed to a new normal XTR shadow and it rocks! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Oscar Katz
a Racer
from Surrey, UK
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Strengths: | Rapid rise, solid, smooth | | Weaknesses: | None after the first 2 rides. Once you've got used to rapid rise, you're hooked | | Similar Products Used: | Other Shimano | | Bike Setup: | Scale, XTR | | Bottom Line: | Rapid rise is the way forward if you _ever_ hit an unexpected uphill. That must be anyone who's not doing 100% DH. Try it and you'll be converted. (I've given it 4 Chilis for value because now you can get rapid rise in XT). Apart from that, it's as precise and smooth as you'd expect from XTR. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim Avery
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Bicycles Etc | | Strengths: | Few | | Weaknesses: | Very hard to keep adjusted | | Similar Products Used: | XT | | Bike Setup: | Klein Palomino | | Bottom Line: | Probably works good on gravel paths and sidewalks
The Rapid Rise derailleur is way too hard to keep in tune and out on the trail the last thing you want is 10 miles in to have your chain bouncing up and down the cluster. End game: don't buy this derailleur. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob
a Cross Country Rider
from Wiblraham
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | The Notch | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | Ski-In | | Strengths: | Great looks, strong design. Makes my Cannodale Scapel run like it should......... | | Weaknesses: | None as of yet | | Similar Products Used: | Older XTR model | | Bike Setup: | XTR rapid rise rear, XT front. | | Bottom Line: | Well what can I say. After destroying 2 XTR older models on the trails I was lucky enough to get the new 2007 XTR rapid rise. I'll tell you what, the bike has never been dialed in this good in a long time. Just hope this continues..... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
hcampian
a Cross Country Rider
from Romania
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | BikeSport | | Strengths: | impressive shifting, gorgeous looks | | Weaknesses: | too beautiful to pack it with mud | | Similar Products Used: | SRAM X9, SX5, Shimano Alivio, XT | | Bike Setup: | B1 Rockbumble | | Bottom Line: | this review is for the 2007 model. It's so beautiful and it shifts like nothing I've tried before. It shifts perfectly even when running 20mph over rock garden. The SGS (rapid rise feature) is very usefull if you are serious about climbing. Much better then the SRAMs, possibilly because of the rapid rise. I've tried X0 and, even if it's a gorgeous derailleur, I prefer the XTR, it seems smoother.
I use the XTR with SRAM Attack triggers (best ever shifter system). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Orange, Ct
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | West Rock Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | local shop | | Strengths: | very light, clean shifting, easy to set up, shifts under a lot of power, looks cool | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | shimano acera, deore, LX | | Bike Setup: | 2007 Specialized Epic, Rock Shox Reba team, LX dual control levers with hydro discs, '07 LX cranks, race face diablous BB cups, XTR rear mech, easton monkeylite carbon riser, mavic x223 wheelset w/ IRC mibro treads | | Bottom Line: | i was a bit hesitant getting the rapid rise at first, but im glad i did. this baby shifts very smoothly, even under load. i like the glossy pewter color too. sealed bearings in the pulleys make me feel better also. set up is quite easy and there is no barrel adjuster to worry about. i just hooked mine up, did the basic gear adjustments, and rode away. its seems to compensate automatically for cable stretch b/c i have not had to adjust it since i bought it [about 2 1/2 months ago] and i ride frequently.
4 chilis for value b/c i think even for the great performance, its a bit pricey
5 chilis overall b/c it is THE BEST derailleur ever | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Orange, Ct
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | West Rock Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | local shop | | Strengths: | very light, clean shifting, easy to set up, shifts under a lot of power, looks cool | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | shimano acera, deore, LX | | Bike Setup: | 2007 Specialized Epic, Rock Shox Reba team, LX dual control levers with hydro discs, '07 LX cranks, race face diablous BB cups, XTR rear mech, easton monkeylite carbon riser, mavic x223 wheelset w/ IRC mibro treads | | Bottom Line: | i was a bit hesitant getting the rapid rise at first, but im glad i did. this baby shifts very smoothly, even under load. i like the glossy pewter color too. sealed bearings in the pulleys make me feel better also. set up is quite easy and there is no barrel adjuster to worry about. i just hooked mine up, did the basic gear adjustments, and rode away. its seems to compensate automatically for cable stretch b/c i have not had to adjust it since i bought it [about 2 1/2 months ago] and i ride frequently.
4 chilis for value b/c i think even for the great performance, its a bit pricey
5 chilis overall b/c it is THE BEST derailleur ever | | 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: | 5yrs of use (daily), many 1000's of miles on it, still works like new. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | campy record and super record (campy record, 1978 died in
1996) (campy super record, 1987 to present, still going strong, but getting a little slopy. | | Bike Setup: | doesn't matter | | Bottom Line: | xtr rear is the best performing I have ever used.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kevin
a Racer
from Tyler, Tx
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Tyler State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Great efficiency, low weight, very tuneable, i love rapid rise. | | Weaknesses: | other non rapid rise people cant use it. | | Similar Products Used: | shimano XT | | Bottom Line: | This thing rocks, once i got it adjusted properly and the stops set correctly it was no problem. i love this thing, being able to bear loads and ad loads while going uphill.
buy this thing if you count grams, dont if you dont have enough money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kevin
a Racer
from Tyler, Tx
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Tyler State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Great efficiency, low weight, very tuneable, i love rapid rise. | | Weaknesses: | other non rapid rise people cant use it. | | Similar Products Used: | shimano XT | | Bottom Line: | This thing rocks, once i got it adjusted properly and the stops set correctly it was no problem. i love this thing, being able to bear loads and ad loads while going uphill.
buy this thing if you count grams, dont if you dont have enough money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kevin
a Racer
from Tyler, Tx
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Tyler State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Great efficiency, low weight, very tuneable, i love rapid rise. | | Weaknesses: | other non rapid rise people cant use it. | | Similar Products Used: | shimano XT | | Bottom Line: | This thing rocks, once i got it adjusted properly and the stops set correctly it was no problem. i love this thing, being able to bear loads and ad loads while going uphill.
buy this thing if you count grams, dont if you dont have enough money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kevin
a Racer
from Tyler, Tx
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Tyler State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Great efficiency, low weight, very tuneable, i love rapid rise. | | Weaknesses: | other non rapid rise people cant use it. | | Similar Products Used: | shimano XT | | Bottom Line: | This thing rocks, once i got it adjusted properly and the stops set correctly it was no problem. i love this thing, being able to bear loads and ad loads while going uphill.
buy this thing if you count grams, dont if you dont have enough money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Racer
from South Yorkshire. United Kingdom
Date Reviewed: November 25, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Bottom Line: | Looking for some help / advice.
I have a brand new B1 Team XC Pro fitted with XTR rear mech, Dura Ace ( 9spd. )chain, SRAM 9 speed ( 11-34t ) cassette. This works perfectly on the bike stand - shifts like a dream.
Out on the trail it will not go uphill at all - any slight load on the pedals causes the chain to jump the cassette sprockets as though it is a brand new chain on an old cassette. This has been set up by a bike mechanic and I have also spent more than 12 hours trying to sort this thing. Please help. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Weekend Warrior
from Sandwich
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything that goes downhill | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$140.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Zone | | Strengths: | Light. Great shifting. Easy to adjust. Rapid rise is the only way to shift! Quick shifts. Always shift in bad condition and during excessive bumping and chattering on descents. Shifts on the climbs even when cranking on the pedals. | | Weaknesses: | Finish scratches easliy. Not sure if it could take a huge direct hit because of "lightweight construction", although I'm not sure of what would. A little expensive. | | Similar Products Used: | Sram X.7/X.8 Shimano Deore/Lx/XT/Acera/Alivio | | Bike Setup: | 2005 Kona Coiler | | Bottom Line: | This derailleur is the best! Buy one and you won't be sorry. I don't know what these other people are talking about it breaking easily and it not being reliable. Mine has worked fine for over 2 years, and I downhill, dirt jump, freeride, and trailride with it! This derailleur will always put you in thr right gear no matter what the conditions are. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Perry
a Weekend Warrior
from Huntsville, AL
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Mountain Mist | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Madison Cycles | | Strengths: | Shifts well when properly setup | | Weaknesses: | Very sensitive to cable friction when shifting to high gears. | | Similar Products Used: | Various | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Fuji Adventure SL | | Bottom Line: | Had problems with cable friction. Would not shift into higher gears but would always shift to lower gears no problem. Turned out the problem was too much cable friction. I put on a rollamajig and that fixed it. It still is a little slow to shift to higher gears but at least it shifts. I think it needs a stronger return spring to pull all the slack out of the cable. There is not much room for error with a 9 speed system so cable friction has to be small for it to work. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Parker
a Downhiller
from Salt Lake, Utah
Date Reviewed: June 7, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | John's Trail (Park City) | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$99.00 | | Purchased At: | Onlile | | Strengths: | Works well at first. | | Weaknesses: | After about a month, I couldn't keep the thing adjusted right. Niether could my shop. It's downhill from the day you get it. | | Similar Products Used: | XT, Sram XO | | Bike Setup: | Foes Fly, 888, Deemax, Hope M4 203mm, RaceFace, Sram XO, not XTR. | | Bottom Line: | Don't waste your money on something that won't last long. Look for something else in price range or step up to a higher level of performance. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Miller
a
from Fullerton CA
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Fullerton Loop | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | local bike shop | | Weaknesses: | Two significant weaknesses... the product itself and Customer Service at Shimano. After running this product for less than three months I bunny hopped a curb on the Fullerton Loop at the first Euclid Crossing. No big deal... no hitting the derailer on anything...nevertheless, upon landing the bunnyhop, my derailer sucks into my spokes and nearly jacks me off the bike. There were two witnesses who observed what happened, and If I thought Shimano was going to play the “rider error” card, I would have got their names. Anyway, I take the product back to the local bike shop and the Shimano representative doesn't even request the product for review, and plays the rider error card.
My personal opinion, if I am going to pay over 100.00 on a product, I expect it to last longer than three months. And if you going to call bunny hopping a curb, rider error... you should at least look at the product to evidence if this is indeed the case. | | Similar Products Used: | SRAM XO | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Jekyl with XT XTR drive train components. | | Bottom Line: | DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT! This is my first attempt, and likely only, attempt to contact Shimano concerning their products. In my opinion, this is a poor product. Beyond this, this service policy is even worse! If this is how Shimano does customer service... I am done with their product in part and in whole. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Humpje
a Racer
from Holland
Date Reviewed: February 4, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | hard road&deep mud | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Strengths: | Smooth, fast, reliable. Looks great. | | Weaknesses: | Price. Difficult to clean. | | Similar Products Used: | Deore. | | Bike Setup: | XT,XTR Giant Terrago | | Bottom Line: | This thing rocks! Compared to, say, Deore there is a minimal difference in shifting. If they're clean and new. However, when the crap starts to fly you'll see where your extra (a lot of extra) money went. In the dirt i had constant problems with Deore, often the thing simply refused to shift when coverd with mud or sand. When i cleaned it again, the problems were over. Not so with the XTR (RD-M960). When covered in mud mixed with pine needles (very nasty stuff) the thing didn't fail once. Ofcourse 'clean' mud and sand are even less of a problem. I use it with an XT cassette and at the time had a KMC chain (which is a disaster on XT chainrings with the mud/pineneedle combo). Now i use an XT chain which is better. Only thing i can whine about is the price (but you get what you pay for) and the fact it took me more than a week to get all the pine needles out (like i said:nasty stuff). It would have been easier if it was skeletonized, like SRAM XO. So that's the only downside i found so far, which is nothing since it doesn't affect the action. I think the main difference, compared to XT/LX/Deore, is durability, quality materials and manufacturing tolerances. If you're not a fanatic when it comes to riding, you're better off with the cheaper brothers. But if you are, and want top notch toys, XTR is the choice for you! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pinstripes and Pedals
a Cross Country Rider
from Melbourne, Australia
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$225.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Light and sexy.
Ultra smooth and fast when dialed in.
Shifts better (and much better under load) than forward-action/high normal derailleurs. | | Weaknesses: | Very fussy about cable tension and contamination.
Hard to keep dialed with regurlar cables under regular (ie dirty) conditions. | | Similar Products Used: | '01 XTR rapid rise 8-speed rear derailleur
'01 XTR high normal (regular) 8-speed rear derailleur | | Bike Setup: | Baum Ristretto (custom steel hardtail), XT/XTR etc | | Bottom Line: | A lot of people have been blaming poor shifting and a general unwillingness to stay in adjustment on the low-normal (or Rapid Rise) system. However, it's not Rapid Rise that's the problem, it's the Shimano 9-speed system. More gears in the same space = less room for error = more easily contaminated and damaged = poorer shifting on mountain bikes. My old 8-speed XTR rapid rise was the best derailleur I've ever owned.
I've been struggling with on again / off again shifting from my XTR short cage for two years. It's silky smooth, quiet and fast when everything's dialed at least half the time that's not the case.
The cheapest solution is to run a Teflon-coated or preferably fully-sealed, compression-resistant cable system like Avid's FlackJackets, and make sure your cable routing is nothing short of perfect. If you have down tube routing (hell, even if you don't), ditch the last loop of housing for a rollermajig or similar.
With those three factors (careful routing, sealed cable system and rollermajig) taken care the derailleur has been a joy, and so far has held up in muddy conditions.
Who should buy this?
Anyone who loves Shimano's light, smooth action and is prepared to jump through a few hoops to get it dialed. For people with full suspension bikes or other rigs with funny cable routing it might not be worth the hassle, go straight to SRAM. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rene Hoepelman
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Beach
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | dirt | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | Like New Ebay | | Strengths: | Looks great. Rapid Rise. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | xt / xtr standard rise | | Bike Setup: | mountain bike | | Bottom Line: | Rapid rise is the way MTB Derailleurs should have made from the very beginning. Being able to downshift on a climb without to much worry of breaking things under load only makes perfect sense. Your front Derailleur (left hand shifting) works like rapid rise why not the rear (right side as well).
Took me one or two rides to become adjusted to shifting (backwards) I hate to call it backwards but I will to make a point. I will never switch back to standard rise.
As far as shifting in general. Ive not had any problems with shifting performance. I always keep my bike tuned and cleaned ready to race. If your having shifting problems its not the Derailleur. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin Sharick
a Cross Country Rider
from Latrobe, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Local Trails | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$98.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Rapid Rise, smooth shifting, looks, weight. | | Weaknesses: | None so far... the cable end fell off on todays ride and now my cable is frayed, but thats not the derailleurs fault... | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano XT rear derailleur, Shimano LX Rear Derailleur | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Specialized Enduro
XT Front Derailleur
XTR Rapid Rise Rear Derailleur
XT Chain and Cassette
Race Face Next Carbon Fiber Riser bar
ODI Rogue Lock On Grips
-Everything else stock
| | Bottom Line: | This derailleur has outperformed my expectations. I've only had it for a week or two now but it shifts accurately and quietly and the rapid rise is the way to go. Took me one ride around the parking lot to get used to it; on the trail today it was already second nature. Easy to work on the upshifts and downshifts alike.
When the only notification of your shift is more or less resistance in the pedal, you know you have a good product :)
Good job Shimano!
5 Flamin Chilis all around! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from Incline Village, NV
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | White's Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | CYcle Paths | | Strengths: | Upshifs are fast | | Weaknesses: | Downshifting is a nightmare, constant constant constant maintenance. Keyword:CONSTANT! | | Similar Products Used: | old XTR 8 speed-no problemo ever | | Bike Setup: | Rocky M. ETS X50 frame, XT/XTR STI crap, Monkey liteXC, CRossmax SL with STan's, Race FAce Atlas | | Bottom Line: | I can live with Dual control, in fact I like it....BUT I cannot get it to shift smoothly into a harder gear, my shop can't get it to shift right. Not sure what to do..I would be sooo happy with pods and a standard derail. SRAM here we come!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joel
a Weekend Warrior
from DFW, Texas
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Strengths: | Concept | | Weaknesses: | Execution | | Similar Products Used: | Standard XTR derailleur, SRAM X.0 | | Bike Setup: | Yeti 575 minus the XTR RR Derailleur | | Bottom Line: | This thing killed me. When it was tuned it was great, but it didn't stay tuned on my bike for very long at a time. Maybe if you are 5'5" and 130lbs and only doing single track stuff, but at 6'8" and 230lbs that whole physics thing just seemed to knock this thing out of alignment way to easily. There don't seem to be many 'average' reviews. On the love it or leave it scale, I have left it.
Did I mention I have an XTR rapid rise derailleur for sale, cheap? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean
a Cross Country Rider
from Woodacre, Ca
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | I'll never tell | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Reeel puurty, quick shifts, Sets and tunes in no time (after I figured it was sprung backwards!!) light waight, Buttery smoooove. | | Weaknesses: | Instructions said nothing about the fact that the set up is oppisite of everyother deraillier that i've set up!!!(took me 30 mins to figure it out), Very soft high low adjusters...one slip of the screw driver and your stripped. Weak instructions!!! | | Similar Products Used: | standard xtr, xtr,lx,dx,shram xo, deore,eagle exage, | | Bike Setup: | Ventana el fuego...All souped up!!! | | Bottom Line: | Ok, I wrench on my own rigs, and try to keep up with the latest gear but some how the rapid rise thing slipped by me. I cought a link in my old xtr and taco'ed it. So I went down to the local shop and asked for a new one. I got the box open and saw it was a bit differnt that my old one in color and no barrel adjuster or dust gromin. It usually takes me 15 mins to hang a derailler and this one just wouldnt work!!! I kept reading the instructions and they just did'nt make sense??? Finally I ran the chain on, disconected the cable and cranked....Wierd... the thing ran all the way up to the big ring(opposite of normal)???? After that I had it hung and adjusted in 8 mins....piece of cake! triggering takes a ride or two to get used to the reverse opperation. Shifts great!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kerry brown
a Weekend Warrior
from manchester, MO
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | berryman | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | When new, shifts great to lower gear, even under load. | | Weaknesses: | Because of the reverse spring system, it becomes harder and harder to shift to lower gears efficiently. After 6 months, I must have adjusted the thing 20 times, and then the LBS tried to adjust it. We both found that only after 6 months of just weekend use, the derailler no longer shifted to the lowest gear. What a waste of money. Don't buy the hype, Rapid Rise is not efficient at all. | | Similar Products Used: | Deore, now XT. | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Jekyll 600. XT components, rino lite rims, rock shox psylo front fork | | Bottom Line: | Avoid this derailler at all costs. It only works well for a few months, then needs constant attention. Even my LBS is steering riders away from this derailer and no longer even sells them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam Bradley
a
from Westboro, Ma, USA
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Rayburn | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Alley | | Strengths: | smooth crisp shifting | | Weaknesses: | smooth, crisp shifting WHEN it works | | Similar Products Used: | XT, LX, XTR | | Bike Setup: | 04 Epic with XT package, crossmax enduro wheels, thompson seatpost and stem, easton handle bar | | Bottom Line: | This system works great with the dual control shifters, but it (as so many others have said) always needs fine tuning. I rode this for 3 months and have already adjusted it (or brought to the mechanic) more often than I took my old XTR which I rode for 3 years. A long time ago Mountain Bike Action wrote a review which said let the people with the money to spend test the new products don't buy based on hype. I should have listened. Shimano needs more product development before this system is truly ready for the market.
Just last week I jammed a 2 1/2" log through my wheel and destroyed my derailler, normaly I would have been pissed but this was the oppurtunity to switch back to the proven performance of Shimano's standard XTR derailler. I took it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kyle
a Cross Country Rider
from Oklahoma City
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | the last one I rode and the next | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | reputation (for what its worth)looks | | Weaknesses: | well lets see, it doesn't work well most of the time. | | Similar Products Used: | XT, old XTR | | Bike Setup: | '04 Jekyl 2000 stock | | Bottom Line: | Like the previous review, I have the same problem keeping this thing adjusted. I've done the same numerous cable changes and trips to the mechanic. It works fine for the first ride or two. The dual control shifters/brake levers are probably part of the problem. Who knows. I'll be getting rid of them both as soon as possible. I used to have XT on my '01 Stumpjumper FSR and I never had to replace cables as often or make frequent trips to the shop.
Sorry Shimmano but looks like Sram is getting my business as soon as it can. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RB
a Racer
from Holiday, FL USA
Date Reviewed: February 6, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | When it works it's great. | | Weaknesses: | I constantly have to adjust it. | | Similar Products Used: | XT | | Bottom Line: | I really like rapid rise, but I am sick and tired of having to adjust it. It will shift like butter as long as I have my bike in the stand working it, but as soon as I hit the trail; I’ll find myself having to click twice for it to shift once or it will shift after hitting a bump or sometimes it works flawlessly for 3 rides before I have to adjust it again. This has been going on now for over a year and I've replaced the cables (numerous times), the shifter pods, and I've taken to a mechanic (numerous times). I’ve even talked to other people that own or have owned them. I'm open for any/all suggestions before I switch to SRAM. Besides the shifting problem I have no other complaints. It looks great and can take a beating. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Ohio
Date Reviewed: January 25, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | price point | | Strengths: | Light weight, dependable, rapid rise, and it looks good too! | | Weaknesses: | The didn't always make it in reverse. It is a little more expensive...but you get what you pay for. | | Similar Products Used: | deore, xt | | Bike Setup: | GTidrive with lots of upgrades. | | Bottom Line: | It took about 3-4 uses to figure out the reverse action. It doesn't need adjustments often. No more tic, tic, tic with sudden high toque pedaling during shifting. It works, what else can I say...maybe it works better than anything else!
You could get buy without it and never know the difference, but once you use it your hooked. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeremy
a Cross Country Rider
from Exeter UK
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Woodbury Common | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | ??????????? | | Weaknesses: | unreliable shifting
backwards shifting
cant brake and shift down at the same time | | Similar Products Used: | LX | | Bike Setup: | c'dale F2000 | | Bottom Line: | I had top mounted LX thumbshifters with LX rear derailleur for years with very little maintenance. I've also used the 2003 XT which seem to work fine.
The conditions I cycle in though are very muddy, gritty and wet.
The shifting was fantastic in dry conditions or on the road up to the track but as soon as you get going through bad conditions the shifting becomes very unreliable. I've spent hours truing to sort out the shifting when I can sort it out in no time on LX or XT. I've ended up taking it into a mechanic twice now. We're finally trying to change the cabling to see if that helps.
I've heard several bike shops here in the UK moaning about it here.
Probably the weather!!
You get used to the reverse shifting but as soon as you get on a road bike you have to get back to standard shifting.
I reckon this is probably good for good climates but I do most of my mtbing in bad weather and if we cant sort it out I'll change to regular shifting. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan the bike-0-saurus
a
from Middle of middle America
Date Reviewed: December 20, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Turf 1 Go CAMBR BABY! | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$56.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | So fast. I have a '99 XTR rapidrise on my C-dale. Couldn't ride two different derailers, so I went '03. SO FAST. SO RELIABLE. The thing just works like a rented mule. It's tougher than a three dolkar steak. | | Weaknesses: | Per ounce, cost about as much as solid gold, but hey you pay what for what you get. ?ou want the best, of anything, what do you expect? | | Similar Products Used: | XT | | Bike Setup: | C-dale F-1000, Trek 9800 with uramnium rims, blah, blah, blah...do you care? Why? | | Bottom Line: | This is good, works great. Specially for 56 bucks. Five flaming chili's? turd's? whaterevrs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robin
a Cross Country Rider
from Albuquerque, NM
Date Reviewed: December 10, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Rapid rise, Crisp indexed shifting, pretty tough. | | Weaknesses: | $$$- hope I don't break it. | | Similar Products Used: | XT | | Bike Setup: | IH hollowpoint, lots of upgrades | | Bottom Line: | Rapid rise is awsome. The derrailleur's rest position is in low gear, and you have to advance the lever to go up in gears. This is a great advantage when you start up a hill. If you are in a really high torque situation and want to go to a lower gear, you just hit the trigger and the derrailleur "relaxes" to a lower gear for you. This makes it feel like the derrailleur "wants" to drop down (since the spring is pulling it this way). With the normal style RD you have to put more tension on the cable to drop a gear and it feels like your whole drivetrain is going to explode. Plus you get very well indexed downshifting (ie one click equals one gear) which is nice since I find the exact gear I'm in to be more important on the uphills, while on downhills I can usually get away with any of three gears.
This RD is durable, I wrecked once (well more than once) and the RD landed on a rock with all my weight. The replacable dropout was trashed, but once I got a new one on, the RD worked perfectly without having to re-tune it! Of course if you catch it on something it will die like all derrailleurs so look out.
As far as shifting quality it feels very similar to my XT, but the rapid rise is worth the extra dough so cough it up people! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
wannabeRacer
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Date Reviewed: December 7, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | light, strong and looks cool | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Deore, XT and others | | Bike Setup: | mod to the max | | Bottom Line: | Light, strong and looks cool. With the rapid raser its much better than the old system. Get it if you can? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric L
a Cross Country Rider
from Flagstaff, AZ
Date Reviewed: November 12, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Schoolyard(at Aliso Woods) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Its XTR
Looks cooool
Works flawlessly
Rapidrise is the best invention known to man | | Weaknesses: | Lots of $$$$$$
Im afraid of getting it scratched | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano XT | | Bike Setup: | Access XCL frame, XTR F & R der., XTR cassette, Race face Deus headset, RPM Lite wheelset, Marzocchi MCC fork...22.3 lbs with 27 gears, biatch! | | Bottom Line: | Expensive as hell! I absolutely LOVE the rapidrise, all deraileurs should be this way. It is a really great deraileur, but i have an XT on my freeride bike and i dont really notice much of a difference. Get it if you're into racing or have alot of money. I have it on my XC race bike, and it is very reliable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc
a Cross Country Rider
from Saratoga, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Soquel Demo | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$95.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | FLAWLESS shifting | | Weaknesses: | $$$$$$$$$ | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano XT, LX, | | Bike Setup: | SC Superlight | | Bottom Line: | The most $$$$ out there but I was tired of blaming the gear. Now I put the best on it I have no one to blame but meeeeee. FAST shift were obvious but on uphills hitting the granny fast is where this shines. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RDTShaw
a Cross Country Rider
from Monterey, CA US
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Goat Trail, Sea Otter Loop | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$95.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Very easy to install, I wasn't sure about the Rapid Rise. I pulled off an XT derialleur and put this on, I hooked up the cable and kinda scratched my head. Then it made sense, if the cable snaps or shifter fails, you're not stuck in the 12T cog. (This of course will happen following a loooonnnnggg descent that you need to ride out of, this I know... ) After shifting backwards a couple times, the left brain gave up and moved the data to the right and all is well. The shifting is crisp under power, not jumping all over the cog set. The unit installed just as easy as any derailleur I've installed: Set the low, set the high, install the chain, fine tune with the barrel adjuster on the shift pod for the second cog, and set the b screw tension. I haven't touched it since. On top of all that is how damn pretty it is, well as long as the finish lasts anyways... :) | | Weaknesses: | A little weird to get used to the backwards shifting, but only took a couple short rides to retrain the brain. It is a little faster to down shift with the thumb, 3 at a time, but this shifts almost as fast. I thought it might be an issue, but I've had no problem. If you know your bike well and stay on top of the gears, you usually know where you need to be in the drive train when you get to a hill. | | Similar Products Used: | Deore, LX, XT, SRAM XO | | Bike Setup: | 2002 S-Works FSR, Sid Race, Avid Black ops brake levers, Avid Mech Disc (8 and 7), sun single track rims laced to XT hubs, M960 XTR Crankset(SWEET new addition!!), XTR M952 E type front derailleur, Crank bros Candy Ti Pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Great product!! I feel alot stronger with an all XTR drive train. I'm not as worried about my shifts and that lets me enjoy the ride alot more. The Sea Otter Classic loop is my usual riding place and it is pretty abusive on the components (not to metion the rider). The XTR components have held up well.
Also, I've been reading reviews on this site for a while now and it has been a great resourse for me. I really appreciate all the insightful posts everyone has put up. Thanks!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Elliott
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Purchased At: | DNA Cycles | | Strengths: | Crisp, Smooth, Low Maintenance. This derailleur (sorry about the spelling) does exactly what it's supposed to without any complaints (even when I snag rocks!) | | Weaknesses: | No dust boot at the bottom where the cable traverses to the anchor bolt. | | Similar Products Used: | XT, LX, SRAM (older versions) But there are no other manufacturers of RapidRise type der's. | | Bike Setup: | '04 Enduro, '04 Rapid Rise, Diabolus Stem, MonkeyLites, LX Octa Cranks, Hope/XM719s | | Bottom Line: | I managed to twist the XT that my bike came with,so I decided to take a chance on the RapidRise concept. 2 gents with whom I ride and whose opinions I respect have been using this system for much longer than I had witnessed some of my frustrations with standard equipment, so they recommended this system. I am amazed at how this thing never needs readjustment once dialed. Even with tagging rocks and tangling with cactus and other desert shrubs, it continues to shift spot-on. If SRAM can match this kind of reliability and ease of use I would love to try out their offerings. Until then, however, I shall remain loyal to the Shimano RapidRise. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Norman
a
from Fredericton, NB
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Effortless, quick and precise shifting. It shifts better than the new Dura-Ace on my new road bike. We'll see what happens when it gets dirty, but I'm happy to pay a bit more for new cables etc. for this kind of performance.
Also, I do get much better control because I can leave my thumb wrapped around the bar when shifting. | | Weaknesses: | Only shifts one gear at a time when going into an easier gear. This isn't a big problem, because the shifting is so quick, that hitting the shift lever a couple of times is just about as fast as shifting a few gears with rapid fire. | | Similar Products Used: | XT etc. | | Bike Setup: | SC Blur | | Bottom Line: | Great product. It's in a whole different league from my old XT. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Don
a Weekend Warrior
from PA
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | F - BOMB | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | forget | | Strengths: | functions excllent! | | Weaknesses: | Pulleys are made out of ceramic and wear out fast, especially in muddy consitions, | | Similar Products Used: | XT | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Trek 8000 disc. | | Bottom Line: | just like all the top gear for MTB's it's light weight and dosen't have much strength/endurance. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shane Happach
a Cross Country Rider
from Miami, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Verbier-Grimentz Switzerland | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | City Bikes, Aventura | | Strengths: | Quiet, smooth, reduces cable stretch and torque on crank shaft | | Weaknesses: | no "easy-adjust" knob like on XT - need tools to adjust pull | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano XT | | Bike Setup: | Fuji adventure lite XTR/XT, Magura Clara, Psylo LX, FusionO2 rear shock, ritchey tires | | Bottom Line: | First, I hope as a reader, you will know how to separate garbage from information. I agree with previous posts - derailleurs should have been made this way in the first place. Of course it is expensive - welcome to high-end mountain biking - you could buy a car for the price we pay for some of these rigs.
If you don't need XTR (i.e. you don't ever climb, give up on hills and don't worry about it, and don't want to ever race or improve) then buy XT - it works fine. But there is no denying this is a superior product. I've found myself hammering up hills previously thought unclimbable. No more popping noises, no more overshifting, and no lost pedal power. Trail biking is a game of inches - 1% more pedal power can mean the difference between making that hill and jumping out of the clips.
I do wish it had the knob tension adjustment like the XT, but for the performance, I'm willing to bust out the tools when necessary. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luke Sheehan
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Mountaineers Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Looks trick, shifts well,um... looks trick? | | Weaknesses: | Difficult down shifts in poor conditions | | Similar Products Used: | XT, 105 | | Bike Setup: | Yeti ASR-SL, XT cassette, SRAM hollow link chain, XTR shifters & cables, 2004 XT cranks | | Bottom Line: | Looking at this product from a racing/ cross country perspective:-
Shifts beautifully with a clean chain & cables etc, however I have found that by the end of a 24hr race, or in the mud, shifting becomes a bit difficult, seems to be a bit more sensative to conditions than a "normal" shift mech, also seem to have more trouble shifting in cold weather (maybe related to stiff cable housings).
Don't have any problems with rapid rise style of shifting- it works a treat
Overall it's a great product, however if I didn't have dual control and xtr disc brakes I'd probably give XO a shot. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Platz
a Cross Country Rider
from Grosse Pointe, MI 48230
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Potowatami | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikes Blades and Boards | | Strengths: | strong, presise, perfect shifts every time | | Weaknesses: | No adjuster barrel of the derailer, a bit touchy to set up | | Similar Products Used: | XT, Deore, old XTR | | Bike Setup: | Giant XTC, Sid Team, Mavic Crossride wheels, Pyton tires, Avid SD Ti brake, Avid Mag levers, Avid flakjacket cables all around, Race Face cranks/ring/BB, XT front derailer, XTR 2003 rapidrise rear, thompson post, Sellia Italia SLR saddle, FSA XC-120 stem, Easton EC90 bar, 2002 XTR shifter pods, XT cassette, Eggbeater pedals, Sram PC-99 hollow pin chain | | Bottom Line: | The XTR shifters and derailer work perfectly with my XT cassette and front derailer, the hollow pin chains makes the drivetrain very quiet, perfect shifts every time. A little pricy though. If you have to have the best, and you arnt abusive to your ride, go for it. If you break stuff, or you dont want to fork over the cash, go with XT or LX and just buy a new one when you break it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MontclairBobbyB
a Cross Country Rider
from Belle Mead, NJ USA
Date Reviewed: January 13, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Sourland | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Came on my Cannondale Jekyll 2000 | | Strengths: | Shifts smoothly, actually like the Rapid-Rise, looks cool... that's about it | | Weaknesses: | WEAK piece of crap!!! Expensive, and did I mention WEAK piece of crap? | | Similar Products Used: | XT derailleurs | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Cannondale Jekyll 2000 with new XTR brake/shifter combos and XTR Rapidrise derailleur | | Bottom Line: | I hate to disappoint all the happy XTR pundits... More power to you. But I have to agree with D-Luxe... Word up, bro... I'm with you, buddy. This year's XTR is an absolute POS!! Get this: I have broken 2 in the last 60 days, while coasting downhill... Granted, I must be catching something in my derailleur (like a stick or something), but I've never been able to see what actually caused the damage; only that the derailleur hanger snapped, collided with my spokes, and has trashed the dropout hanger!!! I have been XC riding for years on XT and a variety of cheaper stuff, and NEVER have I experienced the kind of heartbreak I've suffered with the XTR derailleur. If Shimano agrees to warranty this next one, I will request an XT "downgrade", because the XT is built to take the abuse, NOT the XTR. I have ZERO confidence that the next XTR won't break, so I'm stayin' clear....I AM SERIOUSLY DISAPPOINTED!!!! Sorry, XTR Fans... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad Howe
a Weekend Warrior
from Lawndale, NC
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | South Mountian | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$105.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheel World | | Strengths: | Smooth and easy shifting, lightweight, looks good. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | XT Deore | | Bike Setup: | Full Suspension, RD-M960, M960 cassette, Sram PC-99 chain, XT M750 Shifter/Brake combo, IRD Metawire cables. | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line this derailure works great. Sure, it takes some getting used to, but its worth the ease of shifting and performance going onto the larger cogs under load. To the ones complaining about how you "can't dump alot of gears" going uphill, the answer is simply you now no longer need to dump gears on the uphill. This derailure will change the way you think about shifting. Instead of dumping gears before you get to the hill, and coasting to let your speed catch up to your gear, you can now pedal up into the hill, taking advantage of your momentum, and changing gears as your speed decreases. Additionally, now that you are on the crest of the hill, you can easily dump from the granny gear down onto 5th almost instantly, and another flick of the lever gets you all the way to 9. This is a large advantage as well. In fact, it is so easy to shift on the cable pull, that I find myself at times pulling two gears instead of one. I'm sure this will work out as I get used to the ease/effort required. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
sigma
a Cross Country Rider
from georgia
Date Reviewed: November 28, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | shifts smooth | | Weaknesses: | shifts backwards | | Bottom Line: | this might be a good racing thing, but for trail riding it is a handicapp.for tech stuff or sudden steep switchbacks while nightriding you need to downshift several gears fast,not one at a time.i have never needed an emergency upshift. but then again, i dont race. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim XCrider
a Racer
from UK
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | light positive shifts
Rapid Rise or Low Normal
Deralleur pulley wheels are ultra relaible
rubber shock damping boot | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | SRAM 9.0SL, Shimano XT M750 | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale F3000SL | | Bottom Line: | Rapid Rise is definately the way forward.
I'v broken a couple of SRAM mechs during'under load' shifts. This low normal M960 derailleur is pure class.
It's quick, deliberate and accurate under all conditions.
In short it works, and works better than any other derialleur I've used. I'll be sticking to these in future. Have a spare on the way as a backup.
PS: get the short cage. It's worth it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Abraham
a Racer
from Traverse City, Michigan, USA
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Boyne Mountain XC | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$85.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Rapid Rise offers improved shifting under load, light weight, and most importantly... reliability. | | Weaknesses: | Difficult to set tune if you are familiar with standard shifting, M953 short cage is too short. | | Similar Products Used: | Both XT & standard XTR deraillers. | | Bike Setup: | '03 S-works Epic, RockShox Sid Team fork, XTR 8-speed shifters, XTR cassette, LX front derailler, Chris King disc hubs and King headset, Avid mechanical discs. | | Bottom Line: | With all respect to the previous reviewer, Rapid Rise isn't "backwards" for no reason. Apparently he never needs to downshift for hills while under a load, or he would have noticed the significant improvements over standard XTR. Bear with me while I attempt to explain the difference in the Rapid Rise system.
The concept of Rapid Rise seems confusing until you see it in operation, but I’ll try to explain it anyway. On a normal shifting system the spring tension pulls the derailleur to the outside (small) of the rear chainring with each click of the shifter. To move the chain to the inner (largest) chainring, you must push the shifter with your thumb and overpower the spring tension to shift. This works well on road bikes or simple dirt roads, but when climbing steep hills or other difficult terrain shifting performance begins to suffer. Missed shifts occur, the dreaded jumping gears can pop up, and sometimes your chain just refuses to shift on a hill.
With Rapid Rise the spring tension pulls the derailleur inwards and towards the largest rear chainring. Your thumb and gravity shift the chain down onto the increasingly smaller rings. This helps shifting performance immensely, and makes down-shifting under a load possible! The spring action gives the chain a strong and steady pull whenever you shift up, instead of your thumb doing all the work.
Regarding Rapid Rise complaints about single-click downshifting instead of dumping 3 gears at a time like standard rapid-fire, it hasn't been a problem at all for me. Since you are shifting WITH the power of the spring, pull your index finger three or four times and the chain shifts just fine.
I paid $85 including shipping on Ebay for this derailleur which retailed for $130. Mine was a never-used item from a couple years ago with the original box and instructions. Be sure to read the included install guide carefully, as tuning a Rapid Rise is backwards from how a normal derailler is adjusted. I required the help of a friend who works at a bike shop to fine-tune my shifting, but once we got it dialed in I haven’t touched it. I am using XTR 8-speed shifter pods which work very well when coupled with this derailleur.
I've ridden this new system all summer, and won’t ever go back to standard Rapid-Fire on my mountain bikes. I can understand why this system never caught on, but it’s really too bad. For recreational or “boulevard” mountain bike users the Rapid Rise system is probably overkill, but if you race or ride technical and hilly terrain the XTR Rapid Rise is the derailler for you. I ride very technical trails all over Michigan with everything from steep climbs to rock gardens. As of October '03 I've entered 9 races this summer and put over 800 miles on this derailler and I won't ever go back to standard Shimano. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bikerguy
a Cross Country Rider
from seattle, wa
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | skookum flats | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | came on bike | | Strengths: | shifts reliably | | Weaknesses: | shifts backwards | | Similar Products Used: | normal-shift XTR, XT, vivo | | Bike Setup: | Ibis Szazbo with disk brakes | | Bottom Line: | I've "got used to" reverse action -- but it is still
backwards. I often want to downshift several gears at
a time but have to click-click-click. I rarely want
to upshift several gears at a time, so the ability is
wasted, there. There's a reason why everybody likes
doing it the regular way: you can downshift faster, so
you ride faster. 3 Chilis because the derailleur does
move the chain around well, but backwards shifting is
just plain backwards. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
D Luxe
a
from New Jersey
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$99.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikeman | | Strengths: | Smooth shifts (even more so than the older XTR), downshifts even under strain on uphills, easy to install and adjust, lightweight. Wonderful with twist shifters. | | Weaknesses: | Poorly made. (2003 XTR, RD-M960) The lower arm of my derailleur snapped into two jagged pieces while pedaling up a steep hill. And this only after three months of moderate use, no abuse of any sort! | | Similar Products Used: | Most Shimano rear derailleurs, including the previous MD-953 (circa 1998) XTR. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Stumpjumper Comp, XTR derailleurs and V-brakes, Sun Rhyno Lite rims, SRAM Attack (grip) shifters, Bomber fork, Eggbeater pedals | | Bottom Line: | I rode the 1998 XTR hard for five years straight, hard and with little maintenance. It still works. Despite Shimano's claims of increased strength, the 2003 model seems more fragile. Breaking under normal riding conditions, at a non-joint is unacceptable. I'm counting on the Shimano warranty, but I'm glad I decided to hold on to my old XTR as a spare. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Edwards
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, Ca
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Elfin Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | from friend | | Strengths: | This thing shifts like Buttah... Rapid rise very smooth when shifting on a hill, or with a lot of chain strain.
Chi Chi factor!! | | Weaknesses: | Um, yea right. | | Similar Products Used: | Deore, LX, Alivio | | Bike Setup: | XT front, XTR rear, 8spd SRAM 5.0, Raceface cranks, manitou LT shocks, Mavic wheels, GT Aggressor 1.0 frame | | Bottom Line: | You're gonna scratch it. If you don't, you probably have your bike on a trainer in front of your TV. AFter trying other Shimano, and SRAM, this is the bestest! Rapid rise is a great technology, and wouldnt trade it for the world.
Bottom Line.... worth the $$$ | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rich J
a Racer
from Wisconsin
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | John mur | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Instant shifts when combined with a m960 cassette and HG chain. | | Weaknesses: | Not cheap, You cry when you scratch it | | Similar Products Used: | XT, s 9.0 | | Bike Setup: | trek 9.9, m960 group, m965 hoops | | Bottom Line: | The ability to shift at a 45 angle with no popping is awsome; though the ability to do so is not cheap. Reccomend use with dual action shifters, they rock so hard! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Garcia
a Racer
from LaHabra, CA US
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Mt.lowe | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | LaHabra Cyclery | | Strengths: | you cant Ask For a smother or longer lasting derailer. | | Weaknesses: | What are you talking about. | | Similar Products Used: | sram | | Bike Setup: | Giant xtc w/full xtr | | Bottom Line: | Their is a reason why more pro's use xtr than any other derailer. You just cant top it. This is a top quality part for a top quality price, but like they say "you get what you pay for" | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Garcia
a Racer
from LaHabra, CA US
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Mt.lowe | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | LaHabra Cyclery | | Strengths: | you cant Ask For a smother or longer lasting derailer. | | Weaknesses: | What are you talking about. | | Similar Products Used: | sram | | Bike Setup: | Giant xtc w/full xtr | | Bottom Line: | Their is a reason why more pro's use xtr than any other derailer. You just cant top it. This is a top quality part for a top quality price, but like they say "you get what you pay for" | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Garcia
a Racer
from LaHabra, CA US
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Mt.lowe | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | LaHabra Cyclery | | Strengths: | you cant Ask For a smother or longer lasting derailer. | | Weaknesses: | What are you talking about. | | Similar Products Used: | sram | | Bike Setup: | Giant xtc w/full xtr | | Bottom Line: | Their is a reason why more pro's use xtr than any other derailer. You just cant top it. This is a top quality part for a top quality price, but like they say "you get what you pay for" | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dylan
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Barbara, CA
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | always searching | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$112.00 | | Purchased At: | Beyond bikes | | Strengths: | Like buttaaaaaa. Quit shifting, reliable, strong,nice looking. | | Weaknesses: | during the break in, when climbing and shifting to a smaller gear, it clanks. This went away after 200 miles or so. | | Similar Products Used: | xt, lx, deore...a waste of money if you put a lot of miles on your bike. | | Bike Setup: | Pimped out Gary Fisher..Avid, Marz, Thompson, Answer, XTR, Truvativ, Sun Rhinolite, Kevlar Panaracer, Koobi | | Bottom Line: | buy it once and you'll have smooth shifting for a long time | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
HTail
a
from SF Bay area
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Crisp, positive, light shifting. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | XT | | Bike Setup: | Truth/F100X/AvidMech/CrossMaxSL | | Bottom Line: | Very nice in comparison to my old XT's. I like the rapid rise. Has a nice almost too light of a shifting action, such that you almost can't tell if a shift to a new gear has occured. Looks cool. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from G.R. MI USA
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Yankee, Bozeman Horse Hills | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Product was easy to install. Light. Crisp shifts. | | Weaknesses: | None yet. | | Similar Products Used: | shimano XTR-952, Suntour X-1 | | Bike Setup: | Trek 8500, valient rims, XT mega-9 shifters, XT FD, XTR 960 RD, XTR Brakes | | Bottom Line: | I was worried the shifters wouldn't work with this piece. LBS mechanics seem to not like it. I went with it anyway, being my 952 had a small mishap.
Lowdown is this, Why on earth wasn't this design created first. It WORKS, and WELL. It took me twenty minutes of riding to get the reverse shifting down, but after that it was cake. Makes the hills much easier to shift on.
If you are thinking about getting this item. Think no longer. It does just what you expect it to do.
In the end treat your equipment well and they'll serve you well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JPro
a
from Edmonds
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | River Runs Through It (Whistler) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Gregg's on Auroa | | Strengths: | This thing kicks so much Ass! It is so light and is so super easy to instal. It shifts like no other. It is smooth precise. For its weight this thing can take as much abuse as its heavier XT counterpart. DO NOT BUY THE NORMAL XTR, ONLY RAPID RISE! | | Weaknesses: | The only problem with it is that with out the mammoth rapid rise shifter and break in one it shifts back wards. It becomes more like your left sifter. Takes some getting used to but i got it in one ride. Deffinetly Get this bad boy. | | Similar Products Used: | XT, Normal XTR, and Some Sram of sorts. Get The rapid rise XTR. | | Bike Setup: | Klein Montra Comp full Xtr accept hayes disks and race face crankset with bash gaurd. Sherman fork. Mavic 6.18 rims. | | Bottom Line: | Get this thing forget all the others after you ride thsi you will be so amazed on how easy it is to shift up while going up hill. Unexpected climbs not a problem. Fastest Shifter out there and smoothest. Smoother than a babys but. I think not. Maybe after its been waxed. Can take many hits. Rocks ramps teeters can't scratch it.
DO NOT BUY THE NORMAL XTR, ONLY RAPID RISE!
I love this thing.
Its Pretty to look at to.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony
a Weekend Warrior
from Greensboro
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson USA | | Strengths: | Great shifting, "reverse" shifting of rapid rise makes sense if you are climbing. | | Weaknesses: | The pulleys wear out way to soon. Plastic "trim" on cage not necessary (came off and ended up in my cassette during a race...still runs without it). | | Similar Products Used: | XTR (8 sp), SRAM 9.0, XT | | Bike Setup: | DEAN Colonel XTR/Raceface/King/Marzocchi/LP Composites | | Bottom Line: | I have no complants with the shifting response and the functionality of the derailler. I do, however, have problems with those darn plastic pulleys. I don't know if it is just me but after 100 miles those suckers are wobbling. I've replaced them with some aluminum aftermarket model with the cartridge type bearing and had no faults. I have another XTR on a different bike and it's the same problem. You would think for a $120 that the pullys would last for at least a season? Then again what choice do I have? SRAM gripshift or Shimano Kwality?
My advice....save your money for an XT rapidrise when the "technology" (read: marketings control) is handed down, and put some real pulleys on it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brandon Jank
a Downhiller
from Moscow, ID, USA
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Headwaters - Moscow Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Strengths: | Quiet
Fast Up Shifts
LIGHT | | Weaknesses: | Cant even find one.... | | Similar Products Used: | XT, LX, Normal XTR
SRAM | | Bike Setup: | XT Pods, XT Vee Brakes, XT Front Derailleur, XTR RR Rear Derailleur, RaceFace Forged Cranks and Rings, Sun Platforms, Bontrager Wheelset, Azonic ORS Stem, Monkey Lite CT2 Carbon Fiber Bar, ODI Lock-on Grips | | Bottom Line: | The best rear derailleur you can buy. Grab the Shimano XTR RapidRise Rear today! :)
5/5 Flaming Huffys! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MAXXED
a Cross Country Rider
from Honolulu
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere offroad | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Great looks. Glad Shimano brought back the classic polished aluminum look(RD-M960). Silent and accurate shifting. | | Weaknesses: | Low/Normal(Rapid Rise) takes a little getting used to, but is superior to the standard high/normal setting.
The c-clips holding the pulley bolts in are a hassle to remove, but it beats losing a bolt and pulley on a ride. | | Similar Products Used: | Mega 9 Shimano Deore, old 8 speed Deore XT(before XTR existed) | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn Mesa GSX, RST fork, Hayes discs, Avid Speed Dial 7 levers, Flite titanium saddle, '02 Deore XT crank, XT front, XTR rear derailleur, Kore Lite 3 stem. | | Bottom Line: | This is a review of the new 2003 RD-M960 XTR Low/Normal(Rapid Rise) derailleur.
Extremely light weight. Gorgeous highly polished finish. Makea you want to look at it more than use it, until your first ride.
Absolutely silent and accurate shifting. Matched with the new 9 speed HG chain, the shifts are amazing!
I hear the shifters click, and that's it! Never skips a beat.
The rapid rise shifting action took about an hour to get used to, but is far superior to the high/normal shifting setup.
Shimano has the spring tension of the derailleur cage and body down to a science. No delayed shifts or chain slap when working the bike hard over rough terrain.
The downshifts require just a quick tap on the rapid fire levers, as you're releasing instead of pushing the shifter.
Rapid rise is a plus on the upshifts, too. You can upshift faster, as well as skip a few cogs for those high speed sprints with a full push of your thumb on the shifter.
I can't go back to the old high/normal derailleurs. Shimano has again corrupted me with their high end madness and quality.
Always pricey on their top of the line components, but then again, you get what you pay for! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Travis S
a Cross Country Rider
from El Paso, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything twisty | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Franklin Mountain Cyclery | | Strengths: | Lightweight, seemingly durable | | Weaknesses: | If you get lazy and let the reverse action work, you can bend your cassette. I bent mine by accident; I was wanting to see how long into the climb I could wait until I shifted. The new MSRP is a bit steep. | | Similar Products Used: | No other rapid rises, just some other Shimano and no-name stuff. | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Paragon, aka the Rainbow. I am using the long-cage version m960 | | Bottom Line: | This is an excellent product. The shifts are extremely precise and happen exactly like they should. Now there's no forcing a downshift on a suprise climb; just click the button and it's done. As I said, the only problem with it is if you are really hammering and downshift, you can bend your cassette easily as the spring action will force it into the lower gear. This is a rider problem, not an equipment problem though. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ralphie
a Cross Country Rider
from Chattanooga,TN
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Oh so many | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$10.00 | | Strengths: | Smooooth shifting under load, longevity, weight | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Various Shimano XT, LX, DX over the past 14 Years | | Bike Setup: | Scott Octane FX1, Fox Float R, XTR, X-vert air, Mini's, King, Thompson, Protaper Carbon, No-tubes | | Bottom Line: | I needed a new rear mech and this was offered to me secondhand for 10 bucks and so despite the mag's slagging RR I took the plunge. A couple of rides to get used to the reverse action and I was hooked. Shifting up the block under hard load uphill is buttery smooth.
2 1/2 years later it still shifts better than anything else. There is now a little slop in the pivots,the pulleys show a little wear, but it should last a couple of years more. I would not go back to a traditional mech and my wife gave it a try and requested one for her new bike. Ditto my comments.
The only nigggle I have found is due to my running my brakes motorcycle style, right for front. This makes hard braking and changing up a gear difficult, but thinking ahead takes care of this. Just press the trigger and the next time you turn the cranks it slips right into gear.
Like many others posting below I think Shimano should produce it in a lower spec option. Buy 0ne | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick Breidenbach
a Downhiller
from United States
Date Reviewed: March 1, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Bull's Run | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Expo | | Strengths: | This product is incredibily light weight and has smooth easy shifting while decending or climbing a hill. | | Weaknesses: | The Price is a little high for this item but then again its XTR (the best of the best. The backwards shifting takes a little time to get use to. | | Similar Products Used: | I did have and XT rear deurailler which was great but not as light in weight. | | Bike Setup: | I have a 2003 Specialized Enduro Competition with a few costum parts. | | Bottom Line: | Its a great deurailler that can last you for a long period of time, and it is very light.
BE SHURE THE YOU PUT MAINTENENCE ON IT AND KEEP IT LUBED SO ITS READY FOR A HARD RIDE. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joel
a Racer
from australia
Date Reviewed: January 12, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Strengths: | Very light, fast shifting, looks | | Weaknesses: | price is a little high. | | Bike Setup: | NORCO TEAM SHORE | | Bottom Line: | very strong, very light, looks good. if u can buy it, it wont let u down. keep ridin! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Thomas
a Cross Country Rider
from Bridgwater,Somerset .U.K.
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Cheddar Challenge course | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Spot on shifting, lightweight, great looking. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | XT, LX | | Bike Setup: | GT Zaskar. Judy SL's, XT Groupo | | Bottom Line: | This is how a rear mech should be - maybe all other rear mech's are 'reverse' action!
People who have trouble with this item must have other problems with their set-up.
My tip on installing this item is to make sure the mech hangar is dead straight. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego,CA
Date Reviewed: November 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere with hills | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Mission Cyclery | | Strengths: | Everything | | Weaknesses: | Nothing | | Similar Products Used: | conventional xtr | | Bike Setup: | Wheels down, Seat up. | | Bottom Line: | I'm gonna keep this simple. Just get one stupid! Some moron sales manager at Performance (Mark) tried to talk me out of buying this derialleur saying it was nothing but trouble, "go with the original xtr" he said (turns out they didn't have it in stock and he didn't want to lose a sale. what a wanker.). Fortuately I smelled a rat and went for it anyway.
Bottom line is GET ONE!!!
Holy crap, GET ONE!!!
It's worth the $$$.
Thank you Shimano! Thanks, John, at Mission Cyclery! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything outdoors | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$85.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | Smooth, crisp, transparent shifts. Light weight and strong. 8sp shifts in mud and snow. | | Weaknesses: | Price- steep initial cost but the return on investment is outstanding. | | Similar Products Used: | LX, XT, SRAM 9.0 half pipe | | Bike Setup: | XTR 8sp shifters and derailleurs. | | Bottom Line: | 1. Some people buy a product expecting it to work in any applications. This isn't a do-it-all product. It's designed for racing ("the R is for racing")
2. This is a precision crafted component thus requiring seasonal maintenance.
3. Yes, the reverse shifting takes time to get used to- trust me, it's not long.
With all that said, Shimano's XTR 8sp RR derailleur is, without a doubt, the best shifter available. It took me 2hrs to get used to the shifting. As stated in an earlier review, I simply forgot how to shift the "traditional" way after this. Not sure how shifting direction came about but this really is the way it should have been from the begining. Uphill shifts are truly effortless. And downhill shifts precise.
However they did it, Shimano managed to make the best shifting device I have ever used. The bearings in the pulleys are smooth. After heavy rides, I hose it down w/ degreaser, give it a few drops of lube and it's ready for more.
My formula for years of smooth shifting (once a year):
1. remove pulleys and soak derailleur in degreaser.
2. remove pulley bearings and swab w/ degreaser.
3. apply Teflon grease to bearings and reassemble.
4. assemble derailleur and apply few drops of lube to pivots.
5. put derailleur on bike and ride hard!
I've tried the long and short cage version. The long cage is much more forgiving. If you have a dualie, the long cage is recommended. It shifts extremely well for wide range of gearing.
I haven't felt the need to go to 9sp yet. But if I do, it's a gauranteed sale for Shimano. When they put there mind to it, they can deliver an outstanding product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Philipp
a Cross Country Rider
from California
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Light, good lookin`... | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Trek 8500 | | Bottom Line: | This shifts on uphill like LX and XT on downhill. It`s worth the money. Quiet like a "stealth bike". Try it, you`ll like it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shawn
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: September 12, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | any that hurts | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$85.00 | | Purchased At: | UniversalCycles | | Strengths: | lightweight
shifting power
it works, period. | | Weaknesses: | costs more than regular XTR -- why??? | | Similar Products Used: | LX, XT, XTR, SRAM, heck -- even STX-RC | | Bike Setup: | Drivetrain (2002 stuff): XTR crankset + rings, XTR splined BB, XTR front-D, XT cassette, and
XTR SGS RapidRide rear-D | | Bottom Line: | I have got to be one of the stingiest shoppers out there, and I never fall for hype, but when I was building my new bike and reading all of the various product reviews, I was convinced to put my trust in the earlier reviewers. WOW, am I glad I did!
I've got 750 miles on it so far, and this is the single best part on any bike I've owned. Once it is installed and tuned, the shifting is always perfectly crisp, regardless of weather conditions, dirt, and most importantly: pedal load.
I can't believe how easy it is to shift while going uphill. This thing has actually changed my shift timing: instead of beginning the shift early in anticipation of the upcoming hill, I can now shift at the immediate base of it. Still in the wrong gear, but already climbing? No problem, shift again, and the chain follows your command.
An added bonus (for rapidfires), once you get used to it, is the logic that now thumbs on both sides of your handlebar are used to increase gear, and index fingers lower it.
The part I like best, however, is this: GONE are the days of guesswork in pushing the shifter 1 1/2 of the shift distance to get the derailleur to move one gear. How I used to HATE that, especially during standing climbs! Now, when the shifter clicks from the slightest touch, you can guarantee where the chain is going.
Simply put, nothing could have eroded all of my skepticism and restored some of the fun ordinarily lost to vague shifting like the actual performance of this device. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wayne
a Cross Country Rider
from Lebanon, NH, USA
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Gifford Pinchot | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Came with bike | | Strengths: | Smooth, easy shifting in either direction, especially during hill ascents. | | Weaknesses: | Main bushing on derailleur hanger have a little play after 5 years of use, but doesn't seem to affect shifting. | | Similar Products Used: | Deore, Deore LX. | | Bike Setup: | 1998 Stumpjumper M2 | | Bottom Line: | I've loved this setup from the first week I owned the bike. Shifting direction makes sense, and matches the front derailleur. Thumb = upshift, index finger = downshift.
I had trouble with ghost shifts after I crashed a few times, bent the derailleur hanger, and left the cassette all gummed up with mud and grease. A few hours of cleaning, replacing the hanger and adjustments, everything feels brand-new again.
Love this setup. After thinking about how well it works, I've decided to keep my 8-speed Rapid-Rise than upgrade to XTR Mega-9. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jeffco gilligan
a Racer
from reno nevada usa
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | ditch | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | from friend | | Strengths: | without a doubt the best around | | Weaknesses: | no adjuster on the barrel is this normal??? | | Similar Products Used: | deore xt | | Bike Setup: | trek 8000 xt and lx conponents | | Bottom Line: | get it if you can!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lee
a
from Canada
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Easily the best derailler out there. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Sram 9.0
XT | | Bottom Line: | If you have the $ then do it. Get the rapid rise if there are any hills around you at all. Will shift in all conditions, under extreme pedal forces. Its light and pretty strong. Its the besat out there for sure, no question. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Neil
a Cross Country Rider
from Vermont
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria | | Strengths: | Light, crisp, snappy strong spring. | | Weaknesses: | Dunno yet. First try. | | Similar Products Used: | XT, deore | | Bike Setup: | XCR I-drive all done up: thomson stem/post, crossmax disc UST, avid discs, XT/XTR, Truv stylo team cranks, carbon bar and ends, times. | | Bottom Line: | I just took this new der. out for it's maiden voyage. Branc-new, I mounted it in the parking lot to have my noontime ride. I was surprised at how easily I adjusted to using this (e.g. this one ride only). I mishifted maybe twice in the hour I had it out, in terrain which is all up or down w/ lots of shifting. Very, very crisp. You can shift to easy gears while absolutely cranking full force. No need to lighten up. Shifting is just much, much better than the standard XT this replaced. I do not exactly understand why all derailleurs are not made this way. If I need to retract my good marks ion this in the future, i'll post another review. For now...super! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Giuliano
a Weekend Warrior
from Italy
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Works fine | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Bottom Line: | It's one of the few shimano components that worked fine all the time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Hogg
a Weekend Warrior
from Burlingame, CA
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | various | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | Universal Cycles | | Strengths: | Build quality, smooth shifting performance. | | Weaknesses: | MSRP - Find it discounted! | | Similar Products Used: | XT | | Bike Setup: | Fisher Sugar 3+ all XTR, Cane Creek Cloud Nine, Hope Mini Discs. | | Bottom Line: | Absolutely the smoothest shifting I've ever experienced. Although the reviews here are generally positive, several people have completely hated this product. I can't imagine how anyone could hate smooth shifting, instant uphill shifts, and XTR quality.
My guess is the few people having problems with these derailers have them installed or tuned improperly. I paid a good mechanic to install my entire XTR drive chain and it shifts smooth as butter!
I will never go back to the conventional spring configuration; rapid-rise is the way to go.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc
a
from Ottawa
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Precise, quick, intuitive shifting. Durable. Easy on your drive-train. | | Weaknesses: | None that effects me. | | Similar Products Used: | XTR, XT, LX | | Bottom Line: | This derailleur is probably one of the most significant upgrades you can make to increase performance. I've been riding various XTR RR for four years and have yet to break one, or do any significant damage my drive-train. The RR is intuitive once you begin to master it. I have no trouble dumping gears before a climb and can flawlessly jump onto higher gears on a flat or downhill. RR may not suit some people's riding style as it does require you to concious about your shifting the first few times you use it. However, by using the spring action to get to larger rings and not use your thumb to jam your chain into the cassette, you can save your drive-train undue abuse. Excellent product! If you are getting a new bike with XTR, swap for an XTR RR (dealers will usually do this with no trouble). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sven
a Weekend Warrior
from North
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Lush | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Longevity:
The price seems steep, and it is, but i've gotten my money's worth.
Good gear spread:
I've got the m953 long cage It works on my 11-32 setup without a hitch.
Crisp shifting.
Intuitive shifting - Push the thumb shifter forward for more forward momentum click back for less.
It's not very often that an uphill will startle you in the middle of the trail but there are times when a downhill opens up and it's really nice to blow through four gears into a higher gear instantly. | | Weaknesses: | I can see why people would slag this derailleur. It's backwards to every thing. it's the way a derailleur should have ran in the first place but it's not and the status quo keeps everyone else from putting out one of these (or is it Shimano patents that prevent them?)
From not using rapid fire for the last two years, to this, there was no adjustment period in relearning how to shift. I simply forgot the other way. Any residual habit from before was gone after about two days riding But that's just me.
Parts are hard to come by. Would it kill an online mega-retailer to sell a short cage or the parts to convert over to a short cage. With one chainring up front, there is no reason to have the long cage, or medium even, on there any more The long cage is just someplace for a stick to lodgeon the ride.
Tuning isn't as intuitive as with a regular sprung deraileur.THis was a lot tougher to get used to than the shifting.
-The tiny little lock clip that goes over the grunge boot, where the cable comes out, vanished. it seemed useless anyway as the rubber hasn't moved.
| | Similar Products Used: | Yes, deraileurs. | | Bike Setup: | XT 8 speed shifter, Avid flak jacket cables, Modified xt/xtr 11-32 cassette the weight saving of titanium with the gear range of sram 5.0. Single 22t chainring. | | Bottom Line: | I ran this deraileur on my 'cross bike for the last 3 years and it's still going strong on the new bike. The lower pully sheered in half at some point by some means i have no clue about but i replaced that and the deraileur is still like new.
It shifts excelent and thats what it's for. I might get better performance if i ran xtr shifters but i have no complaint with the xt's it is coupled with.
despite the cost i think i've gotten a good value out of it.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Scottsdale, AZ
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Trail 100 - Phoenix | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | SuperGo | | Strengths: | Shifts amazingly well. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | I didn't realize there were other rapid rise derailleurs... | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Rockhopper - with all XTR and Marzocchi Marathon fork - nothing left from Speicialized but the frame. | | Bottom Line: | This derailleur just plain works. When hammering on the pedals, up a hill, you can still ask the thing to downshift, and it happens, nearly instaneously - with no clunking, no strange noises, nothing - just easier pedalling.
I've only been riding a mtn bike since Christmas, and the 6 weeks of learning this new derailleur was not a challenge at all. I think my first ride I had 4 mis-shifts in an hour on the bike. None of which happened when it mattered.
On my most recent ride I had 1 mis-shift, which is about what I had before changing to a rapid rise. For me, the toughest aspect of the change wasn't thumb vs. finger, but rather looking down at the gear indicator, and quickly recognizing what gear that meant I was in (far left is now easiest...far right is now hardest). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Louis
a Weekend Warrior
from Tucson, AZ
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Top quality derailleur with emphasis on downshifting. | | Weaknesses: | Pricey! | | Similar Products Used: | LX, XT, XTR, Pauls. | | Bike Setup: | Heavy duty FS trail bike with 9 sp XTR RR.
Pimped out FS trail bike with 8 sp XTR RR.
General purpose HT with Pauls 8 sp. | | Bottom Line: | Makes riding my 32lbs beast up steep dynamic climbs doable.
Finally a rear derailleur set up to shift correctly for mountain biking.
The magazine boys have egg on their faces on this one.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Higley Arizona
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Quality XTR Component. Reverse shifting works great for climbing. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano XT and STX-RC | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Stumpjumper FSR-XC, Full XTR except RaceFace Crank. Spinergy Xyclone Rims with Specialized Armadillo Tires. Thompson Stem & Seatpost with Selle Italia Pro-Link Gel Saddle. | | Bottom Line: | Salesman talked me into the Rapid Rise when I was doing some upgrades to the bike. Glad he did too. With the reverse shift pattern works great for climbing without putting stress on your derailler. Works great with the full XTR component setup. If you do alot of climbing this is the derailler for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Louie Midnight
a Weekend Warrior
from Canada
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Best shifter ever | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | sram 9.0, 9.0 sl, XT | | Bottom Line: | Best shifter ever. Reverse spring takes getting used to but totally worth it. Shifts noticably better than XT or Sram 9.0 (which are both great). Expensive but worth it. You can get them cheap on line. I think I paid $64 US for mine. Get the rapid rise model if you can, its a no brainer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Up the down escalator
a Cross Country Rider
from Castle Rock, CO
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Dakota Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | PricePoint | | Strengths: | Shifts like the vey best automatic tranny on a car; virtually no effort and sometimes it is so smooth you wonder if it really shifted | | Weaknesses: | price | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano XT | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountain Instinct full suspension | | Bottom Line: | As with others, I was concerned because the bike mags slam the Rapid Rise. But I decided to rely on my fellow mtb'ers, so I purchased it. Glad I did! This thing rocks! I love the steep ascents, rocks, roots, water bars, whatever. I spend a lot of time in the small ring up front and the biggest 3 in the back and shift pretty frequently to keep my cadence optimal. This is the first derailluer I've ever installed, so it took some time to get the shifting dialed because I didn't really know what I was doing. But once dialed, it has been flawless in some very ugly, nasty, technical terrain. I can fine tune which gear even when in the middle of a difficult section, then I can shift up two or three at a time if the slope drops away. I liked my XT; I love the XTR Rapid Rise. $70 seems like a lot, so only 4 for value, but this thing works GREAT! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dimm
a Weekend Warrior
from new york
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | bike shop | | Strengths: | everything, i havent had any problems with anyuthing shimano made this is their best line of products, the rear Derailleris most important, switches with ease on the fly. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | shimano deoore, acera | | Bike Setup: | gary fisher sugar1: xt/xtr guts : shimano rims, thompson elite seat post/stem . Bontrager mtn race lite bars/nokian gazzalodi core 2.3 tire | | Bottom Line: | heres the bottom line, dont question the XTR series, just get the dammn things, its worth the money, becuz u get top notch equipment. either you save 20-30 bucks and your bike rides like S**t or u pay for good products and let your bike ride like it should.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam VeraSforzza
a Racer
from Seattle, Wa, USA
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Whistler BC | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Stock on both HT racers | | Strengths: | Hot damn wippersnappers! Shifts like butta, grabs a chunk of gears in a wink, great Shimano product. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | XTR 8 speed, XT | | Bike Setup: | Find another one of my posts. | | Bottom Line: | Must have, I'm now spoiled and take these for granted, best shifting ever (climbng/decending/sprints). Shimano should produce an XT version, but they alrready make enough dough. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
paul
a Cross Country Rider
from hackensack nj
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | shifts uphill and it is quick | | Weaknesses: | I kind of liked jumping to the higher gears | | Similar Products Used: | deore | | Bike Setup: | k2 zed with lots of good stuff | | Bottom Line: | I was told you need to run it on an 8 sp, but you don't need a 12-28 cassette. I run a 12-32 cassette and all is swell. I upgraded from deore and it's a big differenceand to boot I got it almost half price. The only problem I had was finding 8sp xtr shifter/levers but that is solved now. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Tampa
Date Reviewed: April 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Tsali, NC | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | L.B.S. | | Strengths: | Shifts while climbing with little complaint. | | Weaknesses: | None encountered | | Similar Products Used: | LX, XT. | | Bike Setup: | 1996 Klein Pulse XT/XTR/Mavic/Thomson/Rock Shox/Cane Creek | | Bottom Line: | Do NOT let anyone talk you out of buying this derailleur! Guys at the l.b.s. talked it down, but hadn't ridden it. I bought it anyway about six months ago after reading the reviews here. I'm glad I did. The way this shifts when climbing is amazing after riding "regular" RD's for 17 years. I was happy with it after first installing it and riding the trails here in Florida (yes we have some decent trails, no mountains though, *sigh*). Made the bi-annual trip up to Tsali, NC and was amazed at its performance (BTW, if you're going to Tsali, check out www.freemansmotel.com. Real close to Tsali, nice MTbiker-friendly people). Flawless shifting, great climbing. The ability to grab a couple of gears with one push of the thumb is real nice when cresting a hill.
Yes, it does take some getting used to. Of course, so did clipless pedals, and I doubt many of us would go back to straps now. It's the same with this derailleur. Except you don't fall down learning it like you did with the pedals.
I agree with one of the posts below - Shimano should incorporate the RR design into the XT line as well, then I wouldn't have to fork over twice the cash. For that reason, I drop my rating to a 4 for value. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary Gao
a Weekend Warrior
from Shanghai, China
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | all | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | a local shop | | Strengths: | light,accurate shift,good look and colour | | Weaknesses: | got scratchy after several crashes, no adjustment barrel at the cable hole on my 98 xtr derailleur, took some time to get used to the rapidrise reverse shift | | Similar Products Used: | acera-x,xt | | Bike Setup: | hardtail, psylo xc, xt-xtr, sun rims, sks shock board(the coolest stuff on my bike) | | Bottom Line: | this rd kicks ass!i happened to find this 98 M951 XTR rd and bought at a reasonable price, also i removed the ugly cable pulley. after setting up, i could tell the difference immediately from my previous XT rd, more rapid and accurate, and a great match with my XTR fd, though i did spent some time to get used to its reverse shift. now half parts on my bike are XTR, but i am planning to buy hydraulic disk brake, so i can't use full set of XTR, pitiful. highly recommandable to anyone, | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BILL THOMAS
a Racer
from AMARILLO, TEXAS
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | PALO DURO CANYON -GSL | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | SUPERGO | | Strengths: | Shifts perfect every time.The easiest way to shift down while on steep climbs. | | Weaknesses: | none!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Standard XTR | | Bike Setup: | 2002 FUEL 90-2002 SID SL-ALL XTR-CHRIS KING HUBS 517 RIMS-HUTCHINSON PYTHON AIR LIGHT TIRES-AVID ARCH RIVAL BRAKES-CT2 BAR. | | Bottom Line: | Best derailleur on the market. Easy to install and maintain. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Strengths: | Smooth! Downshift uphill! Quick and accurate. Light. | | Weaknesses: | Hard to find! | | Similar Products Used: | XT, LX | | Bike Setup: | Full XTR | | Bottom Line: | It took two rides to accustom myself. Once I did, I found that while powering uphill, I could downshift! Cool. With regular maintenance, it shifts beautifully and without ghosting. It's almost stupid light but has been realiable.
I rode it through the Smoky Mtns and it never failed. I have two, one for reserve, but have yet to need to switch it out. Not sure about others, but mine has been rock solid and worth every penny I paid. This is one of the main reasons I am clinging to 8sp. If they made Rapid Rise for 9sp, I'll take the plunge.
If you don't want yours and it's still in good condition, let's talk. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Lory
a Weekend Warrior
from Mountain View, CA
Date Reviewed: January 13, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria | | Strengths: | spring loaded downshifts, smooth rolling sealed pulleys, rubber cable booties | | Weaknesses: | None. Discontinued????? | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano XT | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Heckler, Z1CR, Hayes, Sun Rhyno Lite XL | | Bottom Line: | The XTR reverse-action derailleur has done for my drivetrain what the Marzocchi Z1CR did for my confidence in my front end.
In my opinion, with XT trigger shifters, clicking for a downshift (smaller to bigger cog) falls much more readily to hand, is faster and more precise than thumbing in the usual way.
Thumbing and using cable tension to move the chain down the cluster to smaller cog seems like it'd require less force than moving up to a larger cog the conventional way.
I do and will recommend this derailleur to everyone I ride with.
I'm going to be a scrooge on value with a 3 because Shimano should build this at the XT level but overall I can't think of a better way to move the chain around on the rear cluster so 5 overall. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Darren
a Weekend Warrior
from Alex, VA
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Smooth Shifts, Flawless Shifting, Lightweight, Top of the Line Quality and Very Fast Shifts. I am now wondering how I ever rode without it. Setup was very easy. | | Weaknesses: | None(not suprisingly) | | Similar Products Used: | XT, Deore, Acera | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Silk Path 600, SRAM 9 speed cassette, XTR Brakes and levers, | | Bottom Line: | Great Shifter. This is the way shiftin' should be. Very fast and smooth. Who ever said "Rapid Demise" and Hard to setup is "NUTS". Easy to setup and adjust. If you are in need of a new derailleur, Climb alot of hills or just looking to upgrade this is the one for you. Took a few shifts to get used to the reverse action but after that no problem. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mad matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Davis, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: November 19, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | little bear | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | super--go | | Strengths: | rapid-rise feature makes for quick shifting | | Weaknesses: | 11-28 spread, what about 9spd? This thing was not worth the cash paid. I can't get it dialed for 9spd and therefore went back to my xt | | Bike Setup: | santa-cruz superlight, xt drive train, manitou super for, | | Bottom Line: | unless you are running 8spd with an 11-28 spread buy something else | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Silver23
a Weekend Warrior
from Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Lago di Garda Trails in Italy | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Festival, Willingen (Bicycles.de) | | Strengths: | Clean looking, Reverse Shifting rulez completely. Smooth shifting, weight is low. | | Weaknesses: | Price too high | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano LX. XT. | | Bike Setup: | Frame: Ghost Dual Slalom
Wheels: Hugi Cerrit/Synchros rims
Fork: Rock Shox Psylo Race 2002
Brakes: Hayes Hydro Disk Brakes
Shift dept.: full XTR
Handlebar: Answer Protaper
Tyres: Rear 2.35 IRC V-Claw/ Front 2.1 Ritchey ZMax
Saddle: Terry Liberator, very Good
Stem: Azonic ORC
Crancks: Shimano LX with Rock Ring
Pedals: Shimano 636 SPD's / Wellgo B36 Platforms | | Bottom Line: | Nice product but as always with top of the line products from any company, over priced! The reverse action shifting makes shifting lighter a lot lighter and easier. It makes shifting faster, I have always been pro Rapid Fire shifting opposed to twist shifting anyway. twist shifting can lead to ghost shifting and you loose a lot of control whilest shifting. Trials riding and twist shifting or Downhill riding and twist shifting do not belong in the same paragraph. Free riding means free ghost shifting. Well I guess you get the picture. Shimano should let the XT group have a reverse action derrailleur!!!!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
todd k.
a
from canton mass
Date Reviewed: November 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Coon Hollow Path | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$95.00 | | Purchased At: | Norwood Bike Depot | | Strengths: | Shifting good first day | | Weaknesses: | Everything. Price, shifting 2nd day and throughout life time | | Similar Products Used: | XT rear derailluer is awesome, LX is retarded | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Rockhopper, XTR derailluers, chain, LX cassette, LX shifters, velocirapter tires. | | Bottom Line: | This thing is $hit. The first day is was alright but now it has lost shifting ability already and is was to sensitive. I have done nothing for street and minor off roading for the past 2 weeks and it fails to hold up. It already skips, mis shifts and needs so many adjustments. It also cost $95. $95 for crap. The XT is half the price and 5 times as good. It held up for a year through beatings and hardcore riding with lots of mud and jumps. I bent it and the springs broke but it held up for a year with no maintence but simple lubing. Don't waste your time with the XTR get an XT if anything. I gave it 2 chilis since it looked good and ligh weight. Maybe i got a defect since it never happens to any one else. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Moose
a Weekend Warrior
from Oklahoma
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Shifts smooth, Light weight | | Weaknesses: | Way over priced, Broke within 6 months of use | | Bike Setup: | Specialized AIM Comp w/ SID XC and XT drivetrain | | Bottom Line: | I decided to switch to XTR because it was supposedly the best money can buy. When I got it and installed it it shifted smoothly and I didn't experiance any ghost shifting or hanging on the gears. Now even with all of these good points I did not think it was worth the $80.00 I paid for it but then on a ride a couple of months later I bent the arm and all of the shifting went down the tubes. The XTR derailluer is over twice as expensive as an XT and the only difference is a couple of grams and a few different materials used in the bushings. I decided that since there is even a chance of breaking the XTR it's not worth shelling out over $80.00 for another one that may also break. I have since switched over to the XT derauiller which offers the same smooth precise shifting but if I break one it only costs $30-$40 to get another. Bottom line- there's no doubt the XTR is an excellent derauiller but it's not near worth the price and the risk of breaking one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dustin Smith
a Cross Country Rider
from Kelowna B.C Canada
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | all | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | JensonUsa | | Strengths: | Love this product I'm sooooo glad I have it. though I have a med cage. Hopefully I can get a long one of a used deraileur. Had a XT and that was sweet and didn;t notice a big diffence in preformance except reverse shiftin I guess a long cage would help a lot. | | Weaknesses: | I can't seem to go in to 3 chain ring and 1 gear it just about rips my deraileur off. Its not my chain length cause one more link and 1 chainring and 8gear rubs??? can't figure it out. Also has to be tuned more than an XT | | Similar Products Used: | Deore, XT(nice) | | Bottom Line: | A very good deraileur and once yor used to reverse shifting its smooth, if your good at dialing in your set screws then you shouldn't have a problem. though for me its a med cage. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Racer
from Tennessee
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Black's Canyon, Jackson Hole | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria | | Strengths: | Flawless shifting, being able to quickly jump to a smaller gear on steep climbs, everything | | Weaknesses: | nothing | | Similar Products Used: | xt standard | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale CAAD 3 and Santa Cruz Superlite, both full XTR | | Bottom Line: | My first rapid rise came on a used Cannondale I bought off of a guy. It didn't take me that long to get used to the reverse shifting direction because my other bikes had gripshift at the time and it had been awhile since I had used regular action trigger shifters. I loved the shifting of the RR so much that I bought one for one of my other mountain bikes, bought some trigger shifters and now have the RR on two of three bikes. When I get the money I may get one for the third bike. These derailluers are simply the best. I would not get the long cage version if you ride on tight trails where something is likely to snag the low hanging derailluer. Go with the medium cage and ride hard. Five flaming chilis. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John G
a Cross Country Rider
from Westminster, Co
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything straight up but rideable! | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Flawless shifts, always. It's a perfect world after all. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Years of XT, which worked fine, but slower than the RR | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Fisher Sugar 2 built up with mostly XTR | | Bottom Line: | I've read reviews here where it seems most love the RR, and some hate it. I too had to get used to the reverse action at first; didn't take too long, and now think it's the only way to shift. You can slam any gear instantly, flawlessly (at least the way my bike is built up--maybe all credit goes to Doug at Wheatridge Cyclery, maybe all credit goes just to this superior product). To those who hate it I say, great, use the standard shifting XTR derailleur yourself, but don't badmouth this product just 'cause you couldn't get used to it. I rave about to anyone who asks, and if anybody isn't asking, I just keep grabbing perfect shifts all day. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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