|
|
|
| |
Submitted by
winterwarrior93
a Downhiller
from Saugerties Ny, USA
Date Reviewed: September 28, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | local bike shop | | Strengths: | shifted well, not to many skip shifting, good for climbing, | | Weaknesses: | weak cage, parts wore out fast, came off jump the cage bent, went into my rim and cost me 5 spokes,a new derailleur, hanger, and cassette | | Similar Products Used: | other shimano shifters/derailleurs | | Bike Setup: | kona coilair mostly stock besides derailleur and tires and coil shock in rear | | Bottom Line: | worked well for the first few months but wore out fast, shifted well, i would recommend for the cross country or road cyclist, but it isnt to good for freeriding and downhill, bottom line worked good but ended causing more damage then it was worth | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pooolio
a Cross Country Rider
from GVegas, SC
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | The one near my house | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Came on Rockhopper c | | Strengths: | Trying to think of one.....yea none.
| | Weaknesses: | Doesn't shift. Grinds when shifting. Heavy. Cheap looking. | | Bottom Line: | Terrible product from shimano. I've tried to adjust it and it will be decent for 5 minutes and back to crap. Can't believe Specialized put this stock on an $800 hardtail. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
snow16boarderdude
a Cross Country Rider
from jenison, michigan, usa
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | cannonsburg ski area | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | It came on my mongoose sector bike, after i adjusted it it worked great. I dont have trouble shifting at all. Before I adjusted it, the derailleur wasnt good at all. | | Weaknesses: | Needed adjustment | | Similar Products Used: | shimano tourney | | Bike Setup: | mongoose sector, mozo fork, pro max disks, | | Bottom Line: | Good product after I spent time adjusting the derailluer. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
diced
a Cross Country Rider
from vancouver
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | burnaby mountain | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | USED | | Strengths: | Once adjusted, just keep clean and it works just as good as my LX/XT, but with weaker spring in the RD. Mine is fron 1993 with lots of steel construction and is very durable. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, looks ugly, plastic on rear derailluer(weak, potential breakage), parts rust if ignored after ride. | | Similar Products Used: | '85 SUNTOUR, '89 DEORE, '95 LX, '98 XT, '96 SACH, | | Bike Setup: | The one with ALTUS A10-rapid fire SL: Giant Sedona ATX = all STOCK | | Bottom Line: | Once everything is setup and broken in, it works flawless. It's slower shifting than higher end but just as precise. Keep the drivetrain clean. The ALTUS' steel chainrings have outlasted my alloy ones. The front rapidfire shifters I have used, all have some slack built in after you have reached the indexed rachet gear, so that it moves back a bit after you let go of the thumb button. Keep this in mind when shifting/tuning. Keep holding down the shifter button when shifting up to larger rings(usally takes less than a second)until the chain jumps to the larger ring. You can use that bit of that fall back slack to minimized chain rub too. when I tune the FD to up shift quick without holdingdown the shifter, then I get chain rub over 3 or 4 gears, and the wire is too tight to downshift quickly. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MIKE
a Cross Country Rider
from Pacific Grove, CA
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | whatever can't bend my rims | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$440.00 | | Purchased At: | Aquarian Bicycles | | Strengths: | does not fall off the bike | | Weaknesses: | slow shifting, locks up, doesn't shift, innacurate shifting causes the chain to bump against the front derailleur | | Similar Products Used: | none; this is by far the worst shifter i've ever used | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Crosstrail 2009 | | Bottom Line: | This is a crap shifter, sometimes especially when shifting from 2-3 or 1-2, this shifter just doesn't perform, the shifting is inaccurate no matter when I shift or where I ride, this innacuracy makes the chain bump against the front derailleur all the time, sometimes I shift and the front derallieur hangs up in mid shift; the only way for me to remedy this problem is if I get off the bike, and manually move the chain up one sprocket: DO NOT EVEN CONSIDER THIS SHIFTER:::::::::I WOULD GIVE IT A ZER0 IF I COULD!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lemon hater
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix, AZ, 85044
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | The road to tyranny | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Walmart | | Strengths: | None | | Weaknesses: | Does not shift good | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Mongoose Blackcomb | | Bottom Line: | After a year of use and putting up with its crappy shifting capabilities. One night riding home I was riding up a steep hill. I dropped it down to the lowest gear just as I get to the top of the hill. Keep in mind I am traveling at walking speed. The rear wheel locks up I look back to see what the problem is and the derailer caught one of the spokes and bent it up bending not only the derailer but later I found out it bent my frame. So now my $300 bike is garbage because of a $20 defective part. I will never buy anything by Shimano or Mongoose. Even if I tried to bend the frame back I am sure it will just malfunction again so why bother wasting the money. I am going to buy a new bike Haro makes a nice beach cruiser and that is all I really want. Anybody need spare parts for the Mongoose Blackcomb LEMON? ragebreak@aol.com | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jamz
a Downhiller
from wollongong
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | the one down the street with dirt | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | bike store somewhere | | Strengths: | none realy it kinda looks good | | Weaknesses: | shifting everything basicly | | Similar Products Used: | shimano deore sran x5 | | Bike Setup: | maxxis advantage tyres bomber shocks all atlus drivetrain | | Bottom Line: | crap havent evn used it mtb yet ive only been rideing on the road and stuff and it bearly works | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
gekkoman
a Racer
from Cyprus-English
Date Reviewed: January 25, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | None | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | With Fleet | | Strengths: | Good reliable low maintenance basic product. | | Weaknesses: | None at this price | | Similar Products Used: | XT-Sram X7- Deore | | Bike Setup: | Marin Pioneer trail | | Bottom Line: | I own a Mountain Bike tour company, sure we use X7 and XT on our tour bikes but these are the bikes we hammer as we Mountain Bike on these bikes. But! I also run a fleet of 20 Marin Pioneer trail bikes for Hire around town and for light trail work. This is what these bikes are designed for and hence what the rear mech was designed for. I have had one break in two years and adjusted less than I would have expected. They work perfectly well when set up correctly and the cables are changed regularely, the most common reason for failiure rusty cables!! Think on all you guys who think you know what your talking about, the product is for light trail use not full on Mountain biking.
For people like me, who's life and business is Mountain Biking this is a great product, just use it as it is intended to be used!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jonjon41
a Weekend Warrior
from Bellingham Wa USA
Date Reviewed: January 13, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | krank it up Whistler | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Tough, easy maintenance. | | Weaknesses: | It shifts a little slower than higher end derailleurs. | | Similar Products Used: | XLT, Sram X-9 | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Kona Shred, Avid bb7 brakes, everything else is still stock including the derailleurs. | | Bottom Line: | I have done almost nothing to this bike except for beat the hell out of it. I have never even doubted that when i need to change gears that they will change when i push that lever. I crashed more time than i can count and even hit the derailleur several time yet it always works. If i were looking to buy something that lasts and is inexpensive i would buy these again. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Surfmus
a Cross Country Rider
from Kissimmee FL
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Santos and Alafia | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Dicks | | Strengths: | I can't find one yet. | | Weaknesses: | I test rode this product today for 23 miles on advaced and expert trails. The damn thing keeps skipping the third shift after a couple of adjustment kept giving me issues, especially when putting real torque on the cranks. I recommend Shimano ACERA and I believe it's on the same price range. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Tourney SIS. But so far, SIS is better. I will keep adjusting it until my Shimano XT comes in the mail. | | Bike Setup: | i have an Iron Horse Warrio 1.3. I just mounted a set of clipless pedals and a cyclocomputer. | | Bottom Line: | I normally test ride my bikes in Trails prior to riding in front of my house. This derailleur seems weak and cheap so far. I will tune it better as I go, until the XT arrives. Form my own perspetive dealing with bikes for the past 22 years, now (32) the Shimano Altus seems weak when putting a lot pressure on 3rd shift. If you read this, I recomend you get Shimano Acera if you are not looking to spend too much money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
drain bamage
a Weekend Warrior
from Sandy
Date Reviewed: December 13, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | temple query | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | came with bike | | Strengths: | none really | | Weaknesses: | The thing hardly even shifts the gears and sometimes it shifts when I dont even tell it to. Changes gears when doing even 3 foot drops | | Bottom Line: | I would not reccomend this to anyone. It shifts slow and just is no good all around for anything. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cshok
a Weekend Warrior
from virginia beach
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | seashore state park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | dicks | | Strengths: | Smooth and durable | | Weaknesses: | Has to be adjusted from time to time | | Bike Setup: | Hard-tail mountain bike with front shocks, stock | | Bottom Line: | I use this product for it's intended use road riding and some casual fitness off-road trails. It works very acurately and smooth. I think it's great for the money and does it's job well. If you're a competitive mountain biker I wouldn't use it | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
The Reid
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, OR, USA
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Tumalo | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Came with bike. | | Strengths: | Light, Durable, Reliable. Clean looking. | | Weaknesses: | so-so reputation. Kind of noisy. | | Similar Products Used: | Other Shimano components that were on my last Trek. | | Bike Setup: | '03Iron Horse Maverick alum frame. Rst capa forks. Sram shifters. | | Bottom Line: | I have logged probably ten thousand miles on and off the road with this r d over the last five years. I haven't been particularly kind to any bike I've ever owned. I'm not too extreme but my bike regularly comes off drops up to 18". I will be happy to upgrade it if and when it finally gives me a reason to. Shifts reliably and keeps good tension. I suppose it could be quieter/smoother, but it has never broken or bent. If you are missing gears with this r d. I would suspect you should replace your chain. More good news. This Shimano r d works with Sram shifters and other driveline components. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
al le barbu
a Cross Country Rider
from gatineau
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | real good and strong. I have a 10 year old ccm bike and the altus came whit it and still works great and i ride that bike every day i can. | | Weaknesses: | needs tunning every couple of years | | Bike Setup: | CCM stock mountain bike | | Bottom Line: | great product, would reccommed this products for light heavy use | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BlackFusion
a Cross Country Rider
from London ON
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Came stock on my bik | | Strengths: | Very smooth shifting, can take a beating, it's quiet if adjusted right. | | Weaknesses: | Needed adjusting on my bike aafter 2 months of using it | | Similar Products Used: | A Lower end Shimano Tourney, Shimano Deore, Shimano XT. | | Bike Setup: | McKinley Full Tilt | | Bottom Line: | This shifter is great. If you know how to take care of it, it will last a long time. I use this for cross country, and some cruising in the city. On both terrains it performs great. Would recommend for the beginner to moderate trail rider.
Would definitely recommend the altus. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ADAMX
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Hydro Cut | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Stock on Bike | | Strengths: | Well it looked cool. Shifted good. | | Weaknesses: | Loud when shifting. broke after two weeks of use and three days after the first tune up. | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is this product is bottom of the shimano Derailleur line. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay Bogart
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | 3 Sisters | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Strengths: | When adjusted properly and kept even 1/2 clean, works great. | | Weaknesses: | so far, to my surprise...none. | | Similar Products Used: | Deore, XT | | Bike Setup: | Hell Camino Spidermonkey | | Bottom Line: | The Altus is by no means a top of the line piece but much to my surprise after 3 full years of daily commuting and 7 eight hour X-C races along with at least 3 off-road excursions per week...the thing still lives!
After some initial adjusting problems the thing has just kept going and going.
And it is not pampered! I've destroyed a Deore and XT, both costing Much more and the Altus keeps on spinning. If you only have a few bucks to spend, adjust it right and you should have a good piece in Altus.
As for the bike snobs...This is a gear review site, not a personal attack site for people who live in their parents basements. Some people here should seriously get counceling...and a job! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gunner
a Cross Country Rider
from Marietta GA USA
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere theres dirt | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$10.00 | | Strengths: | never needs to be ajusted been in tons of crashes and never breakes or bends | | Weaknesses: | shifts too slow | | Similar Products Used: | n/a | | Bike Setup: | n/a | | Bottom Line: | Great for begigner off road riders | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
james
a Weekend Warrior
from deland fl
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Walmart | | Strengths: | Inexpensive, much better than the no name der that come with some bikes. | | Weaknesses: | Not for hard riding like some people think it's for. Just because it looks nice doesn't mean it can do tough trails. Constant slapping when going over rough terrain. | | Similar Products Used: | lower end shimanos. Deore XT | | Bike Setup: | Mongoose Blackcomb (der came with bike.) | | Bottom Line: | This amazes me. People use this thing for something it wasn't intended for. Sure some people have good luck with it, and can use it off road, but the bottom line is that it's an amateur der. On shimano's site it says this is for commutes, and beginners only. It served it's purpose, and I've since upgraded to Deore XT. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
paul london
a Cross Country Rider
from spain
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | sierra nevada mountains granada spain | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | ciclo deportes motril spain | | Strengths: | only adjusted twice in two years.perfect if adjusted properly. | | Weaknesses: | set up critical | | Similar Products Used: | sachs dirt quartz, shimano alviro | | Bike Setup: | orbea dakar hardtail ali | | Bottom Line: | used daily for commuting on mountain track and weekends for serious work .best ever used never a problem as good as stuff 5 times the price | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
The Man
a
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | None | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Looks slick | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | McKinley Full Tilt | | Bottom Line: | You guys are all idiots. I would suggest researching a product before you buy it. This componenet system is for CITY USE ONLY. You should not be using the ALTUS system for off-roading at any time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Serge
a Cross Country Rider
from Kazan, Russia
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | stock on the bike | | Strengths: | none :) | | Weaknesses: | overall loose construction. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Deore | | Bike Setup: | Rock Machine Heatwave. drivetrain upg-d to Shimano Deore/Truvativ Blaze | | Bottom Line: | low-end is low-end. after ~500 km I was unable to adjust it to precise shifting, after more 100 km it was broken (I performed a nice "over-handlebar" salto). Changed it to Deore RD. Verdict: never buy it as an "upgrade". if it cames on your bike -kill it by riding and buy a good RD. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
PETROV
a Cross Country Rider
from RURAL NY
Date Reviewed: February 10, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | LOTSOF'EM | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Came with bike | | Strengths: | Worked as expected (or better) for a lower end component. | | Weaknesses: | Shot after a year, but* | | Similar Products Used: | Deore;XT;LX | | Bike Setup: | Giant Sedona rigged more Mt. than comfort. | | Bottom Line: | My Altus R.D. worked damn near flawlessly when clean, lubed, and adjusted. (Only adjusted 2X in the year.) Ghost shifted twice early on but never later. Didn't miss a shift, ran quiet and smoothe. *I'm 230#, strong, like to test myself, and sometimes wear a heavy pack for commutes and days afield. I must have rode it too hard, in crossed gears perhaps?-the pivot is worn out. So I feel it's earlier than expected demise is as much or more my fault as Shimano's. Still works on easy rides, just not as well and I'm installing a Deore LX ($30-Jenson). I never expected it to last forever, never complained about it's performance, actually sorry to see it go. A component befitting a $300 bike. I wouldn't buy one unless real cheap for a backup, there's better parts to be had. I also wouldn't change it out prematurely just because you feel the need for more bling. ride it till it breaks, it's fine. A CLEAN drivetrain is a HAPPY drivetrain!!! I'm giving it high grades in the context of lower rung parts. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dj The Chemist
a Downhiller
from London Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Medowlilly | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$9.00 | | Purchased At: | www.ebay.ca | | Strengths: | Strengths!? ahah what strengths.. the things a piece of crap.. and works as well as a Falcon shifter..hahaha | | Weaknesses: | EVERYTHING... it broke when i landed a 4ft drop!? | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano SIS | | Bike Setup: | CCM Torque, Raceface Crank, Sunrims, DT Spoles, Deore Rear Hub, Hayes Purple hydroluc Discbrakes, Hayes front hub, Marzoochi 03 Z1's, stock rear schock (unknown brand)Black spire bashguard/cog. Sram 8 gear cassette, Sram 5.0 grip shift | | Bottom Line: | ...don't buy it.. i mean sure i payed like.. 12 bucks with shipping.. cuz i need a new one fast.. but i broke it just as fast as i baught it... don't waste ur money. even if it's like 1 buck.. i think.. the only person who should buy this.. is a 10 year old kid.. learning to jump off there fathers home made kicker.
- DJ The Chemist 2000-2006 (c) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Anthony
a Cross Country Rider
from Western Australia
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Dardanup | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Came Standard on bike | | Strengths: | -Shifted well when on smooth ground
-Sleak looking and reasonably light | | Weaknesses: | -seemd fairly weak in construction (when i hit a grass tree the entire thing flew apart beyond repair)
-slipped a bit on a hill or jump. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimmano SIS | | Bike Setup: | '05 Mongoose Tyax Comp with shimmano hollowtech crank. | | Bottom Line: | O.K derailler for a casual ride just dont hit anything with it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Chien
a Cross Country Rider
from Reno
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Came with bike | | Strengths: | 1. Cheap
2. Shimano Brand
3. Relatively Quiet
4. Strong (I think) | | Weaknesses: | 1. Bounces somewhat on tougher trails | | Similar Products Used: | 1. Shimano Acera X (old) | | Bike Setup: | Cephas Fever 7.7, stock, but I think I am going to upgrade to BB5disc brakes and Shimano Alivio rear derailuer soon, Specialized Hardrock, stock, really old. | | Bottom Line: | Great for the price, good for the aspiring off-road rider. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hui Chuen Chuang
a Weekend Warrior
from Penang, Malaysia
Date Reviewed: January 15, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | near my house | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$14.00 | | Purchased At: | Sim Cycle | | Strengths: | cheap, compatible with my megarange cassette | | Weaknesses: | bounces too much in the rough | | Similar Products Used: | alivio | | Bike Setup: | megarange cassette, deore cranks, lx FD | | Bottom Line: | overall good, but not a good upgrade | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Ottawa
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$21.00 | | Strengths: | Inexpencive, the tension isn't bad either. | | Weaknesses: | Shifting up hill, bounces way too much.
| | Similar Products Used: | Alivio | | Bike Setup: | Altus back, SIS front, low end bike. | | Bottom Line: | If you want to get use to your bike and this is the stock derailleur, keep it until you start getting a little more hard core on the trails.
For what you pay for this derailleur you get a good all around package. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brett
a Weekend Warrior
from pensacola, florida
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | west florida | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | pensacola cycles | | Strengths: | the color? | | Weaknesses: | it doesn't work? | | Bike Setup: | specialized hardrock & some eggbeaters | | Bottom Line: | this thing is a heap of crap. it came with the bike and with my next paycheck i'm getting something different and i can't wait.
it shifts horribly, makes a ton of noise, and is extremely weak. it's bent into my spokes on at least two occasions i can recall.
if you have one of these and are going uphill, don't try to downshift because it just won't work. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
j west
a
from salt lake city Utah/Edmonton Alberta
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Shifts when I want it to-doesn't lose the chain
has survived my carear of crashing spectacularly | | Weaknesses: | sort of "hops" when I shift to the smallest gear-makes an audible noise | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Trek 820 with ALTUS rear and SIS front | | Bottom Line: | This is the first bike I've had other than my old diamondback, but I think it is quite good. The ALTUS has had not really any problems because really the only "tricks" I do are jumps off curbs. I ride my bike to and from school 5km, or 10km roundtrip and I have had no large problems with my REAR derailer. My front SIS sucks.
CONDENSED: ALTUS is a good derailler for its price and SIS is horrible no matter how much you pay for it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bike Dude
a Weekend Warrior
from Tassie, Australia
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Ben lomond decent | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Came with my bike | | Strengths: | Its cheep...umm....it works pretty good as long as you don't thrash it....its pretty good for single track....It is a good bike for starters....it is pretty damn good for the price which u pay for it....(I spose that depends on where and how much u pay 4 it)
Oh yeah...it looks pretty good too | | Weaknesses: | Its a little flimsy...it cannot handle the drops i am currently...(4 foot drops)...I think that iff i done any more than a 5 foot drop it would snap or bend. | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Giant Boulder SE, otherwise pretty stok standard...yess..i do have front shox | | Bottom Line: | Its pretty good......pretty cheep...just don't thrash it and be good to it and it will serve you well...if uve got an SIS deraliar then definately go out and get one of these....there cheep and endlessly betta than SIS....if ure lookin to do any proper downhilling then dont get this...it will ben and crack..If ure only doin single track than this thing is fine....
I don't really know wat else to say about its so i won't say animore...
Cheers | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Harrison
a Downhiller
from Fort Mill, SC
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | my back yard | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Strengths: | The ALTUS line is good for beginners. I have had altus deraileurs on the past 2 bikes I have owned and they are very responsive and smooth. The shift and brake levers are also smooth and extremely strong. | | Weaknesses: | The rear deraileur does not do well uphill (im a downhill rider so it doesnt matter to me). At times the front der. acts wierd when i want to downshift. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano acera, Deore XT. | | Bike Setup: | Motobecane 500DS - rockshox judy, RST rear spring, Monkeylite handlebar, lizardskins deraileur and chainstay covers, Shimano disc brakes (mech.), truvativ crankset, WTB saddle, Kenda kevlar knobbed tires, ravX barends, CatEye lighting, Shimano 9spd cassette, Deore XT shifters/brake shifters, much more. | | Bottom Line: | The ALTUS line is the best for beginners who are looking for inexpensive, dependable drivetrain components. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Corey Nettleblad
a Racer
from Gilroy, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | The way to school | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$28.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | This thing is super strong. It has better chain tension that one of those XTR's. Those are really cheap and ugly. | | Weaknesses: | The price was a bit out of range, but i do like to spoil myself. | | Similar Products Used: | XTR, X.O., XT, LX, Deore, Alvilo, 9.0, 7.0, 5.0, 3.0, Dura-ace, ultegra, 105, acera | | Bike Setup: | Only the best... A GIANT BOULDER | | Bottom Line: | This thing is the best out there. It has great ability and keeps the chain in when going down huge hits like a curb. (Going down a curb was my most recent accomplishment) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from Tulare CA
Date Reviewed: November 15, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Costco | | Strengths: | It came with the bike so I don't know about the cost. It has heald up for ~ 10 years I can't complain. The bike has died because the front chainring is missing to many teeth and it is swaged together so it would be a pain to replace but the rear derailer still hits 5 out of 7 gears consistently and I always have the highest and lowest it will skip one in the middle ushualy. The front continues to work well I have no dificulty changeing into any chainring. | | Weaknesses: | It it heavy, it is not desighned to be raced but if they made it the smae today I wouldent hesitate to buy another if I was looking in this quality Level | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano XT, LX, SIS a couple of other cheap ones also | | Bike Setup: | Motiv Stone Grinder HP cro-moly | | Bottom Line: | For what it is it is a very reliable eficient piece of equipment. I have not ridden this bike especialy hard but it has required no maintnence whatsoever in the last 10 years which counts for a lot. And when I say none that is what I mean I never even lubed the chain.
I don't know if the current production works as well but mine has heald up admirably. I would not hesitate to buy another one if it was to go on a bike that was not intended to be raced. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ron
a
from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | no favorite | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Good, when it works. | | Weaknesses: | Front shifter cable tension needs adjustment at the start of almost every ride, seems temperature sensitive. Unreliable uphill downshifting, works sometimes, sometimes not. In general, shifting is not consistent. Most times the chain jumps into place, but sometimes the chain stuggles for a bit before finding its way into place. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Acera and SIS | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Giant Rincon, Altus crank set, Altus 24 speed Rapid Fire shifters, Altus front derailler with BB mount, Alivio rear derailler, MegaRange 11-34T (upgrade). | | Bottom Line: |
Came with the bike. Will upgrade when it breaks.
I find I have trouble downshifting while climbing a very steep grade. Milder grades are not a problem. It may or may not downshift. Toss a coin. The problem seems mostly with downshifting from the largest sprocket, to the middle sprocket. Downshifting to the smallest sprocket is much more reliable.
In general, shifting is variable. That is, most times the chain just snaps into place, beautifully. Now and again the chain seems to struggle to get where it is going.
Perhaps my 6061 aluminum alloy frame has a different coefficient of thermal expansion, compared to the stainless steel cables that are stretched out along the full length of the frame top tube. That might account for the fact that the cable tension needs to be adjusted almost every ride.
Could the whole configuration be temperature sensitive?
I have found that once the front derailler inward and outward travel limits are set correctly, only the cable tension is an issue. I find that shortly after I start off, I often have trouble either upshifting or downshifting. I either tighten or loosen the cable, at the Rapid Fire shifter, while riding, to fix the shifting problem, and then the thing is fine for the rest of the ride.
Well, except for the unpredictable refusal to downshift while climbing a very steep grade, and the incidental struggling to shift, even on level terrain.
Now, I may have mitigated the problem with uphill downshifting. After a recent ride, I found that I could no longer get the derailler adjusted at all. No amount of adjustment would get it to work properly.
Then I discovered that the thing was suddenly bent. I must have caught it on something offroading, and bent it. So, after briefly considering an upgrade, I decided to try to straighten it.
The derailler chain cage was twisted at the point where it connects to the rest of the derailler. The bottom of the cage was pulled back and up, away from the sprockets.
I took a small adjustable wrench and closed the jaws down to the thickness of the derailler metal, and then used the wrench to torque the metal, at the point of chain cage attachment, to bend it back into place. In the process, I bent it so that the chain cage, when it moves in and out, just barely clears the teeth on the largest sprocket. I believe I now have it set closer to the sprocket teeth than it ever was before.
Now downshifting off the largest sprocket works much better. Overall, shifting seems to be much more crisp than it ever was. However, I still have to adjust the cable tension for just about every ride.
In top gear, the front large sprocket always makes some sort of mild periodic chain noise. The noise is not loud, but seems to occur with each rotation of the crank. Nothing is rubbing and the thing stays in gear, but the noise *is* noticeable. I suspect that the noise is related to features on the largest front sprocket, which are intended to assist the chain to mount or dismount the sprocket, during shifting. It only seems to occur when the chain is on the smallest rear sprocket and the largest front sprocket.
My Alivio rear derailler, with the 11-34T MegaRange cassette (an upgrade), works flawlessly, all the time, and I never have any problems with it at all, except keeping it clean and lubed.
The constant need for adjustment, the fact that the chain sometimes struggles to shift, the noise in top gear, and the problems with downshifting from the largest sprocket to the middle sprocket when climbing a steep grade, keep me from giving the Altus front drive train a very good rating.
I have not tried any top of the line deraillers, so I cannot rate the Altus kit by comparison. I can only rate based on its intended purpose and how well it does the job.
I figure that for anything to be an excellent value, it has to do a good job, for a good price, so even though Altus is less expensive than XT or XTR, I don't see really good value in something that does not work really well, at any cost.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steve
a Cross Country Rider
from saco, maine, usa
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | clifford park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | cycle mainia | | Strengths: | huge cogs, have held up to my abuse, lightweight | | Weaknesses: | plastic casing, slow response | | Similar Products Used: | shimano sis | | Bike Setup: | raleigh m20 stock, replaced the sis with the altus | | Bottom Line: | you get what you pay for. would not suggest to a hardcore rider but great for the weekend rider or begginer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a Cross Country Rider
from lake hughes
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | sawmill | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$24.00 | | Purchased At: | gills bike shop | | Strengths: | the rear derailluer shiftes smooth, easy to clean, and is lite weight, when the arm got stuck in my spoke it bent the crap out of my frame but only left a dent on the arm | | Weaknesses: | none | | Bottom Line: | I have rode in the crapyest terrain and never had a problem with it. The resone is I take care of it(clean,lube,andmake shur it adjusted right) and it makes me happy, my dad is the king of takeing care of bikes and he hase the deore lx system and the brakes, derailluers are always out of adjustment, so you only need the altus insted of spending $700.00+ on top quality systems | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kenif
a Weekend Warrior
from australia
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | shifts up. shifts down. what more could you want??? pretty reliable too. | | Weaknesses: | needs adjusting frequently. has those big wheels. can also ghost shift and on longer trails may need adjusting half way. takes quite a while to change gears so ya have to shift early and hope for the best. | | Similar Products Used: | sis. acera. alivio | | Bike Setup: | giant boulder se. alivio cranks. tioga terra firma tyres. aricle carbon bar (pretty pimpy). rest is all stock. | | Bottom Line: | i guess its cheap but i don't know the price. it shifts up. it shifts down. not very quickly but it gets there. recomended for xc or it'll die well before its time is up. it does the job. thats about it. i haven't anything else to say. i'll go now. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
T M
a Cross Country Rider
from MA
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | came on my bike | | Strengths: | will work if u dont beat the crap out of it | | Weaknesses: | slow shifting, maitnence every once and a while | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Trek 820 | | Bottom Line: | great if you are just starting out but when you start to ride harder trails u will need to upgrade. good value for beginners | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Just A mtn biker
a
from new york
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | came on bike | | Strengths: | it bolts onto the frame. | | Weaknesses: | Everything!! | | Similar Products Used: | Sunrace 787,shimano stx | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn moab, mixed components | | Bottom Line: | I rode this thing for a month now and i hate it. It needs constant adjustments every ride.Doesnt shift when u want it to and makes alot of noise. Im upgrading to LX asap. What a piece of crap.If it comes on your bike get rid of it quick. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rustapharean Monkeybutler
a Downhiller
from Jamaica
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | your mum's ass | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | DH course (kinda stolen) | | Strengths: | Weight
Strength
PRICE!!! | | Weaknesses: | Looks only | | Similar Products Used: | XTR, Mavic Mech | | Bike Setup: | Intense M1, Manitou Dorados, XTR, Altus, Mavic Crossers, FSA Pig DH, 5th ELEMENT!! YER!!! | | Bottom Line: | i know this sounds unbelievable but its honestly true... I was riding my DH bike back from the pub one night, when i decided 2 enter in a SAMS DH competition (as u do...). Anyway, Halfway down the course after a 20 foot+ dropoff, but landed wrong, so my new XTR rear mech was ripped off on a tree stump as i bottomed out. I bailed my bike into a tree, but was convinced I would not just loose like that so i looked about on the floor and saw one of these ALTUS beauties gleaming there, and picked it up. I Wedged it over my chain and tied the wired together in under 30 seconds of bailing, and continued down the trail. I straight away noticed how theis bent piece of metal shifter better than my XTR **** I had put up with (really!), and overall still came 8th in the race using this mech!
OVERALL: AMAZING!!! BETTER THAN A MECH 20+ TIMES THE PRICE! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from Ningi, Queensland, Australia
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Ningi State Forestery | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | Morayfield Super Cycles | | Strengths: | Cheap, Better than SIS, Looks Good, Big Cogs | | Weaknesses: | Can't make up it's mind which gear it wants to be in! | | Similar Products Used: | SIS7 | | Bike Setup: | Rigid Giant Iguana | | Bottom Line: | This thing ain't to good but at least it doesn't snap when a twig hits it like my old SIS7 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jerome
a Downhiller
from Colorado
Date Reviewed: January 12, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Little Bear | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Came With Bike | | Strengths: | Pretty Fast when used with rapid fire system | | Weaknesses: | Plastic casings | | Similar Products Used: | Alivio | | Bike Setup: | Trek 820 w/ 2002 Rock Shox Judy C fork | | Bottom Line: | This thing sucks. I was just riding down the street and the thing broke. I did do some intense stuff before it broke and it did last me two years. But im going back to my alivio setup. Its way stronger. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
norcoboy bobby
a Weekend Warrior
from edmonton
Date Reviewed: December 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | pebble beach trails in CA | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | it looks funny | | Weaknesses: | slow. you hear that weird noise when the things does not work properly | | Bike Setup: | infinity incline | | Bottom Line: | ya, it is not bad for beginner riders. strong sort off | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay
a
from Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Urban | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | The Kentville Bikeshop | | Strengths: | It's a decent starter deraileur | | Weaknesses: | Can not take drops, or anything like that, STRICLTLY XC, stay away from anything besides that. | | Similar Products Used: | SIS7, Acera | | Bike Setup: | KHS | | Bottom Line: | Okay derailur for xc, I dont recomend it, stay away from anything but xc, you get what you pay for | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
stef
a Downhiller
from toronto , ontario, canada
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | good shifting to start | | Weaknesses: | kept on falling off when going of ledges and jumps, crunchy changing after first week | | Bottom Line: | good for street riding, adn commuting on light offroad terrain, stay awy from XC, DH and FR | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Grant
a Weekend Warrior
from Northern Michigan
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | with bike | | Strengths: | functions with little maintainance | | Weaknesses: | plastic shell | | Bottom Line: | In this case, you get what you pay for. I used this derailleur on my 7 speed for 6 years with some respectably hard riding and had no major problems. Plastic cage is more vulnerable to damage than higher quality components. I upgraded to an LX when I went to 8 speed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dusty
a Weekend Warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Haven't found it yet | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1.00 | | Purchased At: | With bike | | Strengths: | Cheap, easy to adjust, shifts well. | | Weaknesses: | Needs adjustment after (and during) big off-road, noisy. | | Similar Products Used: | Deore | | Bike Setup: | Stock Claud Butler Ravana | | Bottom Line: | Last time out did 40 miles in thick mud; my knees gave up before the deraileur, but after 25 miles, began to mis-shift and loose tension. Kind of fixed with tension adjuster on the trail, but proper adjustment had to be done at home. All in all fine for the money as long as you are willing to do the adjustments regularly, but not tricky. Not great for beginners who don't like to get their hands dirty! In which case go for Deore. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben Wichterman
a Cross Country Rider
from St. Cloud MN USA
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | It'll work for awhile. | | Weaknesses: | Two months of riding and the thing is loose where it is machine stamped together and it doesn't always shift where it is supposed to. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano XT | | Bottom Line: | Switch it out fast and upgrade. The thing was nothing but a giant headache. The XT was a big upgrade but I've had no troubles since switching. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh G
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | Where I bought my bike | | Strengths: | Shifts quickly. | | Weaknesses: | This thing is messed. I shift to a gear and it gives me one gear below when what I selected on my Scram Gear shift. | | Similar Products Used: | SIS, | | Bike Setup: | Trek 800Sport, Scram Gripshift. | | Bottom Line: | I do reccommend this product for a weekend worrier but for someone who does a lot of shifting no because it needs to be ajusted often. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
gee,tea?
a Cross Country Rider
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Any that gives a good ride | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Durable and works without fuss! | | Weaknesses: | Poor Cred! | | Bike Setup: | Upgraded GT Aggressor with XT hubs & cogset | | Bottom Line: | Have read many average reviews about this mech d. However, I've ridden over quite a few off-road trails, rockies mud & all , without any complain from the little bugger! This is all the more relevant considering that there is next to no maintenance done on the rear d!
Have been waiting for a chance to upgrade to another rear d but have yet to find a good excuse!
For the price that it costs and the durability it provides, I'll give it 4 flaming chillis! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Assorted Nut
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, CANADA ROCKS!
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | -Rear Derailler not to shabby
-Not too slow | | Weaknesses: | -Front Derailler is pretty strange.
I had a bike for 3 years with Altus everything and the front one
performed well. I just bought a new bike and have had
more trouble with the exact same derailler in just
two months.
-Cheap stuff | | Similar Products Used: | Acera X (crap)
Acera (brand new stuff, okay)
Deore LX (nice!) | | Bike Setup: | New bike:
Acera Everything but Altus front Derailler. TekTro Vs.
Old bike:
Altus everything | | Bottom Line: | On my old bike these deraillers performed well with their Altus shifter counterparts. They're cheap stuff and work perfect for riding around town. Consider getting a notch higher in shimano quality for off roading though. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Billy
a Downhiller
from UK
Date Reviewed: December 31, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | CHEAP, durable, does the job with no fuss... | | Similar Products Used: | none yet - no need | | Bike Setup: | kona roast frame
bomber z5
shimano | | Bottom Line: | I am a very hard rider. I race dh, ride street, trials and trails. This mech came on my very first bike (a cheap giant) I then broke the frame on that bike and transferred all the componentry to my new frame. It's still functioning even now although I am now looking to replace it as it is losing spring tension after a whole year of HARD riding. I'm not saying this is an amazing mech (shifting is average) but it certainly deserves a good word for its durability... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dimitris
a Cross Country Rider
from Athens,Greece
Date Reviewed: December 29, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | i love'em all | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | good shifting | | Weaknesses: | very loud,needs a lot of adjustment after an extreme off road ride. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano TY's and SIS | | Bike Setup: | Ideal Hillmaster,RST 281 R,Deore,STX Acera 00' rear derallieur | | Bottom Line: | it is a nice derallieur for beginners,especially for those who don't ride off road. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Skylar
a
from Chicago Illiniois
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | This is a very good product. I have been using it for about 2 years or more and it has not broken once. It is very nice how you just punch in the gears and it resonds pretty quickly. Ive off-roaded by my house in a forest preserve and when grass gets in it it just keeps going good and spits all of the plants right out. Very Nice. Good Price. | | Weaknesses: | None Really. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Pacific Scorpio | | Bottom Line: | Its great and its easy to afford. I give it a 5. Very good response when you hit in the gears. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Carl Dahm
a Weekend Warrior
from mosinee, Wisconsin, USA
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | acceleration | | Weaknesses: | brakes | | Bike Setup: | great | | Bottom Line: | Awesome bikes at fair prices and also at many notable and good outlets or dealers. The bikes have a great set up if you are a hardcore biker. With the grip shifters and the the suspension this bike can be considered a weapon in the biking industry. Shimano's are the best. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chan Choon Kit
a
from Malaysia
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | A forest reserve 20min from home | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Low maintenance, reliable enough to pass a full month's on-the-road use without cleaning. Off-road riding would be another story though. | | Weaknesses: | Spring tension in my rear derailleur slackened after a year and I now experience un-smooth shifting into my big gear (when climbing hills). Another problem is shifting into granny gear (using the front derailleur) is sloppy when the bike in under load (again when climbing hills). This causes chain suck and I have to get off my bike to rectify the situation. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano SIS, Acera, Alivio. | | Bottom Line: | Should be appreciated by beginners, and those who are too lazy to clean their bikes regularly (like me). I cycle to work daily but only clean my bike once every two weeks. Yet, Altus has stayed working and despite those hiccups that I've mentioned above. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kadiya Randall
a Cross Country Rider
from Tacoma, Washington State, USA
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | I've been able to use it on a variety of terrain, ESPECIALLY off-road terrain.
I'm a off-road rider who rides for long distances. Some of the terrain I've been on with this bike has been rough mountain terrain. I'm amazed this product has lasted me 2 years before breaking apart. | | Weaknesses: | Unknown. | | Bike Setup: | The bike I have is a Pacific Conquest SE. | | Bottom Line: | Like any just like any item, you need to clean and
maintence your bike often for any of the parts to work properly. Because I ride my bike often, I clean and do maintenance checks about once a week.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam (Poobanger) Williams
a Downhiller
from Peterborough, Cambs, England
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | My driveway | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Cheap, light, easy to maintain, great looks, quick cisp shifting | | Weaknesses: | Isn't XTR | | Similar Products Used: | SIS, Acera, Alivio | | Bike Setup: | Claud Butler Virago | | Bottom Line: | Another great rear derailer from the Japaneese god's Shimano. Shifts brilliantly even in the boggiest conditions, and dosn't cost that much so great the a rder on a budget or as a replacment. Overall a truely great piece of kit | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Auburn, NH, USA
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | None | | Weaknesses: | Everything | | Bike Setup: | Trek 4500 | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is they shouldn't even make this piece of sh*t because it gives shimano a bad name. Needs to be adjusted daily to work right even when the whole drive train is clean. Im gonna upgrade to the LX and hope it impresses me more than this piece of crap did. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
sack
a Cross Country Rider
from Ottawa
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | mclusky at gatineau park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | none | | Weaknesses: | THIS THING IS A TOTAL PIECE OF GARBAGE
IT LITERALLY CANNOT HANDLE ANYTHING OFF-ROAD.
| | Bottom Line: | THING DOESN'T WORK UNDER ANY REAL MOUNTAIN BIKING CONDITIONS
EXPECT TO SEE IT ON THE KIND OF BIKE YOU BUY AT A DEPARTMENT STORE | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George
a Cross Country Rider
from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Date Reviewed: March 25, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | next to none,cheap | | Weaknesses: | stuffs up easy, breaks easily, jams alot , can't handle dirt and just plain sucks | | Similar Products Used: | shimano sis
| | Bike Setup: | Giant boulder SE with ufo bar-ends | | Bottom Line: | Don't buy! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Anthony L
a Racer
from Halifax NS Canada
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Wrandies | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Cheap, good to fool around with | | Weaknesses: | to heavey Cheap | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Avilo | | Bike Setup: | CCM Cliffrunner | | Bottom Line: | I think the product was alright for at least 6mos but when I was racing the ALTUS feel apart so easy I recommend people if this happens to get a new derailler like an LX or some thing that takes a beating especialy people who do a lot of freeriding | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bobby Filar
a Cross-Country Rider
from Athens, OH
Date Reviewed: August 7, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Monday Creek | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
cheap, shifts well | | Weaknesses: |
heavy, rattles | | Similar Products Used: |
alivio | | Bike Setup: |
99 Trek 800 w/ 99 Spyder shcoks | | Bottom Line: | Great for beginner and cheap!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John S
a Cross-Country Rider
from Rocky Mount, NC
Date Reviewed: August 6, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
cheap
sturdy construction | | Weaknesses: |
sluggish shifts
heavy
dated design (80's look and performance) | | Similar Products Used: |
Shimano STX
Shimano Alivio
Shimano 105
Suntour (old) | | Bike Setup: |
Early 80's HKS Montana | | Bottom Line: | Bought as a make-do rear derailleur for my beater bike to replace a Shimano 105. It cost me $19.95 and tax. Had a lot of difficulty in setting it up; at best it shifted no better than my wife's Shimano Tourney. Replaced it with a bent up STX off my better bike--what an improvement! It's now on my wife's bike. Could have got an LX for the same $$. Good only as low end original equipment or for light use. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross-Country Rider
from Louisville, Kentucky
Date Reviewed: July 16, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Cherokee Park | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
I have been using it for over a year and a half Riding on trails and have never have any problems. Easy to adjust and compact. | | Weaknesses: |
None | | Bike Setup: |
1998 Schwinn Frontier GS with Rock Shox Judy T2 fork. | | Bottom Line: | No problems. Clean, crisp shifting. | | Overall Rating: |
| |
|
Photo Caption Contest
(sponsored by Maxxis)
|
Enter here
|
|
|
$
