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Submitted by
andy
a Weekend Warrior
from el cerrito, ca
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | does the job just fine now. fast smooth shifts & no problems | | Weaknesses: | not a weakness of the product per se, but 3 ring front derailleurs really need to be set up by someone who is an expert in order to shift as they should. Mine worked OK on the bike as delivered, but with a bit of trouble here and there. I recently found a bike mechanic who did some tweaking including bending the cage a tiny bit. Now the thing shifts perfect every time. I am willing to wager that with many people who have had trouble with front derailleurs, the fault of the install/adjustments and not the component.(there are very few with good ratings here) | | Similar Products Used: | Deore, Tiagra | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz | | Bottom Line: | I was ready to try and get another type because mine was marginal in its performance. With a bit of tweaking from a really good mechanic, it now shifts perfect every time. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ron
a Cross Country Rider
from estonia
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | still works | | Weaknesses: | not very fast
adjustment | | Similar Products Used: | acera-x, alivio, deore | | Bottom Line: | it works okay with old 7-speed sytems, but it cant be adjusted to work perfectly (on my bike).
it doesnt work fine with 9-speed system, it thorws the chain off sometimes and it cant be adjusted to work right | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hank Jien
a Weekend Warrior
from South Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | South Surrey Atheletic Park | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | (came with bike) | | Strengths: | -durability
-quality
-little maintainance
-fast shifting(if adjusted right) | | Weaknesses: | (none)
-the bolts may wear if you over tune it
(for this just take it to a shop, YOU'LL ONLY HAVE TO TUNE IT ONCE FOR LIKE A YEAR OR MAYBE LONGER, SO IT'S WORTH IT, EVEN I SAID THAT) | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Deore and those Shimano OEM stuff | | Bike Setup: | Merida Matts Slick Rock, LX drivetrain, 2001 Marzocchi Z5 100mm coil, LX hub built onto Mavic M400 | | Bottom Line: | Just get it!(if you can find one, I am not sure)I have had this derailleur for 6 years now and the last time I tuned this was in Nov. 2002. Today is May 30 and it's still working like a beauty. Mine is the STX RC. I only like lubed this once in six years. This may be old but after it's well tuned it works like a BEAUTY! WHEW AH AH! SAAAAAWEEEEEET PRODUCT.
I will recommend this product to anyone from racers to freeriders, although I haven't tried XTR's. I am sure it will work well with any setup. Keep it on your bike if you still have it. Just remember to get a skilled mechanic to tune it or you'll strip a bit of the bolt off if you over tune it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Kelly
a Cross Country Rider
from New Orleans
Date Reviewed: February 26, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Cheap, works good enough for me | | Weaknesses: | a little heavier (but not much) than LX | | Similar Products Used: | lx | | Bike Setup: | Been on my old hardtail, now on my 26" cross/commute/touring bike. Wife has one on her mtb as well. | | Bottom Line: | Well, I've had this derailleur for nigh on 8 years now and have had very few, if any, problems that I could blame on the derailleur. When mounted and adjusted properly, I have never had any problems with it. Handled N. Georgia clay, New England mud, and now sloppy cross course (w/ 46T ring) with no problem. Maybe I've just been lucky...who knows? For a straight forward, utilitarian derailleur this has worked fine in my book. The only time its misbehaved has been when the drivetrain as a whole has been a mess. Under these conditions, I doubt even XTR would function properly.
Now, I'm not saying I don't notice difference between the shifting of higher end groups and this simple STX unit. But, its not so bad as to make me want to give it the old heave-ho. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Travis
a Weekend Warrior
from Dallas,TX
Date Reviewed: February 17, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$15.00 | | Purchased At: | With Gary Fisher Bike | | Strengths: | Shifts well until... | | Weaknesses: | ...after many uses the cage will get loose. Makes shifting under stress almost impossible. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano LX/XT | | Bike Setup: | GF with Marz Atom 80, shimano eq. | | Bottom Line: | Upgrade at any time to LX or XT. Even if you have no need now, you will eventually. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
guy
a
from boston
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | it doesnt spontaneously burst into flames and explode | | Weaknesses: | it does jsut about everything else, except shift correctly | | Bottom Line: | this is a p.o.s. If your bike came with it, take it off and throw it into a vat of molten metal. It shakes it rattles and it fails to shift. It broke two chains of mine and still wouldnt down shift...so i got another one...brand new, out of the box, bike shop installed, it failed to shift correctly once again and three rides later that familiar shaking and shiftless front derrailer was back. The lx i replaced it with has been working well so im happy for now... | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin Richardson
a Weekend Warrior
from Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Any | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Inexpensive, reliable | | Similar Products Used: | LX, XT | | Bike Setup: | Kona Lavadome w/ XT drivetrain | | Bottom Line: | I have the bottom-pull model.
After reading all the negative reviews I'm wondering what the problem is. I've had this on my bike for 5 years and it has NEVER put the chain on the frame, or onto the crank. It shifts quickly and accurately everytime. I will be replacing it with a new XT when it wears out, but that's mostly to match the rest of my drivetrain. Anyone who is complaining about this derailleur needs to learn how to adjust it properly. I don't know how much improvement I'll see when I put the XT on because this derailleur does the job perfectly well - whether it's going up a big-ass hill or cruising on a paved path. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from Fremont, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Accurate shifting. Strong and stiff. Easy to maintain. I just use it and forget about it. | | Weaknesses: | I really can't complain about this product even though it seems like everyone hates it. | | Similar Products Used: | XT, XTR, Alivio | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale SuperV | | Bottom Line: | This came standard on my bike which I had for two years now. Of all the components on my bike, the STX front dr is definitely one of the easiest to maintain parts. Aside from setting the adjustment screws I had not trouble with it. In fact, I am just as happy with it as my XT front dr on my freeride San Andreas. I ride hard and abuse my bike. The XT rear der. craps out more than the STX front der. For those who are having trouble, spend some time to adjust it. Just because it's a STX doesn't mean it is crap as some people prejudged anything lower than LX grade. STX rocks the price performance ratio. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg
a
from Dundas, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | shifts up okay, I guess | | Weaknesses: | Lets see....doesn't shift down properly to the middle chainring if you're putting any pressure whatsoever on the pedals, can't be properly adjusted (even by the bike shop), scratched my frame | | Bike Setup: | 99 rockhopper | | Bottom Line: | This thing is completely inadequate if you do any trails that have hills (unless you enjoy shifting down long before you need to). It cannot shift down into the second chainring unless you are putting VERY minimal pressure on it. This der. came with my bike, and has been a pain in the neck ever since. I'm relegating this p.o.s to my pile of broken components...where it belongs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dave
a Racer
from canada
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | NONE!!!! | | Weaknesses: | This FD clamp broke when I attempted to tighten the clamp! Not much FUN!!!! I have never even heard of a clamp being broken while tightening!!!! Is there anyone else out there with a similar story!!!!????? | | Bottom Line: | TTHIS THING SUCKS!!! BORKEN CLAMP!!!! HOW CHEAP CAN ONE GET!!!! NEVER AGAIN!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Albuquerque
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Otero Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Inexpensive... | | Weaknesses: | poor shifting performance | | Similar Products Used: | old deore stuff, LX | | Bike Setup: | Rockhopper, mostly LX, Marzocchi fork... | | Bottom Line: | This derailluer just hasn't cut it - it shifts well from the middle to the big ring and back but it has lots of trouble from the middle to the small. It likes to hesitate and if you over compensate on the adjustment you lose the shift speed from the small ring to the middle - so pick your poison. I've tried every adjustment possible including setting the der. cage all the way down to the rings, changing the toe adjustments in and out - nothing works, so I've lived with this thing until I can upgrade it to something better - soon I hope! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Evan
a Weekend Warrior
from US
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Any and everything | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Price, Lasting, little maintenence...when you are off the trail...atleast | | Weaknesses: | try going downhill, over rocks, roots, the usual, then shifting once you are near, or at the bottom, watch how your chain wraps itself around the drive crank...what fun it is trying to unravel that one on the middle of the trail. | | Similar Products Used: | alivio, lx deore | | Bike Setup: | 1999 rockhopper a1 fs, soon to be equipped with Rock shox Sid 99 SL, xtr rear and front derailleurs, and a new seat...good times will be rollin' | | Bottom Line: | buy a bike with these, then buy an xtr for $80, or XT, well worth it, i'd say | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric B
a Weekend Warrior
from New York
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Bottom Line: | It does what it's supposed to do. It derails the chain. Same exact design as LX and XT except for some minor weight difference. I'm satisfied with it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Felipe
a Cross Country Rider
from Flagstaff, AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | most local trails | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Never had any serious problems. Minor adjustments are easy to do. I've had the same derailleur since '96. (Stock component on my bike.) | | Weaknesses: | None really. STX is middle of the road. As stated in other posts, "You get what you pay for".
| | Similar Products Used: | I can't even remember, I've had the same bike for so long. | | Bike Setup: | '96 Specialized Ground Control. Still mostly stock, except Shimano SPD 626's, Bar Ends and other minor miscellaneous additions. | | Bottom Line: | I have no real complaints. 5 chilis for durability and 5 chilis since I haven't had to buy another yet. I have hundreds of miles logged on the same one since '96. I just thought I might be the 77th person to post a review on this product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Weekend Warrior
from NC
Date Reviewed: December 29, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
cheap; works fine | | Weaknesses: |
can't think of any | | Similar Products Used: |
Can't remember, I've had this one for so long I can't remember what was on my last bike. (no joke) | | Bike Setup: |
Marin hard tail. LX/XT components. Judy SL shock. | | Bottom Line: | U guys that gave this thing a bad review must be on crack!! or have no idea how to set-up your bike. I've had mine for over 6 years and it still works fine and I've put it thru some hard riding; 3 years in New England and 3 in NC. Granted its not an XTR but u get what u pay for. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kyle
a Cross-Country Rider
from San Antonio
Date Reviewed: December 25, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Cheap | | Weaknesses: |
Cheap.
Poor design. | | Bike Setup: |
Pretty much stock Proflex 2000 | | Bottom Line: | It works. I had to take a pair of pliers to it to eliminate chain rub. This is an EXTREMELY cheap component. So I am not too terribly worried about replacement cost.3 jalepenos for working, -1 because I had to modify it in order for it to do its job right. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
greg
a Weekend Warrior
from chicago IL
Date Reviewed: December 18, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
any | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
came with the bike | | Weaknesses: |
came with the bike
poor shifting
dies after 6 months | | Similar Products Used: |
several | | Bike Setup: |
Specialized FSR mostly stock setup | | Bottom Line: | When I first bought the bike, I loved the thing. The front derailleur gave me troubles the minute I tried changing to a bigger gear. Slid the chain right off the large chain ring, which I fixed with setting the screw properly. Before 6 months were up though, the der just died on me. I took awesome care of this bike, completely cleaned, lubricated, kept indoors!!! Der froze on me. Bike shop was like what did you do to it? I'm sorry if riding and shifting causes a front der to die like that. Maybe I should stop all together. If this der is on your bike, pay the extra 30-40 and get a better der. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig
a Cross-Country Rider
from Vancouver, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 26, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
KVR | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Came with bike | | Weaknesses: |
Didn't even last a year | | Bike Setup: |
98 Specialized RockHopper FS, Indy C | | Bottom Line: | This front derailler didn't even last a year on my girl friend's bike! Wouldn't shift up or down.... Gave up on it. Had the LBS give it a shot, no luck. Replaced it with a LX and problem solved. Front deraillers dying in less than a year?!?! My 10 year old Suntour 9000 is still working! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thomas
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: September 6, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Capitol Forest | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
reliable | | Weaknesses: |
Lots of throw | | Similar Products Used: |
STX-RC, XT | | Bike Setup: |
98 Moab 2 | | Bottom Line: | I've heard lots of lousy reviews about this one. But other than a huge amount of throw, this thing is actually pretty good. I think it's only thrown the chain once, it's always smooth and consistant and I hear they're dirt cheap to buy separately. I don't know, maybe I just got a good one?! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rommel
a Weekend Warrior
from Cleveland Heights OH
Date Reviewed: August 29, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Does it really matter ? | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Shifts when I press the shifters even when going uphill | | Weaknesses: |
chain rubbed the cage 'til I adjusted it | | Similar Products Used: |
I could tell you but then I would have to kill you | | Bike Setup: |
Raleigh M-80 nothing glamorous | | Bottom Line: | Hey, I know this thing isn't an XT or an XTR but it has performed for me on an off road, up hill and down in all seasons (I like to ride in the winter, something we have a lot of here in Cleveland). The STX works well enough if you keep it clean and adjusted. I've had it for 8 months, adjusted it twice about six months ago and it hasn't needed it since. Degrease about once a month lube about twice a month. Wipe it off after the messy rides and it's good to go. I don't worry about weight. I've got no need to impress anyone. I just like riding my bike. Oh yea, I put a small washer between the lower cage bolt sides to stop the chain rubbing against the cage. A minor difficulty taken care of in about 10 minutes Basically, its a solid piece of equipment. And from what I've read on the LX and XT front de's I may just get an STX-RC when I upgrade to a new rear derailler | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross-Country Rider
from -
Date Reviewed: July 5, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
- | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
It shifts | | Weaknesses: |
? I've never found any serious ones. | | Similar Products Used: |
Every Shimano group. | | Bike Setup: |
Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo, from 97 with Grip Shift. It does make a difference. | | Bottom Line: | Never replaced it, rarely ever adjust it. Works fine. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Baim
a Cross-Country Rider
from Durham, NC
Date Reviewed: June 28, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Relatively solid equipment. Nothing fancy. | | Weaknesses: |
A bit heavy. Very difficult to find new anywhere. The LX is probably a better bet for about the same $$. | | Bike Setup: |
'97 Specialized Rockhopper A1 FS. | | Bottom Line: | Seems to work just fine after a month or so of use. Not terribly precise, but it's working fine. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Groovy Baby!!
a Downhiller
from Mars
Date Reviewed: June 21, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
not at all!!! | | Weaknesses: |
too MANY to say!!!!! | | Similar Products Used: |
my hands | | Bike Setup: |
bicycle | | Bottom Line: | i would rather use my hand than using this piece
of rusty metal!!!!!
go home to ya home in the scrap metal factory!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Palmer
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: June 21, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
SOMETIMES it shifted ... | | Weaknesses: |
hard to adjust
does not shift smoothly
always rubbing against my chain
it scratch my frame!!!Argh!!I HATE SHIMANO!!!!
juz a piece of junk!!!!! | | Similar Products Used: |
Taiwan made stuff which is
alot more times cheaper and
better than shimano!!! | | Bike Setup: |
RH A1 FS with shimano crap stuff!!! | | Bottom Line: | Shimano Mega Drivetrain should be renamed
Sh*tmano Mega Sh*t DriveMeCrazyTrain!!!!!
the shifting is not smooth at all!!!makes alot of sound
and most importantly...it cause me to scratch my beautiful frame!!!
this crappy junk deserve a place at Hall of shame!!
and why must i give it one rotten chili!!!
IT DON'T EVEN DESERVE A USED CONDOM!!!!WA HA HA HA HA
SHAME ON YOU SHIMANO!!!!!
DO A BETTER JOB OR CLOSE DOWN UR ROTTEN COMPANY!!!!
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Weekend Warrior
from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 20, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
don't have one | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Well, it's better than the Shimano Tourney f. derailleur on my old bike. | | Weaknesses: |
It's hard to adjust, does not shift smoothly, it has an awful hard time trying to get the chain onto the middle chainring no matter how you adjust it, and I bent it up when I shifted and backpedalled(my fault, but it's not too strong). | | Bike Setup: |
'99 Specialized Rockhopper A1 FS
Manitou Spyder
(all out of the box) | | Bottom Line: | Not too bad, not too good either. Once you have the adjustments done, it's not too bad. 3 stars for working properly most of the time. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JP
a Cross-Country Rider
from Hull, Quebec
Date Reviewed: June 17, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Gatineau | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Sometimes it works! | | Weaknesses: |
Usually does'nt work!! | | Similar Products Used: |
Other derailers that are actually crappier than this one!!! | | Bike Setup: |
Giant ATX 970 with rapid fire LX shifters. | | Bottom Line: | Ever get stuck in the mountains without a granny gear. Good workout - produces salty language. Peice of crap. Needs constant adjustments. I'll be changing it soon (or commit hari kari). Hope I have better luck next time. Any suggestions? Gave it 1 chily - sometimes it works! To the guy with the gripshift - its not the shifters. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J. Spencer
a Weekend Warrior
from Rocky Mount, NC
Date Reviewed: June 11, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Cheap
Works great as a friction shifter | | Weaknesses: |
Not so good as an index shifter--requires careful set up
Occasionally gotta finesse the shifter like an old style front deraiileur | | Similar Products Used: |
Shimano Alivio
A variety of nonindexed old Suntour, Shimano, Simplex, Campy and Huret changers | | Bike Setup: |
Trek 920
KHS Montana (1983) | | Bottom Line: | Bought my first one to update my KHS. This bottomloader works well as a friction shifter with the original and replacement triple rings. The toploader took about an hour of fiddling to get accurate shifting with the Trek's gripshift. Haven't had to finesse it since, but once or twice
it dumped the chain off the big chainwheel. Good for an upgrade on old bikes, otherwise not up to serious play. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy Kestner
a Cross-Country Rider
from Ballston Lake, NY
Date Reviewed: June 8, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
skidmore | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
It at least worked when i first got the bike | | Weaknesses: |
It just sucks. you can screw around with it as long as you want and even if you set it up just right it will work badly again before you know it. | | Similar Products Used: |
Xt Lx | | Bike Setup: |
Fisher Hoo koo, manitou Sx-r, kore, | | Bottom Line: | if you ride at all seriously get rid of it. at school my bike is mostly transpo. so it doesn't matter so much, but....when it matters i realize that it is junk. it can never find the small chainring and most of the time to shift you have to go past the gear (grip shift) and then crank it back to where it belongs. i thought it was the crapy grip shift but they work fine with Xt rear. just fine though if you aren't that serious and don't have the cash to upgrade. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Moose
a Cross-Country Rider
from Norman, Ok
Date Reviewed: May 27, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Weaknesses: |
Heavy, un-realiable, evil | | Similar Products Used: |
Altus C 20 | | Bottom Line: | STX is unrealiable. I nuked it riding on the road! Yes, I did take care of it and oil it and it is still BAD. Don't take it on a trail far from civilization or you will be stranded. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex Bilibin
a Cross-Country Rider
from Lynnwood, WA
Date Reviewed: April 27, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Former Canadian 4x4 Trails | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Tough component. Good for beginners. | | Weaknesses: |
More adjustments needed when got older. Gets very stubborn when wanting to shift. | | Similar Products Used: |
Shimano SIS | | Bike Setup: |
REI Novara Arriba | | Bottom Line: | Great derailleur, and is worth its price. Beginners will like using this derailleur. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mr. Bigglesworth
a Cross-Country Rider
from Ontario
Date Reviewed: April 14, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Price | | Weaknesses: |
Everything else | | Similar Products Used: |
Shimano LX | | Bike Setup: |
'98 Fisher Big Sur, XT rear, STX-RC shifters, Indy XC | | Bottom Line: | Love the entire bike but the STX front. Doesn't shift into small cog even when adjusted correctly. Time to jump up to XT which i have tried and liked. I guess it's good for casual XC riding but if you want to race like me, you want precision and no mis-shifts | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil...
a cross-country rider
from Alaska
Date Reviewed: January 18, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I have compared the alivio, STX, and acera derailleurs of the top swing variety, and there is very little if any difference between them... they are all lame.
They don't shift down if there is even a single iota of pressure behind your padaling stroke. SUX.... They also rattle like cheap tin cans, a sound I could live without.
I give them a single pepper. Since I had to replace it to get my front to shift to the smaller chainrings. (Currently I use an STX RC of the old bottom swing design. It works quite well, and is of the same basic design and similar construction as the more expensive LX). | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Seano
a cross-country rider
from watertown, ma
Date Reviewed: January 8, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I had an STX front on my 97 Gary Fisher until this week when it broke in half. It shifted OK, but not great and took a fair amount of abuse over 3000 miles. I am upgrading to an XT because the 98 product is on sale for $16 at Colorado, but I have to agree with some of the other reviewers that front deraileurs don't vary all that much as you pay more. I got over 2 years and a lot of miles out of a $15 dollar product and you can't complain too much about that. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aram Cipolini
a racer
from tropicalia
Date Reviewed: January 5, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
i bet all you people that actually take time to review a component as useless as a front derailuer, wouldn't even be able to tell the difference between an XTR or an acera-x. Same shit, one lasts longer than the other. That if anything is the only advantage $429873 frnt derailures have over the $20 ones. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gerry
a weekend warrior
from Winchester, MA
Date Reviewed: January 4, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
When I first got my Cannondale Super-V with the STX-RC front derailleur, I agreed with most of these reviews that it was really worthless. Then I got the Shimano installation instructions and adjusted it myself, rather than relying on the dealer, and it performed a lot better. It still dropped off the granny gear once every few rides, but lubricating the chain would fix that for 2-3 1-hr. rides. Then I got Pro Link lube for the chain, instead of Pedro's Extra Dry, and it has been smooth as silk ever since, about 6 hrs of riding so far. (I'll review the lube after a few more rides.) Clearly there is more to smooth shifting than just the derailleur. So, I'll give this 4 flamers, not 5, 'cause it still doesn't shift well under power. I don't know if XT or XTR would be better (my dealer says not), but there SHOULD be one out there that is a little less picky. | | Overall Rating: |
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