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Submitted by
bumberding
a Weekend Warrior
from Wiltshire
Date Reviewed: January 13, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Salisbury Plain | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | look ok, good action, easy to maintain, never fail | | Weaknesses: | front mech requires very long action to shift up, cheap materials | | Similar Products Used: | spram x9/x7, shimano xt/xtr | | Bike Setup: | giant xtc | | Bottom Line: | do as they should never fail, if you want want better quality go for an xtr although don't expect too much more better shifting action as LX's are good! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Erik
a Racer
from Boise, Idaho
Date Reviewed: January 8, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Hard Guy | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | George's | | Strengths: | They just work | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Sram twist X.0 | | Bike Setup: | Epic | | Bottom Line: | I used these things for 5 years (~8000 miles) and they are literally the last component I've needed to replace except the Fox fork. Technically they don't even need to be replaced (still work, but I just want something new). They never failed, always shifted well. I'll give them 5 chilis. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lowell
a Cross Country Rider
from Brunswick, ME
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Bradbury Mountain: Ragan | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Have worked fairly consistently for 6 years. Don't see any need to replace them any time soon. | | Weaknesses: | The ratchet mechanism will sometimes not catch in the winter. This is only when riding in sub-zero temps though. The problem is also decreased by putting a couple drops of lube in the hole (remove the plastic screw). the indexing on the rear shifter has gotten a bit softer after 6 years of fairly heavy use. | | Similar Products Used: | sram x9, shimano alivio. | | Bike Setup: | jamis dakar sport 1997. lx shifters, xt rear, lx front derrailleur, manitou skareb fork, cane creek ad10 shock. Crossmax/crossride wheels, v brakes. | | Bottom Line: | These shifters, along with the xt rear derrailleur, have lasted me 6 years, performing well with little maintenance the whole time. THey're not too pricey and work well with little effort. Highly recommended. So you know, I ride a lot of xc and have been racing the past two years, and there's still no need to upgrade after 6 years and two bikes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Stock on my 2001 Trek Fuel 90 Disk - Earl's Cycle (closed 2003) | | Strengths: | Shimano quality, function & durability. | | Weaknesses: | The red needle on the display dosen't line up 100% correctly with the marks for the gear your in on the shifter pod. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Tourney Thumb shifter stock on 1994 Raleigh Matterhorn, Shimano Alivio's stock on 1996 GT Ricochet & replacement Shimano shifters after Alivio's broke. | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Trek Fuel 90 Dsik. | | Bottom Line: | These shifter came stock on my 2001 Trek Fuel 90 Disk that I got brand new on July 02,2001. I'd of prefered a full Shimano Deore XT grouppo, but ah, what can you do? These do an excellent job shifting, the needle issue is what prevents me from giving the Overall Rating a perfect 5/5. Since getting this bike brand new on July 02,2001. I've only needed to re-tension the shifter wires in 2004 & 2005.
Bottom Line: An excellent shifter set that's not let me down in nearly 6 seasons of cycling. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh
a Weekend Warrior
from Ellensburg, WA
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | came with bike | | Strengths: | It just works! The rear shifter works outstanding and there is absolutely nothing to complain about. | | Weaknesses: | The front shifter has a really long throw when you upshift, I've found myself having to rotate my wrist around to get it to click up. It's just annoying enough to complain about, but not a huge deal. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Alivio | | Bike Setup: | 2005 Giant Reign 2 w/ Thompson 0 offset seatpost, Specialized BG saddle, Spesh stem, WTB tires | | Bottom Line: | As a whole, great value for the money and does the job well. I do have a beef with the front shifter and I'll probably be looking for something to replace it with soon, but these will definitely be seeing duty on my other bike when that happens. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JimboLighCrawfishpieChiliGumbo
a Weekend Warrior
from Bonita
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Alafia; Tampa FL | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Came with bike(s) | | Strengths: | OE on ALOT of bikes and factored into many build-ups, just because they work. And do so well. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | None. | | Bike Setup: | 2005 IronHorse Warrior HT; Marzocchi Drop Off 130mm; BSH Designs 'Prison' bars; Troy Lee Designs mini-crossbar pad; FSA DH300 stem, FSA SL-K saddle & post; FSA Team Issue Carbon Pro 175mm crankset; e.thirteen 38T DH CR/ e.thirteen SRS chainguide w/ Supercharger ring; Full Metal Jacket Cabling; 7" F/ 6" R Hayes w/ MX2 calipers; FSA Scatto Skewers, welded 3/8" longer for R thick dropouts; Kenda Nevegals Stick-E 2.1 and/or Kenda Kwest 1.95 tires; soon Small Block Eights. | | Bottom Line: | Just a great product. I'd say these and a med. cage Saint derailer is the best all around set-up price wise and sheer simplicity in motion. Word up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JOHN
a Cross Country Rider
from MD
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | LOCHRAVEN | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | PRICEPOINT | | Strengths: | QUIET EASY SHIFTS, EASY TO SEE DISPLAY, UNDER THE BAR SO THE LOOK CLAEN AND ARE LESS LIKELY TO GET RIPED OFF IN A CRASH, WORK WELL WITH MY LX BRAKE LEVERS | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Similar Products Used: | BRIFTERS THAT CAME ON MY BIKE | | Bike Setup: | IRON HORSE WARRIOR DISC, XT HUBS, MAVIC DISC RIMS, AVID BB DISCS, DT SWISS CENTERLOCK, LXM580 CASS, MEGA 9 SIIFTERS AND LEVERS,TRUVATIV CRANK | | Bottom Line: | GOOD VALUE IF YOU WANT TO KEEP THINGS EASY AND CHEAP. WORKS GREAT, VERY COMFORTABLE TO USE. SO SMALL YOU HARDLY SEE ANYTHING BUT THE CONTROLS | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dot
a Racer
from somewhere
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | not pricey.
they do what they must do.
the lightest 9-spd shimano shifters.
they are still produced after shimano introduced their dual controls. | | Weaknesses: | none. | | Similar Products Used: | a lot of stuff from shimano and SRAM | | Bike Setup: | lots of bikes | | Bottom Line: | I've got several sets of 9-spd LX shifters on different bikes from their first appearence on the market.
They do what they are designed for - they shift and do it well and flawless. I've never wanted to upgrade to XT/XTR.
PS Just check your cables and housing regularily! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Guille
a Weekend Warrior
from Capital Federal, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Strengths: | Strong, durable and cheap. | | Weaknesses: | Weight, colors, the display should be over the handlebar (and not beneath it) and it doesn't work that good with a 9 speed rear derraulier. Ah, and it's not that easy to change to upper crowns. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Acera, SRAM 9.0 | | Bike Setup: | Custom Vairo | | Bottom Line: | THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE 24 SPEED SHIFTERS, NOT FOR THE 27 ONES. I've been using this shifters for more than three years now, and the only reason why I'm changing them is because I'm switching to 27 speeds. They worked really fine for all this time, even though they used to work much better when I had an 8 speed Acera rear D (now I have a Deore one). They seem to be really heavy, but well finished and durable also. If you're using 24 speeds this shifters are a good shot for sure. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DragonZzZ
a Downhiller
from Holland
Date Reviewed: December 29, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Bike-Zone | | Strengths: | It shifts great, and fast. | | Weaknesses: | I need to shift the rear 9 speed firts before i can shift to first with my front cogs | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Commencal Essence, stock except for Bashring and Azonic Extension | | Bottom Line: | It's a great product, it does what it's supposed 2 do so it's great =D | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam Pippin
a
from Dallas, Texas
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Robber's Cave State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint | | Strengths: | Great shifter for the price. | | Weaknesses: | Probably only on mine- the display on the right shifter seems to make a really annoying buzzing noise. Sometimes a little tricky to adjust | | Similar Products Used: | alivio 7 speed | | Bike Setup: | custom xc hardtail- XT derailluers, lx crank, SRAM pc 99 chain | | Bottom Line: | These shifters have done pretty well for me. My only issue is that weird buzzing noise- does anyone know if a replacement display can be purchased? I have ridden these for almost two years and no major problems. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Turd Furgeson
a Cross Country Rider
from Merryland
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Came stock on bike. | | Strengths: | Durable and have worked just fine for many years. | | Weaknesses: | Not the best looking units with the blue finish (I guess it's an optional finish as I've seen them in black too). Some shifts take more effort than I'd like. The displays are a bit hard to tell which gear you're in sometimes as there are no numbers on it, but it's not always necessary. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | '00 Trek VRX300: Azonic Love Seat & O.R.S. stem, Sette APX post, ODI lockers, otherwise stock for now... | | Bottom Line: | The LX's aren't bad shifters at all and even after 4yrs. of continuous use they still do the job just fine. As mentioned above I don't care for the blue finish on them, but it may be an optional finish as I believe I've seen them in black or silver too. I'm considering upgrading to a newer set of shifters eventually as technology has changed/improved in the 4yrs. I've owned them, but they still work just the way they were designed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad
a Racer
from San Francisco, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Tamarancho | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Came with the bike | | Strengths: | Durable, quick and accurate shifting with easy adjustments | | Weaknesses: | Increasing resistance, starting to show a little wear | | Similar Products Used: | Alivio (also extremely durable but not as quick) | | Bike Setup: | Fisher Sugar 1: XTR rear, XT front, XT cranks, Chris King Hubs, Fox F80RLT front, Rock Shox rear, Easton CT2, Terry Fly saddle | | Bottom Line: | Overall, the LX shifters have been reliable and feel solid. They've started to give quite a bit more resistance (especially the rear shifter) lately, but they are also going on 4 seasons of absolute punishment, including races and wrecks. I haven't done anything to them in the way of maintenance; only changed out the cables once. I've set up the bike to be about as light as a full suspension bike can get (23 lbs) without compromising quality and durability. I'm sure XT/XTR are lighter but as a wise rider once told me, "if you really want to drop weight, save your money and drop the lb's around your waist!"
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cameron
a Racer
from Dublin, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Tri city | | Strengths: | Very resposive shifting. It has a very short throw distance. | | Weaknesses: | I can never tell witch gear I'm in (it's just a little red marker that moves back and forth.) It seems a little weak(durability) | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Super V 500 | | Bottom Line: | It came with my bike and I have had no need to replace it. As long as you don't bite it too hard it'll be fine and it shouldn't break. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nikolas
a Weekend Warrior
from Greece
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Strengths: | Nice looks,work prety well | | Weaknesses: | indicators are VERY fragile | | Similar Products Used: | alivio(not nearly as good) | | Bike Setup: | gt pantera,lx-xt,judy SL | | Bottom Line: | Good for the money you spend byt a bit heavy compared to gripshifters.I'd never get srams though.The only problem is tha when i crashed the indicator boke and i searched the ground for 30 mins to recover the pieces.my friend has xt and the same thing happened to him.they should be metalic or something.But my biggest complain is that when i visited the so called 'official' shimano dealer to order a new indicator(according to shimano that can be done) he didint even knew that the indicators can be removed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!shimano needs to be very carefull about the people that sell its products | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rich
a Cross Country Rider
from Thunder Bay ON Canada
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | shuniah mines | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Bailey's Cycle and Ski | | Strengths: | smooth, crisp shifting, easy thumb action, seems durable | | Weaknesses: | indicater window on right side is scratched(cheap plastic) pretty bad but don't look at it much anyways | | Similar Products Used: | Alivio, Deore, XT | | Bike Setup: | using deore crank. sram pc99, and sram 7.0 cassette | | Bottom Line: | This shifter works great. I found my old Deore to be stiff and difficult to use. I tried XT a couple of weeks ago and did not feel much of a difference. I suppose the XT will last longer than LX due to the bearing-bushing issue discussed here many times. I don't forsee any problems with
the LX shifter they seem tough enough. Good working part. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wes Fraser
a Racer
from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Horseshoe Valley Ontario | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | On Bike | | Strengths: | They do the job. Period. | | Weaknesses: | Not the most smooth things around, but who cares? | | Similar Products Used: | XT, XTR, plain old Deora, and a heck of a lot worse (all gripshift) | | Bike Setup: | Giant SE1 | | Bottom Line: | I used xt shifters for a long time. They were great. Very reliable, very tough, very accurate. Now on the new ride, I have the LX shifters. RIght off the bat, you notice how they are less smooth feeling, and require more force to shift. But they are just as accurate, and apparently just as abusable.
So when it comes down to it, yes I need the XTR rear deraullier. But will I go with something better than LX for the shifters. Hell no. Who cares about the weight, or the smoothness? Sure I race, but it won't take any time off the lap, so screw it. These LX shifters are the best bang for the buck possible. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan R
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Island NY
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything with dirt | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Stock on my bike | | Strengths: | Smooth shifting feel, nice placement of shifting levers, I like the read out indicators, very close to idiot proof, sem to be durable, not a contributing factor in ghost shifting | | Weaknesses: | only one they have a tendency to overshift when you first start to use them but once you get the feel of them this lessens. Only happens when you are forced to make a fast shift now. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano and S-Ram | | Bike Setup: | 02 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR XC | | Bottom Line: | Some people think of Shimano as the Microsoft of the bike world. I am not that paranoid I look at it this way if it works use it, if it don't junk it. These work and I have no intentions of changing them until they need to be changed (I hope this is a long time coming). As for the Shimano issues people have I still belive that they make a better quality of drivetrain and I have experience with both S-Ram and Shimano the top two. Let me tell you I am not a big fan of s-ram and I will give you my reasons:
1) I do not like the idea of having to move my hand while shifting to me this is a good way to wipe out when the trail get technical.
2) GHOST SHIFTING this is the one thing that happens that I can not tolarate I have yet to try x.o but I feel that the s-ram shifter are a cause of this especially when you sway or lean the bike the pressure from you hand can cause ghost shifting and when you trying to pay attention to climbing or turning this factor can cause a wipe out.
3) S-Ram does not make a complete drive train and you are forced to use other parts to compansate for this. I like to match my componets and I like the idea that from my hubs to my cranks, shifters , derailers, cassete, and chain are all Shimano. So when I have a problem and feel like calling a manufacture to help with support there is no factor of this: ( It's not our product's fault it's the other guys product causing the problem try using ours and the problem will be solved) have you ever heard that one before?
4) and finally, Shimano has been at this for years and have had time to iron out some of their bugs. Let me tell you I'd rather have experience than youthful exuberance on my side forteen miles from the nearest help. I feel I can rely on Shimano and I have had problems with my S-Ram 7.0's that has taken out some of my gears making normal climbs a hike a bike section.
I know allot of people like the new stuff but listen man when it's all said and done I like to shift not twist there is a certain feel lost when you use this type of shifting. As for who should use these particul shifter well any one who wants to upgrade their drive train to 9 speed without breaking the bank on shifters. Use your money to put on a better quality of derailer like XT or XTR. I personlly use this combo LX shifters with 525 Hydralic Disc brakes, With an XTR rear derailer With an XTR front derailer and I have not had one problem in four months even in mud and crud. Some of shimano's LX parts are some of the most underated parts on the market just spend the money on the parts that do the actual shifting like your derailers and it will all work out PEACE. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hardtaiforever
a Racer
from st paul
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Stock on bike | | Strengths: | Has held up well
Crisp shifting
Light weight
Cheap, even if they don't come with your bike | | Weaknesses: | Minor play in lever after 3 full, hard seasons of riding- not a major weakness, but they are showing some wear. | | Similar Products Used: | Deore, XT, XTR
SRAM 9.0 and X.0 (demo/short tests only) | | Bike Setup: | 01 Schwinn Homegrown stock except King/Sapim/517 wheels, Avid Black-Ops levers and SDTi brakes, 03 beaters S, 03 Manitou Skareb Super | | Bottom Line: | I've been quite happy with these levers. At the time, they were shimano's lightest rapidfire shifters (01). IMHO Shimano Deore and LX shifters feel the same at first, but the Deore wears quickly. LX isn't as smooth as XT, but it's pretty good, especially with good derailleurs. Paired with an XTR rear, this is a pretty good setup, and I've raced with it trouble free for several years. I run my derailleur barrel-adjuster all the way in to reduce cable-play, so all my shifting adjustments have been at the lever barrel adjuster, which has worked well with my LX shifters.
I plan on switching these to my commuter bike to test their cold weather durability, since I'll upgrade the Homegrown to 03 XT (lighter) soon. I don't expect them to last (-30F is pretty hard on rapidfire), but we'll see how it goes. I can't afford to convert DA bar end shifters to thumbies (mt-forge mounts are too expensive).
In all, the LX levers have served me well. For those annoyed with breakage during crashes, you need to look at the angle at which you set up your cockpit- it's impossible for me to break mine in a crash unless I hit a protruding stump or something. I don't think shifters should be expected to take rude abuse like that, so I give them 5 fiery comets for value and 4 burning fingers for quality. They're decent, and I would recommend them, especially if you're on a budget. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Edo
a Weekend Warrior
from Zagreb, Croatia
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Dotrscina | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Maraton, Brezice | | Strengths: | Shifts well | | Weaknesses: | Makes an annoying sound | | Similar Products Used: | Old LX, Acera | | Bike Setup: | Kona cromoly butted frame, MXC Bomber fork, Ritchey Pro weels, mostly LX parts | | Bottom Line: |
I had an old 8 speed model. To save some money I replaced only the rare shifter when I switched to 9 speed and I regretted.
As for the shifting, it works well with my LX rare derailleur. The problem is that it makes an annoying sound while I'm riding on asphalt. Some kind of high frequency vibration inside of the damn thing, must be some kind of resonance with bike vibration on asphalt. Particularly when I pass 40 km/h. Can't hear it when I'm riding off-road, of course. Still, it is annoying.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from DC, USA
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Came stock on my 99 FSR | | Strengths: | Durable, maintenance-free, shift well, light, look good. | | Weaknesses: | Not one thing. | | Similar Products Used: | Nope, thanks. | | Bike Setup: | FSR with lx front der, xt rear, xt cassette, sram chain. | | Bottom Line: | 4000 miles and still going strong. I'm sure that xt and xtr are better, but who needs it? These shift smooth and consistent and are cheap! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sprocketeer
a Cross Country Rider
from Narashino, Chiba, Japan (native of New York)
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | I'm always looking for something new. Japan is crazy about unneccessary construction. | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | It came stock on my 2002 TREK 8000 | | Strengths: | This was my first rapid fire shifter and I like the controls, especially the index finger switch that slackens the cable exactly for the next gear--very handy. | | Weaknesses: | The thumb shifters are not indexed--major pain in the butt. | | Similar Products Used: | All kinds, including Grip Shifts, which shifted really well. I wish someone would make something like that which doesn't go under your hands--like indexed rollers I could operate with my index fingers. | | Bike Setup: | 2002 TREK 8000 bought stock (bad mistake), now with Shimano 959 pedals, Shimano XT cranks (172,5mm) and bottom bracket, Bontrager-Selle San Marco Race Lite saddle with titanium rails, Thomson Elite seatpost, Panacer Fire XC Pro tires, . . . . | | Bottom Line: | I don't know what the XT and XTR shifters are like, but I assume they must be indexed or at least provide crisper shifting. The thumb shifters on the LX offer absolutely no accuracy in shifting, and the front derailer thumb shifter takes a bit of muscle to get it to the next gear.
I like the two switch controls, but since the thumb shifters aren't indexed and don't offer crisp shifting I'd actually rate Grip Shifts--those notorious Wal-Mart shifters--higher than the LX.
On hills, when you need accurate shifting the most, the only cure for these things is foul language.
These aren't bad shifters for casual riders though. They do what they're supposed to do and are well worth the low price in terms of both performance and weight, but if you're more interested in biking than just getting outdoors and doing some sightseeing, splurge on some better shifters than these. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charles
a
from Denver
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | came with the bike | | Strengths: | Everything, light...shifts precise and works all the time. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Blur-all xt and xtr with the exception of my shifters. | | Bottom Line: | For the money you can't beat lx shifters, I have upgraded everything on my bike the last 4 years, everything except my lx shifters, there is no need. When they do eventualy go, I'll probably get them again. Who cares if they don't say xt or xtr. They work great all the time, shift good enough for me. I have never used xt or xtr shifters but I can't imagine they would be all that much better. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from Michigan, US
Date Reviewed: December 31, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | PLRA | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | e-bay | | Strengths: | Solid, fast shifting. light wieght and low profile. | | Weaknesses: | no side port to change out the cables, instead you need to take the entire unit out of the pod. brake levers are a little slopping and hard to adjust. | | Similar Products Used: | altus or something and xtr | | Bike Setup: | trek 4500, psylo sl front squish, syncros seat post, race face stem, lx shifter/levers, avid sd 7 brakes, wtb velociraptors. | | Bottom Line: | not bad. there are better and there are a lot worse around. it isnt compatable with any sram stuff, which some people have found out too late. so that kinda sucks. other then that, they are pretty nice. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Turtle
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester, MN
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Honest Bike Shop | | Strengths: | I Started using LX's in 99 when 9 speed made it's way down from XTR. I've liked the feel and the durability. My only experience with twisters was X-rays back in the day, that was enough for me. XT's are even smoother and last longer. I have an old pair of 8 spd XT's that out lasted my 1st pair of 9spd LX's. I'vee sold the bike with those LX's and they were still working OK though. | | Weaknesses: | none. Like I said if you want better then upgrade to XT or XTR; however if you got that kind of money though you can afford to have someone ride up the hills for you. | | Similar Products Used: | see above. | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Giant NRS 2 with some non-drivetrain uprages, I'm a sucker for Thompson stuff. | | Bottom Line: | I you want to upgrade to triggers then mabye go for XT's. Otherwise ride the LX's for 4 years until they were out, then upgrade your bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne,VIC, Australia
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$10.00 | | Purchased At: | off a good bloke | | Strengths: | Got em for nothing, feel good, they work? | | Weaknesses: | Its still the old 8-speed, starting to look a little outdated | | Similar Products Used: | Deore and XT 9 speed, grip shifts of various sorts, lotsa STX-RC | | Bottom Line: | Any shifter will do a reasonable job if you take the time to really adjust them properly. Saying that though, these old LX shifters have held up pretty well, was on someone elses bike for some time at least 3 yrs?), and they still shift very well. Very nice positive feel to them, a noticeable improvement in feel on the STX-RC/Deore stuff I was using. Not quite as good feeling as the XT shifters (age maybe?) but you wouldn't notice after awhile. Shift effort on both is just right, and really couldn't ask for anything more. You wouldn't need anything better than this, unless you go for show...which isn't what I'm about...rather have those extra pennies in my pocket. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pegasus
a Weekend Warrior
from belgium
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | shifting precision is good
ergonomic
| | Weaknesses: | seems the front shifter is the most problematic: had to replace the barrel adjuster (broke off) and right now, i can't seem to get my chain on the big ring anymore (excessive wear has messed up the internals of my shifter) | | Similar Products Used: | '94 Alivio integrated shifters/levers (still work after a zillion shifts) | | Bike Setup: | '99 Specialized Rockhopper, Manitou Pro, Magura HS33, Shimano LX front & rear der, drivetrain SRAM/Specialized | | Bottom Line: | I didn't experience a lot of loss in accuracy over the period i used 'em; they're reasonably good value for money, that is if you count on replacing them after 2 or 3 years because (in my opinion) Shimano's mid-range products simply don't last that much longer anymore. I'll be upgrading to XT (maybe XTR) soon, hoping i'll get a little more life span out of 'em. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Runcidude
a Weekend Warrior
from Lancashire, UK
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Coed y Brenin | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Cafe, Canmore | | Strengths: | came with bike and are very reliable | | Weaknesses: | weakest part of the shifting system and the area where one should spend the most money. how many shifts are there in the average 20 mile ride. Bike builders should upspec the shifters not the rear derailleurs!!! | | Similar Products Used: | XT, XTR, Gripshift (which is wank!!) | | Bike Setup: | Bullit 01, Z1 QR20s, Hope M4, WTB Laser disc DH wheels, Conti Survival Pro 2.3s, monkeylite bar, Raceface NS crank, XTR shifters, XTR/XT mix elsewhere, Avid Flakjackets | | Bottom Line: | We must make hundreds or thousands of shifts every time we ride. Remembered why I used to have XTR shifters on all my bikes when I used to race. The most important part of the system needs to have the most spent on it. Hence I have upgraded my LX shifters to XTR and the bike is about 1000 times more enjoyable to ride. These and the flak jackets are worth their weight in gold and hence the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jess
a Downhiller
from brisbane, aust
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Channel 9 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Kenmore Cycles | | Strengths: | Light... Looks good...very smooth shifting | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Similar Products Used: | Deore, and Grip Shift(really really bad) | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Specialized Rock Hopper FSR XC, 2002 Psylo SL's, Hydro Disc, Dice E.F.D. rims, Dice Hubs, Azonic Bars & Stem, XT rear, LX Front LX shifters, IRC KUJO DH 2.65 tires | | Bottom Line: | great shifters.. not really that much if you think about it compeard to other shifters... if you can buy some | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rich Lowery
a Weekend Warrior
from Omaha, NE(nebraska) USA
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Any I am on | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | OEM Equipment | | Strengths: | Works well. | | Weaknesses: | Shifter cable barrel adjuster broke. | | Similar Products Used: | LX integrated, XT shifter pods, Grip Shift. | | Bike Setup: | 00 Cannondale Super V 700, SL Headshock, LX/XT Drivetrain.
Trek 8000, Halson Inversion, LX/XT, Grip Shift. | | Bottom Line: | These are pretty darn good at shifting. However, this is the second pair I've had where the barrel adjuster broke off. Yeah I do some stupid stuff, but the Grip Shifters don't give out. And when the barrel adjuster breaks the shifting goes to hell. I couldn't even get into high gear without pulling cable slack out and eliminating the low gear. Grip shifters get my vote, they are reliable and you don't have to be so finicky getting them set up for them to work. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bart elias
a Cross Country Rider
from gent, belgium
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | jura / france | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | cheap, lighter than any other shimano shifter ( http://www.bike2build.nl/showmeall.php?productgroepid=001&hoofdgroepid=002&subhoofdgroepid=021&sort=gewicht )
i used to have XT shifters (8sp), when i upgraded my drivetrain to 9sp i got the lx shifters. was quite happy about them, the levers are very slim and feel like swiss clockwork when shifting. somewhere in the regions of XT9spd i can presume. on my new bike i got stock deore shifters (one step down the ladder). i can tell u, the lx shifters on my old bike feel much more refined than those deore shifters. the deore's feel like children's toys (i dont know how else to describe it). if there were two things i wouldn't bother to goto XT for it is front derailleur and shifters. | | Weaknesses: | none really, maybe i'm dumb or i have a super LBS but the others complaining on them losing precision; i do'nt even understand what they mean. maybe my LBS tunes them secretly behind my back when i give him my bike for servicing. after 0.5 yr they still feel sharp as a knife. | | Similar Products Used: | XT / Deore | | Bike Setup: | scott cfx FS, giant low weight HT | | Bottom Line: | i cant feel the difference between lx shifters and XT's; haven't tried XTR but they are 3 times the price of the LX so they better be heavenly good.
i give highest rating only because i can't feel the difference between models that are costing double the price. for a rear derailleur that is something different. there i can feel the diff between XT der and LX der. on the shifter front, all is cool on the LX front. the weightweenies will also eat their heart out on the lightweight champ LX shifter (if the weights i found are accurate).
ch33rs | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ryan
a Weekend Warrior
from vancouver
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | has been cut down =( | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | stock on Norco Nitro | | Strengths: | it has 9 gears... | | Weaknesses: | My rear shifter finally died on me after refusing to shift for a while. You would push the paddle in all the way, but nothing would happen. Gear indicators snapped off, and you could bash your knuckles on them. | | Similar Products Used: | Thumb shifters, gripshift | | Bike Setup: | '99 Norco Nitro hardtail | | Bottom Line: | I finally gave up on the things after I tried to take them apart to fix them, and couldn't get them back together. I still run the front shifter, but only cause i never use it much anyway and don't want to bother with the conversion. New Shimano stuff is freaking expensive in Vancouver (at least 80 bucks for lx) so i picked up some 8 speed sachs gripshifters for 35. They were the top of the line at the time, and with an 8 speed wheel that was sitting around (rhyno lite, xt hub, 15 bucks used from a stupid kid), they work perfect. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Dreimanis
a Weekend Warrior
from Adelaide, SA, Australia
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Narrow Neck - Blue Mountains | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Replaceable windows.
Nice shift feel | | Weaknesses: | needs replaceable windows due to their flimsy plastic construction.
Not as smooth feel compared to XTR | | Similar Products Used: | XTR, Deore | | Bike Setup: | XT rear derailleur, Alivio front. | | Bottom Line: | I haven't had any mis-shifts yet, and I got these shifters second-hand. The only real drawback is that the shifter feel isn't quite as good as XT or XTR. Don't bother upgrading unless they break, though. Improvements over Deore is quite pronounced. A trick I learn't when the shifter window is broken is that you can get XTR windows and put them on instead, and not even the most avid rider can tell they're only LX just by looking at them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cory
a Cross Country Rider
from Williamsport, PA
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Crystal lake Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | The Cycle Center | | Strengths: | These shifters feel very solid. They shift well, and are comfortable to use. They felt and shifted similarly to an XTR I got to demo at the shop, and they are maintenance friendly. I can do a rough tuning myself until I can make it to the shop. | | Weaknesses: | It lost its accuracy twice so far, but it was easily fixed and doesn't happen very often. | | Similar Products Used: | I got to demo an XT and XTR at the shop, but besides that, just an old Shimano SIS system on my old ten speed, which doesn't count because it was a piece of junk. | | Bike Setup: | Trek 6500 | | Bottom Line: | A very nice shifter for the money. Feels a lot like an XT or even an XTR. When tuned by someone who knows what they're doing, it's a very accurate shifter. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Mackenzie
a
from Austria
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | High quality shifting. Very durable. Comfortable to use. Goes well with XT rear derailleur. | | Weaknesses: | Lost accuracy sooner than expected. | | Bottom Line: | Could be a little stiffer but otherwise very good. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lucifer
a Cross Country Rider
from Apeldoorn, The Netherlands
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Came wth the bike | | Strengths: | Reliable, smooth shifting | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | V-brakes | | Bike Setup: | Focus hot Venus | | Bottom Line: | Very reliable shifters, easy in maintenance, good value for money | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from DC
Date Reviewed: November 15, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Came stock | | Strengths: | Cheap, light, ergonomic, sturdy. | | Weaknesses: | None yet. | | Similar Products Used: | Other Shimanostuff. | | Bike Setup: | FSR with XT drivetrain | | Bottom Line: | What can you say about these guys? The only part of my rig that hasn't needed upgrading or replacement. Upshifts, downshifts, front der, back der, all crisp. They've also taken some hits and are none worse for the wear. As light as the more spendy shifters out there. I'll stick with them until a US company can convince me to switch. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel
a Racer
from Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Haw Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Came with the bike | | Strengths: | Shifts well, fairly light. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | STX | | Bike Setup: | 1999 Giant XtC SE-1, XT cranks, rear derailleur, 12-34 cassette, LX front derailleur, shifters, Race Face taperlock BB, Mavic X-317 disc rims, XT hubs, XT discs, 2002 Rock Shox SID SL, WTB Velociraptors. | | Bottom Line: | I don't know what these people are saying about the front shifter not shifting well, perhaps they need to learn how to correctly tune a bike. I have had no problems with miss-shifts, and adjusting these shifters is the same as adjusting any other shifter. I would get these over XTR anyday simply because they have almost the same performance at half the price. If you have the cash to spend on XT's go for it, but LX works just as well (though if you have weak fingers you might have problems shifting) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jtd
a Downhiller
from Sac, CA
Date Reviewed: October 3, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Skeggs Point | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria | | Strengths: | Inexpensive, Good shifting, Light, Killer grey XTR color. | | Weaknesses: | Have to push the lever far to get any response. XTR's move more the same distance pushed on LX | | Similar Products Used: | XTR, SRAM, XT | | Bike Setup: | Psylo Race, LX shifter, Outland, Grimeca Disc | | Bottom Line: | I bought these cuz they look killer. I was gonna get XT or XTR but could not see spending the extra money on it. I am sure the XT's are better and shift better with the ball bearings. But, these work pretty damn well for the money
I would definitely recommend these if you are hard on your stuff. They are cheaper to replace than XTR or XT. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a
from Scranton, PA
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | The one I've never ridden | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | There cheap | | Weaknesses: | Shiftiong the derailers takes way to much thought. I cant shift my front unless I'm watching it. Or it wil misshift | | Bike Setup: | Fuel 90 | | Bottom Line: | Upgrade Upgrade Upgrade... Not sure what to but thats what I'm doing. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matt a
a Downhiller
from bgfhgf
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Bike Setup: | LX | | Bottom Line: | good | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Came with the bike | | Strengths: | Rapid fire triggers, lightweight I suppose. | | Weaknesses: | Misses shift on the pull two cogs, shifting on the front derailleur takes more effort than it should | | Similar Products Used: | 94 XT's. | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn S-20, XT Derailleur, LX Cranks. | | Bottom Line: | Ditch these, they miss shift too often for any kind of techincal riding, unless if you pretty much go downhill or just straight. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rich
a Weekend Warrior
from Nottingham,UK
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | supercycles | | Strengths: | Look good, change perfect (most of the time) | | Weaknesses: | indicators have filled with mud, | | Similar Products Used: | 94 LX, STX RC, Altus, | | Bike Setup: | GT Zaskar, LX & XT | | Bottom Line: | These shifters are fine for XC, but some mud has found its way into the indicators, also if I turn my bike upside down, it rests on the indicators, the 95 LX shifters had a metal lug to protect them. I would recomend replaceing the gear cables with XTR items, and these improved the shifting alot. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cyberslak
a Cross Country Rider
from Mayaguez, PR USA
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | El Hoyo, Ponce PR | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Color, Weight | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano STX, Grip Shift Centera | | Bike Setup: | GT, SID, Thomson Seatpost, CrossRide wheels, Truvativ Stylo Team Crankset, RaceFace Taperlock Ti, XT brakes, deraluers, and levers, ChrisKing Headset etc. | | Bottom Line: | Very good shifter for the price. Shifting is easy, need not to apply to much preassure to shift gears. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Racer
from San Diego, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | North Shore Single | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Its Better than GripShift /The Shifters are a combo with the brake levers.(Not a strength or weakness really, just depends on what kind of rider you are) | | Weaknesses: | The The Shifters are very hard to shift, The LX is made of cheep weak cromo/steal. The break levers bent the third time I used them. | | Similar Products Used: | I have XTR shifters on anothe bike that I have, much better(light and strong) | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher X-Cal | | Bottom Line: | Cheap and not worth buying. If you can, try to upgrade to XT or XTR. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ken
a
from NJ
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | (+)Indicators
(+)No twisting the wrist
(+)Inexpensive
(+)Rear derailleur shifting | | Weaknesses: | (-)Big hands may shift accidentally
(-)Front derailleur shifts from small to middle ring
(-)"Feel" is not great | | Similar Products Used: | Gripshifts | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight X | | Bottom Line: | If they come spec'ed on your bike use them 'til they brake and then upgrade to XT. (Better shifting for only $20 more)
I will sometimes shift accidentally, which can be a PITA when it's the front ring. But I feel that thumb shifters are superior to twist shifter for any kind of aggressive riding. But, this is just my personal preference. I would like to try the SRAM shorties to see how they perform, though. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gabe
a Cross Country Rider
from Tacoma
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$39.00 | | Purchased At: | www.jensonusa.com | | Strengths: | responsive, looks great [blue grey], light, easy access | | Weaknesses: | its not as "easy push" as XT | | Similar Products Used: | Sram grip shift, 99 Shimano LX | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Caad 3, Headshock Fatty Deluxe, XT cassette/derailleurs/breaks, titec bar ends, XTR chain [if you spend any money on components, dont be hesitant to spend a lot on your chain! you can feel the difference] | | Bottom Line: | The LX shifters looks great. The new blue grey is getting quite a bit of attention. Its durable, and its small enough, and light enough. But it sure doesnt feel like XT. XT has that plush feeling and its much easier to push, but the LX is very responsive, and it works GREAT. Unless you're a pro [which purchases XTR], just get LX components. LX and XT, side by side, are just the same, except for the finishes, and XT is unnoticably lighter. I don't know what other brand of shifters match up with shimano. I give it 5 flaming pieces of ish | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan Smith
a
from Cornwall, England
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Bodmin Moor | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | John Towl cycles | | Strengths: | Good shifts, cheap, look nice and best component on my bike | | Weaknesses: | cablesm can get twisted around inside easily, i had to take mine apart to get it out, the springs are not easy to get in, but they work great now. | | Similar Products Used: | Grip shifters, easy fires, and thumbys | | Bike Setup: | GT Palomar. WTB saddle, Scott x rod bars, Alivio derailiers, Acera chainset (8 spd), Taya chain, Ritchey speed max tyres | | Bottom Line: | Don't get anything cheaper this is the cheapest decent shift avalible | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dean
a Cross Country Rider
from Reading, PA
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | have been fairly consistent since the first time i used them | | Weaknesses: | broke the first time out | | Bike Setup: | 99 haro escape, judy race, xt | | Bottom Line: | The xt's are definitely worth the extra money. A spring inside mine broke in the middle of a ride and left me without the top chainring for the rest of the day. They've worked pretty good since i've fixed them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Stock | | Strengths: | Cheap, they work | | Weaknesses: | Not as trick as XTR | | Similar Products Used: | XT | | Bike Setup: | XIZANG, MARS CL, TRUVATIV, XTR excpept shifters and brakes | | Bottom Line: | I took these off another GT I had instead of buying the XTR equivalent. They work well, mis shifts are easiliy diagnosed with regular maintence. When they die, I'll step up to the XTR version. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
t d
a Downhiller
from vancouver
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | boogieman/north shore | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | None, that i can think of | | Weaknesses: | broke the indicators first day on the trails both of them, they're garbage | | Similar Products Used: | using my hand to pull the cable, to actually shift | | Bike Setup: | marin 2001 attack trail xt disks,mavic 521rims, fox vanilla rc, marzocchi super t, 6" rear travel!!!!! | | Bottom Line: | Your better off shifting by pulling the cable, than using these things. They're crap you bail break the indicators they get packed solid with sand and mud, then your screwed!!
your better of buying a shifter with no indicators.
Bottom Line: if you bail lots and go big all the time these shifters aren't for you
SO WEAK!!!!
ONLY IF I COULD GIVE THEM A BIG FAT ZERO | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marty Hansen
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver BC
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | oh shjt that hurt | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Vertical Mountain | | Strengths: | hasn't broken yet
quick shifts | | Weaknesses: | doesn't feel too strong | | Similar Products Used: | stx, xt | | Bike Setup: | lx componets, bombers 5's, kona nunu | | Bottom Line: | good shifters for basic trail riding, but i'd ride something stronger for more technical stuff | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Cross Country Rider
from MS
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | today? South Badlands | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | rear shifter worked OK | | Weaknesses: | front shifter was hopeless | | Similar Products Used: | XT thumbshifters, 96 LX, GripShift X-Rays, ESP 9.0, and Plasma | | Bike Setup: | near-stock STP 200 | | Bottom Line: | Test riding what was to become my bike, the rear end shifted just fine, but the front derail would hardly shift at all. Back into the shop, tweak, tweak, test, test... scrape, scrape. Repeat.
WTF?!? "Swap'em out for gripshifts and I'll buy it."
If you want to do the trigger thing, go to at least XT. My old 96 LX's worked fine, but the 2000 version is junk. I'll give it 2 chilis because the rear shifter worked OK. I might (repeat *might*) have gotten the front end shifter to work too if I'd been inclined to spend a week tuning it, although judging from the STP 200 reviews, noone has had much luck with this LX turkey. And the problem's not with the deraileur or its mount, because things magically began working smoothly once I got the gripshifts on. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Raul
a Cross Country Rider
from Tijeras
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Cedro Peak | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | good feel, reliable (usually) | | Weaknesses: | none really - the ratchet mechanism is suspect in cold weather | | Similar Products Used: | Deore thumbshifters (retro) | | Bike Setup: | Rockhopper A1, Marzocchi Z.4 fork, mostly LX other stuff | | Bottom Line: | This is a good shifter (at least for me). It has operated smoothly and reliably for almost two years. I ride hard but treat my equipment well and take excellent care of it. But shifters.... you really don't do anything to them. My only complaint - the rear shifter has had problems twice while riding in cool/cold weather (30's) - the ratchet doesnt' engage like it should and you have to push a looooong way to get the damn thing to shift. I don't know if this is permanent but I have a bad feeling that when the grease gets stiff from the cold the little gears are not catching.... we'll see. 5 chilis for value and only 4 for overall- | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric Herbst
a Racer
from Champaign and Jacksonville, IL
Date Reviewed: October 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Kickapoo State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | R&M Cyclery -- Springfield, IL | | Strengths: | Indicators are handy; shifting is precise when they work | | Weaknesses: | Frequently require adjustment
The casing on the left shifter is cracked and nearly gone after only a year and a half of use. I ride pretty hard, but I treat my stuff well, and it's 100% unacceptable for them to be as fragile and unreliable as they have been.
I have had problems shifting into smaller rings and smaller cogs (this is not solely attributable to the shifters, though; I've had to adjust my derailleurs a lot as well). | | Similar Products Used: | None on this bike, but all I have to say is that my old nasty rusted Exage stuff on my 7-year-old hybrid consistently performs better than these LX's that I've had for a year and a half. | | Bike Setup: | 1997 Specialized Stumpjumper M2 (bought brand new in spring 1999); the LX shifters were stock. | | Bottom Line: | Four years of improvement may make a big difference, so I have nothing to say about any 2001 models, but I know that I'm pretty disappointed with the performance of my 1997 LX shifters. I certainly hope that the next set of shifters I buy is much more durable and reliable than these. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chas Sample
a Cross Country Rider
from Madison, WI, USA
Date Reviewed: September 28, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Reforestration Camp | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Shifts Smoothly, Ergonomic | | Weaknesses: | Unreliable | | Similar Products Used: | XT 8-speed, Shimano GS-200 Rapidfire, Grip Shift | | Bike Setup: | '99 Kona Explosif, Marzocchi, Mavic D521 | | Bottom Line: | I cannot reccomend these shifters to anyone for anytype of riding. With less than 100 pampered miles the ratchet mechanism on the rear shifter failed and I could not shift into the larger rear cogs. I have had similar troubles with the front shifter since I bought the bike, but it has always corrected itself. I brought the bike into my local Kona dealer (Williamson Cycle) where the mechanics examined the bike. Initally they thought that only adjustment was needed. This was not the case. After disassembling the shift pod they discovered that a small spring that operates the ratchet mechanism had slipped off its mounting post. They put it back on, problem solved...for a couple days. The spring slipped off again today. Tommorow I am going to demand a warranty replacment and hope it works. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SJ
a Weekend Warrior
from Upstate NY
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | The local quarry | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | -Rarely misshifts
-Smooth
-Lets you choose exactly the gear you want
-Excellent indicators
-C'mon!What more do you need?
(Note-my shifters are Deore 9spd.,but they are close enough)
| | Weaknesses: | -Had to get front der. adjusted
-Housing feels a little cheap | | Similar Products Used: | Gripshift MRX | | Bike Setup: | Stock Rockhopper A1 FS(Y2K model) | | Bottom Line: | WHAT'S WITH ALL THE WHINING?!
These shifters work fine!True,I did have to adjust the front derailler once,but nothing has broken so far.
Compare that to my MRXs:My front friction shifter cracked its housing after only 6 MONTHS of mostly pavement riding!True,the Shimanos are more complex,but think about it:Rapidfire can't be THAT bad if Shimano has been making them for 10 years now!
I give these 4 chilis! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brandon
a Weekend Warrior
from houston
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | anthills | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | price
value
display | | Weaknesses: | long throw for left side | | Similar Products Used: | gripshift4 & I demoed alivo | | Bike Setup: | motobecane 300 with XT/LX derailleurs, LX shifters, JettXC | | Bottom Line: | GREAT for the money! Shifts very well and is a great deal! Buy it unless you are a pro! The only downside is strong left-shifter throw! But it still gets 5 flamin turds... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike taylor american bada@# texas has not hills go
a Cross Country Rider
from dallas texas
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | tyler st pk | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | I had 98 lx pods and they broke on first day. (right bototm cover fell down and the plastic shi# fell out! xtr is great though 2years no problems except cab. hch screws may strip if not careful | | Weaknesses: | maybe the 00's and 01's are better thats what i was reading these for. (second bike needs shifters) plastic gears? asking for trouble. | | Similar Products Used: | cheap sachs twisters worked longer if not better! | | Bike Setup: | half road half dual slalom | | Bottom Line: | lx is great value except these shifters! maybe the tricle down is better now, but dont use the 98s! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Racer
from Ne
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Shift great and very low cost | | Bottom Line: | Can't beat this shifter for the price of $33. I have used XTR, XT and Gripshift. This LX is the best for the money. Spend you extra money saved on the wheels and/or brake. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
KAAB
a Racer
from North Shore
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Yup | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Works well , shifts gears like it supposed to | | Weaknesses: | Not sure it works well | | Similar Products Used: | xt | | Bike Setup: | Kona Roast | | Bottom Line: | Its a great shifter works well
could tell you if ti is better or worse but i havent had any troubles with it.
Im sure theres better so this wont get a five star | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mtbmon
a Racer
from ohio
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Vulture's Knob | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Looks cool, weight OK, durable | | Weaknesses: | Long throw, inconsistent shifting, rewuires constant adjustment, can't trim front derailer, sloppy | | Similar Products Used: | 2000 SRAM Attacks | | Bike Setup: | XTR rear, SRAM Attack shifters, XT components, Avid Arch 50's, Thomson post, Kore stem, XT/Sun Sub IV's w/ Kore Ti skewers | | Bottom Line: | Not really a weight weenie but I changed to SRAM's and got a lighter weight, crisper shifting, more consistent setup for 1/2 the price of upgrading one level to XT's. I found the LX's great at first (like most) but have not been able to correct the deteriorating shifting regardless of what I do. I'm sick of riding the wrong gear because they missed another shift. I tried upgrading to XTR, changing my cassette and chain - nothing helped until I put on the SRAM's. Not really a shot at Shimano, I just think the SRAM's aare a better setup w/ Shimano derailers. 2 1/2 flaming balls of dung for these. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
squish
a Weekend Warrior
from redfield, sd
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | shift well...short through...easy to read display... | | Weaknesses: | none... | | Similar Products Used: | gripshift...XT...STX | | Bike Setup: | TREK 7000...icon...lx/st...marzocchi fork... | | Bottom Line: | work great for the money...haven't had any problems with them yet...
five stars | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dom Caron
a Racer
from Dieppe,NB,Canada
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | my own | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Worked good when i got it with my bike,cool mirror looks
| | Weaknesses: | When they get a litle dirty they stop shifting ,Loosed my screws that were on them 2 times. | | Similar Products Used: | shimano xt | | Bike Setup: | trek 8000 with lx,xt,xtr,icon parts and judy t2 | | Bottom Line: | I'm changing to Sram for sure this summer. My shifters just worked good the day i got them on my bike and then i went to bike in the single tracks and now they dont work good.
Even when i use a compressor i can't get all of the mud out of there. I dont know how it gets there and you see it where it says high and low. I'm going with gripshift and people who had no problem with these shifters are lucky! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike morrison
a Weekend Warrior
from wixom,MI
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | all | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | compact, looks nice. | | Weaknesses: | *****!!!!cheap shifter handle, too much effort to shift, to long a throw, too much slop in thumb shifter lever,Jams,need to have bionic thumbs to make it work. | | Similar Products Used: | 95 altus shifter set - which are wayyyyy better quality than 2000 lx shifter which is ridiculous. | | Bike Setup: | Trek 7000 stock- | | Bottom Line: | There simply is no excuse for these pieces of crap. I will soon be on my third pair of these shifter pods. I bought my trek 7000 new two weeks ago and right awaiy noticed shifters (for rear) jam up. Took bike back, got another new LX set. Same problem. How the $#$$%^#$% can two in a row not work?!!! Beware people!!!!!! Even if these things did work they are too hard to operate, the "feel" is anything but ergonomic, the throw is too long. Internal gears feel very very cheap. Like cheap disposible $2 watch. I am very pissed off I spent $900 on a bike to get this crap. What happened to shimano quality?!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DD
a Cross-Country Rider
from Syracuse, NY
Date Reviewed: December 29, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
quarry, shindaghin | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
When new, these shift well. Smooth, ergonomic. | | Weaknesses: |
After 6 months of riding 3 or 4 times a week I noticed the shifts just weren't there. I replaced cables, and even the der. (I wanted xtr anyway) and contemplated the cassette. I just couldn't get consistent shifting from the stand to the trail. Then I saw that my right shifter was falling apart, or appeared to be. The bottom was just kind of hanging there, I pushed it back in but... Then I tried my wife's bike with the same setup, clean and smooth (she rides about half as often). So lx is great while they last which isn't long and they are not reparable! Then you hyper extend your thumb trying to shift down because they resist and have more travel when they wear out. | | Similar Products Used: |
xt | | Bike Setup: |
Bontrager Race frame (the best part!) xxxl
Judy XC fork (that sucks too!)
9 speed drive, xtr/xt
Bontrager wheels and hubs (the second best parts) | | Bottom Line: | I am going to replace with gripshift plasma, the reviews are great, they aren't shimano, and even a poor grad. student like me can afford them. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
phil
a Downhiller
from bc
Date Reviewed: August 21, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
durable
look cool
crisp shifting | | Weaknesses: |
none | | Similar Products Used: |
XTR XT STX-RC shifters | | Bottom Line: | these shifters provide crisp shifting action. They are strong and don't have much play. XT is a bit more egronomic for feel, but these are just as good as XTR if not better. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard Styron
a Cross-Country Rider
from Branson, MO
Date Reviewed: June 20, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
104, Chadwick Motocross Park | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Reliable, cheap | | Weaknesses: |
Not quite as smooth as XT or XTR, no cable change hatch | | Similar Products Used: |
XT, LX rapidfire/brake lever | | Bike Setup: |
LX shifters, ESP 7.0 Levers, STX derailleurs with a Rollamajig | | Bottom Line: | These shifters are plenty good for just about anyone. I had some LX shifter/canti brake leers from back in the day for about 2 years, and I never had any problems withthem, except for breaking the numerical covers of the view portion off in wrecks. Sure, they may be heavier than Grip Shift, but I guarantee* you that you will not be able to feel the weight penalty riding. The simple fact is, these are good reliable shifters that don't cost much. They shift fine, and unless you are a racer than drivetrain stuff is little more than accessories. If your shifting is half a second slow, B.F.D. You are better off spending your money on something that makes a difference in the ride, like wheels or anything that supports weight, like cranks or bottom bracket. If your shifters explode, you can still ride home. If your brakes go out, should you really ride those downhills?
www.angelfire.com/ar/itchybike/index.html
*Guarantee does not apply in the US. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Isaac
a Cross-Country Rider
from the local loop
Date Reviewed: June 18, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Local Loop | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Looks smooth
Quiet Shifting | | Weaknesses: |
Smooth shifting...in the parking lot
Too complicated
about 1 in 5 have their springs or something fail | | Similar Products Used: |
Grip Shift's | | Bike Setup: |
Moab 1, SX-R fork, XT 9 speed rear, LX front, Ritchey Logic pedals, Avid brakes | | Bottom Line: | When I first eyed out my Moab 1, I thought whoa, rapid fire feels smooth. But that was in the parking lot. After working with Grip Shift on all previous bikes, I deceided to give rapid fire a try. Like I said, in the parking lot or in the bike stand, rapid fire feels smooth. But once I got on the trails and was really churning the power out, I discovered that Grip Shift was the way to go-rapid fire is wacked out. Grip shift is much simplier, less parts to break. I work in a shop, and about 1 in 5 (rapid fire) fail for some reason, usually springs. Grip Shift just has less parts to break on you, and you an adjust for chain rub in the front, espcially useful with 9 speed. I ordered Grip Shift Plasma's today, will review those when they arrive. 2 meat balls for a nice gimmick (in the store) and sucking on the trails... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Weekend Warrior
from Walpole,MA
Date Reviewed: June 9, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Easy shifting, easy set-up, they just plain work! | | Weaknesses: |
Only two down shifts with the thumb. | | Similar Products Used: |
XT rapids, Gripshift 9.0 | | Bike Setup: |
Voodoo Zobop | | Bottom Line: | I have a set of Xt rapids on my hardtail. The LX came stock on my FS. When the cables are properly adjusted, these babies shift very well. I don't care about the weight penalty of these shifters. The few grams saved with Sram products could better be saved in rotational weight. If you want good performance in your shifters, buy a set of these shifters. If you are only looking to save weight, you need to check your priorities. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob Grabowski
a Cross-Country Rider
from Queens, NY
Date Reviewed: June 7, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Nicely designed levers | | Weaknesses: |
Front Shifter | | Similar Products Used: |
Shimano STX | | Bike Setup: |
Cannondale F-600 | | Bottom Line: | According to Cannondale's specs I have these, though they don't look like the picture. (Mine have the indicators ABOVE the bar, and larger thumb levers). Maybe Shimano makes 2 LX's. Anyway, they are convenient and quiet and smooth BUT...
the front derailer shifter requires entirely too much effort to change gears and needs to be pushed too far. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paddox
a Cross-Country Rider
from Germany
Date Reviewed: May 20, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
they shift exactly,
you do not have to cut
down your grips | | Weaknesses: |
they are heavy and look ugly | | Similar Products Used: |
XT-Thumbshifters,
XT-STI
Gripshift 600,800 | | Bike Setup: |
Zaskar Le, Marzocchi | | Bottom Line: | After 4 Years riding I switched from GripShift back to Shimano. I do not like the current product line of SRAM. The shifters are to big and the grips suck. Also they work not as exactly as shimanos. I am now using the LX98 8-gear shifters and they are o.k., but if I upgrade to 9-gears I will buy the XTs. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross-Country Rider
from Wisconsin
Date Reviewed: April 20, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
works good and smooth shifting | | Weaknesses: |
i don't think any right now | | Similar Products Used: |
grip shifts | | Bike Setup: |
stock cannondale f900 | | Bottom Line: | I think that they are better than the grip shift. They have some of the smoothest shifting out of all the same priced shifters i have tried. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kurt Schweitzer
a weekend warrior
from Salt Lake City, Utah
Date Reviewed: December 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Well, say what you will about the Big S, their stuff just plain WORKS. I bought a Trek 8000 last year and upgraded just about everything(XTR V's, Der's, RaceFace Cranks, Englund,etc.)at the time of purchase. I also bought an XTR Lever/Shifter combo at the same time. I was leaving for Moab the following day, so I left the stock LX pods on. Wow! Talk about trickle down effect, my last bike had 1st-gen XTR, and these are just as good in performance, sure they look cheaper and don't have the SILKY smooth feel of XTR, but they are still on the bike almost a year later without a hiccup. Now that S has gone 9 speed, I'll run these to death before using my XTR. For all of those Junior racers stressing about their LX equipped bike, DON'T, your stuff works killer, spend the bucks on wheels. 5 Flaming Tamales for these babies, if you can swing XTR, YEEHAH, otherwise dont worry! PS I use black/Teflon shift cables $5 each for killer shifting | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
GT GT GT GT GT GT GT GT GT
a weekend warrior
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: November 15, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Never had a problem with these babies in the two years I've punished them, other than problems getting them to fit with riser bars....As far as comments on them sticking, that happened when the indicator housing was pressed against the bend in the bar. In other words, if you put them on or set them up wrong, they might stick.5 stinkin' hot ones, cause Shimano did nothing wrong.... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter Spiro
a cross-country rider
from Toronto, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 3, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I had always disliked grip shift when I test rode bikes with it. I particularly hate the loud click they make when you shift. I can always tell when a rider behind me has grip shift from the noise. A couple of months ago, I got a great deal on a bike with grip shift 600 shifters. I gave them a chance, to see if I would get to like them, so I kept them on for a few weeks. No way. I still hated them. The bike came with rollamajig, and a stronger spring in the LX rear derailleur, so it shifted fine, but I don't like the wrist motion. I had Alivio and STX rapidfire shifters on my other bikes, and I got a set of LX shifters to replace the rapidfire on this new one. The shifting is so much more natural and effortless. A tiny flick of my index finger to shift down, a slight push of the thumb to shift up. These shifters are great, although no real difference besides cosmetics over the Alivio or STX. I've used the Alivio for 3 years in really rough conditions, including getting full of water and then freezing, and it's never failed me. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a cross-country rider
from australia
Date Reviewed: September 17, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
a set of these shifters came on my new giant and i thought they would be pretty good but they are not all that good. The bottom casiing on one doesnt seem to stay on and the other day a wire on one of them snapped , but i guess they are good enough for me now , but everyone stear clear of these and buy Xt. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
GUS
a racer
from ST. Louis Park, MN
Date Reviewed: September 13, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
When I first purchased these Rapid fires, I thought they were great compared to the Gripshift that came on my proflex. I really do not care for grip shift. Anyhow, LX rapidfires lasted about 2 months of riding. I would not recomend them. It is a waste of money... They tend to stick even when properly lubed. I would pay more and buy XT they shift much more smoother. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Derek Newell
a cross-country rider
from Winston-Salem, NC
Date Reviewed: August 23, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
After my STX-RC rapidfire lever went out on me two days before a race, I had to put one of these LX shifters on my bike. I think that the only difference between it and my old shifter is the metal top piece, and the little readout that tells you what gear you are in. But, basically the two are the same (same plastic moving parts, which is all that really matters) as far as craftsmanship. I am not too impressed with these as my old ones worked for a year straight with no problems. We'll see how these hold out. | | Overall Rating: |
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