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Submitted by
bobby nuguid
a Cross Country Rider
from phillipines
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | licao-licao macabud bulacan | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$15.00 | | Purchased At: | decimal manila | | Strengths: | low maintenance,accurate,light weight,brake lever is very responsive,not to pricey. | | Weaknesses: | hard to find product anymore | | Similar Products Used: | shimano alivio,altus | | Bike Setup: | hardtail apache tomahawk shimano deore,sr suntour xcr travel adjust with lockout 100mm,answer riser handle bar,maxxis holy roller 26x2.4. | | Bottom Line: | in my opinion other reviews posted here are not that accurate or they think they are using the model stx-rc shifter and brake lever combination 7-speed.these are made in japan the last remaining few that is belonging to the lower end groups. they are very rigid shiny, precise and stiff and at par with the lx shifters.anybody tight on a budget should buy it. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BADman Bully
a Racer
from scotland
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | death | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$5.00 | | Strengths: | it's metal so it's way tuff enuff | | Weaknesses: | nun | | Similar Products Used: | xtr down and sram stuff | | Bike Setup: | steel with cheap stuff and dear stuff | | Bottom Line: | the best shifter on the market | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TrekJeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Flint, MI USA
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | The dirt ones | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Been relable for 10years | | Weaknesses: | Starting to show it's age. DOesn't want to shift in 30 degrees or below temps | | Bike Setup: | Stock 1995 Trek 7000SHX | | Bottom Line: | I was going to upgrade the entire bike but now plan to leave it as is. I decided to do a build up on a new frame and keep this as a back up bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TrekJeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Flint, MI USA
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | The dirt ones | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Been relable for 10years | | Weaknesses: | Starting to show it's age. DOesn't want to shift in 30 degrees or below temps | | Bike Setup: | Stock 1995 Trek 7000SHX | | Bottom Line: | I was going to upgrade the entire bike but now plan to leave it as is. I decided to do a build up on a new frame and keep this as a back up bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
andy pearce
a Cross Country Rider
from Northants, UK
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$7.00 | | Purchased At: | woolyhatshop | | Strengths: | cheap as hell in the 7spd version,
well made inners, eg quality metal gears inside
very smooth shift | | Weaknesses: | cheap plastic outer | | Bike Setup: | stx shifter on lx mech. shimano cables (oiled regularly) | | Bottom Line: | a very good shifter, if you ride 7spd the chances are your not into spending mega money on your bike, these do the job very well and shift as well as the old lx (as they are the same inside. they are not as good as say an xt but if you break one then the only difference is £20.
PERFECT FOR COMMUTING OR LIGHT XC (maybee a ittle light trials. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matej Misvelj
a Weekend Warrior
from Slovenia
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | cheap (?), looks good - speed indicator | | Weaknesses: | it does not work in the cold - the spring breakes
you have to push it a little further to change gear up | | Similar Products Used: | LX, sram gripshift | | Bike Setup: | stx-rc rear deraileur, alivio front, OEM cables | | Bottom Line: | it is a good product, never cleaned inside and still working after 6 or 7 years ( ~10000 miles) of road and easy cross country use
they are good shifters for recreative bikers, not as good as LX, but still way better than gripshifts | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Vancouver | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | 50.00 | | Strengths: | Cost. | | Weaknesses: | Don't last very long. Damage easily. | | Similar Products Used: | LX | | Bike Setup: | STX/Deore/LX/XT | | Bottom Line: | I've gone through 3 of these and the spring for the return tends to break. I only use the bike for commuting. These are not breaking from impacts, etc., but just wear. I purchased a used LX a few years ago to replace one of the STX-RC, and this shifter, purchased somewhat beat up, has outlasted 2 other right-side STX-RC shifters that were purchased new. I've decided to longer buy these even though there is not much avail. for 8-speed. Shouldn't have to replace these 1x per year as though it's a consumable. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cameron Sprowl
a
from Markham, Ontario, Can
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Seaton Hiking Trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Giant, B.C. | | Strengths: | Considering the amount of kilometers I've put on my bike, these shifters are great, for the beginner. | | Weaknesses: | Uphill shifts, even when careful can cause slippage, and the front derailleur has very touchy calibration. | | Similar Products Used: | Deore, Alivio | | Bike Setup: | Stock Giant ATX 860 '98 | | Bottom Line: | Learn on them, move on to better. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bernie Miranda
a Weekend Warrior
from Philippines
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Southwoods / Pagudpud | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$27.00 | | Purchased At: | D Wheelers at Cartimar | | Strengths: | Smooth Shifting on flat roads, Nice Design | | Weaknesses: | Poor Shifting on Uphills, gears are cracking. | | Similar Products Used: | Alivio, Acera, SunRace | | Bike Setup: | MOB ( Men on Bike ) | | Bottom Line: | A good choice for an average quality bike, I cannot recommend this to serious MTB cyclist, this is good for hobbyist only. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Donavan Tan
a Cross Country Rider
from Malaysia
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Purchased At: | friend | | Weaknesses: | when shifted to heavier gears,the derailler will the other way. i wonder is the product really safe to be used.It totally confused me and i got to buy a new one with a different model.i hope SHIMANO could make an explanation. | | Bottom Line: | I cant setup my RD.The model is SHIMANO RAPID RISE comfort c030 Technology. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Ottawa
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Gatineau Trail 18 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Full Cycle | | Strengths: | Rapid fire, can skip several gears down at once. | | Weaknesses: | Built like crap out of frail plastic housing. I broke mine when I fell. Total garbage. | | Similar Products Used: | XT 8-speed rapid-fire shifter / brake lever combo. O;d-skool friction thumb-shifters (suck) | | Bike Setup: | '99 Kona Cinder Cone w/ '02 Manitou Black Elite, XT shifter / lever combo, Welgo platform pedals, Terry Liberator Race Ti saddle. Waiting on Santa Cruz Heckler w/ Vanilla 125R, 5th element air, full XT incl. disc brakes, Mallet Cs . . . hurry up damnit! | | Bottom Line: | STX RC shifter is crap for reliability. They came stock on my bike so I had no choice. Too much plastic in the construction. I've fallen far more times than I care to mention on my XT shifters and brake levers on hard rock and dirt. They've slipped and rotated on the handlebars, but they've never failed, bent, or compromised performance. If you're in a position to choose, forget the STX RC junk. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joel
a Cross Country Rider
from Tokyo, Japan
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Reservoir | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$23.00 | | Purchased At: | UBP | | Strengths: | Accurate shifts, reliable. Better than any twist shifters I've tried. | | Weaknesses: | Not as smooth as higher end components. | | Similar Products Used: | SRAM, Grip-shift. | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale M800, LX crank and front/rear derailleurs. | | Bottom Line: | Use teflon cables and a Rollamajig and the shifting will be much lighter and smoother. Great for entry-to mid-level riders on a budget. Buy them now, 8 speed gear is on the endangered species list! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wade McGhee
a Cross Country Rider
from Orillia, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Hardwood Hills | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Great shifting, crisp and tough. I beat these for over 3 years now (came on bike) and they still work good. I've thought I would upgrade when they failed, but they won't fail! | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | Gripshift (turds)
Deore, LX (Buddies rides) | | Bike Setup: | '99 Trek 6000, upgraded front derailler to Deore, LX crank set, a few other necessities. | | Bottom Line: | These impressed me so much that when the cheap crap shifters broke on my girlfriends Trek 4300 (cheap lever/shifter combo), I bought these at a great deal. They are cheap and easily feel as good as Deore or LX shifters. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Kirksville, Missouri USA
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | came on bike | | Strengths: | easy, crisp shifting, very durable(layed bike down on pavement at 30 mph, most stress on shifters & brake levers and only scuffed them) have had them for about 6-7 years, older 7 spd model | | Weaknesses: | have to push the level a bit further in front to jump up gears, but thats not a big deal | | Similar Products Used: | crap walmart specials, grip shifters(worst ever) | | Bottom Line: | very good product, would require some serious abuse to destroy, great for the beginning riders and budgeted people | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
miles gould
a Weekend Warrior
from England
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | urban assault | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$17.00 | | Purchased At: | Tried the shifter out on my m8's seans bike | | Strengths: | cheap
reliable
hasnt broken yet | | Weaknesses: | its a 7 speed | | Similar Products Used: | xtr on my bike | | Bike Setup: | on-one the gimp, marzocchi dj3, whole xtr setup, mavic d521 rims and so on | | Bottom Line: | great feel great look great value | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bong
a Weekend Warrior
from Philippines
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Cheap | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Alivio, Acera, Deore, XTR | | Bike Setup: | GT Avalanche | | Bottom Line: | Very good as an entry level shifter | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick Spencer
a Weekend Warrior
from Mt Uniacke
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Sportwheels | | Strengths: | cheap
strong
reliable | | Weaknesses: | none so far
8 speed | | Similar Products Used: | shimano alivio,deore lx 8 speed | | Bike Setup: | 2000 GT palomar with deore and stx rc and LX components | | Bottom Line: | Well so far i havent seen any problem with them they shift good and tehy look good too!
They are also a half decent price to. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester, MI
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Wahu! Cycles | | Strengths: | Cheap, Reliable | | Weaknesses: | Not the most accurate shifts, especially up hill. | | Bike Setup: | 1999 Hard Rock | | Bottom Line: | These shifters worked fine for the first year or 2. I replaced the standard STX rear deraileur with an LX and got new cables and housings last summer. The bike shifted better than brand new.
I had to replace the shifters recently. The nut that holds all the hardware inside the case stripped out on a ride and all the mechanical guts spewed out. I would have went for an upgrade, but was forced to buy another set of STX shifters because I couldn't find any other 8-spd hardware.
Bottom Line: Cheap, reliable, last of the 8-spd that's still around. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Leonard
a Cross Country Rider
from Belfast
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | came on bike | | Strengths: | REALLY DECENT PRICED AND SPECCED RAPID FIRE SHIFTERS.I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS AT ALL-SSHIFTING IS SMOOTH AND DIRECT AMD THEY R REALLY COMFY TO HOLD AND PUSH. GREAT VALUE | | Weaknesses: | THE BOTTOM CAP FELL OFF ABOUT A WEEK AGO ON MY R.H SHIFTER...BUT I GLUED IT BACK ON-PROBLEM SOLVED-IT HAD BROKEN AT THE JOIN WERE THE SCRE MEETS SO GLUE DID THE GLUB.BUT AFTER 2 YERAS AND 2 MONTHS WHAT DO YOU EXPECT? | | Similar Products Used: | EASY FIRE SHIMANO | | Bottom Line: | GREAT VALUE SHIFTERS WHICH DO THEIR JOB TO A "T". THEY ARE FAR BETER VISIBLE AND EASIER TO THE EYE THAN THESE NEW SHIMANO PRODUCTS AS WELL.
GR8 SHIFTERS | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
gaz smith
a Weekend Warrior
from mansfield,england
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | ????????????? | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | ?????? came with bike 96`scott | | Strengths: | amazing durability,smooth,accurate | | Weaknesses: | none!!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | srt600,sachs wavey | | Bike Setup: | mish mash | | Bottom Line: | 6years abuse,bottom cap fell off about 3years ago and still no problem..now running with a 2nd hand xtr rear mech and works wonderful | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stuart
a Weekend Warrior
from Hobart, Australia
Date Reviewed: November 12, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Price, rapid fire shifting | | Weaknesses: | Poor durability, little rough and imprecise | | Similar Products Used: | XT | | Bike Setup: | Giant ATX900 | | Bottom Line: | These shifters are what you'd expect for the money you pay. They aren't the most precise or smooth shifter on the market and are a little prone to damage from knocks. I found that the indexing on the rear shifter to be a little out with the cassettes i run (never could get the adjustment right for the down shift to my 6th cog). Also, when i was removing them from my handlebars i managed to dislodge the cap for the up shift lever for the front, losing the little circlip that holds iit in place in the process. They are an ideal shifter if your on a tight budget. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex Green
a Weekend Warrior
from London, England
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Halfords | | Strengths: | Strong, cheap, easy to use, fast, smooth. | | Weaknesses: | Uuuurm, nothing springs to mind. | | Similar Products Used: | Gripshift, assorted Shimano stuff on standard bikes. | | Bike Setup: | I really should cut and paste this from somewhere. | | Bottom Line: | Good product, not quite as sturdy as some I have used, but more than strong enough for the average rider. Nice price point and look cool. Almost perfect. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
frank cottonwood
a
from az
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | all of them | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$33.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | shift gears | | Weaknesses: | flexy and weak | | Similar Products Used: | gripshaft | | Bike Setup: | sugino krank, did chain, xt casette, and sachs rear derailer | | Bottom Line: | it works and is reliable. the most important thing is a clean cable. i have mismatch component set and it still works. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
poida
a
from Melbourne, Australia
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | got em off a friend | | Strengths: | They shift pretty well and i like the design like the display is on the bottom instead of the top like the new deore, lx, xt shifters so the display will be less prone to snapping off. | | Weaknesses: | the return spring thing died, so i took the whole thing apart which in the process i shredded the thread on the bolt that holds the whole thing together somehow. I put in another spring i had lying around and i've now got a wood screw holding it all together | | Bike Setup: | DMR Sidekick trials setup | | Bottom Line: | Well it works pretty well, even after my dodgy work on it. They're alright but not the best; it's got crappy return springs that stuff up after a while and the shifter does develop play but they'll still work. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Henniker, NH, USA
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | cyclesmith trails | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | These shifters are great! they work great, and they shift quickly and without any effort at all. I dont have the optical display, though | | Weaknesses: | no optical display
cap on bottom of right shifter broke off, but still works flawlessly | | Similar Products Used: | I used to use grip shift (grip sh*t) on my trek 920 and then trek 930, but when I switched bikes I got rapidfire | | Bike Setup: | I have a 1999 KHS Comp ST. I have replaced absolutely everything so far besides the front derailleur and the shifters. I got sh*tty wellgo pedals so I am upgrading to some shimano's | | Bottom Line: | These shifters are great, I cannot say it enough. The only reason why the cap on the right shifter broke is because I tried to shift 4 clicks while on an uphill and the stress just plain sheared the screws on it. I have no optical display but that is okay because I have an XTR rapid rise derailleur so the numbers would be backwards. If I were to upgrade these, which I probably wont, I would just get a cap to put over the right shifter and I would keep them the way they are now. I really dont see what all you people are complaining about. If you have that much money, just but XTR, but dont b*tch out the mid level stuff because the majority of us are stuck buying this stuff. Great product, shimano! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jake levene
a Cross Country Rider
from london, england
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | cheap | | Weaknesses: | cheap | | Similar Products Used: | gripshifters :-( | | Bike Setup: | diamondback ascent ('94) | | Bottom Line: | The shifters came with the bike 7 years ago. I broke the plastic seethrough cover which allows you to see which gear you are in when the bike was a year old, (I hit it with my knee, which bloody hurt.) Now the whole casing has fallen apart and you can see all the fancy workings inside, but it still works. The front shifter needs to be pressed really hard to get it to shift and when it needs to go onto the third/ largest gear it needs to be slightly overly pushed home. The rear shifter (7 speed) works perfectly well even after all this time- no problems. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam Wintersgill
a Downhiller
from Lincolnshire,UK
Date Reviewed: December 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Doddy Road Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | Halfords | | Strengths: | Cheap, Durable, Okay shifting | | Weaknesses: | Can skip, Loud, Can't dissasemble | | Similar Products Used: | LX, Deore, Gripshift, Alivio, Thumbshifters | | Bike Setup: | Dawes Watoga, Hope, LX, STX-RC, Panaracer, Tioga, X-lite, Titec, Alesa, Kalloy, RST (Gay) | | Bottom Line: | Pretty good if u r on a budget and don't care about weight (like me) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug
a Cross Country Rider
from Kenosha
Date Reviewed: November 22, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$13.00 | | Purchased At: | Nashbar | | Strengths: | Good looks, quick shifts | | Weaknesses: | None yet | | Similar Products Used: | Deore shifters, grip shift | | Bike Setup: | Rock hopper comp, Deore/xt drive train
Gary Fisher/ Jett Race / Bontrager | | Bottom Line: | Great for the price! I think they are at $19 now from Nashbar. We actually have two sets in the family. Got these when the Grip shift broke (junk). Have worked great with very minor adjustments! Also works good with a six speed rear end (Rockhopper). I recommend paddle type shifters over anything, these are solid and trustworthy! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Maciek Dudek
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago, IL, USA
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | rainy forest with alot of mud | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | very good, strong and massive shifters | | Weaknesses: | they cant be repaired. loud shifting | | Similar Products Used: | SRAM 5.0 shifters | | Bike Setup: | Nishiki Colorado | | Bottom Line: | good shifters at affordable price and a brand you can trust. i recoomend those shifters to average terrain | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Simon Solotko
a Cross Country Rider
from Dallas, TX
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Womble | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | This shifter held up and shifted reliably for 14 months, with moderate to heavy use. | | Weaknesses: | Tightened inner bolts once, helped with some accumulated loose play. Not smooth like LX+, more click n' stick, but no bad shifts. Combined with XT Mega 9 front & rear shifter, XT chain, Truvative FireX crank with no problems whatsoever, and improved shifting - all were added incrementally - mix and match despite what Shimano says. before going to LX shifters | | Similar Products Used: | My new LX shifters arrived broke, took them apart, attached a detached rachet spring, now they are fine. Removed label on bed matress too. Take apart your shifters! It will make you feel much better, and much better informed. | | Bike Setup: | Shimano 23" Moab (HUGE) with LX shifter, XT derailers, Truvative Crank, XTR hub laced to Aeroheat. Bobproof XC for 6'5" dude. | | Bottom Line: | Shifters lasted 14 months until I could afford to upgrade. No problems period. Strong, simple, reliable. Dark side of the force pulled me to 9 speed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pete
a Racer
from UK
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | ald bour down | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | It lasts and lasts.
| | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | XT
LX | | Bike Setup: | M Trax Team Ti, XT mechs, STX shifters, real x levers, onza post, Xlite bar ends, Ti bar, | | Bottom Line: | I have had these since I cracked my XT. I have had them for about 4 years and they work as well today as they did when I bought them and these have been through four British winters!!!!!
Buy them!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ian
a Cross Country Rider
from Peterborough, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Jackson Park | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | They have lasted 4 years with no maintance! Survived numerous crashes. My friend goes through the "good shifters" every two months because the all break when he crashes. | | Weaknesses: | The front derailleur shifter was pretty stiff to shift up, hard on the thumb. The rear shifter is getting a bit loose, return spring not as strong as it once was. | | Similar Products Used: | Have tried new XT 9sp stuff on new bikes, maybe they haven't been broken in or out of adjustment everytime but they don't really shift better than the good 'ol STX | | Bike Setup: | 95 Nocro vector with 2000 Z4 bomber. | | Bottom Line: | Don't be afraid to go with the cheaper stuff. It worked for me! Unless you can get XT and XTR at dealer cost then go ahead but I'll never spend 100's of dollars on shifters or anything with XT on it. I'm not a world caliber rider so why do I need to save 30 grams (or some insignificant weight) on my shifters. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Berkeley, CA
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | inexpensive, up to 3 downshifts per stroke, big and easy-to-read optical display | | Weaknesses: | return spring snapped, shifting a little slow | | Similar Products Used: | '99 LX, '98 Alivio, '88 SIS thumb shifters | | Bike Setup: | '94 Performance M304, 7-speed | | Bottom Line: | This is actually a review of the 7-speed STX-SE shifters, which were the predecessors to the STX-RC. First off, I confess that I never rode my bike off-road on anything more agressive than grass or 6-inch deep snow; it was basically a low-mileage commuter. After 3 years of about 15 miles a week, the return spring in the right shifter went out. A year after that, the shifter refused to downshift at all. I was not pleased. I was so poor at the time, I had to replace it with 7-speed Alivio, which sucks for its one-gear-per-downshift aspect. I expected more out of the almighty Shimano; my SIS thumb shifters (one level below Deore) performed nearly flawlessly for over five years without a complaint. When my LX shifters crap out--and I know they will--I just hope SRAM has gotten its act together enough that its new paddle shifter will be more reliable than Big S. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
vince
a
from malaysia
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Bottom Line: | good shifter and brake lever set. functions perfectly fine and with some lubrication from time to time, it's wonderful! quick at shifting and nice display! good value for money! no weakness found yet! bottom line : hot stuff! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gaoo
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Bromont | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | light, good lenght, precise shifting, good resistance to sand and mud, these didn't altere their performance, easy to adjust | | Weaknesses: | not found yet (maybe I had luck when buying my bike...)
can find pieces to fix them (make cautious) | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Deore | | Bike Setup: | '99 TREK 6500 orange, some upgrades to LX... | | Bottom Line: | I used them in all conditon and had no problem with them. They can drive precisely my LX rear derailleur. No display, but not an important thing. Work at is best with front Alivio derailleur. An other good Shimano products | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SloppySeconds
a Cross Country Rider
from the Valley of the Sun
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | The one that's behind the mountain on the horizon. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Shifting was crisp. | | Weaknesses: | It wasn't reliable. The front shifter broke during the first 20 miles (on pavement). I had to take it apart and fix it right there on the sidewalk. I was the guy cursing on Main St!
The shifting action is heavy, requiring brute force to get that crispy shift. I even had to rotate it on the bar like a top-mount to get some relief for my thumb during a ride.
| | Similar Products Used: | These were much better:
Top mounts
Gripshift
XT Rapidfire | | Bike Setup: | My companion is a 6500. | | Bottom Line: | After 5 months, I haven't found anything that makes this shifter better than others, including low-end top mount shifters. These shifters really took a s*** on me!
Out of all the shifters I've had in the past decade, these are the worst and I'll have to start looking for replacements soon.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bladteth
a Cross Country Rider
from Lodz, Poland
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | + it works as it should
+ smooth action | | Weaknesses: | - not as durable as I would like them to be
- dust easy get in and need cleaning from time to time | | Similar Products Used: | EZ-fire, LX | | Bike Setup: | Giant Terrago '98 with upgrades | | Bottom Line: | These shifters do their job - they shift. Their work is smooth and they do require a very small amount of force to activate. In reality most resistance comes from the springs of derailleurs, cables and housing, thus making the resistance of shifters almost negligible. On the other hand, STX RC are not so durable as I expected, bolts come loose too often and dust and mud that get inside very easily can significantly worsen the performance. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
hunter
a Cross Country Rider
from macon,ga
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | I have had no problems whatsoever | | Weaknesses: | not as smooth or easy as others | | Similar Products Used: | dont know | | Bike Setup: | specialized ground control 2.built myself. | | Bottom Line: | good dependable shifter.good for a non competitive rider. not for a competitive racer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Cheap, work well. 75% of all slow shifting is housing and cables. | | Weaknesses: | The 25% that is to blame. Mine have broken twice. The first was a sloppy nut inside. I reassembled it in about 5 minutes , after spending an hour trying to find all the springs on the trail and figure out the assembly order. The second was colateral damage from an exploded front der.
The main fault with these is the use of plastic, but that's what you get for 25 bones | | Similar Products Used: | Suntour, Gripshift, every shimano since the thumbies of the 80's. | | Bike Setup: | Klein Mantra Comp. LX level components | | Bottom Line: | I got these on the Mantra in 97. I new that they would eventually break but squeezing 3 years out of them is not bad. The shifting isn't as smooth as the higher grades
While I would much rather replace them with LX or XT (which I'm doing now), they held up quite well.
They can be fixed if nothing is physically broken. But, you'd better have XCELLENT mechanical abilty, it ain't no walk in the park | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jason
a Weekend Warrior
from canada
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | wrandees | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | they shift | | Weaknesses: | heavy, cheap, not durable, a holy handfull, don't shift very well, skip gears | | Similar Products Used: | centera, MRX, LX, tourney, srt 800, esp 9.0 | | Bottom Line: | Don't bother with these, i got in one little crash and the left lever had a nice big hole in it, i'd expect better from mid-shimano components, but if you like rapidfire, and need new shifters, the LX are worth the extra money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from NM USA
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Low cost
more durable than the grip shift SRT 400 that they replaced
shift better on the rear than grip shift | | Weaknesses: | Indicators broke after 1 day and never say the right number(BUT WHO NEEDS THEM ANYWAY?)
| | Similar Products Used: | LX rapidfire
XT rapidfire
Old School Grip Shift | | Bike Setup: | 96 Trek 930
(The big ugly blue bike that you can never catch!) | | Bottom Line: | These have been use abused i've raced with em banged em and beat em and they still work great.
- 1 chilli because of the poor quality indicators | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J
a Weekend Warrior
from Atlanta, GA
Date Reviewed: December 12, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
None | | Weaknesses: |
Cheap stuff. | | Similar Products Used: |
EZ-fire
LX
XT
Gripshift | | Bike Setup: |
Trek 6000 | | Bottom Line: | These shifters should not be bought. Mine broke on me 2 days after buying it. They're the biggest waste of money. In no case should you buy this shifter (unless you like throwing your money away). If I could give it a zero rating I would. I can't believe Shimano can get away with stuff like this. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kelly Ireson
a Weekend Warrior
from SF, CA
Date Reviewed: October 6, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
tam | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Not many | | Weaknesses: |
You can't really say that anyone using quality enough products on a bike to be at this website would not recognize that since it is not only heavier and weaker than LX parts, it is a poor compromise considering what Shimano's done with the LX line and the pretty decent prices for it. | | Similar Products Used: |
Just upgraded to XTR front der and full SRAM 9.0 SE, LX rear hub/cassette. | | Bike Setup: |
GT LTS | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line on this being that they cut all the corners they can and even if your factory built bike comes with this garbage get rid of it as soon as you can afford it. I guess that's a little harsh but even though it's lasted me about six months the shifting has gone to pot on both the front and rear ders. Don't waste your money. Don't eat pizza twice in a month and you'll have enough to go from STXRC to LX. What a difference. They do earn two burning dead horses from me because they did last me six months; though by the end they were near worthless. Thanks for listening. profeign@hotmail.com | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stephan
a Cross-Country Rider
from Ridderkerk(Holland)
Date Reviewed: September 13, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Schoorl (Holland) | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
fast shifting,
price,
no maintenance | | Weaknesses: |
none | | Similar Products Used: |
Shimano's (very old) | | Bike Setup: |
Giant ATX
Mavic crosslink
Deore XT/LX | | Bottom Line: | Mine don't fall apart! I've been using them for more than a year now and they still work perfectly. So, 5 chilis!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
phil
a Downhiller
from bc
Date Reviewed: August 21, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
cheap | | Weaknesses: |
Strength
durability
lever play
short life span | | Similar Products Used: |
xtr, xt, lx shifters | | Bottom Line: | These shifters come crisp shifting out of the store, but after a bit of riding, they start to play and soon enough, fall apart on you. If these come stock on a bike, trade them in and pay the extra couple bucks to upgrade to LX or a SRAM. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jefftallica
a Cross-Country Rider
from tempe, az
Date Reviewed: July 26, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
corona loma | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
light, smooth action
precise feel (out of the box) | | Weaknesses: |
they break
rubbery feel over time
non-repairable | | Similar Products Used: |
gripshift 400
lx rapidfire | | Bike Setup: |
specialized rockhopper fs, rockshox indy | | Bottom Line: | they work incredibly well at first, but i wouldn't recommend them because after a crash the left (front) shifter jammed. after deeming the situation hopeless, i took it apart (never do this only the situation is hopeless) but couldn't solve the problem. gripshift shfters break, too, but i've repaired them easily and cheaply, something you can't do w/ shimano. also, like gripshift shifters, rapidfire feels rubbery over time. oh well. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Eastwood
a Weekend Warrior
from Prince Rupert bc
Date Reviewed: July 19, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Excellent shifters, great value. | | Weaknesses: |
right one did not work after 1.5 months of use. | | Similar Products Used: |
shimano ? | | Bike Setup: |
Norco sasquatch indy c stx. | | Bottom Line: | ihad to get the right one replaced after a month, I was defective but i got it replaced free. Other wise then that there are great had no problens since. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ricka
a Weekend Warrior
from Baltimore, MD
Date Reviewed: May 25, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Durability, practicality, price | | Weaknesses: |
none | | Bike Setup: |
Klein Pulse Comp '97 | | Bottom Line: | I have had no problem with these shifters. I still have them on my '97 Klein, they are 7 speed shifters. I have XTRs to replace them, along with an XTR 8-speed cassette, only when my drivetrain wears out. But I have no complaints about these shifters. They are one of the few things that haven't been upgraded on this bike. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Cinncinati, OH
Date Reviewed: May 24, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Light action | | Weaknesses: |
Can't read indicators easy
feel cheap | | Similar Products Used: |
Gripshift | | Bottom Line: | I've tried SRAM's twist shifters. They suck. You can't downshift and brake at the same time. If you want Rapidfires, go with LX or higher. They feel a hell of a lot better | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jonas Malmgren
a Weekend Warrior
from vetlanda
Date Reviewed: May 18, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Kettilsås | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Functions well | | Weaknesses: |
None | | Similar Products Used: |
LX | | Bike Setup: |
Crescent 98
Rock shox Indy | | Bottom Line: | These works just as well as my sisters LX, they have never letted me down.
Althought my mtn has managed to change gear on its own about 5 times. I dont know the reason for it. But sinsce almost all my bike is STX-RC, i think that's the reason.
Anyway, great stuff | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
troll
a Weekend Warrior
from La.
Date Reviewed: April 8, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
? I would not know | | Weaknesses: |
they fell apart | | Similar Products Used: |
XT, XTR, 9.0, LX | | Bike Setup: |
Giant Iguana, stock | | Bottom Line: | Front shifter fell apart. Could not be fixed. Total junk!! If you make a product make it serviceable. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tom
a Cross-Country Rider
from london
Date Reviewed: April 4, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
boler | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
The levers really are the right lenght. I hear lots of people complain about the levers being too short or uncomfortable. Those people should make sure they mount the shifters on the outside of their brakes. They're cheap, and they work just as well as my friends LX. | | Weaknesses: |
Mine don't have the display, and that bites, but I can tell if I'm near the top or bottome of the cog cause the chain rubs on gear 1 and gears 7-8 if I'm in middle chainring (most of the time) I don't know if I can get a display now. | | Similar Products Used: |
I used gripshift 400 up to this point. They didn't shift nearly as fast, and they made annoying loud clicks instead of quick snaps like the rapids. The only upside is they were 3 stage, meaning NO CHAIN RUB. The up is not enough to justify buying them though. | | Bike Setup: |
They work with an LX front and STX-RC rear derailleur, and an 8 speed XT cog and LX crank. | | Bottom Line: | They're worth it, but I would highly recommend the display too. (unlike what I got) They do the job and they do it well, so what the hells the problem | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a racer
from AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: January 25, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Well, I bought a Moab 2...which I race. Yes I know some of you are going What in the hek is he doing?! But I do what i can with what i got. Anyway I have these shifters on my bike and they work great! All my friends get stuck with lx or xts over shifting or plastics breaking etc. I've had them since Sep. 98 they are still going strong. Anyway i'd like to upgrade but i got to win a few more races first! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Crash
a cross-country rider
from Radford, VA
Date Reviewed: January 21, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I purchased these pods to replace my Alivio RF and brake levers. I can't really complain about them. They may not be as crisp as XT or XTR, but hey, they only cost around $25. They've been fairly accurate, and haven't given me a single problem in the year I've been riding with them. Mud and dirt don't seem to be a problem, and there's plenty of it on the trails here to prove it. I'd recommend them to anyone who is stuck with GripShifts and wants to try the better way to shift! lets say 4 flaming Mr. Hankys for reliabilty, and cost.(I agree, the paddles could be a bit larger) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Gavieres
a weekend warrior
from Cinncinati
Date Reviewed: January 18, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Biker's Log: Trail Date 1-18-99: I bought these shifters as an upgrade to my bike. I prefer them over gripshift. They have held up very well. I couldn't be happier. This one of my best cheap upgrades. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
puzman
a cross-country rider
from wallingford, ct
Date Reviewed: December 21, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These are OK, but not the greatest. I've had some problems with the lever not returning to the rest position after pushing it in to shift. Teflon cables and a lot of chain lube helps, but not entirely. I'm tempted to go SRAM in teh future. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg
a weekend warrior
from Winchester, VA
Date Reviewed: December 20, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These STX-RC shirters are the nicest things around. I got a pair of them on my 1998 Trek 950. Yea it's cromoly but its a darn good bike for the money. Any way these baby's shift in all conditions, rain, caked in mud, snow. It's always been there in the right gear. Buy these Rapid Fire Shifters they are the best upgrade for your shifting. The down and up-shift buttons feel great and allow you to really shift rapidly in a technical section and always get the right gear. That's five big one's for Shimano even though all of their stuff isn't great. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Monkeyboy
a cross-country rider
from Redfield, SD
Date Reviewed: October 31, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
For the buch, these things give you a pretty good bang. They deffinatly don't have the short pull of the XT or XTR, but they are still good. I am running a set right now on my 6500 and they are working great. Everyone is complaining that they are sensative to dirt and crud, well I have gotten these things more then muddy and they still worked great. They are great for the buck so they get 5 flaming bananas. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jake wagner
a weekend warrior
from madison,wi
Date Reviewed: October 12, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
these shifters came on my used trek 7000, a older model. i think these shifters are pretty good. i ride only about 2 to 3 times a week for about 6-7 hours, but i do ride pretty hard. i have had just a bout no problems with these shifters at all, and i dont mantain them probably as much as i should. if you have a tight budget but are looking for some good performing, high quality shifting these are a great choice. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
monkeyboy
a cross-country rider
from Refield SD
Date Reviewed: September 16, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Ok, I don't see what the major problem is with these shifters!! I rode in Oklahoma with these, cause I wanted rapid fires, but didn't have a ton of money to burn on them. I bought these at a shop(after a little prob that got settled quickly with not much effort, thanks to the shop)and rode them in some of the worst dirt out there, Ok's red dirt. That stuff sucks!! It sticks to the parts on your bike. If you had just lubed you chain, then don't go riding in a dusty aread like I did or you will break your chain. Anyways, I never had a prob with dirt messing them up or anything. These things are pretty cool, and I only paid like 20 bucks or something like that for them. They aren't as good as xt or xtr but they are a good buy, get them if you are down on the $$$ and want new rapid fires. I give them 4 flaming bananas! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sherman
a weekend warrior
from British Columbia, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 16, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I got the pods and I like em. They do what they are meant to do and they have no problems. I have had mine for 2 months. The pods are a little large and so are the lever arms but supposedly it is for giving more leverage. They are easy to set up and are a good bargain for the money. If you break a lot of parts or just want something that works then go for this shifter. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kev
a downhiller
from UK
Date Reviewed: September 12, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These are ace for a few months......then they clog up with mud and shit......not so hot.Also, they have tiny little plastic shifty levers which are not as easy to find as the big rubbery pads on my new XTR's. They are cheap, but you'd be better putting a few extra quid in the pot and going fo LX or preferably XT. or XTR?They are, however, substantially better than gripSHIfT, so i'll give them | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JeepMan
a downhiller
from Prince Rupert, B.C.
Date Reviewed: September 3, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I just got these shifters cause my old rapidfires broke and my dad didn't want me to get XT's cause he was afraid I'd brake those. There OK i guess, my finger does not stay on the downshift lever because it is TO FREAKIN SMALL. otherwise, they're OK for the first pair. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tony degear
a downhiller
from usa nyc
Date Reviewed: August 20, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
this shifter does the job of shifting but is to sensitive to dirt and other crud to really work in bad weather. I find it to heavy and to close to lx shifters in price to justify buying them. stick with lx and believe me you will be happy you did. | | Overall Rating: |
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