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Submitted by
Fritz Lehr
a Cross Country Rider
from Raleigh
Date Reviewed: January 2, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Raleigh | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Light, 4 shifts in one direction and 2 in the other, shifts quick, you can use your thumb or finger now to shift forward trigger, easy to re-cable, some right to left on the bar adjustability | | Weaknesses: | Very rarely it will not shift as if trigger is not catching, seems to be much more sensitive to cables as I have to replace them more often, the price is very high(Shimano XTR and SRAM XO) | | Similar Products Used: | SRAM XO (demoed), Shimano XT Dual control(demoed), Old Shimano XT and XTR shift pods 9sp, 8sp and 7sp. | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Santa Cruz Blur (Classic), Marzocchi Marathon Fork, 2007 XTR Shifter, Cranks and R. Derailler, XT Disc brake the old 4 piston design, XTR Hubs, Mavic 317s | | Bottom Line: | This is for XTR M970 Shifter Pods. These are great shifters, but they are sensitive to cable wear. Much more so than my older XT and XTR shifters. The XTR R. Derailler may be partly to blame as the spring on it seems to be weaker and I am using a medium cage instead of a long cage. Not sure what affect that may have on shifting. I will say I like it better thant he SRAM XO, but the SRAM stuff seems great too. The SRAM XO seems to shift more deliberately, but the return spring for trigger seems slow and the shifting seemed just slightly slower than the new XTR stuff. Also, the one gear at a time on the second XO trigger is annoying and it seems you have to push through a longer range of motion to get the XO to shift. Honestly, I like the XTR better, but I could be happy with either one. If it were not for SRAM, I would probably have to use the crappy Shimano dual control stuff. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Oscar Katz
a Racer
from Surrey, UK
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$140.00 | | Strengths: | Shifting 4 gears with one press and 2 with one click. Feel bombproof. | | Weaknesses: | None yet | | Similar Products Used: | XT | | Bike Setup: | Scott Scale, XTR | | Bottom Line: | Fantastic. Super-precise. I didn't think the ability to shift 2 gears with one click would be much use but it's awesome. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gerald Badoz
a Weekend Warrior
from Orlando, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Jones Trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Fit, form, and funtion. Design, adjustability, looks, and weight. Shifting options... | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Deore | | Bike Setup: | 2004 Raleigh Ram 2.0 with full XTR, RockShox 318 Tora and Rear SID, Avid Juicy Carbons, Truvativ Team Carbon Riser, Cane Creek Solo head set, Titec Pluto Carbon seat post, WTB Speed V saddle, and Jagwire cables. Plus a few other things... | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line is that these shifter pods are freakin amazing!! The way they look on the handle bar and the option to shift 1, 2, 3, or 4 gears at a time is incredible!!! I don't know what else to say... I find myself rushing home just to ride my bike. XTR has made my ride that much more enjoyable!! Also since its most made out of aluminum, I expect it to last a very long time...
You can't go wrong with XTR!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill W
a Cross Country Rider
from UK
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Scotland ! | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | Chainreaction | | Strengths: | Light, smooth and the ultimate in reliability | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | XT, LX | | Bike Setup: | Kinesis Maxilight with full XTR, Mavic rims, hope hubs, easton finishing | | Bottom Line: | The best pair of shifters I have ever used. Put it like this, I've used them for 5 years on the same bike and the gear XTR (including the shifters) has not missed one beat ever ! I use my bike daily for work (not just occasionally for work, but EVERY day!) and on trails at the weekend. You can't get much better testing than this. I am building a new bike at the moment and will be trying the M970 components on that. If I get the value for money I got out of these shifters, I will be a happy man for the next 5 years ! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Euan Carr
a Cross Country Rider
from Chelmsford
Date Reviewed: April 5, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | Cyclesurgery | | Strengths: | Shifting | | Weaknesses: | Cost | | Similar Products Used: | Got XT Shifters on XTR mechs on my other bike for | | Bike Setup: | Giant VT1 with XTR shifters & XTR mechs | | Bottom Line: | They are noticeably lighter to use and crisper shifting than XT units.
For something that you use a hell of a lot each ride that has such a long expected lifespan I reckon the extra cost is worth it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc Peot
a Cross Country Rider
from Morrison
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Buffalo Creek / Colorado Trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | So long ago - I can't remember | | Strengths: | Light weight, light action, smooooth, durable
| | Weaknesses: | None! | | Similar Products Used: | SRAM Grip shift, XT | | Bike Setup: | '03 Titus Racer X w/ all the chi-chi stuff... | | Bottom Line: | First off - it looks like there are some reviews of the Dual Controls on here ...
This a review of the '01-'02 XTR shift pods.
I have used these pods on two bikes, now. I have had them over 4 years and ridden them over 9,000 miles -- how many shifts is that, anyway?
I have yet to service them(!?!). Maybe a squirt of Pro Gold, now and then. Say what you want, but that is pretty reliable, imhb.
As long as my cables aren't impaired, they still have that unbelievably light action -- when people ride my bike, that is ALWAYS the first comment.
I have thought about going to SRAM XO - but I just love Rapid Rise.
I have heard nothing but good, though - several of my friends use it and they say it's every bit as good.
But, me, I'll stick with my pods 'till they fail -- or I do.
Happy Trails! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ray
a Cross Country Rider
from NY
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | They look great and shift very well(SL-952) | | Weaknesses: | Cracking on plastic body. For a top of the line set of shifters I expected a lot more. If you have a set I'll bet there's an 90% chance you'll see cracks on the plastic body. I had one set fall apart(craked open) when it was first installed at my local bike shop. I thought that it was their fault but seeing the cracks on these and others installed on my friends bikes, it looks like it's Shimano's fault. | | Bike Setup: | Full XTR, Litespeed Tanasi, Moots laid-back seat post, Moots Ti-beam stem w/ Moots Ti straight handlebar, Triple Ti Eggbeater pedals, Mavic Crossmax Wheels, Hayes Hydraulic Disk brakes | | Bottom Line: | Very good performing but absolutely lousy choice of plastic. I would have expected more from the Shimano's R&D. If they had an 800 number I would call and return this item.
I'm switching to SRAM X.0 's
The other XTR components seem to be pretty good. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg Broderick
a Cross Country Rider
from Bend, Oregon
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Bend has so many!!! | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Century Cycles (but never again) | | Strengths: | Looks great. Ability to brake and shift at the same time. But don't be fooled... | | Weaknesses: | Terrible shifting! Persistent, ongoing problem with Ghost Shifting. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano only | | Bike Setup: | SC Blur, 5th element rear shock, Manitou front fork, race face "rock ring" | | Bottom Line: | Don't get caught up in all the hype like I did! These shifters have NOT operated smoothly since first installed on my Santa Cruz Blur. Way overated - Shimano is only successfully selling these things because A). They look cool B.) The brake lever shift is a breakthrough concept in function (great idea, but BAD shifting prformance). Shimano... you have a long way to go before I could ever recommend this product. I have had my bike in to three different (and reputable) bike mechanics here in Bend, Oregon only to go back out on the trail and experience the same problem. These XTR shifters, and front/rear derailur(s) need constant adjustment, and even then never really work right. I am not the best guy on the mountain but I did have high expectations for the new XTR, and they have failed the real world test miserably! I am dumping these components and buying SRAM X.0 or X.9. Goodbye Shimano, hello SRAM! (Note: The dealer who sold me this bike tell's me my "rock Ring" is the problem, but I have not met a mechanic that has agreed with this diagnosis. I believe the dealer does not have enough experience with XTR to know they really don't perform that well. The last time I took the bike back to get worked on, he was frustrated and tired of seeing me for the same problem. The solution...? Don't sell XTR!). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam Michae
a Racer
from Charlotte, NC
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$149.00 | | Strengths: | shifts good, reliable, durable, easy to dial in. looks good too | | Weaknesses: | shifts good....not great, takes a thumb and a finger to operate. Finger has to come off the brake lever to operate. Too expensive and not worth the money you spend, overated! | | Similar Products Used: | SRAM Attack and Rocket Trigger Shifters | | Bike Setup: | Blur, Mavic Crossmax SL, Avid Disc Brakes Mechanical, Time Atac carbon pedals, Easton carbon monkey lite SL bar, Easton carbon seatpost, New RaceFace LP Turbine crank that replaced the piece of XTR hollow tech junk I use to have (that's another story), Panaracer XC pro tubless tires, Chris King headset, Thompson Stem, SRAM Rocket trigger shifters To replace the overpriced XTR pod garbage this topic is about, Fox Float fork, Fox Float shock, WTB laser saddle, XTR derailleurs, Avid ti brake levers. | | Bottom Line: | XTR is over rated, too expensive, a bunch of hype, and a complete waste of your money...look into other manufactures before you chose XTR. See note below.
I installed the SRAM Attack Trigger shifters on my Heckler a year ago. After one ride I was completely sold on them and knew without a doubt that the $49.95 Sram Attack Trigger Shifter was better than the $149.95 XTR Trigger Shifters. But I wanted to see how they would hold up over time before I purchased another set for my Blur. Here it is a year later, I've yanked all the XTR pods off my all my bikes and sold that junk on ebay and installed a $69.95 SRAM Rocket Trigger Shifter on my Blur and another $49.95 Sram Attack Trigger Shifter on my Jamis.
These absolutely Rock! They shift clean, instantly, makes better since, because you never have to move your finger from the brake and your grip on the handle bar never has to change and if you've ever blazed down a hill at full speed and found yourself in a corner where you need to brake and shift at the same time in a split second to set up for a climb....well the SRAM just simply works for your, where as the XTR shifters work against you.
My recommendation, get a set of $49.95 Attacks, try them if you don't like them you haven't lost much money, but I can say without a doubt you'll never go back to XTR shifters. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Taso
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Speedgoat.com (friendly folks) | | Strengths: | Smooth precise shifting. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Deore, LX | | Bike Setup: | Jekyll with: Fox Talas, Chris King, XT Drivetrain | | Bottom Line: | These shifters are the best there is. Makes the whole riding experience fun and enjoyable, which is what its all about (for me anyway). Shifting is smooth like Sade, thanks to the 4 bearings that roll like butter. The preciseness is grade A+, and I overall I couldn’t ask for a better quality component. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a
from Cambridge, Cambs., UK
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Strengths: | NB - M952 STIs (Brake and Shifter Combo)
Look
Weight
Shifting - bearings and shift action a very big step up on at least LX (haven't run XT) - shifting is as light as clicking other shifters when there is not cable tension
Cables - pay for Ride On / GoreTex cableset and you will probably have the best shifting action to be had. | | Weaknesses: | How long will they continue to look nice?! (They seem to look far nicer under Studio Lights - damned marketing!
Price - they are expensive - shopping around is important (in the UK at least, mail order prices varied by almost £70 / $100). Since bought for £100 / $150ish, that's a lot...
| | Similar Products Used: | Original Thumb-Shifters, Classic Altus, Radidfire Plus, Alivio, STX, LX | | Bike Setup: | What's Important - Deore C/Set, '97 Alivio FD, '00 Deore RD, '03 LX 9SPD Cassette, Sedis Chain, (far better than standard Shimano; haven't run XTR/Dura-Ace yet though), Clarks Cables (Teflon) | | Bottom Line: | Aside from the risk of bailing out and damaging either the shifter or brake lever (get separates if you bail a lot!) - a relatively 'cheap' upgrade.
Note 'cheap' in light of my FD and RD - no need to have topline across all drivetrain to benefit from XTR controls (though considering XTR RD now).
In this way, a very satisfying upgrade treat for non-serious/weekender types.
A good place to start especially if on the step-by-step upgrade tree - unless you are out for XTR Cranks, any other XTR part will be cheaper (barring Discs) so good psychological trick to play on oneself. You never know, a few times of "It's only £50" or Ebay bargains and you might end up with an almost-XTR Groupset! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marcus75
a Weekend Warrior
from La, CALI
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | La Tuna SingleTrail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | XTR 03- Smooth Shiifting, eaze of use. easy to read gear shifting on the cables. Durable! COOL LOOKING! | | Weaknesses: | Pricey the 03 version is around $370! Awkward looking at first. the thumb shifters are kind of hard to reach for me. You can accidently shift down on the main shifters . | | Similar Products Used: | The Old types of shifters? | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Enduro Pro? Came with the bike! | | Bottom Line: | I got the 03 version with the funky look and the cable readers! This is really a top of the line Product! At first they seem awkward because I never used these before, but after few rides the shifting was a breeze! The shiftering is very sensative and smooth. Few times when I pushed my body foreward, I accidentially shifted the gears because I was resting my arms on the shifters. These are also very durable because I fell pretty hard on these and they are still smooth. These are definately racing material because you can shift really fast on these!
I recommend these for any intermediate to advance riders who is not afraid to shell out the BIG BUCKS for a top of the line product!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Russell Ruggiero
a Weekend Warrior
from West Windsor, NJ, USA
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | R&D | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$135.00 | | Purchased At: | Jay's Cycle | | Strengths: | Build Quality | | Weaknesses: | Price | | Similar Products Used: | LX | | Bike Setup: | Trek STP 200
Shifters: XTR
FD: XT
RD: XT
Crank: Icon Graphite
Pedals: M858
| | Bottom Line: |
Dear
Reader
I like my stock Shimano LX shifters, but XTR is a great top of the line product. Smooth as silk, with a price to match. They look great with my Icon Graphite foursome (Stem, HB, SP, and Crank). If you want the best, then please take a look at this superb Shimano offering.
Thank You
Russ | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Russell Ruggiero
a Weekend Warrior
from West Windsor, NJ, USA
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | R&D | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$135.00 | | Purchased At: | Jay's Cycle | | Strengths: | Build Quality | | Weaknesses: | Price | | Similar Products Used: | LX | | Bike Setup: | Trek STP 200
Shifters: XTR
FD: XT
RD: XT
Crank: Icon Graphite
Pedals: M858
| | Bottom Line: |
Dear
Reader
I like my stock Shimano LX shifters, but XTR is a great top of the line product. Smooth as silk, with a price to match. They look great with my Icon Graphite foursome (Stem, HB, SP, and Crank). If you want the best, then please take a look at this superb Shimano offering.
Thank You
Russ | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob C
a Cross Country Rider
from Westminster, CA
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Chutes | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$99.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson | | Strengths: | Very smooth and precise shifting. Look good. | | Weaknesses: | A bit pricey...but the best bike stuff always is. | | Similar Products Used: | XT shifters | | Bike Setup: | 03' Foes FXR, XTR, Chris King, Thomson....etc | | Bottom Line: | This review is for the 02' shifter pods, got em from Jenson for $99 a few months ago....now they went up to $119. I have XT shifters on my other bike and the difference is night and day. The XTR effort is much smoother and lighter (am using same cables and derailleurs on both bikes). It's pricey, but the difference is definately there. The XTR just feels much better and more precise resulting in more confident shifts with less effort. Worth the extra cost in my opinion. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Manny E
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, Texas
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Comfort, Texas | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | *2002 XTR*
1. Best shifting in the biz!
2. Now cheaper than ever...while supplies last. | | Bike Setup: | '01,'02,'03 Tracers | | Bottom Line: | 2002 XTR RULES!!!!!!
SHIMANO....I realize that you've tried to inject some 'razzle-dazzle' into your XTR group for marketing purposes, but please, give us back rapidfire shifting!
[this is my spin on the XTR shifter group; 2002 vs. 2003]
Sure the '03 dual lever XTR works better than good, but then, so did the old [2002] XTR.
I hope Shimano learned some lessons, but I think that they're up to the same 'shennanigans' they did years ago(remember 'Biopace' in the late 80's). The attitude they exhibit, sometimes, is: "Let's give them what they don't want or need ...We'll ram it down their consumer throats, anyway!!"
2002 XTR worked excellently, so why create & sell a whole 'new' package? 2003 XTR dual lever kit is not a gigantic technological leap forward. With 2002 XTR, you can use whatever brake levers/brakes that you like. You can replace parts easily. Most importantly, the damn things work flawlessly! I'm used to trigger shifting with 'old' '02 XTR, and I won't change. As a matter of preference, trigger shifting is king!
'03 XTR is not a shifting system that will decrease your time by 30 seconds in races, or on the trail. Does it save considerable weight? So why all the hoopla? Aside from Shimano '03 XTR's sharp new packaging & mechanical operation, it's the same old part! I guess racers may flock to it...but I hear that it's not selling. ...Well, not here in Austin!
Brother trailriders, XC'ers, & downhillers, stick to '02 XTR trigger/rapidfire shifters. They are better. They are just as good.
...And now they're a lot more affordable, as Shimano phases-out 2002 XTR lever production, in favor of the '03 dual lever XTR platform.
**NOTE: If Shimano goes all 'dual lever' on their XT/XTR product lines, then I'm switching to SRAM XO!
I hear that SRAM is working overtime to get a Shimano compatible trigger shifter set working. With no other company making high performance trigger shifters, expect SRAM to get it right this time!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Russell Ruggiero
a Weekend Warrior
from West Windsor, NJ, USA
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | R&D | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$185.00 | | Purchased At: | Jay's Cycle | | Strengths: | Perfect Shifting | | Weaknesses: | Price | | Similar Products Used: | LX and Alivio | | Bike Setup: | Shifters: XTR
FD: XT
RD:XT
Crank: Icon Graphite
Stem: Icon Graphite
HB: Icon Graphite
SP: Icon Graphite
Seat: ERA
Pedals: M858
Fork: Judy Race
Wheels: Dolomite
Tires: Revolt-X
Brakes: Avid SD20
Grips: Lizard Skins | | Bottom Line: |
Dear
Reader
I have this XTR product on my trek STP 200, and it looks and works perfectly. Make no mistake, this is a high-end offering from Shimano. LX is a great value, but XTR is a great product. None better. Not inexpensive, but the best never is.
Thank You
Russ | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bizario
a Cross Country Rider
from Rexford, MT
Date Reviewed: December 31, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Web Mountain & Cliff Point | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Kootenai Konnection | | Strengths: | Shimano name. | | Weaknesses: | Poor quality control, too BIG TO CARE | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano STX RC, LX, & XT. | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Marin Mount Vision Pro | | Bottom Line: | The left shifter has been to the shop twice because the stupid little indicator can’t handle the task. The good folks at Shimano should have just replaced this thing for what I paid for the bike. Instead they keep putting me off to the LBS. I bought this bike out of town so I have to pay for the labor. As for the rest of the performance, I can’t say that I’m overly impressed. My XT shifters blow these away. I will have to say that it is true. The “R” is for Race and that means sponsorship and a private mechanic. These are over rated, I’ll stick with XT or maybe someone else who cares about their customers will come out with a quality trigger shifter. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
martin ###
a Cross Country Rider
from Australia, Vic, melbourne
Date Reviewed: November 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | "the track" | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | bike store(city cycles) | | Strengths: | BEAUTIFUL! | | Weaknesses: | abit on the pricey side but how much are u willing to pay for quality? | | Similar Products Used: | DEORE shifters. | | Bike Setup: | ATX 890 fully XTR,race face cracks, sid 100, hayes hydro,mavic x223 | | Bottom Line: | These shifters are so soft on shifting the gear that you dont even know that its done it. the right shifter feels so soft that i still check if the gears changed(even though it did).Alot of money to pay but its worth it for a shifter which will garentee its shifted the gear with out u knowing, chicky XTR
i love it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Klauser
a Cross Country Rider
from Feldafing
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | rabe | | Strengths: | Nice crisp shifting, keep functioning, solid construction | | Weaknesses: | fumbly wire replacement, don't look very nice. | | Similar Products Used: | XT, XTR 9speed (only once), Grip Shift Attack 8.0 | | Bike Setup: | Trek 9900 OCLV. Nokon Trac Pearls. | | Bottom Line: | Yes, this is about the old 8speed. Very nice shifting, an irrelevant bit more precise than the Grip Shift Attack 8.0. Especially the front derailleur functions slightly better that GS, but in fact no reason to go Shimano if you want turn the grip (I use the Attack 8.0 on my second bike, and I would not change). I once tried the 9speed XTR, which is a big step in the wrong direction. An answer to a question nobody has asked, just like the post-747 pedals. I bet my shirt that if Shimano went to build a solid 7speed set up with the old thumb shifters in XTR quality, together with a non-parallelogram V-brake, a surge of delighted buyers would come running to the shops. As it is, I've stocked myself with top notch 8speed casettes and chains to the brim, just to hold out as long as possible. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Philip
a Cross Country Rider
from Kodiak Alaska
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Hmmm... it's not gripshift? | | Weaknesses: | Mushier than any 8 speed Shimano shifter (XT or XTR). Both trigger and thumb lever have significant travel before executing the shift (the 8 speed stuff started shifting immediately, which contributed to their "crisp" feel). They are certainly also more finicky than the 8 speed versions in terms of need for adjustment. Why are we going backwards here folks? | | Similar Products Used: | Every version of XTR over the last 10 years, the last version of XT 8 speed. | | Bike Setup: | Turner XCE, Fox shocks and forx, XTR, Thompson, King, etc. | | Bottom Line: | I resisted 9 speed until now. I recently got a new bike and it came with 9 speed so I figured I'd give stuff a shot. After all, it's XTR, how bad could it be?
I have to admit that I have always liked Shimano, and am usually impressed that they bother to innovate at all seeing as how they have the industry by the throat (the evil part of "innovation" is, of course, proprietary and non-standard systems). Most of their stuff is great, especially when used as a group (mixing and matching component brands usually compromises performance). But this is a step in the wrong direction. The old 8 speed stuff was just mechanically superior. It shifted with a satisfying "click!" and it was done. The 9 speed stuff hesitates and the lever feels like a poorly bled disc brake; kinda soft. The ergonimics may be a little better, but the action sucks. If the culprit is more plastic or cheaper components, why the price? If they move to 10 speeds I think I'll have an aneurism. How much narrower can you make a chain? How much smaller do the differences in the gear ratios have to get before you don't even notice you have shifted (I find myself shifting two gears at a time with 9 speed more than with 8)? I got it and am stuck with it because I like grip shift even less. Sigh. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chungdy51
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$119.00 | | Strengths: | Light, smooth and accurate | | Weaknesses: | Expensive | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano LX and XT | | Bike Setup: | 01'Specialized StumpJumper M4, XT/XTR Components | | Bottom Line: | It is so good that you should buy it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matt
a Downhiller
from los altos,california, USA
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | fremont older | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay/special order | | Strengths: | very smooth
looks cool
other bikers are imprssed | | Weaknesses: | adjustment needed a alot | | Similar Products Used: | SRAM esp 7.0 | | Bike Setup: | giant warp with psylo, race face cranks, xt/xtr drivetrain, giant brakes(crap) | | Bottom Line: | if you have the money buy them. i got screwed when i got one shifter off ebay for $35.00 and a front deraileur and had to pay $100 for a special order rear shifter. very smooth shifting but you have to adjust the rear a lot | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a
from Houston
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Jack Brooks | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Strengths: | looks great, works well.. | | Weaknesses: | Came with shifter cable..well it has to.. but no brake cable. what with that.. they are cheap enough..come on shimamo dont get cheap on us. | | Similar Products Used: | Deor LX | | Bike Setup: | Trek 4900, Marzocchi Dirt jumper, XTR everything, Avid disk, Race Face Turbine LP, Race Face SRX BB, Chris King nothread headset | | Bottom Line: | great.. love them and wont even think of going to anything else.. well unless something better comes along or I break them.. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George
a Weekend Warrior
from Farmington Hills, mi, USA
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$99.00 | | Purchased At: | jensonusa | | Strengths: | When the shifter / derailleur combo is dialed in, it works well. | | Weaknesses: | I have replaced three sets of cables (stock, Gore, Avid). The rear derailleur shift pod tends to chew up the barrel end of the cable. | | Similar Products Used: | Sram Gripshift X-Ray (8-speed). | | Bike Setup: | Ellsworth Truth with some nice goodies. | | Bottom Line: | I have spent more money and time screwing around with adjusting my rear shifter. I can only get one good month of riding before I or my LBS has to readjust my shifters and derailleurs. I'm looking forward to upgrading to the X.0 setup. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Racer
from Tallahassee, FL
Date Reviewed: February 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Razorback, Ocala FL | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | came on bike | | Strengths: | Its XTR that should say it all, but: 4 sealed bearings=SMOOTH, great warranty, compatable with barend shifters | | Weaknesses: | things is bucks and probably isn't worth it for 97% of riders. its 4 grams heavier than XT (oh no) | | Similar Products Used: | all Shimano | | Bike Setup: | XTR shifters & R. DER, XT F. Der | | Bottom Line: | The things are expensive, but you get what you pay for. Like I said, for 97% of riders, XT or XTR (or LX for that matter) won't make a difference. The advantage is in the warranty and the durability. If XTs came on my bike, I wouldn't worry about it. There isn't any improved shifting over the lower levels, but it feels smoother. How much are you willing to pay for feel? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Plantation
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Markham | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$99.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA | | Strengths: | Sweet improvement over the Deores that came stock | | Weaknesses: | None yet | | Similar Products Used: | Rapid fire shifters of all sorts | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Super V 500 XL, Easton bar, Kore elite stem, XTR v-brakes, FSA crankset, XT rear derailer, LX front, nine speed | | Bottom Line: | These are so smooth operating that until you try them you won't believe it. I thought the Deores were good until I put these babies on. I had teflon cables and all with the original setup but can't believe how much better these function. Great purchase, wish I had done it sooner, now looking into all XTR components. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Desmond --
a Cross Country Rider
from S'pore
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | XC | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$206.00 | | Purchased At: | T.H.H | | Strengths: | Very smoooooooth, fast n light shifting, light in weight, comfortable handler. | | Weaknesses: | Costly a-bit!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Alivio, lx, deore | | Bike Setup: | GIANT ATX 890, SID 100, XT n XTR drivetrains, XT brake disc | | Bottom Line: | Shimano really produce a awesome shifter. It smooth enough that u dint even feel the gear changing. Eventhough XT(248g) is lighter than XTR(252g), but who care, juz the freaking 4g+, but XTR consist of four bearings unit, n XT juz consist of two. N its a very very big different between that. N really i've tried before my frienz XT shifter, its not as smooth as XTR even there is two bearings unit in it. Its seem like no bearing at all. If purchasing XT why don't purchase LX or deore shifter they can save up some bucks man. So still XTR the BEST OF THE BEST. keep it up shimano. but shopuld cut not a bit $$$. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Chambers
a Weekend Warrior
from San Francisco, CA
Date Reviewed: January 13, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Ridgeline - Pleasanton, CA | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | www.pricepoint.com | | Strengths: | Light, smother and more precise shifting that the XT. | | Weaknesses: | Expensive. It's a lot more than the XT and for most riders (including myself), the XT is probably fine. But if you want that extra edge, or ride in crazy conditions like water, ice, and mud, consider the XTR. | | Similar Products Used: | XT Shifters | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale F600 w/Avid Mechanical Disc Brakes, XTR Components. | | Bottom Line: | This shifter is expensive but it reduces miss fires and increases shifting precision. If you use this with the Shimano XTR 953 SGS Rear Derailer, you'll be able to ride up and down those big hills faster. I previously had the XT Shifters and I experienced slight ghost shifting. Using the same derailers, the problem was eliminated with the XTR shifters. Also, if you're considering the Shifter and brake lever combo, I'd recommend against it. If you need to replace brake levers or shifters, it easy and cheap to do them independently. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Flyer
a
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: December 24, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$139.00 | | Strengths: | I can't get over the difference between this and what I was using | | Weaknesses: | Well they are expensive | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano LX, XT, SRAM | | Bike Setup: | Giant 2002 xtc se2, XTR cassette and rear derailer, XT front, Shimano 535 wheels, etc etc | | Bottom Line: | I am floored by the difference between these and the LX's that came on the bike. I have used XT, but it was so long ago I honestly can't compare the two now. Yeah, they are expensive, but the difference was worth the money to me...simply great shifters. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John G
a Cross Country Rider
from Westminster, Co.
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim-backwards! Try it! | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Came with the bike. | | Strengths: | I've had these shifters for so long that I have forgotten what it's like to worry about missed shifts. They're smooth, precise--I mean, when I begin a ride I never think that I'm gonna miss a shift. I just ride and enjoy! A caveat is that they're '98 8 speed. I've got no clue how newer 9 speed versions work. Hopefully they're as bullet-proof. After numerous crashes, they're still going strong. | | Weaknesses: | Retail it'd be a no-brainer between XT and XTR, if you're on limited funds. From what I've read in this forum from XT owners the lower cost comes with a price, and that's reliability. So cost is a weakness, but if you can afford it, why not? | | Similar Products Used: | LX, XT, but, honestly, it's been so long since using these that I can't remember if I had issues with them. | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Sugar 2 built up with mostly XTR. | | Bottom Line: | If you go out on your rides dreading the situations where you've missed shifts in the past, or the act of shifting always makes you quiver with fear, and you've got enough bucks burning a hole in your wallet, go XTR. My experience is that great shifting is not a constant worry, it's taken for granted. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ken
a
from Salt Lake City, Utah
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Desolation Lake | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Fancy = smooth, accurate, aesthetically pleasing. | | Weaknesses: | Fancy = fragile, heavy, $$$. | | Similar Products Used: | ????? | | Bike Setup: | RM Instinct w/ Z2 Atom80, Precision Billet derailleurs, brakes, and brakelevers, XT cassette, Raceface NEXT cranks, Chris King hubs and headset, Thomson post and stem, Frog pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Wonderful shifting, smooth mechanism, thoughtful form, and seems reliable enough if it never touches anything; it's probably the best shifter available. Thing is, this is mountainbiking, and this shifter will definitely come into contact with trail hazards.
My bike got tipped over its front wheel and cracked the surprisingly thin plastic shell. My weight was completely off the bike when this happened, and it was by no means a violent or even marginally fast roll. Luckily, the innards appear unscathed and the thing functions fine, but the mechanism is now vulnerable to dirt and the like. That, and the cracked XT cassette are the only two reliability issues I've had so far on my bike. You'll note that those are the only two Shimano components on my bike. Hmm...
I'm going to sit around and fantasize about the day Precision Billet decides to make billet-encased shifters with all the smooth, precise shifting of XTR. It'll probably stay a fantasy, but hey. Yeah, XTR is probably the best right now, so five stars. But there is room for improvement, mostly in the durability department, which is an ever-more frequently recurring theme with Shimano. We'll see what the next generation brings. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chris
a Weekend Warrior
from melbourne
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Strengths: | Excellent
| | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | crappy shimano stuff,
airline shifters | | Bike Setup: | custom specialized | | Bottom Line: | Excellent shifting, quick and easy, much better then the stock stuff that came with my bike, not as good as the airlines on my dh bike. I got front and rear shifters for $150 AUD | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
michael h
a Cross Country Rider
from bay area
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Strengths: | these are good shifters for any type of riding , also the guy who said the shifter pods get in the way hey guy maybe use your brain like every one who uses rapidfire's and move the shifters to the left 1/4 of an inch it will solve you problem just look at a cross country racers bike that what all of them do so do it ok.... | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | xt,lx | | Bike Setup: | sanat cruz heckler with heavy parts its my training bike 28 lbs but that will change when i build up a 23pound race bike | | Bottom Line: | if you like good shifting buy these ok simple as that | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wayne Gilbert
a Cross Country Rider
from Sterling Vs
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$189.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikeworld | | Strengths: | Shift well as always. Look good. | | Weaknesses: | Placement of triggers... | | Similar Products Used: | XTR brake + shifter combo | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Elly. 2000 Shimano Shifter Pods. | | Bottom Line: | Excellent shifter as always. Smooth responsive. Easily adjustable.
Now for the bad part. What is up with the shifter arm placement??? On a normal sized bar they extend over the grip area (which is fine) but they get in the way of your hands. You literally cannot put your hands where these things overlap your grips there by cutting of a 1/4 or your grip area. I find it to be an overly strange misjudgment on Shimanos part. I can’t believe this version made it through testing with no one else noticing this flaw.
Amway the shifter itself is quality. I just need to figure out how to get around this one flaw...for me it is almost un-ride worthy though I will mention that I likely have a bit larger hands then the average Joe. But I honestly believe this is going to be a problem for every one.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pill128
a Cross Country Rider
from Champtown, MN
Date Reviewed: December 21, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Minnesota River Bottom | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | The feel of XTR's is awsome. The paddles just feel great (when they are attached!?) Just good. | | Weaknesses: | On 1998 models (SL-M950 i think) any kind of shock to the handlebar or force by your fingers against the paddles can make them break off. I broke the left side "INDEX" finger paddle off, riding on the road in front of my house. I was shifting my front derailleur to make certain I had set it up correctly. "I was NOT abusing it in any way (Shimano)". | | Similar Products Used: | Older and Newer XTR, XT, LX. SRAM 9.0. | | Bike Setup: | GT Zaskar LE, XMO Ti, Race Face: System, Team SL Headset, XY Seatpost, Next LP's, and Ti Bottom Bracket. Titec 118 Bar, Chris King Hubs, Marwi Ti Spokes, Sun Sub IV, Ritchey SpeedMax, Avid Arch Supreme's, XTR Brake Levers, Shifters, Front and Rear Derailleurs, Selle Italia Ti Bi-Color. | | Bottom Line: | I like these shifters a lot. I have ridden them since I bought them new in '98. Before that I rode '95 XTR Combo levers. I love how they feel and work. My only complaint is that no one at Shimano Corp. was ever taught the definition of the work "WARRENTY" even though they have a department called that. Obviously their policy is to tell anyone that calls them that there is no way what they saying has ever happend before, and there problems are related to abuse therefore not covered by there "Warrenty". When I talked to someone in the warrenty department, they said they had never heard of my problem happening before and that I must have crashed and broken the shifter. I told them that I knew of a few cases of it listed on MTBR (read farther down), to which I was asked, "What is MTBR." I also asked the guy how it is phyically possible to crash and hit the index lever on a shifter, seeing that it is protected by the brake lever. Of course he had no rational explantion. Several other people from my LBS called and tried to get them to help me. One of the mechanics was told that they will sell me a replacement lever, but they are out of them for a while. This makes no sense either, because why would they be producing levers for 2 1/2 year old shifter anymore. I wish that I could give this product a good rating, I like how it works, its better than anything I have used before and I would give it a 5 poopoo rating if Shimano would have helped me. Since they won't I am giving it one dookie to warn people of Shimano's horrible warrenty department. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin Arndt
a
from Topanga
Date Reviewed: November 22, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Smooth and easy shifting, multiple gear changes per stroke, looks good. | | Weaknesses: | OGD(optical gear display) problems listed below. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Deore, LX. | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Bullit. The 29 lb. XC freeride version. | | Bottom Line: | The performance of this item is undisputed. It shifts extremely well with minimal effort. However the OGD sticks out like a sore thumb and is the first thing ruined in any crash. Shimano might think about designing a shifter with the OGD on the underside of the handlebar and out of harms way. Once ruined, replacement OGD's are not readily avaliable, usually requiring a special order. Moreover, many people like myself want to remove the OGD permenantly for cosmetic or setup reasons. This leaves a hole on top of the shifter which needs a cap. Shimano makes the cap but does not make it available to it's public. Why give the option to remove it and then not provide the cap? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Glenn
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary , Ab canada
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Reliable and very accurate shifting. Very fine ratchet mechanism. | | Weaknesses: | I can't think of anything. | | Similar Products Used: | XT, LX | | Bike Setup: | 1997 Cannondale F3000, full XTR. Cross max wheels | | Bottom Line: |
I recently built a new hardtail with XT shifters and XTR front/rear derailers and have riden this bike all summer. I soon discovered I was missing the performance of XTR shifters.
After using my Cannondale for the last ride of the season, I was amazed at the accuracy of the shifting. Using a new XT rear derailer on the Cannondale..the XTR shifters ( 4 yrs old !) shift with perfect accuracy.
I soon concluded that.. a good rear derialer isnt as important as a set of XTR shifters. They make anything shift like a dream. The fine segment ratchet mechanism shifts so smooth it's feels effortless.
The next time you buy shifters...trust me, spend more and buy XTR. You won't regret the decision. I have had the opportunity to ride both XT shifters and XTR shifters and the difference with XTR is amazing.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Team
a Downhiller
from Southern Calif
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Weight, Performance, & Built. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Avid | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Enduro, XTR Rear derailleur,XTR Front derailleur, XTR V-brakes, XTR crankset, XTR, chains and cassette, XTR Shifter and Levers. King headset, Team Kevlars, Team Specialized. | | Bottom Line: | XTR always provide us with great satisfaction. It never stop performing, even in the worst possible condition. We race where trails are not even a trail, downhill, & extreme switchbacks. XTR are built to be raced and built to take all the abuse. A lot of people complain about it but a lot of them does not know how to use them. If you ride sloppy then most of your bike parts will degrade. Shimano XTR is built to race and perform at its best. If most of you will complain about it, then why did you buy it?. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ken
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Tom Snow Trail (Calgary, Alberta) | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Very reliable, lightweight, smooth shifting, able to shift across 3 gears quickly. | | Weaknesses: | No weaknesses experienced to date. | | Similar Products Used: | XT RF+, Sachs Power, GS X-ray & 600, Deore thumbshifters | | Bike Setup: | RM Blizzard, Z-2, XTR, RF cranks, RF HS, RF post, RF bar | | Bottom Line: | I am very satisfied with this product! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike taylor american bad@#$
a Cross Country Rider
from forney tx USA
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | xtr, looks good, works good, doesn't rattle. by the pods and levers seperate if you crash your levers, you can save your shifters! 9speed rules. i used to be critic, but the stuff is good! 1gear so what but the parts kick a@#. run your 8 inot the dust then buy the 9 and shut up. | | Weaknesses: | p.os screws may strip on you, use a pro mini screwdriver or else! Shimano WILL NOT sell you cable hatch screws! ogds are trash! the right rattled off and the left i removed and put in silicon glue in little beraing hole. needs 2bolt clamp like hayes disc levers '00. hard to adjust the leverage dial, hard to change cables. I have dismantled and looked at the 98 xtr stis, and they do not have green cosmic goo, but the internals are like a swiss watch, except this is not meant to work on! do not attempt! you will be buying new shifters if you remove the retainer on the bottom lever! i didn't but warning you! | | Similar Products Used: | lx pods fell apart on day one on a farm road!!!!! no joke! | | Bike Setup: | 30/39t 2x8/9 165mm riser bars, z2atom80 carbon hartails | | Bottom Line: | the best trigger, but sram keeps out dirt better. buy on mtbreview or ebay cheap and its a deal any day! 4 because no customer service, and 4 because the whole sti mtn idea is stupid. the dual clamps are better even if it is 5grams heavier, you don't have to replace your levers or pods in small. Best setup: left sram, right xtr, hayes disc levers! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter
a Weekend Warrior
from Hong Kong
Date Reviewed: June 7, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | anything with dirt | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Reliability. Dependability. Looks. Status (face it guys) | | Weaknesses: | Way expensive. Not sure if the price difference from an XT is that justifiable. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano LX, XT, SRAM's. | | Bike Setup: | GT LTS2000, Stratos MX6 Forks, Stratos Pro Shocks, ProTaper Handlebar, XTR Drivetrain and Cogs, XT Hyraulic Discs, RaceFace Rings, Kooka Cranks, Thomson Seatpost, Ringle Headset, DT Hugi Hubs, Mavic 321's, Hutchison Jumbo's. | | Bottom Line: | I've found the XTR line to be quiet, strong, smooth and reliable albeit expensive (I'm sure EVERY reader agrees with that). Since I have only started this wonderful sport of MTB'ing for only half a year I made an upgrade from LX to XTR having totalled my LX from my frequent inexperienced late shifting uphill (I weigh 207lbs). I find that the XTR is able to take the abuse I give it from the up and downhills without giving up on me (yet). But it still doesn't justify the cost.
I hear a lot of rivalry between the XTR'ers and the Sram'ers. Here is what I think. Have you ever stopped to ponder that, quite possibly, they are BOTH excellent products which explains why ALL the pro's and champs use these products? I'd like to think of myself as humble. Exactly how qualified are most of those who criticise? I give 3 flaming Hotdogs for Value, and 5 for the abuse, dependability and fun the stuff has given me. Ride and have fun, not whinge and feel lousy! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jeff warmerdam
a Cross Country Rider
from abbotsford bc canada
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | mixed bag | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | smoothshifting on the rear shifter, cool looks | | Weaknesses: | front shifter locks up sometimes. | | Similar Products Used: | LX shifters | | Bike Setup: | trek 7000, XTR drivetrain, SID 100 | | Bottom Line: | good shifters, no need for a XTR freont derailler so stick to XT in the front. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Ape Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Smooth
Nice looking
| | Weaknesses: | Expensive | | Similar Products Used: | XT | | Bike Setup: | Curtlo Mountaineer | | Bottom Line: | I don't know? I don't think they worth the dough over XT. They are a little smoother, but a lot more cash. Also, they can be busted in a wreck, which means you eat a lot of cash. Go XT and let the pro's race XTR, but if you want the best, go with these shifters.
If I bust 'em, I am going back to XTR. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gino
a Cross Country Rider
from Oak Grove KY
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | all of them | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | The name says it all.The ability to shift 4 cogs before the big up/down hill. the green cosmo lube thats packed inside it of the pods! | | Weaknesses: | A little play in the controls...its the spice of life | | Similar Products Used: | XT, STX-RC | | Bike Setup: | GT XCR 4000, XT Crankset, C.K. headset and Wheelset, 950 short cage XTR Pods | | Bottom Line: | I heard alot about these babies before I got them....they suck! They are the Bomb! I read the reviews then I shelled out the cash for them. I left the guy that out climbs me at the bottom of a HUGE saddle. I shifted faster than he did. I won the race! Man never cave into the hype...make your own mind up from informed knowledge. As for me I will stick to XTR 8spd.......who needs another gear? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Yura
a Cross Country Rider
from Philladelphia
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | anything early in the morning | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | It's Shimano, it always works | | Weaknesses: | Compatibility with Magura brake levers
Why do they cost so much?
Customer service sucks, as usual | | Similar Products Used: | SRAM, all shimano stuff, etc. | | Bike Setup: | Trek Pro 9.9, Z2 X-fly, Hugi 240/Sun Sub IV/DT Revo, etc. | | Bottom Line: | Shimano makes awesome shifters, don't be fooled about that. Their stuff works. However, don't expect to be able to use the shifter pods with Magura HS-33 levers and still feel comfortable. The paddles are too short, hmmmmm, I wonder why they are like that? They shift fine, but as far as compatibility goes, Shimano sucks. And why do they cost so much anyway? They are pieces of plastic!! Shimano has lost a customer for sure. 1 Chili because they cost so much for what you actually get, 3 because they do work well if you use Shimano levers, of course. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tom
a Racer
from frisco, cali
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | mt. tam | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Similar Products Used: | xt set | | Bike Setup: | stumpy, sl front fork, cris king head set, cane creek wheelset, FULL XTR.
3 bikes, all have XTR but not full and all have rev. spring action | | Bottom Line: | USED XTR FOR MOST OF MY LIFE. for these babies, it way exceedes the cheap grip shifts and other shifters. nothing matches with these amazing XTR's. Like some have said, "this and that broke....yap yap yap!" I never had n e thing break off mine despite the riding i do and the abuse i give them. Whoever have not tried those XTR REV. spring action must try them, everything they say is true, the rollamajig, easier shifting, god i love them. cheap old 97 XTR R. der. cant believe i even have them wut a joke. 99 better than 98, OGD to display the gear setting to prevent over shifting....dont no wut u guys were yappin about haha. nine spd sux, y do u need so many gears? weighs more, to go fast u just need 11t cog and up grade the cranks or chainrings. i suggest all u peeps to go and get the whole set (groupo) works better this is a suggestion from someone who will not buy n e thing esle. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
xqwzts
a Weekend Warrior
from Tennessee
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Similar Products Used: | gripshift x-ray, LX | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed Obed, Z2 BAM, Spox, XTR | | Bottom Line: | The best shifter I have ever used. It's smooth and precise. Hook it up to XTR derailleurs... and you'll be smiling when you shift ;)
5 burning chillis! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy T
a Racer
from morr, NJ
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | chimney rock | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Does what it is supposed too. | | Weaknesses: | Bit pricey. | | Similar Products Used: | XT, gripshift | | Bike Setup: | IBIS with pretty things. | | Bottom Line: | I bought these because my XT shifters were connected to the XT levers (stupidest thing in the world) and I was getting avid levers so I had to get new shifters. The rear cog shifters are basically the same as XT but the front cog shifters are much nicer than XT. I don't beleive it justifies the price but they are probably the best shifters you can buy (not much of a gripshift fan). You can drop 3-4 gears with one stroke before a big hill very smoothly. If you've got the dough, go for XTR. If you just want really reliable stuff without breaking the bank just stay with XT, its all you will need. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alvin
a Weekend Warrior
from Walnut Creek, CA
Date Reviewed: December 20, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Briones Trail | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Weight, feel, looks, performance | | Weaknesses: |
None | | Similar Products Used: |
XT, Grip shift | | Bike Setup: |
XTR build, 8 speed, Selle Italia Gel Titanium Kevlar saddle, Manitou SX-TI Carbon, Time ATAC Carbon Pedals, DuraAce Chain, Mavic 217 rims/GT CNC hubs, Michelin Wildgrippers, Race Face LP cranks, Azonic ORC stem, Azonic 1.5 riser, Thomson seatpost, Serfas grips, Cane Creek C-2, Fox Alps 5R air shock, | | Bottom Line: | I love these. I've wanted XTR since it was introduced in 93 and now I finally have it. What a joy! Smooth, I'm not sure but I think the internals are bathed in teflon, these no mechanical feel in the levers or shifters. The front shifters feel close to my XT's, but the rears shift like nothing I've ever tried before. The levers stop my XTR v-brakes on a dime. The XTR grey really sets off my Ventana, also. I would give this 10 flamers, if I could. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Timur
a Racer
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: November 11, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
smooth shifting
good looks | | Weaknesses: |
durability - the aluminum
front shifter thumb lever broke | | Similar Products Used: |
grip shift 600 and lower. OK. | | Bike Setup: |
Schwinn HGrown Team | | Bottom Line: | I'm waiting for Shimano's assessment on the broken lever.
It's a pity 'cause i've only used these for racing and they had less than 30 hours of
riding in them. Absolutely no marks to suggest a fall so I'm hoping to get it warranteed. I'll let you know how that goes. out. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross-Country Rider
from London
Date Reviewed: November 5, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
The shifting is very good.... | | Weaknesses: |
...but then it is on the Xt's too.How much more do they cost than XT's? Are they really that much better? | | Similar Products Used: |
Grip shit and lower down shimano, along with some crap campag mtb stuff. | | Bike Setup: |
Trek 8900, sids and XTR/XT mechs. | | Bottom Line: | Yeah, shimano stuff works very well, and is reasonably chaep when compared with the alternatives. Product support maybe good at races but thats what they want you to see. You just try Madisons (uk distributor) returns procedure's and then ask yourself how much you like shimano!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marcelo Iannini
a Racer
from Brasilia - BRAZIL
Date Reviewed: October 20, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
any | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
shifts easily | | Weaknesses: |
NONE! (maybe price) | | Similar Products Used: |
Gripshifter
other lower-level shimanos | | Bike Setup: |
Wheeler
XTR
SID SL | | Bottom Line: | Shifts perfectly. I had an LX rear derailleur, and it was good enough. Now with my XTR reverse derailleur, it shifts like heaven. I don't consider it to be extremely expensive because I compare it with the price of my road bike STI levers (twice the price!) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jose Riveras
a Cross-Country Rider
from San Jose, CA
Date Reviewed: October 14, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
JasmineILoveYou | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
smooth,keeping the S family together
the stuff works,man | | Weaknesses: |
a little heavy-but quality is topnotch | | Similar Products Used: |
alternative crraaaaap-you know it | | Bike Setup: |
custom ti | | Bottom Line: | why lie to yourself- XTR is the best. Don't mix shimano with the grubs- it never works-I've tried everything and had to give it up because I can stop lying to myself. For those who want to be different (going outside the S family), your drivetrain will wearout mucho faster. I know tons of people that just want to hate the stuff (or people) that really is cool and works. What are they trying to prove? Ah, forget it already-run around in circles trying to find stuf that works just as good as the big S. Eventually, you'll find out- why waste time, money, bad shifts- you know what works!->Shimano | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh
a Racer
from Ealsey, SC
Date Reviewed: September 12, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
trials | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
4 ball bearings | | Weaknesses: |
none | | Similar Products Used: |
avid and lx | | Bike Setup: |
fisher paragon whit sid's full xtr | | Bottom Line: | you have to get them. they are way smoother and stronger than avid | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a Weekend Warrior
from Dothan, AL
Date Reviewed: August 29, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Braking is much tighter, looks cool | | Weaknesses: |
Shifting didn't seem much better than my xt's | | Similar Products Used: |
XT, 97 XTR | | Bike Setup: |
97 Cannondale SuperV 1000, Spinergy Extra-Lites, xt rear, lx front deraillers | | Bottom Line: | They look very cool but there doesn't seem to be that much of a difference in shifting.Only paid $110 for the integrated shifter and lever with OGD so I cant complain. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
phil
a Downhiller
from BC
Date Reviewed: August 21, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
lots of em | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
They look cool | | Weaknesses: |
Strength
quality
duability | | Similar Products Used: |
XT, LX, STX-RC pods | | Bottom Line: | These shifters are light but the levers are weak and have a lot of play. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross-Country Rider
from Tucson
Date Reviewed: August 4, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
50 Year Trail | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Precise shifts | | Weaknesses: |
Cost | | Similar Products Used: |
Grip Shift, other RapidFire | | Bike Setup: |
Freeride hardtail | | Bottom Line: | What is the difference between the ST- and SL- designation for XTR shifters (example ST-950 or SL-950)? Please e-mail me | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a Racer
from Danvers
Date Reviewed: June 29, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Bottom Line: | You must understand the tradeoff of theses shifters to the XT's. I have seen a few reviews on this page about the shift lever snapping. This is because it is weaker. They made it this way to save wieght. The XTR has 4 sets of bearing, hence the smooth shifting. The XT has 2 sets of bearings. This fact alone makes the XTR's heavier. Shimano wanted to have the top-o-the line shifter be a comperable weight to it's counterpart, the XT, so the cut a few corners. If you are looking for durablity go to the XT. If you are looking for smooth shifting, don't fall alot or have some cash to throw around go for the XTR.
Don't question me im a bike shop mechanic. :)shifting= + 5 Chili
durability= -3 Chili
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
flye
a Weekend Warrior
from nashville, tn
Date Reviewed: June 14, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Similar Products Used: |
LX, X-Ray 800 | | Bike Setup: |
99 Litespeed Obed, Z2 BAM, all XTR | | Bottom Line: | I LOVE these shifters!!!! The best upgrade I've ever made. Smooth as butter! Nothing feels like it! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Downhiller
from SLC Utah
Date Reviewed: June 13, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Smooth, light, pewter color, neat cable change hatch | | Weaknesses: |
it could be easier to chaneg the cable, even with the hatch | | Similar Products Used: |
XT, SRAM 9.0 | | Bike Setup: |
Titus Quasi-moto, white UD 150, Race face... | | Bottom Line: | There's a reason it gets the XTR logo. It's the best shifter on the market PERDIOD. Nothing beats shimano. They're light, relatively cheap (I'm a shop employee so I guess that's not always true), easy to work on, and shimano gives great tech support at the races. Plus repacement parts are easy to find and every rider knows you know whats up when you have the grey drivetrain. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Weekend Warrior
from Ca
Date Reviewed: June 7, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Feel solid and have never been a problem, touch wood. | | Weaknesses: |
None | | Similar Products Used: |
LX and XT | | Bike Setup: |
Specialized M2 Stumpjumper | | Bottom Line: | Have not purchased many other XTR components but these I would recommend!! Have not had any problems and based on a previous bike with 7 speed XTR do not expect any. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Bullock
a Cross-Country Rider
from Marriottsville, MD
Date Reviewed: May 13, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Avalon Area, Patapsico St. Park | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Smooth shifting action | | Weaknesses: |
Damn release lever broke off the first time out! | | Similar Products Used: |
Shimano XT & LX | | Bike Setup: |
Specialized M2, Mag21's | | Bottom Line: | These shifters were incredible for the first 4 miles I rode on them. Very smooth shifting action, and very cool design. I was very impressed with these guys. Things went bad when jumping over a log, the damn release lever for the rear deraileur just came off. The metal suffered from a shear break, obviously a product flaw. Now I am beginning to doubt the amount of quality testing they are doing at Shimano. I thought to my self, Oh, no biggie, I will just call up shimano ot see if I could just buy the part directly from them. The person at the tech support desk was very rude and said that it sounded like It was busted from a fall, it is probably not covered under warranty, and there is NO POSSIBLE way that I could get parts for it, I was forced to either send the shifter back to them so they could Asses The Damage and probably charge me for a new pod. I decided to not send the pod back to them because it was going to take at least 2 weeks for the thing to make it back to me, and I couldn't be off my bike for 2 weeks. So I had to buy another set. Hopefully I will enjot these for more than 4 miles ;)Rating:
Initial Impression: 5 Stars
Product Quality: 2 stars
Tech Support: -5 stars
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Racer
from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: April 24, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Similar Products Used: |
XT, LX, STX-RC | | Bike Setup: |
Schwinn homegrown, Judy XC | | Bottom Line: | I just got the 8 speed XTR shifters for $59 and I love them. I had some XT's before but these are a lot better. They shift a lot smoother and wiegh a lot less. XTR rules! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jamie
a Cross-Country Rider
from Boston
Date Reviewed: April 20, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Wow it shifts way better than XT. | | Weaknesses: |
Damn expensive. | | Similar Products Used: |
Thumbies, 8sp XT, various Gritshit models. | | Bike Setup: |
'99 VRX 500 | | Bottom Line: | Upgraded my new bike from LX shifters to XTR 'cause they were a disgrace on my $3000 rig! XTR must shift about 5 times better than my old XTs which really surprised me as I always buy XT for its value and performance. Damn coupled up to an XTR rder it shifts like no tomorrow, excepting of course that 9sp is fairly finicky requiring very precise setup. The 9sp does speed up shifting and allows for some wacky cassettes (like 12-34!). Surprisingly worth the $$$. Also levers themselves have a new shape which is ginormous and easy to use. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
eric saletel
a Weekend Warrior
from clarksville, md
Date Reviewed: April 7, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
patapsaco avalon area | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
CAN YOU SAY BIG BALLS????????? in the shifter of course, lot better then stx-rc, | | Weaknesses: |
Can you Say none!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 | | Similar Products Used: |
esp 9.0, esp 9.0 sl | | Bike Setup: |
trek 7000(soon to be cannondale CAAD3), xt cassette, judy sl, nuke proof superfly hubs, dt 15/16 spokes, sun zero-degree xc xtr brakes, king headset etc.... | | Bottom Line: | Looks cool, cost me 60 for combo's!!!!!!!!!!!! get a friend at the shop for great deals, any one for an 80$ king headset? same here. So for x-mas i got 99 levers only and the brakes (99), so my pal at the shop had these from a 98 shifter, lever brake kit (brakes gone). only one bolt though, no prob, i had xtr already, instalation was a snap, (did it myself) but now i feel the need to go up to full xtr, oh well! xt deraillures can't compete in weight. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross-Country Rider
from Traverse City MI
Date Reviewed: March 26, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
VAsa-North Country | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Great shifting | | Weaknesses: |
none really | | Similar Products Used: |
gripshift 9.0 | | Bike Setup: |
Klein Attitude Judy SL | | Bottom Line: | I bought the 8sp brake-shift combo from cambria for only $109. I have run gripshift 9.0 all of 1998, and the stuff worked great. But the XTR is so much better. I have only been using it for about 3 months. The shifts are way smooth and the brake levers rule. Pushing those little triggers is way better than twisting. I will probaly never go back. A great product all the way when teamed up with XTR derailuers. Five flammin plies for shimano, still makin the best stuff | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lars Nilsson
a Cross-Country Rider
from Halmstad, Sweden
Date Reviewed: March 25, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Extremely smooth shifting, light and good looks | | Bottom Line: | My bike came with Grip shift SRT-800 X-ray, and I thought they were ok, I didn´t really think it could make such a big difference which shifters you have. I was wrong, when my Grip shifts broke down in the middle of a race, I got myself the XTR-shifters. That was probably one of my best investments ever. The only thing I regret is that I waited so long. The smooth shifting is fantastic, not to mention the precision. Don´t hesitate, run to the store now!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a cross-country rider
from uk
Date Reviewed: January 21, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I've got '99 9sp. shifters, and they are sweet. I never thought you could better XT, but they are mutch smoother. Sooooooooo sweet!!! Worth the extra cash, should also last long. Almost too smooth !!!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mr. Endo
a weekend warrior
from Wa
Date Reviewed: December 23, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Excellent shifter!! butttery smooth shifting and great looks too. the thumb portion of the shifter is really wide so it's really easy to hit, nomatter what your position. My only complaint is the optical gear displays(OGD). They make the whole unit look like Target crap. Luckily, they're detachable. I bought the combo and the brake levers are great as well.
Supergo has the brake lever/shifter combo for only $109!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a weekend warrior
from New York
Date Reviewed: December 17, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Upgraded my Schwinn s-20 with a apir of XTR shifters. The large thumb lever and bb's made it an attractive deal. The thrid time out with them, I took a spill and what do you think happened?....that's right! index finger shifter (sometimes called a release), snapped right off. Shimano does not stock this piece and I was forced to decide whether to buy one pod ($60) or the whole damn set($85). I don't mind being on Shimano's band-wagon but this is not right. Product quality and perfomance - 5 stars, Durability - minus 2 stars, Shimano's lack of spare part availability - minus 2 stars......sorry guys, these are shifters, not computer parts. Your not supposed to have to throw 'em out and get new ones every time something happens......shame shame shimano | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zark
a downhiller
from SB
Date Reviewed: December 15, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I had to re-learn how to shift, I twisted the cage, It Has an impossible amount of tension on the B tension spring. That very problem makes it excessivly hard to deal with for basic cable cleaning and the like. Also, in a bizzare shifting incident, the cable hopped out of the pulley guide, and wedged.I however will not ignore its bright spots: The shifts are very fast, I like the 11 tooth pulley, and the reduced cable loop. Would I buy another, no. The previous XTR is superior to RR. The derailuer was already perfect. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Allan
a cross-country rider
from Dallas
Date Reviewed: December 2, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Until recently I had never tried any Rapid Fire shifting system. I started out with thumb shifters and then used twisties(Grip Shift and Sachs) for the last five years. On a whim I purchased the XTR pods and the difference is remarkable. Gear changing is precise and exact with no skipping or missed shifts. My drive train consists of XT front and Sachs Plasma rear deraillers with XTR cogset. There was an adjustment period of getting used to my thumb rubbing against the finger lever but I was able to make the proper adjustments. Yes, they are heavier and more complex, and the Sachs Extremes worked very well, but I will never go back to the world of the twist. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Glasgow
a racer
from Purdue University
Date Reviewed: November 17, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had them a year. Yadda Yadda great. Yadda Yadda great. Yadda Yadda superb, but beware of the gear indicators with Magura brakes. The indicators interfere with lever placement. I have adapted, but I'm going to purchase the levers without the gear indicators. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sven
a weekend warrior
from Limburg, The Nehterlands
Date Reviewed: November 2, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought the xtr-shifters and they are great!! I upgraded from Gripshift to xtr
but xtr beats the hell out of the old grippies.... I'm not such a good mechanic so it may be a stupid question: I also want the xtr-brake levers. Is it possible to connect the shifters to the brake levers?? I hope so!!!
5 chillies voor the big S | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mario
a weekend warrior
from Boston, Ma
Date Reviewed: October 28, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
JensonUSA has these XTR shifter/brake lever combos for $150, including the XTR v-brakes!
Bought these, an xtr rear derailleur, xtr freehub set built up with mavic 517 rims, alloy nipples, 14/15/14, all for under $500.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard Atienza
a weekend warrior
from Okinawa,Japan
Date Reviewed: October 26, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
After installing an XTR shifter on my Miyata Expert Leader
mounatin bike, I would never use a gripshift ever. The XTR
is just sweet and awesome. Changing gears has never been
so assuring especially when going uphill. I can always rely
on my XTR shifter. The cost was quite expensive but the
result is outstanding.
outstanding. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason halloween Graupp
a cross-country rider
from Milw. WI
Date Reviewed: October 22, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
If ya wants my XTR shifters you will pry them from my cold, blood soaked fingers! All XTR components ROCK!! I will never go back to XT. Trust me I know. My other bike is all XT and It just collects dust.I just will not drink light beer after having a wicked ale.Oil the hinges on yer wallet and spring the jingle and never look back!! Smoooooth is the XTR buzzword. Less effort. No missed shifts.When I get another bike,the XTR stuff stays with ME!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
roger duburro
a weekend warrior
from montreal
Date Reviewed: October 20, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Why would any intelligent mtbkr want to use those damned twistshifters, that you have to break your wrist a quarter turn while taking up wild hits? My '97 XTR grouppo Is flawless and surpasses any oyher design in ergonomics, I can tap my thumb shifter while squeezing the breaks. I'd like to see someone do that at 45mph with gripshit twisters. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jake Last
a cross-country rider
from Amherst, MA USA
Date Reviewed: October 19, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
dude!! guess how much i am paying for a a set of 98 xtr shifter/brake lever combos!? 85 dollars. if you wanna know how..email me. i was gonna get xt, but for 15 bucks more im getting xtr...ball bearings on bl's and shifters, barrel adjuster for modulation! o yeah baby! 1moreWORD | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Laughing Boy
a cross-country rider
from RO, Michigan
Date Reviewed: October 7, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I broke the ratchet on my XT rear shifter after 1 year, which isn't bad for me, and swapped it with an XTR w/remote. It shifts a whole lot better, big mother paddles to aim with, ball bearings in the pod, it's shifts like a dream. SRAM's nice, but I hate taking them apart just to lube them with jonnisnot. XTR is like install and forget, with occasional cable stretch. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
GalaxyGuy
a cross-country rider
from Mass.
Date Reviewed: September 25, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought the XTR lever\shifter combo and I LOVE them! They're great! They're the best money I have ever spent on bike parts! They shift and brake SO smoothly! They make everything work great! I would STRONGLY suggest you go right out and buy these! I give them the maximum flaming carcasses! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Crazy
a cross-country rider
from USA
Date Reviewed: September 21, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These things are great, don't see how they
can be beat, I have had bikes with less,
and these are the best. 5 chili's.
Very nice. MTBR outta give us less than
50 words because there is enuf said. Also,
I based my purchase decision on other
writer's comments. They were all right.
Go out and buy these puppies! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd
a cross-country rider
from Dallas, Tx
Date Reviewed: September 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Perusing Supergo's site, I found it hard to pass up the shifter/brake combo for $109 (the pods alone were $99, so why not also get the levers for ten clams more?). I added an XTR rear derailleur and an XT front to balance things out. Now the shifting is silky smooth and quiet, and the brake levers are a vast improvement over the sloppy Avid 2.0L models I'm removing. My bike came stock with Grip Shift Xrays and an LX derailleur, which was a horrid combination that worked only moderately well after adding Gore-Tex cables. Now that SRAM seems to have worked the kinks out of their derailleurs, I've heard a few favorable reviews of the new ESP 9.0sl system, but I'm done with twisty shifters. I like the feel of RapidFire better, and it never asks you to compromise your hold on the bars like Grip Shift does. In certain situations, like hairpin turns or abrupt elevation changes, this make a difference. XTR makes it a breeze, and never misses or balks at gear changes. People attack Shimano a lot, and not all of it is unfounded (see the reviews below). But the XTR shifter/brake lever proves that it's hard to argue with success. It's that good. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Carlos Montanez
a cross-country rider
from Phoenix, AZ
Date Reviewed: August 24, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've been reluctant to upgrade my Sachs 8.0 Grip Shift for several years, but for $109 at Supergo it had to be done. I already had XTR everything else and the addition of shifter/brake lever made a big difference. For some reason, my my XTR brakes don't squeal anymore. Maybe because the levers modulate better or because the cable is stronger, go figure. Shifting is 100X better. The grip shift was brute force. The XTR shifters are revolutionary. I should have upgraded a long time ago. Also, the XTR brake lever & shifter weigh less that my old Performance Topo levers without the shifters! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sven
a downhiller
from brisbane, Australia
Date Reviewed: August 10, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
THESE PODS SUCK. I have to admit they shift excellent. However, even the slightest impact breaks of the index finger shifter. I can not believe that the flagship gruppo would have such a devastating endurance problem. I used to use XT pods for two years w/o a problem. recently I purchased XTR pods and after one day (my mate dropped the bike) the lever was broken already. deciding it must have been a freak accident, I purchased a new pod , but after three weeks and a minot stack the same lever broke off a new pod again. I believe that this hould not happen to a lever of such proclaimed quality. They are sh*t. If i could I would give negative stars.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mario
a weekend warrior
from Puerto Rico
Date Reviewed: July 20, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I read that some people has had trouble with the durability of some of the XTR items, specially with the triggers on the shifters snapping. Well, coming back from the shop just after having a set of XTR brakes, derailleurs and Shifters/brake levers installed, my bike fell of the trunk rack at 50 mph. The handlebar broke, the hanger was bent, and the right pedal, saddle, right bar end, right thumb shifter, and the rear derailleur (brand new, never been shifted before) looked as if they had been sandblasted. Well, after my LBS aligned the hanger, and lend me a handlebar so I could race the next day, the XTR components, although looking beaten, functioned flawlessly. P.S. If in Puerto Rico, no bike shop gives better service than Ciclo Mundo Torrimar. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike
a cross-country rider
from ND
Date Reviewed: July 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Hello there people. Just put on XTR shifters today. Haven't tried them yet. But I will probably love them like all my other stuff. I'm replacing them with a old pair of XTR shifters, from 1994. I think they worked well for me then. Just thought it was time to make the change to the new models. I will miss my old shifters. But with all the reviews that I read here, I don't think I will miss me them in the future. I know that Shamino makes great stuff. What more can you say about that. If you have XTR shifters, go for it and have fun. Take it easy. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kev
a downhiller
from UK
Date Reviewed: June 5, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Why use anything else? They are excellent, and don't jam like the STX-RC ones after about 6 months of mud. Plus, they come with XTR cables worth £20 which are way better than normal ones.Definately reccommended.Grippies may be okay for the lightweight freaks, but have you ever tried to shift with them at 30 odd MPH in the mud? You can't. I'll be keeping my XTR from now on. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David A. Galdo
a weekend warrior
from D/FW-TX
Date Reviewed: May 22, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
For the babies just off the training wheels that destroyed their XTR shifters, if you can't afford the best and/or the sport, SEE YA, cause I will have left you behind as you struggle to twist a quarter turn to the next gear. I used grips once and will never go back. XTR all the way from start to finish. There is nothing smoother, quieter, precise, and quuicker on the market. Sorry ML. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg
a racer
from
Date Reviewed: May 11, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
XTR shifting is the standard for good reason - nothing compares to it. Sachs is good too, but not at the same level in overall smoothness and consistency. Have XTR on one bike and Sachs on my commuter and XTR beats it out - quicker spot-on shifts, smooth and easy, and reliable. You may hate Shimano, for whatever reason, but they're giants in the field because their stuff works the best. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JV
a weekend warrior
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: May 7, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Simply the best. I've had mine for about 5 months now and the LX levers I had before shame in comparison. There the quickest and smoothest shifters I've ever experienced. Now when I ride there is now worrying about shifting, at least not the shifter. I don't know what to say about these excpet that those who have not bought these yet are missing out on a lot. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ESP all the way
a weekend warrior
from Coquitlam b.c. Canada
Date Reviewed: April 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I had the same problem two other people have had here, after one little dinky crash nothing big, the index finger shifter snapped like a twig and the thumb shifter was jammed way forward, and whenever I pulled it out to shift again, it would just jam up again XTR shifters suck, ESP 9.0sl all the way!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steve
a racer
from Wallkill,NY
Date Reviewed: April 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I just recently upgraded my XT's for XTR rapidfire, there is no comparison, the XTR shifters are so fast and responsive I will never go back. Combined with the super fast short cage XTR rear derailer,they are unstoppable.they will turn your vw rabbit bike into a screaming ferrari! nuff said. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Parker
a cross-country rider
from CA
Date Reviewed: April 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Simply the best. Perfect shifting every time. Others may hate shimano, but when something works well, it works well. Nothing more needs to be said.OOPS I guess something more does need to be said. (its that 50 words thing;)
Damn I'm only up to 38 well that was before I wrote what I just wrote.
Boy this sure makes for some interesting reviews doesn't it??? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marky
a racer
from Brockville, Canada
Date Reviewed: February 11, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Nothing shifts like XTR! When i first installed mine (shift/brake combo) I kept looking back at my cogs to see if I had shifted, I couldn't believe it was that smooth. A nice advantage over GS is to be able to shift in difficult, technical sections. Huge performance upgrade from my Suntour top-mounted XC's (don't laugh, they were great shifters!). | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joey Jones
a cross-country rider
from Birmingham AL
Date Reviewed: January 30, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Nashbar has the levers/shifters for 100 bucks right now. you can't beat that. they work great with my XT deraillers. I went from LX shifters to the XTR and the difference is amazing. the shifters are so smooth and quick. they even come with sealed housings and cables. And only bucks!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Benny Glack
a weekend warrior
from Charleston
Date Reviewed: January 23, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Over the summer I got my new XTR Shifters and they are awesome. I took them out to Moab a few weeks later and they worked perfectly. It takes hardly any effort to shift and I have Deore LX deraillers. At first, I would shift 2 cogs by accident because it took so little effort. I love them. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Snotweasel
a cross-country rider
from Greensboro, NC
Date Reviewed: January 15, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I read ML's review on November 8, 1997 and I had the EXACT same problem with my pods. I went through two sets before I switched to Grip Shift and haven't had the fall-down-and-go-boom problem with the shifters problem. I just figured it was a freak accident, but when it happened twice to me and I read about ML's little spill, I would have to agree that they pretty much suck for holding up to stress. The Grip Shifts are not my favorite shifting method, and they are not NEAR as smooth as the XTR pods, but they last a hell of a lot longer. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a cross-country rider
from Gilroy, CA
Date Reviewed: December 31, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Da Best! And I had Gripshifts, XT shifters and tried Sachs shifters. These are the best with the Sachs second. Effortless, crisp and well built. You shift without really thinking about it. They're good looking and perform well. They work even better when combined with shimano parts. They may be expensive, but are well worth it. You get what you pay for. With XTR, you get your money's worth. | | Overall Rating: |
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