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Submitted by
Lowell
a Cross Country Rider
from Brunswick, ME
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Bradbury Mountain: Ragan | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Have worked fairly consistently for 6 years. Don't see any need to replace them any time soon. | | Weaknesses: | The ratchet mechanism will sometimes not catch in the winter. This is only when riding in sub-zero temps though. The problem is also decreased by putting a couple drops of lube in the hole (remove the plastic screw). the indexing on the rear shifter has gotten a bit softer after 6 years of fairly heavy use. | | Similar Products Used: | sram x9, shimano alivio. | | Bike Setup: | jamis dakar sport 1997. lx shifters, xt rear, lx front derrailleur, manitou skareb fork, cane creek ad10 shock. Crossmax/crossride wheels, v brakes. | | Bottom Line: | These shifters, along with the xt rear derrailleur, have lasted me 6 years, performing well with little maintenance the whole time. THey're not too pricey and work well with little effort. Highly recommended. So you know, I ride a lot of xc and have been racing the past two years, and there's still no need to upgrade after 6 years and two bikes. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Stock on my 2001 Trek Fuel 90 Disk - Earl's Cycle (closed 2003) | | Strengths: | Shimano quality, function & durability. | | Weaknesses: | The red needle on the display dosen't line up 100% correctly with the marks for the gear your in on the shifter pod. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Tourney Thumb shifter stock on 1994 Raleigh Matterhorn, Shimano Alivio's stock on 1996 GT Ricochet & replacement Shimano shifters after Alivio's broke. | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Trek Fuel 90 Dsik. | | Bottom Line: | These shifter came stock on my 2001 Trek Fuel 90 Disk that I got brand new on July 02,2001. I'd of prefered a full Shimano Deore XT grouppo, but ah, what can you do? These do an excellent job shifting, the needle issue is what prevents me from giving the Overall Rating a perfect 5/5. Since getting this bike brand new on July 02,2001. I've only needed to re-tension the shifter wires in 2004 & 2005.
Bottom Line: An excellent shifter set that's not let me down in nearly 6 seasons of cycling. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh
a Weekend Warrior
from Ellensburg, WA
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | came with bike | | Strengths: | It just works! The rear shifter works outstanding and there is absolutely nothing to complain about. | | Weaknesses: | The front shifter has a really long throw when you upshift, I've found myself having to rotate my wrist around to get it to click up. It's just annoying enough to complain about, but not a huge deal. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Alivio | | Bike Setup: | 2005 Giant Reign 2 w/ Thompson 0 offset seatpost, Specialized BG saddle, Spesh stem, WTB tires | | Bottom Line: | As a whole, great value for the money and does the job well. I do have a beef with the front shifter and I'll probably be looking for something to replace it with soon, but these will definitely be seeing duty on my other bike when that happens. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JimboLighCrawfishpieChiliGumbo
a Weekend Warrior
from Bonita
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Alafia; Tampa FL | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Came with bike(s) | | Strengths: | OE on ALOT of bikes and factored into many build-ups, just because they work. And do so well. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | None. | | Bike Setup: | 2005 IronHorse Warrior HT; Marzocchi Drop Off 130mm; BSH Designs 'Prison' bars; Troy Lee Designs mini-crossbar pad; FSA DH300 stem, FSA SL-K saddle & post; FSA Team Issue Carbon Pro 175mm crankset; e.thirteen 38T DH CR/ e.thirteen SRS chainguide w/ Supercharger ring; Full Metal Jacket Cabling; 7" F/ 6" R Hayes w/ MX2 calipers; FSA Scatto Skewers, welded 3/8" longer for R thick dropouts; Kenda Nevegals Stick-E 2.1 and/or Kenda Kwest 1.95 tires; soon Small Block Eights. | | Bottom Line: | Just a great product. I'd say these and a med. cage Saint derailer is the best all around set-up price wise and sheer simplicity in motion. Word up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JOHN
a Cross Country Rider
from MD
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | LOCHRAVEN | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | PRICEPOINT | | Strengths: | QUIET EASY SHIFTS, EASY TO SEE DISPLAY, UNDER THE BAR SO THE LOOK CLAEN AND ARE LESS LIKELY TO GET RIPED OFF IN A CRASH, WORK WELL WITH MY LX BRAKE LEVERS | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Similar Products Used: | BRIFTERS THAT CAME ON MY BIKE | | Bike Setup: | IRON HORSE WARRIOR DISC, XT HUBS, MAVIC DISC RIMS, AVID BB DISCS, DT SWISS CENTERLOCK, LXM580 CASS, MEGA 9 SIIFTERS AND LEVERS,TRUVATIV CRANK | | Bottom Line: | GOOD VALUE IF YOU WANT TO KEEP THINGS EASY AND CHEAP. WORKS GREAT, VERY COMFORTABLE TO USE. SO SMALL YOU HARDLY SEE ANYTHING BUT THE CONTROLS | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dot
a Racer
from somewhere
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | not pricey.
they do what they must do.
the lightest 9-spd shimano shifters.
they are still produced after shimano introduced their dual controls. | | Weaknesses: | none. | | Similar Products Used: | a lot of stuff from shimano and SRAM | | Bike Setup: | lots of bikes | | Bottom Line: | I've got several sets of 9-spd LX shifters on different bikes from their first appearence on the market.
They do what they are designed for - they shift and do it well and flawless. I've never wanted to upgrade to XT/XTR.
PS Just check your cables and housing regularily! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Guille
a Weekend Warrior
from Capital Federal, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Strengths: | Strong, durable and cheap. | | Weaknesses: | Weight, colors, the display should be over the handlebar (and not beneath it) and it doesn't work that good with a 9 speed rear derraulier. Ah, and it's not that easy to change to upper crowns. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Acera, SRAM 9.0 | | Bike Setup: | Custom Vairo | | Bottom Line: | THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE 24 SPEED SHIFTERS, NOT FOR THE 27 ONES. I've been using this shifters for more than three years now, and the only reason why I'm changing them is because I'm switching to 27 speeds. They worked really fine for all this time, even though they used to work much better when I had an 8 speed Acera rear D (now I have a Deore one). They seem to be really heavy, but well finished and durable also. If you're using 24 speeds this shifters are a good shot for sure. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DragonZzZ
a Downhiller
from Holland
Date Reviewed: December 29, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Bike-Zone | | Strengths: | It shifts great, and fast. | | Weaknesses: | I need to shift the rear 9 speed firts before i can shift to first with my front cogs | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Commencal Essence, stock except for Bashring and Azonic Extension | | Bottom Line: | It's a great product, it does what it's supposed 2 do so it's great =D | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam Pippin
a
from Dallas, Texas
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Robber's Cave State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint | | Strengths: | Great shifter for the price. | | Weaknesses: | Probably only on mine- the display on the right shifter seems to make a really annoying buzzing noise. Sometimes a little tricky to adjust | | Similar Products Used: | alivio 7 speed | | Bike Setup: | custom xc hardtail- XT derailluers, lx crank, SRAM pc 99 chain | | Bottom Line: | These shifters have done pretty well for me. My only issue is that weird buzzing noise- does anyone know if a replacement display can be purchased? I have ridden these for almost two years and no major problems. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Turd Furgeson
a Cross Country Rider
from Merryland
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Came stock on bike. | | Strengths: | Durable and have worked just fine for many years. | | Weaknesses: | Not the best looking units with the blue finish (I guess it's an optional finish as I've seen them in black too). Some shifts take more effort than I'd like. The displays are a bit hard to tell which gear you're in sometimes as there are no numbers on it, but it's not always necessary. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | '00 Trek VRX300: Azonic Love Seat & O.R.S. stem, Sette APX post, ODI lockers, otherwise stock for now... | | Bottom Line: | The LX's aren't bad shifters at all and even after 4yrs. of continuous use they still do the job just fine. As mentioned above I don't care for the blue finish on them, but it may be an optional finish as I believe I've seen them in black or silver too. I'm considering upgrading to a newer set of shifters eventually as technology has changed/improved in the 4yrs. I've owned them, but they still work just the way they were designed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad
a Racer
from San Francisco, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Tamarancho | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Came with the bike | | Strengths: | Durable, quick and accurate shifting with easy adjustments | | Weaknesses: | Increasing resistance, starting to show a little wear | | Similar Products Used: | Alivio (also extremely durable but not as quick) | | Bike Setup: | Fisher Sugar 1: XTR rear, XT front, XT cranks, Chris King Hubs, Fox F80RLT front, Rock Shox rear, Easton CT2, Terry Fly saddle | | Bottom Line: | Overall, the LX shifters have been reliable and feel solid. They've started to give quite a bit more resistance (especially the rear shifter) lately, but they are also going on 4 seasons of absolute punishment, including races and wrecks. I haven't done anything to them in the way of maintenance; only changed out the cables once. I've set up the bike to be about as light as a full suspension bike can get (23 lbs) without compromising quality and durability. I'm sure XT/XTR are lighter but as a wise rider once told me, "if you really want to drop weight, save your money and drop the lb's around your waist!"
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cameron
a Racer
from Dublin, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Tri city | | Strengths: | Very resposive shifting. It has a very short throw distance. | | Weaknesses: | I can never tell witch gear I'm in (it's just a little red marker that moves back and forth.) It seems a little weak(durability) | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Super V 500 | | Bottom Line: | It came with my bike and I have had no need to replace it. As long as you don't bite it too hard it'll be fine and it shouldn't break. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nikolas
a Weekend Warrior
from Greece
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Strengths: | Nice looks,work prety well | | Weaknesses: | indicators are VERY fragile | | Similar Products Used: | alivio(not nearly as good) | | Bike Setup: | gt pantera,lx-xt,judy SL | | Bottom Line: | Good for the money you spend byt a bit heavy compared to gripshifters.I'd never get srams though.The only problem is tha when i crashed the indicator boke and i searched the ground for 30 mins to recover the pieces.my friend has xt and the same thing happened to him.they should be metalic or something.But my biggest complain is that when i visited the so called 'official' shimano dealer to order a new indicator(according to shimano that can be done) he didint even knew that the indicators can be removed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!shimano needs to be very carefull about the people that sell its products | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rich
a Cross Country Rider
from Thunder Bay ON Canada
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | shuniah mines | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Bailey's Cycle and Ski | | Strengths: | smooth, crisp shifting, easy thumb action, seems durable | | Weaknesses: | indicater window on right side is scratched(cheap plastic) pretty bad but don't look at it much anyways | | Similar Products Used: | Alivio, Deore, XT | | Bike Setup: | using deore crank. sram pc99, and sram 7.0 cassette | | Bottom Line: | This shifter works great. I found my old Deore to be stiff and difficult to use. I tried XT a couple of weeks ago and did not feel much of a difference. I suppose the XT will last longer than LX due to the bearing-bushing issue discussed here many times. I don't forsee any problems with
the LX shifter they seem tough enough. Good working part. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wes Fraser
a Racer
from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Horseshoe Valley Ontario | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | On Bike | | Strengths: | They do the job. Period. | | Weaknesses: | Not the most smooth things around, but who cares? | | Similar Products Used: | XT, XTR, plain old Deora, and a heck of a lot worse (all gripshift) | | Bike Setup: | Giant SE1 | | Bottom Line: | I used xt shifters for a long time. They were great. Very reliable, very tough, very accurate. Now on the new ride, I have the LX shifters. RIght off the bat, you notice how they are less smooth feeling, and require more force to shift. But they are just as accurate, and apparently just as abusable.
So when it comes down to it, yes I need the XTR rear deraullier. But will I go with something better than LX for the shifters. Hell no. Who cares about the weight, or the smoothness? Sure I race, but it won't take any time off the lap, so screw it. These LX shifters are the best bang for the buck possible. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan R
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Island NY
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Anything with dirt | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Stock on my bike | | Strengths: | Smooth shifting feel, nice placement of shifting levers, I like the read out indicators, very close to idiot proof, sem to be durable, not a contributing factor in ghost shifting | | Weaknesses: | only one they have a tendency to overshift when you first start to use them but once you get the feel of them this lessens. Only happens when you are forced to make a fast shift now. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano and S-Ram | | Bike Setup: | 02 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR XC | | Bottom Line: | Some people think of Shimano as the Microsoft of the bike world. I am not that paranoid I look at it this way if it works use it, if it don't junk it. These work and I have no intentions of changing them until they need to be changed (I hope this is a long time coming). As for the Shimano issues people have I still belive that they make a better quality of drivetrain and I have experience with both S-Ram and Shimano the top two. Let me tell you I am not a big fan of s-ram and I will give you my reasons:
1) I do not like the idea of having to move my hand while shifting to me this is a good way to wipe out when the trail get technical.
2) GHOST SHIFTING this is the one thing that happens that I can not tolarate I have yet to try x.o but I feel that the s-ram shifter are a cause of this especially when you sway or lean the bike the pressure from you hand can cause ghost shifting and when you trying to pay attention to climbing or turning this factor can cause a wipe out.
3) S-Ram does not make a complete drive train and you are forced to use other parts to compansate for this. I like to match my componets and I like the idea that from my hubs to my cranks, shifters , derailers, cassete, and chain are all Shimano. So when I have a problem and feel like calling a manufacture to help with support there is no factor of this: ( It's not our product's fault it's the other guys product causing the problem try using ours and the problem will be solved) have you ever heard that one before?
4) and finally, Shimano has been at this for years and have had time to iron out some of their bugs. Let me tell you I'd rather have experience than youthful exuberance on my side forteen miles from the nearest help. I feel I can rely on Shimano and I have had problems with my S-Ram 7.0's that has taken out some of my gears making normal climbs a hike a bike section.
I know allot of people like the new stuff but listen man when it's all said and done I like to shift not twist there is a certain feel lost when you use this type of shifting. As for who should use these particul shifter well any one who wants to upgrade their drive train to 9 speed without breaking the bank on shifters. Use your money to put on a better quality of derailer like XT or XTR. I personlly use this combo LX shifters with 525 Hydralic Disc brakes, With an XTR rear derailer With an XTR front derailer and I have not had one problem in four months even in mud and crud. Some of shimano's LX parts are some of the most underated parts on the market just spend the money on the parts that do the actual shifting like your derailers and it will all work out PEACE. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hardtaiforever
a Racer
from st paul
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Stock on bike | | Strengths: | Has held up well
Crisp shifting
Light weight
Cheap, even if they don't come with your bike | | Weaknesses: | Minor play in lever after 3 full, hard seasons of riding- not a major weakness, but they are showing some wear. | | Similar Products Used: | Deore, XT, XTR
SRAM 9.0 and X.0 (demo/short tests only) | | Bike Setup: | 01 Schwinn Homegrown stock except King/Sapim/517 wheels, Avid Black-Ops levers and SDTi brakes, 03 beaters S, 03 Manitou Skareb Super | | Bottom Line: | I've been quite happy with these levers. At the time, they were shimano's lightest rapidfire shifters (01). IMHO Shimano Deore and LX shifters feel the same at first, but the Deore wears quickly. LX isn't as smooth as XT, but it's pretty good, especially with good derailleurs. Paired with an XTR rear, this is a pretty good setup, and I've raced with it trouble free for several years. I run my derailleur barrel-adjuster all the way in to reduce cable-play, so all my shifting adjustments have been at the lever barrel adjuster, which has worked well with my LX shifters.
I plan on switching these to my commuter bike to test their cold weather durability, since I'll upgrade the Homegrown to 03 XT (lighter) soon. I don't expect them to last (-30F is pretty hard on rapidfire), but we'll see how it goes. I can't afford to convert DA bar end shifters to thumbies (mt-forge mounts are too expensive).
In all, the LX levers have served me well. For those annoyed with breakage during crashes, you need to look at the angle at which you set up your cockpit- it's impossible for me to break mine in a crash unless I hit a protruding stump or something. I don't think shifters should be expected to take rude abuse like that, so I give them 5 fiery comets for value and 4 burning fingers for quality. They're decent, and I would recommend them, especially if you're on a budget. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Edo
a Weekend Warrior
from Zagreb, Croatia
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Dotrscina | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Maraton, Brezice | | Strengths: | Shifts well | | Weaknesses: | Makes an annoying sound | | Similar Products Used: | Old LX, Acera | | Bike Setup: | Kona cromoly butted frame, MXC Bomber fork, Ritchey Pro weels, mostly LX parts | | Bottom Line: |
I had an old 8 speed model. To save some money I replaced only the rare shifter when I switched to 9 speed and I regretted.
As for the shifting, it works well with my LX rare derailleur. The problem is that it makes an annoying sound while I'm riding on asphalt. Some kind of high frequency vibration inside of the damn thing, must be some kind of resonance with bike vibration on asphalt. Particularly when I pass 40 km/h. Can't hear it when I'm riding off-road, of course. Still, it is annoying.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from DC, USA
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Came stock on my 99 FSR | | Strengths: | Durable, maintenance-free, shift well, light, look good. | | Weaknesses: | Not one thing. | | Similar Products Used: | Nope, thanks. | | Bike Setup: | FSR with lx front der, xt rear, xt cassette, sram chain. | | Bottom Line: | 4000 miles and still going strong. I'm sure that xt and xtr are better, but who needs it? These shift smooth and consistent and are cheap! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sprocketeer
a Cross Country Rider
from Narashino, Chiba, Japan (native of New York)
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | I'm always looking for something new. Japan is crazy about unneccessary construction. | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | It came stock on my 2002 TREK 8000 | | Strengths: | This was my first rapid fire shifter and I like the controls, especially the index finger switch that slackens the cable exactly for the next gear--very handy. | | Weaknesses: | The thumb shifters are not indexed--major pain in the butt. | | Similar Products Used: | All kinds, including Grip Shifts, which shifted really well. I wish someone would make something like that which doesn't go under your hands--like indexed rollers I could operate with my index fingers. | | Bike Setup: | 2002 TREK 8000 bought stock (bad mistake), now with Shimano 959 pedals, Shimano XT cranks (172,5mm) and bottom bracket, Bontrager-Selle San Marco Race Lite saddle with titanium rails, Thomson Elite seatpost, Panacer Fire XC Pro tires, . . . . | | Bottom Line: | I don't know what the XT and XTR shifters are like, but I assume they must be indexed or at least provide crisper shifting. The thumb shifters on the LX offer absolutely no accuracy in shifting, and the front derailer thumb shifter takes a bit of muscle to get it to the next gear.
I like the two switch controls, but since the thumb shifters aren't indexed and don't offer crisp shifting I'd actually rate Grip Shifts--those notorious Wal-Mart shifters--higher than the LX.
On hills, when you need accurate shifting the most, the only cure for these things is foul language.
These aren't bad shifters for casual riders though. They do what they're supposed to do and are well worth the low price in terms of both performance and weight, but if you're more interested in biking than just getting outdoors and doing some sightseeing, splurge on some better shifters than these. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charles
a
from Denver
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | came with the bike | | Strengths: | Everything, light...shifts precise and works all the time. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Blur-all xt and xtr with the exception of my shifters. | | Bottom Line: | For the money you can't beat lx shifters, I have upgraded everything on my bike the last 4 years, everything except my lx shifters, there is no need. When they do eventualy go, I'll probably get them again. Who cares if they don't say xt or xtr. They work great all the time, shift good enough for me. I have never used xt or xtr shifters but I can't imagine they would be all that much better. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from Michigan, US
Date Reviewed: December 31, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | PLRA | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | e-bay | | Strengths: | Solid, fast shifting. light wieght and low profile. | | Weaknesses: | no side port to change out the cables, instead you need to take the entire unit out of the pod. brake levers are a little slopping and hard to adjust. | | Similar Products Used: | altus or something and xtr | | Bike Setup: | trek 4500, psylo sl front squish, syncros seat post, race face stem, lx shifter/levers, avid sd 7 brakes, wtb velociraptors. | | Bottom Line: | not bad. there are better and there are a lot worse around. it isnt compatable with any sram stuff, which some people have found out too late. so that kinda sucks. other then that, they are pretty nice. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Turtle
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester, MN
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Honest Bike Shop | | Strengths: | I Started using LX's in 99 when 9 speed made it's way down from XTR. I've liked the feel and the durability. My only experience with twisters was X-rays back in the day, that was enough for me. XT's are even smoother and last longer. I have an old pair of 8 spd XT's that out lasted my 1st pair of 9spd LX's. I'vee sold the bike with those LX's and they were still working OK though. | | Weaknesses: | none. Like I said if you want better then upgrade to XT or XTR; however if you got that kind of money though you can afford to have someone ride up the hills for you. | | Similar Products Used: | see above. | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Giant NRS 2 with some non-drivetrain uprages, I'm a sucker for Thompson stuff. | | Bottom Line: | I you want to upgrade to triggers then mabye go for XT's. Otherwise ride the LX's for 4 years until they were out, then upgrade your bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne,VIC, Australia
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$10.00 | | Purchased At: | off a good bloke | | Strengths: | Got em for nothing, feel good, they work? | | Weaknesses: | Its still the old 8-speed, starting to look a little outdated | | Similar Products Used: | Deore and XT 9 speed, grip shifts of various sorts, lotsa STX-RC | | Bottom Line: | Any shifter will do a reasonable job if you take the time to really adjust them properly. Saying that though, these old LX shifters have held up pretty well, was on someone elses bike for some time at least 3 yrs?), and they still shift very well. Very nice positive feel to them, a noticeable improvement in feel on the STX-RC/Deore stuff I was using. Not quite as good feeling as the XT shifters (age maybe?) but you wouldn't notice after awhile. Shift effort on both is just right, and really couldn't ask for anything more. You wouldn't need anything better than this, unless you go for show...which isn't what I'm about...rather have those extra pennies in my pocket. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pegasus
a Weekend Warrior
from belgium
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | shifting precision is good
ergonomic
| | Weaknesses: | seems the front shifter is the most problematic: had to replace the barrel adjuster (broke off) and right now, i can't seem to get my chain on the big ring anymore (excessive wear has messed up the internals of my shifter) | | Similar Products Used: | '94 Alivio integrated shifters/levers (still work after a zillion shifts) | | Bike Setup: | '99 Specialized Rockhopper, Manitou Pro, Magura HS33, Shimano LX front & rear der, drivetrain SRAM/Specialized | | Bottom Line: | I didn't experience a lot of loss in accuracy over the period i used 'em; they're reasonably good value for money, that is if you count on replacing them after 2 or 3 years because (in my opinion) Shimano's mid-range products simply don't last that much longer anymore. I'll be upgrading to XT (maybe XTR) soon, hoping i'll get a little more life span out of 'em. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Runcidude
a Weekend Warrior
from Lancashire, UK
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Coed y Brenin | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Cafe, Canmore | | Strengths: | came with bike and are very reliable | | Weaknesses: | weakest part of the shifting system and the area where one should spend the most money. how many shifts are there in the average 20 mile ride. Bike builders should upspec the shifters not the rear derailleurs!!! | | Similar Products Used: | XT, XTR, Gripshift (which is wank!!) | | Bike Setup: | Bullit 01, Z1 QR20s, Hope M4, WTB Laser disc DH wheels, Conti Survival Pro 2.3s, monkeylite bar, Raceface NS crank, XTR shifters, XTR/XT mix elsewhere, Avid Flakjackets | | Bottom Line: | We must make hundreds or thousands of shifts every time we ride. Remembered why I used to have XTR shifters on all my bikes when I used to race. The most important part of the system needs to have the most spent on it. Hence I have upgraded my LX shifters to XTR and the bike is about 1000 times more enjoyable to ride. These and the flak jackets are worth their weight in gold and hence the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jess
a Downhiller
from brisbane, aust
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Channel 9 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Kenmore Cycles | | Strengths: | Light... Looks good...very smooth shifting | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Similar Products Used: | Deore, and Grip Shift(really really bad) | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Specialized Rock Hopper FSR XC, 2002 Psylo SL's, Hydro Disc, Dice E.F.D. rims, Dice Hubs, Azonic Bars & Stem, XT rear, LX Front LX shifters, IRC KUJO DH 2.65 tires | | Bottom Line: | great shifters.. not really that much if you think about it compeard to other shifters... if you can buy some | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rich Lowery
a Weekend Warrior
from Omaha, NE(nebraska) USA
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Any I am on | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | OEM Equipment | | Strengths: | Works well. | | Weaknesses: | Shifter cable barrel adjuster broke. | | Similar Products Used: | LX integrated, XT shifter pods, Grip Shift. | |
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$ 40.00
