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Shimano STX-RC Shifter

Average Rating 3.7/5
# of Reviews 64
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Description:Shimano STX-RC Shifter
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    Submitted by bobby nuguid a Cross Country Rider from phillipines
    Date Reviewed: September 25, 2007
    Favoriate Trail:licao-licao macabud bulacan
    Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
    Price Paid: $15.00
    Purchased At:decimal manila
    Strengths:low maintenance,accurate,light weight,brake lever is very responsive,not to pricey.
    Weaknesses:hard to find product anymore
    Similar Products Used:shimano alivio,altus
    Bike Setup:hardtail apache tomahawk shimano deore,sr suntour xcr travel adjust with lockout 100mm,answer riser handle bar,maxxis holy roller 26x2.4.
    Bottom Line:in my opinion other reviews posted here are not that accurate or they think they are using the model stx-rc shifter and brake lever combination 7-speed.these are made in japan the last remaining few that is belonging to the lower end groups. they are very rigid shiny, precise and stiff and at par with the lx shifters.anybody tight on a budget should buy it.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by BADman Bully a Racer from scotland
    Date Reviewed: July 14, 2007
    Favoriate Trail:death
    Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
    Price Paid: $5.00
    Strengths:it's metal so it's way tuff enuff
    Weaknesses:nun
    Similar Products Used:xtr down and sram stuff
    Bike Setup:steel with cheap stuff and dear stuff
    Bottom Line:the best shifter on the market
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by TrekJeff a Cross Country Rider from Flint, MI USA
    Date Reviewed: March 9, 2007
    Favoriate Trail:The dirt ones
    Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
    Strengths:Been relable for 10years
    Weaknesses:Starting to show it's age. DOesn't want to shift in 30 degrees or below temps
    Bike Setup:Stock 1995 Trek 7000SHX
    Bottom Line:I was going to upgrade the entire bike but now plan to leave it as is. I decided to do a build up on a new frame and keep this as a back up bike.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by TrekJeff a Cross Country Rider from Flint, MI USA
    Date Reviewed: March 9, 2007
    Favoriate Trail:The dirt ones
    Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
    Strengths:Been relable for 10years
    Weaknesses:Starting to show it's age. DOesn't want to shift in 30 degrees or below temps
    Bike Setup:Stock 1995 Trek 7000SHX
    Bottom Line:I was going to upgrade the entire bike but now plan to leave it as is. I decided to do a build up on a new frame and keep this as a back up bike.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by andy pearce a Cross Country Rider from Northants, UK
    Date Reviewed: June 13, 2006
    Duration Product Used:3 months
    Price Paid: $7.00
    Purchased At:woolyhatshop
    Strengths:cheap as hell in the 7spd version,
    well made inners, eg quality metal gears inside
    very smooth shift
    Weaknesses:cheap plastic outer
    Bike Setup:stx shifter on lx mech. shimano cables (oiled regularly)
    Bottom Line:a very good shifter, if you ride 7spd the chances are your not into spending mega money on your bike, these do the job very well and shift as well as the old lx (as they are the same inside. they are not as good as say an xt but if you break one then the only difference is £20.
    PERFECT FOR COMMUTING OR LIGHT XC (maybee a ittle light trials.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by Matej Misvelj a Weekend Warrior from Slovenia
    Date Reviewed: June 22, 2005
    Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
    Strengths:cheap (?), looks good - speed indicator
    Weaknesses:it does not work in the cold - the spring breakes
    you have to push it a little further to change gear up
    Similar Products Used:LX, sram gripshift
    Bike Setup:stx-rc rear deraileur, alivio front, OEM cables
    Bottom Line:it is a good product, never cleaned inside and still working after 6 or 7 years ( ~10000 miles) of road and easy cross country use
    they are good shifters for recreative bikers, not as good as LX, but still way better than gripshifts
    Value Rating:3Overall Rating:3

    Submitted by Matt a Cross Country Rider from Vancouver, BC, Canada
    Date Reviewed: August 21, 2004
    Favoriate Trail:Vancouver
    Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
    Purchased At:50.00
    Strengths:Cost.
    Weaknesses:Don't last very long. Damage easily.
    Similar Products Used:LX
    Bike Setup:STX/Deore/LX/XT
    Bottom Line:I've gone through 3 of these and the spring for the return tends to break. I only use the bike for commuting. These are not breaking from impacts, etc., but just wear. I purchased a used LX a few years ago to replace one of the STX-RC, and this shifter, purchased somewhat beat up, has outlasted 2 other right-side STX-RC shifters that were purchased new. I've decided to longer buy these even though there is not much avail. for 8-speed. Shouldn't have to replace these 1x per year as though it's a consumable.
    Value Rating:2Overall Rating:2

    Submitted by Cameron Sprowl a from Markham, Ontario, Can
    Date Reviewed: June 21, 2004
    Favoriate Trail:Seaton Hiking Trail
    Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
    Purchased At:Giant, B.C.
    Strengths:Considering the amount of kilometers I've put on my bike, these shifters are great, for the beginner.
    Weaknesses:Uphill shifts, even when careful can cause slippage, and the front derailleur has very touchy calibration.
    Similar Products Used:Deore, Alivio
    Bike Setup:Stock Giant ATX 860 '98
    Bottom Line:Learn on them, move on to better.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:3

    Submitted by Bernie Miranda a Weekend Warrior from Philippines
    Date Reviewed: September 2, 2003
    Favoriate Trail:Southwoods / Pagudpud
    Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
    Price Paid: $27.00
    Purchased At:D Wheelers at Cartimar
    Strengths:Smooth Shifting on flat roads, Nice Design
    Weaknesses:Poor Shifting on Uphills, gears are cracking.
    Similar Products Used:Alivio, Acera, SunRace
    Bike Setup:MOB ( Men on Bike )
    Bottom Line:A good choice for an average quality bike, I cannot recommend this to serious MTB cyclist, this is good for hobbyist only.
    Value Rating:3Overall Rating:3

    Submitted by Donavan Tan a Cross Country Rider from Malaysia
    Date Reviewed: August 24, 2003
    Duration Product Used:Tested or demo'ed only
    Purchased At:friend
    Weaknesses:when shifted to heavier gears,the derailler will the other way. i wonder is the product really safe to be used.It totally confused me and i got to buy a new one with a different model.i hope SHIMANO could make an explanation.
    Bottom Line:I cant setup my RD.The model is SHIMANO RAPID RISE comfort c030 Technology.
    Value Rating:1Overall Rating:3

    Submitted by Dave a Cross Country Rider from Ottawa
    Date Reviewed: August 23, 2003
    Favoriate Trail:Gatineau Trail 18
    Duration Product Used:1 Year
    Purchased At:Full Cycle
    Strengths:Rapid fire, can skip several gears down at once.
    Weaknesses:Built like crap out of frail plastic housing. I broke mine when I fell. Total garbage.
    Similar Products Used:XT 8-speed rapid-fire shifter / brake lever combo. O;d-skool friction thumb-shifters (suck)
    Bike Setup:'99 Kona Cinder Cone w/ '02 Manitou Black Elite, XT shifter / lever combo, Welgo platform pedals, Terry Liberator Race Ti saddle. Waiting on Santa Cruz Heckler w/ Vanilla 125R, 5th element air, full XT incl. disc brakes, Mallet Cs . . . hurry up damnit!
    Bottom Line:STX RC shifter is crap for reliability. They came stock on my bike so I had no choice. Too much plastic in the construction. I've fallen far more times than I care to mention on my XT shifters and brake levers on hard rock and dirt. They've slipped and rotated on the handlebars, but they've never failed, bent, or compromised performance. If you're in a position to choose, forget the STX RC junk.
    Value Rating:2Overall Rating:2

    Submitted by Joel a Cross Country Rider from Tokyo, Japan
    Date Reviewed: June 18, 2003
    Favoriate Trail:Reservoir
    Duration Product Used:6 months
    Price Paid: $23.00
    Purchased At:UBP
    Strengths:Accurate shifts, reliable. Better than any twist shifters I've tried.
    Weaknesses:Not as smooth as higher end components.
    Similar Products Used:SRAM, Grip-shift.
    Bike Setup:Cannondale M800, LX crank and front/rear derailleurs.
    Bottom Line:Use teflon cables and a Rollamajig and the shifting will be much lighter and smoother. Great for entry-to mid-level riders on a budget. Buy them now, 8 speed gear is on the endangered species list!
    Value Rating:4Overall Rating:3

    Submitted by Wade McGhee a Cross Country Rider from Orillia, Ontario, Canada
    Date Reviewed: April 10, 2003
    Favoriate Trail:Hardwood Hills
    Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
    Strengths:Great shifting, crisp and tough. I beat these for over 3 years now (came on bike) and they still work good. I've thought I would upgrade when they failed, but they won't fail!
    Weaknesses:None.
    Similar Products Used:Gripshift (turds)
    Deore, LX (Buddies rides)
    Bike Setup:'99 Trek 6000, upgraded front derailler to Deore, LX crank set, a few other necessities.
    Bottom Line:These impressed me so much that when the cheap crap shifters broke on my girlfriends Trek 4300 (cheap lever/shifter combo), I bought these at a great deal. They are cheap and easily feel as good as Deore or LX shifters.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Chris a Weekend Warrior from Kirksville, Missouri USA
    Date Reviewed: March 17, 2003
    Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
    Purchased At:came on bike
    Strengths:easy, crisp shifting, very durable(layed bike down on pavement at 30 mph, most stress on shifters & brake levers and only scuffed them) have had them for about 6-7 years, older 7 spd model
    Weaknesses:have to push the level a bit further in front to jump up gears, but thats not a big deal
    Similar Products Used:crap walmart specials, grip shifters(worst ever)
    Bottom Line:very good product, would require some serious abuse to destroy, great for the beginning riders and budgeted people
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by miles gould a Weekend Warrior from England
    Date Reviewed: November 29, 2002
    Favoriate Trail:urban assault
    Duration Product Used:Tested or demo'ed only
    Price Paid: $17.00
    Purchased At:Tried the shifter out on my m8's seans bike
    Strengths:cheap
    reliable
    hasnt broken yet
    Weaknesses:its a 7 speed
    Similar Products Used:xtr on my bike
    Bike Setup:on-one the gimp, marzocchi dj3, whole xtr setup, mavic d521 rims and so on
    Bottom Line:great feel great look great value
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Bong a Weekend Warrior from Philippines
    Date Reviewed: October 22, 2002
    Duration Product Used:2 Years
    Strengths:Cheap
    Weaknesses:None so far.
    Similar Products Used:Alivio, Acera, Deore, XTR
    Bike Setup:GT Avalanche
    Bottom Line:Very good as an entry level shifter
    Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by Patrick Spencer a Weekend Warrior from Mt Uniacke
    Date Reviewed: October 8, 2002
    Duration Product Used:3 months
    Purchased At:Sportwheels
    Strengths:cheap
    strong
    reliable
    Weaknesses:none so far
    8 speed
    Similar Products Used:shimano alivio,deore lx 8 speed
    Bike Setup:2000 GT palomar with deore and stx rc and LX components
    Bottom Line:Well so far i havent seen any problem with them they shift good and tehy look good too!
    They are also a half decent price to.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Scott a Cross Country Rider from Rochester, MI
    Date Reviewed: August 22, 2002
    Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
    Purchased At:Wahu! Cycles
    Strengths:Cheap, Reliable
    Weaknesses:Not the most accurate shifts, especially up hill.
    Bike Setup:1999 Hard Rock
    Bottom Line:These shifters worked fine for the first year or 2. I replaced the standard STX rear deraileur with an LX and got new cables and housings last summer. The bike shifted better than brand new.

    I had to replace the shifters recently. The nut that holds all the hardware inside the case stripped out on a ride and all the mechanical guts spewed out. I would have went for an upgrade, but was forced to buy another set of STX shifters because I couldn't find any other 8-spd hardware.

    Bottom Line: Cheap, reliable, last of the 8-spd that's still around.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:3

    Submitted by Matt Leonard a Cross Country Rider from Belfast
    Date Reviewed: June 13, 2002
    Duration Product Used:2 Years
    Purchased At:came on bike
    Strengths:REALLY DECENT PRICED AND SPECCED RAPID FIRE SHIFTERS.I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS AT ALL-SSHIFTING IS SMOOTH AND DIRECT AMD THEY R REALLY COMFY TO HOLD AND PUSH. GREAT VALUE
    Weaknesses:THE BOTTOM CAP FELL OFF ABOUT A WEEK AGO ON MY R.H SHIFTER...BUT I GLUED IT BACK ON-PROBLEM SOLVED-IT HAD BROKEN AT THE JOIN WERE THE SCRE MEETS SO GLUE DID THE GLUB.BUT AFTER 2 YERAS AND 2 MONTHS WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?
    Similar Products Used:EASY FIRE SHIMANO
    Bottom Line:GREAT VALUE SHIFTERS WHICH DO THEIR JOB TO A "T". THEY ARE FAR BETER VISIBLE AND EASIER TO THE EYE THAN THESE NEW SHIMANO PRODUCTS AS WELL.
    GR8 SHIFTERS
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by gaz smith a Weekend Warrior from mansfield,england
    Date Reviewed: May 27, 2002
    Favoriate Trail:?????????????
    Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
    Price Paid: $25.00
    Purchased At:?????? came with bike 96`scott
    Strengths:amazing durability,smooth,accurate
    Weaknesses:none!!!!!
    Similar Products Used:srt600,sachs wavey
    Bike Setup:mish mash
    Bottom Line:6years abuse,bottom cap fell off about 3years ago and still no problem..now running with a 2nd hand xtr rear mech and works wonderful
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Stuart a Weekend Warrior from Hobart, Australia
    Date Reviewed: November 12, 2001
    Duration Product Used:1 Year
    Price Paid: $50.00
    Purchased At:LBS
    Strengths:Price, rapid fire shifting
    Weaknesses:Poor durability, little rough and imprecise
    Similar Products Used:XT
    Bike Setup:Giant ATX900
    Bottom Line:These shifters are what you'd expect for the money you pay. They aren't the most precise or smooth shifter on the market and are a little prone to damage from knocks. I found that the indexing on the rear shifter to be a little out with the cassettes i run (never could get the adjustment right for the down shift to my 6th cog). Also, when i was removing them from my handlebars i managed to dislodge the cap for the up shift lever for the front, losing the little circlip that holds iit in place in the process. They are an ideal shifter if your on a tight budget.
    Value Rating:3Overall Rating:3

    Submitted by Alex Green a Weekend Warrior from London, England
    Date Reviewed: June 13, 2001
    Duration Product Used:3 months
    Price Paid: $35.00
    Purchased At:Halfords
    Strengths:Strong, cheap, easy to use, fast, smooth.
    Weaknesses:Uuuurm, nothing springs to mind.
    Similar Products Used:Gripshift, assorted Shimano stuff on standard bikes.
    Bike Setup:I really should cut and paste this from somewhere.
    Bottom Line:Good product, not quite as sturdy as some I have used, but more than strong enough for the average rider. Nice price point and look cool. Almost perfect.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by frank cottonwood a from az
    Date Reviewed: June 10, 2001
    Favoriate Trail:all of them
    Duration Product Used:1 Year
    Price Paid: $33.00
    Purchased At:lbs
    Strengths:shift gears
    Weaknesses:flexy and weak
    Similar Products Used:gripshaft
    Bike Setup:sugino krank, did chain, xt casette, and sachs rear derailer
    Bottom Line:it works and is reliable. the most important thing is a clean cable. i have mismatch component set and it still works.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by poida a from Melbourne, Australia
    Date Reviewed: June 10, 2001
    Duration Product Used:1 Year
    Purchased At:got em off a friend
    Strengths:They shift pretty well and i like the design like the display is on the bottom instead of the top like the new deore, lx, xt shifters so the display will be less prone to snapping off.
    Weaknesses:the return spring thing died, so i took the whole thing apart which in the process i shredded the thread on the bolt that holds the whole thing together somehow. I put in another spring i had lying around and i've now got a wood screw holding it all together
    Bike Setup:DMR Sidekick trials setup
    Bottom Line:Well it works pretty well, even after my dodgy work on it. They're alright but not the best; it's got crappy return springs that stuff up after a while and the shifter does develop play but they'll still work.
    Value Rating:3Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by Matt a Cross Country Rider from Henniker, NH, USA
    Date Reviewed: April 27, 2001
    Favoriate Trail:cyclesmith trails
    Duration Product Used:2 Years
    Strengths:These shifters are great! they work great, and they shift quickly and without any effort at all. I dont have the optical display, though
    Weaknesses:no optical display
    cap on bottom of right shifter broke off, but still works flawlessly
    Similar Products Used:I used to use grip shift (grip sh*t) on my trek 920 and then trek 930, but when I switched bikes I got rapidfire
    Bike Setup:I have a 1999 KHS Comp ST. I have replaced absolutely everything so far besides the front derailleur and the shifters. I got sh*tty wellgo pedals so I am upgrading to some shimano's
    Bottom Line:These shifters are great, I cannot say it enough. The only reason why the cap on the right shifter broke is because I tried to shift 4 clicks while on an uphill and the stress just plain sheared the screws on it. I have no optical display but that is okay because I have an XTR rapid rise derailleur so the numbers would be backwards. If I were to upgrade these, which I probably wont, I would just get a cap to put over the right shifter and I would keep them the way they are now. I really dont see what all you people are complaining about. If you have that much money, just but XTR, but dont b*tch out the mid level stuff because the majority of us are stuck buying this stuff. Great product, shimano!
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by jake levene a Cross Country Rider from london, england
    Date Reviewed: April 4, 2001
    Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
    Strengths:cheap
    Weaknesses:cheap
    Similar Products Used:gripshifters :-(
    Bike Setup:diamondback ascent ('94)
    Bottom Line:The shifters came with the bike 7 years ago. I broke the plastic seethrough cover which allows you to see which gear you are in when the bike was a year old, (I hit it with my knee, which bloody hurt.) Now the whole casing has fallen apart and you can see all the fancy workings inside, but it still works. The front shifter needs to be pressed really hard to get it to shift and when it needs to go onto the third/ largest gear it needs to be slightly overly pushed home. The rear shifter (7 speed) works perfectly well even after all this time- no problems.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by Adam Wintersgill a Downhiller from Lincolnshire,UK
    Date Reviewed: December 13, 2000
    Favoriate Trail:Doddy Road Trail
    Duration Product Used:3 months
    Price Paid: $25.00
    Purchased At:Halfords
    Strengths:Cheap, Durable, Okay shifting
    Weaknesses:Can skip, Loud, Can't dissasemble
    Similar Products Used:LX, Deore, Gripshift, Alivio, Thumbshifters
    Bike Setup:Dawes Watoga, Hope, LX, STX-RC, Panaracer, Tioga, X-lite, Titec, Alesa, Kalloy, RST (Gay)
    Bottom Line:Pretty good if u r on a budget and don't care about weight (like me)
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by Doug a Cross Country Rider from Kenosha
    Date Reviewed: November 22, 2000
    Duration Product Used:6 months
    Price Paid: $13.00
    Purchased At:Nashbar
    Strengths:Good looks, quick shifts
    Weaknesses:None yet
    Similar Products Used:Deore shifters, grip shift
    Bike Setup:Rock hopper comp, Deore/xt drive train
    Gary Fisher/ Jett Race / Bontrager
    Bottom Line:Great for the price! I think they are at $19 now from Nashbar. We actually have two sets in the family. Got these when the Grip shift broke (junk). Have worked great with very minor adjustments! Also works good with a six speed rear end (Rockhopper). I recommend paddle type shifters over anything, these are solid and trustworthy!
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Maciek Dudek a Cross Country Rider from Chicago, IL, USA
    Date Reviewed: September 16, 2000
    Favoriate Trail:rainy forest with alot of mud
    Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
    Strengths:very good, strong and massive shifters
    Weaknesses:they cant be repaired. loud shifting
    Similar Products Used:SRAM 5.0 shifters
    Bike Setup:Nishiki Colorado
    Bottom Line:good shifters at affordable price and a brand you can trust. i recoomend those shifters to average terrain
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by Simon Solotko a Cross Country Rider from Dallas, TX
    Date Reviewed: August 23, 2000
    Favoriate Trail:Womble
    Duration Product Used:1 Year
    Strengths:This shifter held up and shifted reliably for 14 months, with moderate to heavy use.
    Weaknesses:Tightened inner bolts once, helped with some accumulated loose play. Not smooth like LX+, more click n' stick, but no bad shifts. Combined with XT Mega 9 front & rear shifter, XT chain, Truvative FireX crank with no problems whatsoever, and improved shifting - all were added incrementally - mix and match despite what Shimano says. before going to LX shifters
    Similar Products Used:My new LX shifters arrived broke, took them apart, attached a detached rachet spring, now they are fine. Removed label on bed matress too. Take apart your shifters! It will make you feel much better, and much better informed.
    Bike Setup:Shimano 23" Moab (HUGE) with LX shifter, XT derailers, Truvative Crank, XTR hub laced to Aeroheat. Bobproof XC for 6'5" dude.
    Bottom Line:Shifters lasted 14 months until I could afford to upgrade. No problems period. Strong, simple, reliable. Dark side of the force pulled me to 9 speed.
    Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by Pete a Racer from UK
    Date Reviewed: August 15, 2000
    Favoriate Trail:ald bour down
    Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
    Strengths:It lasts and lasts.
    Weaknesses:None
    Similar Products Used:XT
    LX
    Bike Setup:M Trax Team Ti, XT mechs, STX shifters, real x levers, onza post, Xlite bar ends, Ti bar,
    Bottom Line:I have had these since I cracked my XT. I have had them for about 4 years and they work as well today as they did when I bought them and these have been through four British winters!!!!!

    Buy them!!!!!!
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:2

    Submitted by Ian a Cross Country Rider from Peterborough, ON, Canada
    Date Reviewed: August 1, 2000
    Favoriate Trail:Jackson Park
    Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
    Strengths:They have lasted 4 years with no maintance! Survived numerous crashes. My friend goes through the "good shifters" every two months because the all break when he crashes.
    Weaknesses:The front derailleur shifter was pretty stiff to shift up, hard on the thumb. The rear shifter is getting a bit loose, return spring not as strong as it once was.
    Similar Products Used:Have tried new XT 9sp stuff on new bikes, maybe they haven't been broken in or out of adjustment everytime but they don't really shift better than the good 'ol STX
    Bike Setup:95 Nocro vector with 2000 Z4 bomber.
    Bottom Line:Don't be afraid to go with the cheaper stuff. It worked for me! Unless you can get XT and XTR at dealer cost then go ahead but I'll never spend 100's of dollars on shifters or anything with XT on it. I'm not a world caliber rider so why do I need to save 30 grams (or some insignificant weight) on my shifters.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by Matt a Cross Country Rider from Berkeley, CA
    Date Reviewed: July 16, 2000
    Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
    Strengths:inexpensive, up to 3 downshifts per stroke, big and easy-to-read optical display
    Weaknesses:return spring snapped, shifting a little slow
    Similar Products Used:'99 LX, '98 Alivio, '88 SIS thumb shifters
    Bike Setup:'94 Performance M304, 7-speed
    Bottom Line:This is actually a review of the 7-speed STX-SE shifters, which were the predecessors to the STX-RC. First off, I confess that I never rode my bike off-road on anything more agressive than grass or 6-inch deep snow; it was basically a low-mileage commuter. After 3 years of about 15 miles a week, the return spring in the right shifter went out. A year after that, the sh