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Submitted by
Fritz Lehr
a Cross Country Rider
from Raleigh
Date Reviewed: January 2, 2008 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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: |
$99.00 | | Purchased At: | jensonusa | | Strengths: | When the shifter / derailleur combo is dialed in, it works well. | | Weaknesses: | I have replaced three sets of cables (stock, Gore, Avid). The rear derailleur shift pod tends to chew up the barrel end of the cable. | | Similar Products Used: | Sram Gripshift X-Ray (8-speed). | | Bike Setup: | Ellsworth Truth with some nice goodies. | | Bottom Line: | I have spent more money and time screwing around with adjusting my rear shifter. I can only get one good month of riding before I or my LBS has to readjust my shifters and derailleurs. I'm looking forward to upgrading to the X.0 setup. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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$ 169.00
