cactuscorn said:
for what, less than a year as you stated? oh please j. at least i know and admit when im in over my head. and if ya cant see the long list of assumptions then i cant help ya further. hes here askin for our help so give the guy a break will ya?
carry on kforum. alls well in xtrland specially on a flux.
No, not less than a year, that just means that for the prior year, I was working at the shop most of the time. I worked there for more than that. Understanding english is key here.
That's not an "assumption", I asked for an "assumption". I made lots of comments obviously, but you seem to be shooting blanks here. My experience with shimano XTR shifters and components is not an assumption. My experience with SRAM components and shifters is also not an assumption. I'm sorry if you don't understand what the words mean.
I'll add some more usefull info;
For the most part, I'd say that XTR is as durable as XT or other groups, and easily as durable as anything that SRAM puts out. The XTR cranks tend to be a little fliexier than the XTs, and they are basically somewhat smaller with less material. The XTs are wider and with a bigger structure, stiffer. The XTRs are lighter though, and slightly more flexy doesn't mean it's less strong.
It also seems though that the focus of the new XTR cranks is XC, whereas the old shimano XT cranks M950-series were suitable for DH with the DH ring setup. If you're usage is going to be XC or trail riding, you'll probably be fine.
The front derailer is great, as stated before, and has "trickled down" through the shimano lines, the XTR one is still the lightest, and doesn't sacrifice any strength.
I'd say the XTR rear derailer is more durable than the Sram XO or X9, based on the repairs and work that I've done on them. They are also more rebuildable with parts available from shimano.
As I said, the shifters are new, but I'd go to the track records. Dual control is not my thing, but I wouldn't be worried about durability. The long term durability of X-series shifters remains to be seen in any case.
My favorite part of the group is the chain, the CN7701 xtr/dura ace. I always use these, and love them due to their extreme strength. The specially shaped pins keep the links from sliding off under extreme tension, and I have yet to break one from extreme torque, and i torque the heck out of chains. Old generation shimano chains were pretty crappy. Sachs (aka sram) chains were much better, but these new generation shimano chains surpass the old sachs chains that were rebadged as sram's own product.
The 959 pedals are loved by many. I've seen them on plenty of bikes, but never had to do anything to them. I don't use em, but I wouldn't have any qualms about using them. Much improved over the older generation SPDs IMO.
The hubs are kind of suprising. You don't see too many people using them due to the centerlock thing, but they are now comparable to CK hubs for weight. I've never had any problems with shimano hubs for durability or reliability. Get them adjusted correctly and they go forever when you occasionally change the grease. Most people that complain about them in the shop rode them around loose or tried to do some sort of self repair with vice grips or something. Then they damaged cones or races and then blamed the hubs. I rarely see problems with their hubs, and now that there is a light XTR disc model, they've seem to finally come around, although there always seems to be one thing that they don't get right, and for some people that is the "centerlock" part of it.
The brakes are good. Best ever? Not in my opinion. Worth of the rest of the components? I suppose, but there's just a lot of other good brake systems out there these days, so they don't seem to exactly shine comparitively.
