[DirtDad]

Not a thorough comparison, but it is real world with stuff I had around. Calibrated for the cap used to hold them up in the pics.

​

XTR M972 long cage new. Also takes shorter cable & housing than non-shadow, similar to SRAM. 5 grams of cable and housing less, based on a side by side installation/replacement of the M952 below on the same bike with the same old cables and housing cut to fit.

XTR M971 long cage new.

XTR M952 long cage used, with rubber bumper. Bumper weight 2 grams.

'07 Sram XO long cage used.
​

 

[rockyuphill]

Were there supposed to be pictures there?

That's better... pictures!!!

 

[chequamagon]

yeah, something is wrong with those links, those pics wont pop up with the other way I tried too

 

[Batas]

That's the nicest pic from the shadow I've seen... It is very beautiful indeed! I wonder if a long cage is needed for 22-32-44 and 11-32 cassette, or if I can get by with a medium cage one... I will have to get one of those, it will match my carbon frame...

 

[sonyisdope]

Great pics! Just an FYI, all the XT 772 GS shadow have weighed 223, and the SGS has weighed 226 grams. I also weighed a 2007 medium cage X9, and it weighed in at a cool 219 grams.

That XTR shadow is something else though! I can't weight to get one!

 

[bobbyOCR]

Would it be alright to run a short or medium cage with a 12-27 and a triple front?

 

[ginsu2k]

I run a short cage Dura-Ace at 180grams with a 12-27 Ultegra Cassette.

 

[Some Guy]

That's the nicest pic from the shadow I've seen... It is very beautiful indeed! I wonder if a long cage is needed for 22-32-44 and 11-32 cassette, or if I can get by with a medium cage one... I will have to get one of those, it will match my carbon frame...

I do it with a medium cage X.9 without problems.

 

[$mokeyJoe]

Here're some pics of my tuned XTR

I run it with a DA(not pictured) 12-27 and 32/44 chainrings on the front. Derrie has Ti-spring,all alu bolts, CF pulleys and CF inner and outer (short) cages.

 

[Cranked]

Hey Dirtdad, what do you think of the performance? Does it shift noticably better than the older models? I've been trying to find one, but nobody has stock yet. Care to share your source?

 

[DirtDad]

Hey Dirtdad, what do you think of the performance? Does it shift noticably better than the older models? I've been trying to find one, but nobody has stock yet. Care to share your source?

I have not had it on the trail yet, but on the stand it feels similar to the M971. Shifting under load is another matter, of course. These are starting to be available on complete bikes or build kits (OEM), but not in retail packaging yet. I pulled one from stock to weigh and photograph.

 

[raceer2]

thanks dirtdad, the 972 looks awesome. is this available in a rapidrise (low normal) for dual controls ?

thanks

 

[rockyuphill]

Shadows are all high normal.

 

[Ausable]

I also read somewhere that the XTR shadow works properly with 11-32 or 11-34 ONLY. Shadows are in stock on serveral German websites.

 

[raceer2]

Shadows are all high normal.

Thats what I thought too...does this spell the end of DC's, I wonder ?

Maybe shimano themselves have given up on dual controls

 

[sabresix]

DCs still have their place. I wouldn't use anything else for XC or Endurance racing. The shadow is just an interim upgrade in the XTR and XT line.

 

[raceer2]

DCs still have their place. I wouldn't use anything else for XC or Endurance racing. The shadow is just an interim upgrade in the XTR and XT line.

yeeeaaaah another dc fan :thumbsup:

it appears shimano is trying to market xt and xtr to two different markets...with different features to distinguish them ? for example the braking features...

lets hope xtr gets a new rapidrise...frankly shadow line appears to be a marketing exercise ....they look nice though

 

[Ausable]

DCs still have their place.

Yes, the recycle bin

 

[AJSB]

Hi, newbie here

How about M972 GS cage weight ? TIA !

 

[Sonny]

M972 GS