c'mon shimano, they look about as plastic as magura julies!

i for one, don't like any of the new xtr stuff, whether i could afford it or not..

but does anyone?

Think SRAM will be talking to their lawyers about those shifters like Shimano did about theirs?

I have to say that the look of XTR has never been my main reason for buying it. Some of the new stuff though is about as good looking as Dylan!

I like the levers

.........very Formula

mm *takes another look*

I dont like them, not because they are or are not fugly - rather because if Shimano were serious about XTR being light weight and technically superior they wouldnt waste platic / metal on embossing 'X' everywhere but would use transfers and keep them looking lean and functional-industrial.

2007 XTR is aiming at a market other than high end technical in my opinion - its aiming at high end bling.

Sram X9 is gonna be the best value/performance shifting setup for 2006 imo.

XTR looks as though it ticks a lot of performance boxes but wih Bling also aken too much into consideration

new money for old rope, they can't be arsed redesigning their disc calipers, cable levers or V brakes, fundamentally nothing much has changed, if they were serious about losing weight on parts they'd be doing more engineering than marketing led design and using lighter materials.

Hey my Magura Julies look better than that XTR crappola.


But it'll sell because your elitist bike snobs just couldn't be seen ( at the pub ) without it.


Ordered yours yet Mike Spenceless ??

2007 XTR is aiming at a market other than high end technical in my opinion - its aiming at high end bling.

And the issue is...? Hell, if you've got it, flaunt it. Just like X0. It would seem that, as is normally the case with Shimano (and SRAM for that matter) that form follows function – the bling is there because it is just that, but it's bling on a superbly engineered high-end product. XTR has taken a battering from a more 'bling' X0 gruppo – can you blame them for trying to sex it up a bit?

new money for old rope, they can't be arsed redesigning their disc calipers, cable levers or V brakes...

Maybe they don't need to? Would it be innovation for the sake of innovation when there's no genuine improvement currently technically feasible?

In case you hadn't guessed, I like the new XTR. ;-)

I dont know why!?! Its proper ugly. I dont see any real improvement other than bringing back non-dual control stuff and normal pull mechs.

I'll stick with my X.0. I may get the new XTR to try it out on my old bike.

Reminds me of some cars. The Ford Sierra, Ford Edsel, Ford Anglia............

Your point is a very good one Dylan, if people bought XTR because it looks nice, certainly not why I buy it! I'd still use it if they released a totally unbranded black set up, if it was still better than the other groupsets.

I think it'll be much nicer in the flesh, I remember not liking the M960 stuff when I first saw it, and friends have said the same when they went to the M950 stuff, from the old 8 speed group with the polished cranks and everything.

People are resistant to change, but I bet it does look nicer in reality, and in 6 months time we'll all be raving about it!

Have to say I won't be trying the brakes though, the calipers weren't incredible before, I think they're very pretty, but if they're still gonna have chronically sticky pistons and stuff I won't be bothering, not when there's gonna be an Avid Juicy Ultimate anyway :-)

PMJ, are you under contract to say that you like stuff from the Small S company? (Previously the Big S, until SRAM utterly took over that title!)

;-)

totally unbranded black set up

Now that would properly rule.

Hmmm, I thought that as I wrote it :-)

"totally unbranded black set up"

It works for cars. I saw a big limo parked in St Tropez and couldn't find a badge on it.

I'm with Carlos. SRAM have totally over taken Shimano in my opinion. The new XTR stuff is an attempt to catch up, and i dont think it hits the target to be honest. It looks very plasticy, with the lame X on it, and functionality wise, i dont think it has anything over SRAM. Brakes wise i am happy with my Magura Marta SLs which weigh less than the new XTR anyway. I'm sure it will look better in the flesh, and i probably will be getting my hands on some XTR stuff for my second bike as i would want to try it out before i really lashed out :p

Hmmm, so your comments aren't really valid are they Smidge? You've said it looks horrible, then contradicted yourself and said it'll look better in the flesh, and you've said it has nothing functionality wise over X.0, but you have no idea, you've never seen it!

I have to say between Marta SLs and XTRs, I would buy the XTRs!

Black stuff is faster. Always. Especially if it's got an understated stealthy matt finish.

In the real world where I ride my bike I couldn't possibly justify the cost of XTR/X0 stuff. I'd just wear it out or break it and then cry about the complete waste of money. I smashed my rear mech up on a rock 3 weeks ago and if it had cost me in excess of a ton then I'd have been gutted. As it was it was a rapid-surprise LX which cost me about £25.

Racers and fashionistas only need apply IMO.

And it's as ugly as sin (with acne).