i have just bought a disc for the rear of my bike, and now need to get new shifters, as i currently run an XT STI setup, and i want to know if it is worth paying the extra money and buying the XTR rapidfire shifters, or if i should just stick with the XT ones ( at the moment i run a complete XT setup)

are these the new duel control flippy levers your asking about or the seperate pods?

If you're not racing and obsessed with every gram of weight then the XT stuff works great for just about everyone

I personally don't think XTR is worth the money anywhere, least of all the shifters. XT works as well and in some areas is even lighter. LX/Deore is functionally as good, but the use of plastics instead of alloy can make them feel cheap.

My drivetrain is mostly XT but I've just upgraded the chainset from hollowtech Deore to Hollowtech II LX. I've also got LX shifters and an old model XTR rear mech that I got cheap because the LBS had sold out of XT and let me have the XTR at a price match. It's all good and I'd defy anyone to tell the difference in functionality.

you want to try SRAM

then you'll see the difference

You like SRAM don't you Kato......

oh yes

SRAM SRAM SSSRRRAAAAMMMMM...

MARS MARS MMMMMAAAARRRSSS

Is SRAM really that much better than Shimano? I can't see where it could be as a full Shimano drivetrain works faultlessly.

I'm sure Kato will point out the error in my judgement. However, as someone who rides a PRST-1, he must value function over aesthetics.

Having never used SRAM I can't be very objective. Perhaps Kato can shed some light, assuming that you've used both Shimano and SRAM that is.....

I don't ride a PRST-1, it's a PRST-4

IMO

SRAM shifts better for longer in crappy conditions because of its 1:1 actuation ratio

The mech pulls the same amount of cable as the shifter, unlike Shimano which pulls twice as much at the mech.

It means it's not as affected by mud and gunge as the Shimano mechs

plus

I like the 'clunk clunk' shifting

SRAM Attack's the cheapo £22 ones, are just excellent, all operated on the thumb to.

No way I go back to Shimano Shifters.

I'm talking about X-9 SRAM and Raceface Turbines BTW

I prefer cheap, LX mech, it was less than deore ( Sale at wiggle ), and Sram Rockets, cheap but perfect.

Hmm, the 1:1 actuation ratio would work better in the crap. Makes sense.

May need to convert next time I wear out the chain and cassette. Take it the Shimano chainset won't cheapen it too much :)

"I can't see where it could be as a full Shimano drivetrain works faultlessly"




Er bollocks, you should have been out with me on my Chameleon today, it shifted like a bag of shit, got home, cleaned, lubed only to find out that the middle cheese ring is knackered after 356 miles!!!

Why such a cracking set of cranks with such crappy rings?

Middleburn here we come!

i would go XT, and i wouldn't believe the sramlove crew. Shimano works fine

Just buy Deore Steels PC, dirt cheap steel and last FOREVER, weigh 60grams more or something pointless, thats Middle and inner.


Cost is about £12 aswell.


And it's because they've been built to be light, because people are sad enough to buy something else over 60grams of weight.

A B-J, try getting steel inner and middle Deore rings from CRC. They last better, shift just as well and only weight a few extra grammes.

Middleburn (even hardcote, slickshift) will compromise performance. And cost an effing mint.