Weaknesses: Spring tension not very high so affected by knackered cables more quickly than the old 8 speed XT mech.
A bit overpriced IMO when reliability and lack of servicability taken into account. The 11 tooth jockey wheels are lame. The tension pulley in particular. For some reason my tension pulley is far more worn than the guide pulley, and the bearing has now seized. They are stupidly expensive to replace, so i've ordered an LX one. Hopefully the non 'sealed bearing' design will be less prone to seizing.
The mech bangs around on the frame of many bikes - the b-tension spring is far too weak.
Overall: Shifts well but a few problems with durability.
Strengths: Works great when it works - Slick shifting.
Weaknesses: Bends to easily, i twisted mine through 45 degrees: http://www.bath.ac.uk/~en0dme/link/1.jpg
Not just a freak, i've done it twice.
If you fail to use the proper shimano which are a complete rip off, it will just snap, snap and snap again. I have snapped mine 6 times in the last few weeks.
Overall: Not durable enough. Too fussy about rejoining pins.
Strengths: Highly breathable, good impact protection - hard plastic backed by a good cushioning material, comfortable.
Weaknesses: Slip a bit, but then trying to make anything stay in place on your calves has to be quite difficult. If i wear them regularyl they stay in place better than when i haven't used them for a while.
Strengths: Keeps 100% of muck from back wheel off your back side and back. Sensible use of NyLock nuts to help prevent vibrating loose.
Weaknesses: The clear one looks ok to me, but the other colours look really tacky. Price is quite steep for what it is. Got mine cheaper in LBS sale =) A mate of mine had one drop off mid-ride, but i suspect it was never tight enough.
Overall: Does what it says on the box. Stays in place well, doesn't flop about, but is flexible enough to be unlikely to break in a crash.
Weaknesses: I get some creaking when cranking hard. It could possibly be the splines, but cleaning the BB threads, and regreasing all the external BB contact points shut it up for a couple of hundred miles.
Overall: Price is reasonable. A good BB if it didn't seem to be prone to creaking!
'Cuts inners beautifully, outers not quite so well.'
Strengths: Easy to use, comfortable grip, cuts inners with no effort at all, makes clean cuts. The crimp thing works.
Weaknesses: The cutting jaws are just a tiny bit too short, so that outer cables aren't cut right through in one go. Not a problem when you practice cutting in two goes. Takes a hard squeeze to crimp on the end caps. Maybe a little pricey.
Overall: Very little effort needed to cut cables. Crimping end caps is harder work, but it does the job.
'Usefull product that works well, all at a fair price'
Strengths: Allows 4" seatpost adjustability, well made, holds your rear Crud guard. Great price for a custom product. Not much to go wrong! Helpful and quick service from BETD.
Weaknesses: Makes the bike look a little less tidy. Adds a little weight, although if that bothers you, you can buy a lightweight 26.8 seatpost, something you can't get too easily with 30.9!
Overall: I'd buy one again :) No more scary DH with a high saddle, or climbing with a low saddle. Big improvement!
Strengths: Good, understated looks, fairly light weight, good bearings, good seals, disc compatable, reliable
Weaknesses: No QR supplied with it. Matching rear one is quite pricey compared to shimano hubs.
Overall: It's a bit of a joke trying to sell you the QR seperately IMHO, but the hub itself is great. Faultless, in fact. Does just what a hub should do. Mine's been through tonnes of muck and running every bit as smooth as new, 13 months ago.
Strengths: Um... well i suppose i buy it occasionally so it can help relieve boredom!
Weaknesses: Incorrect technical information, shabby reviews that seem like they've only ridden the bikes round the car park, just listing off specs that any person could get from the manufacturers website!
Not hugely informative workshop stuff.
packed full of adverts
Unimpressive photography. It's better than my photography, but doesn't have a patch on Singletrack magazine's
Overall: Really quite lame. I should give it 5 for reliability - it's reliably bad! But that would give it undue credit!
Strengths: Um, it bounces correctly for a while. For me about 1.5 years. only available OEM so no-one has to feel silly for buying one aftermarket!
Weaknesses: Serious questions about reliability - i have heard of many blown shocks and mine is hissing when compressed and when rebounding. Its action is still ok for me cos i only weigh 11 stone, but for anyone heavier it is now stupidly underdamped! I suppose it does bounce a little bit after impacts, but it doesn't pogo too badly.
Overall: Cheap-skate OEM shock used to keep the price of mid-range full sus bikes down. I'm thinking of replacing mine when i have the money.
