New shifters.....? Advice plse??
Discussion
My 2006 Trek 6700 has been in the menders - after 6 months of hard work it needed quite a lot doing (expensive business this mountain biking lark! - I spent over £200 to get it back to proper working order !).
I am told that my shifters are rubbish and they said I ought to replace them. I am running 8 gear cassette, LX rear mech, XT front... Anyone recommend some reasonable ones?
ps is it worth changing to a 9 gr at the same time?
I am told that my shifters are rubbish and they said I ought to replace them. I am running 8 gear cassette, LX rear mech, XT front... Anyone recommend some reasonable ones?
ps is it worth changing to a 9 gr at the same time?
Edited by gazzab on Friday 1st December 09:14
You'll have a greater choice of shifters to choose from in the Shimano range if you upgrade to 9 speed. What shifters have you currently got though and do think they are rubbish?
You said you recently bought a new cassette and chain on another thread so if you can live with the shifters you've got, stick with them until you need to replace the cassette and chainrings again - there is nothing wrong with 8 speed if you can live with the ratios and it's stronger chain
You said you recently bought a new cassette and chain on another thread so if you can live with the shifters you've got, stick with them until you need to replace the cassette and chainrings again - there is nothing wrong with 8 speed if you can live with the ratios and it's stronger chain
Ebays a great place to get this sort of bargain - nobody wants 8spd so much these days, and all sorts of nice shifters crop up in 8spd...
However, as much as Beyond Rational says 8spd is slightly stronger, 9spd give you a much nicer range of gearing (and not that annoying jump in ratio between 3rd and 4th cog), and as he mentions more selection.
XT is a veritable bargain
However, as much as Beyond Rational says 8spd is slightly stronger, 9spd give you a much nicer range of gearing (and not that annoying jump in ratio between 3rd and 4th cog), and as he mentions more selection.
XT is a veritable bargain
Slight thread hijack... (sorry)
Now running a front disc brake, so I had to ditch my old integrated brake/shifter combo in favour of a separate shifter.
All works beautifully but the position of the master cylinder (or whatever it is) on the brake fouls the shifter, so as a result neither brake or shifter are in exactly the right position for me. Is this something I just have to live with or is there a lower-profile shifter I can get that will alleviate the problem?
The 'problem' combo is Avid Juicy 5 lever and XT 8sp shifter running an XT 9sp mech on an 8sp cassette.
Its something I can live with but if there's a better option I'd be interested.
Now running a front disc brake, so I had to ditch my old integrated brake/shifter combo in favour of a separate shifter.
All works beautifully but the position of the master cylinder (or whatever it is) on the brake fouls the shifter, so as a result neither brake or shifter are in exactly the right position for me. Is this something I just have to live with or is there a lower-profile shifter I can get that will alleviate the problem?
The 'problem' combo is Avid Juicy 5 lever and XT 8sp shifter running an XT 9sp mech on an 8sp cassette.
Its something I can live with but if there's a better option I'd be interested.
I've just noticed that the Shimano Saint rear shifter is designed to sit outboard of the brake lever which would probably sort the problem.
Unfortunately that would mean getting a 9sp cassette and chain, which I'd rather not do, assuming that the 9sp shifter wouldn't index an 8sp block properly. I know I'll have to go 9sp at some point but as long as 8sp kit is still available (god bless you, eBay!) I intend to keep running it.
Unfortunately that would mean getting a 9sp cassette and chain, which I'd rather not do, assuming that the 9sp shifter wouldn't index an 8sp block properly. I know I'll have to go 9sp at some point but as long as 8sp kit is still available (god bless you, eBay!) I intend to keep running it.
According to friends (bike mechanics) most shifters are good.
XT or XTR, the difference is hardly noticeable unless you're a pro entering races where every second counts.
However, us boys need our toys and we really enjoy looking through the computer/camera/car/bike/gadget magazines and online reviews about products.
The newer SRAM shifters are meant to be good, quite a few US pros are using them but most of us love Shimano shifters.
XT or XTR, the difference is hardly noticeable unless you're a pro entering races where every second counts.
However, us boys need our toys and we really enjoy looking through the computer/camera/car/bike/gadget magazines and online reviews about products.
The newer SRAM shifters are meant to be good, quite a few US pros are using them but most of us love Shimano shifters.
I have SRAM shifters - forgotten the model name ! The bike shop said they were cack. I didnt speak to them a firend did so I dont know why they think that.
Found them on-line - SRAM TRX
they are described as entry level on sites and are £25 a pair. so not exactly great !
But they do fit well with the avid juicy brake levers.
Found them on-line - SRAM TRX
they are described as entry level on sites and are £25 a pair. so not exactly great !
But they do fit well with the avid juicy brake levers.
Edited by gazzab on Friday 1st December 16:06
gazzab said:
SRAM TRX
Hmmm. Looking at those, the main shape difference to Shimano XT is the gear indicator windows are underslung rather than over the bar.
Could make all the difference to fitting with the brake lever.
Therefore, presumably any of the designs that are underslung or have no gear window might fit better than the XT ones?
e.g. www.wiggle.co.uk/Default.aspx?Main=ProductDetail.aspx&W=0&Manufacturer=SRAM&UberCatName=&Cat=cycle&CategoryName=&ProdID=5360022771&UberCat=0
pdV6 said:
gazzab said:
SRAM TRX
Hmmm. Looking at those, the main shape difference to Shimano XT is the gear indicator windows are underslung rather than over the bar.
Could make all the difference to fitting with the brake lever.
Therefore, presumably any of the designs that are underslung or have no gear window might fit better than the XT ones?
e.g. www.wiggle.co.uk/Default.aspx?Main=ProductDetail.aspx&W=0&Manufacturer=SRAM&UberCatName=&Cat=cycle&CategoryName=&ProdID=5360022771&UberCat=0
A sram shifter should work with your Avid lever as they are part of the same group - encouraging you to buy from them.
gazzab said:
a bit clunky and slow ?
Thats fair enough then, does sound like that would be the shifter knowing the mechs you have. It might be worth checking the cables to make sure they are lubed and without pinches in the casing which might cause friction, just to be sure.
I would stick with Sram if you have Avid levers as the issue pdV6 has with the Avid levers will probably occur with shimano shifters. If you have a new 8spd cassette and chain, I would buy a new 8spd rear mech shifter but if you are willing to spend the money then 9spd is also an option but this will cost a lot more.
Looking at the 8sp XT shifter, the main body of the unit is pretty much in line with the bar clamp.
I'm guessing that the 9sp Shimano stuff and the SRAM kit is offset below the bar clamp precisely to avoid the issue of clashing with the brake levers.
As you say, Avid and SRAM are now stable-mates, so their kit really ought to fit together nicely.
I'm guessing that the 9sp Shimano stuff and the SRAM kit is offset below the bar clamp precisely to avoid the issue of clashing with the brake levers.
As you say, Avid and SRAM are now stable-mates, so their kit really ought to fit together nicely.
Mine are all freshly lubed and tuned. The bike shop serviced my bike and simply commented that the shifters are cack.
Assuming I need SRAM to mate with the avid brakes then it looks like there is not much choice ie for an 8 speed upgrade that is compatable with avid brake levers and 2:1 shimano mech. so it looks like I might have to go 9 speed (and new chain and rear cassette) OR go for the SRAM Attack - the ratings on Evans make it look like a decent improvement. Assuming it fits!
Assuming I need SRAM to mate with the avid brakes then it looks like there is not much choice ie for an 8 speed upgrade that is compatable with avid brake levers and 2:1 shimano mech. so it looks like I might have to go 9 speed (and new chain and rear cassette) OR go for the SRAM Attack - the ratings on Evans make it look like a decent improvement. Assuming it fits!
Edited by gazzab on Friday 1st December 20:43
pdV6 said:
Just ordered an 8sp Attack. I'll let you know how I get on!
In your case you'll probably need a new chainset to go 9sp. Mine's already 9sp compatible hence "only" needing a new cassette & chain to 'upgrade'. I'm still sticking with 8sp for as long as possible though!
In your case you'll probably need a new chainset to go 9sp. Mine's already 9sp compatible hence "only" needing a new cassette & chain to 'upgrade'. I'm still sticking with 8sp for as long as possible though!
Where did you order from ? What did you pay?
I just ordered some tyres on ebay - trying panracer mud tyres.
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