New XTR impression

[Woggle Bear]

I've just returned from Interbike(could only go for the weekend). Where I had a chance to test ride a Syclip equiped with all 03 XTR.
Before I rode the bike I thought that the shifter idea was lame as f$%k, and it was just another Shimano ploy to force a new type of shifter on us(as they have done in the past).

BOY! was I wrong! It shifted great! The levers were very easy to get used to, and easy to use climbing up, coming down, and every where in between. I had no incidents with the bike shifting by accident during breaking over rough. The only two issues I had with them; 1) the thumb lever add on needs to go. It only gets in the way during breaking.
2)the break lever needs a to be smoothed out on the underside where you push up on it to shift.

The breaks felt great(not as strong as Hayes but perfect for XC) even with a 240lb Woggle Bear on board.
The cranks felt as stiff as my BMX Profiles!
And the front der shifts like a dream!!!!!! No clicks or pops as the chain jumped up to the larger ring. Just push down on the lever and you are in the big ring before you know it. Smooth as glass.
The rear shifted well enough for a bike that had been ridden by tons of folks all day. It never missed a beat!

I went in expecting to hate it all and came away a believer!


Sorry for any misspelled words I have not slept sence Sat morning(4hrs) and am felling a bit groggy.


WB
:)

[indieboy]

Originally posted by Woggle Bear
I've just returned from Interbike(could only go for the weekend). Where I had a chance to test ride a Syclip equiped with all 03 XTR.
Before I rode the bike I thought that the shifter idea was lame as f$%k, and it was just another Shimano ploy to force a new type of shifter on us(as they have done in the past).

BOY! was I wrong! It shifted great! The levers were very easy to get used to, and easy to use climbing up, coming down, and every where in between. I had no incidents with the bike shifting by accident during breaking over rough. The only two issues I had with them; 1) the thumb lever add on needs to go. It only gets in the way during breaking.
2)the break lever needs a to be smoothed out on the underside where you push up on it to shift.

The breaks felt great(not as strong as Hayes but perfect for XC) even with a 240lb Woggle Bear on board.
The cranks felt as stiff as my BMX Profiles!
And the front der shifts like a dream!!!!!! No clicks or pops as the chain jumped up to the larger ring. Just push down on the lever and you are in the big ring before you know it. Smooth as glass.
The rear shifted well enough for a bike that had been ridden by tons of folks all day. It never missed a beat!

I went in expecting to hate it all and came away a believer!


Sorry for any misspelled words I have not slept sence Sat morning(4hrs) and am felling a bit groggy.


WB
:)

that's alllllllllllll i've heard so far are good things. i'm going to have to ride it though and be the judge for myself. i've always been a sram person, so i'll probably stick w/ sram shifters, rear d's but probably end up going w/ the xtr cranks n cassette. already got an xtr front n i doubt they changed that to much.

[EBasil]

Damn those Shimano engineers... Everytime I'm ready to indict them for planned obsolescence and the lunacy of 9 speed rear ends or egg-shaped chainrings, they come along with an XTR upgrade that actually works, and well!

Good to hear about the cranks. My SweetWings won't last forever.:monkey:

[indieboy]

Originally posted by EBasil
My SweetWings won't last forever.:monkey:


i know you wish they would though. those cranks were sweet as hell.