X-O or X-9 shifters?

JacksLostSanity

Just wondering if anyone has had any experience with both? Im looking at changing my shifters and other than the price, there doesnt seem to be much of a difference between the two. Are the X-O's worth the extra few bob?
Plus does anyone know the cheapest place to find them?

Surf-Matt

I've just had X-9 shifters fitted (did have X-7s) and cannot fault them.
AFAIK X-0s have the same internals but are a bit lighter and blingier.

JacksLostSanity

Yeah, ive got X-7's at the moment. Just really cant decide on spending that extra few quid or not. Not bothered about the weight difference, I just wasnt sure if the internals are identical and its just the housing thats different or what.

Surf-Matt

Jacks - the X-9s feel a LOT more positive than the X-7s - but you do lose the shifting "window!" I much prefer them.

downhillholty

anoter difference between x.0 and x.9 is that the x.0 uses an adjustable bottom lever to suit where your thumb goes!

SDK2007

I tested a Specialized S Works Enduro SL with X0 shifters and they were so awesome. I ended up buying a bike with X9 shifters and although they don't feel as slick, X9's still shift like firing bullets from an M16.

Unless you want the bling factor of Carbon shifters go for the X9's.

johnsav

ive just recently fitted the x9 shifters over the x7 ones and theres a huge difference.
i managed to get them both for about 40 quid - main reason why i didnt go for x0.

Ive not used the x0 stuff but i think the price is a little bit daft.
x9 gets my vote!

mcbazza

I've got the X0 on my Stumpy, amazing shifters (mounted to my Juicy 7's using Matchmakers). Love the adjustable lever. And the Matchmaker just makes everything even more adjustable.

My new SX Trail will be getting the X9's. Managed to source a pair from the 'flood' sale at CRC - for only £15/each!!

I wouldn't dream of paying UK rrp for the X0's. I sourced mine from the States (via Ebay), back when the exchange rate was a little more UK favourable - ended up costing me around £90/pair. Still a heck of a lot of money. But, was half price.

If I was doing it all over again, I'd stick with X9 and Matchmakers.


edit: I also have the X7's (came as stock on the Stumpy/Rockhopper). The X9 is a far superior shifter (in use) to the X9.

Surf-Matt

Do you not find the matchmakers a little... errmmm... brittle?

johnsav

mcbazza

Surf-Matt wrote:

Do you not find the matchmakers a little... errmmm... brittle?

Arf!!
No. But, seriously over-priced!
When you are spending £180 (UK rrp) on X0's, they should be included in the box!!

Chaka Ping

I've got X0 on one bike and X9 on the other two - can't really tell the difference in performance.

The X0 came with the bike, I've specced X9 myself on the other two because I didn't think the extra outlay was justified.

So I'd say go X9 - unless you're a serious weight weenie.

Steve_F

I'm eyeing up X0 grip shifts. £70 for the pair from a lbs, probably £20 cheaper on-line seems to be a complete bargin to me.

johnsav

grip shifts?!

nooooooooooooooo

mcbazza

I'm glad you typed that, and not me.

Having grown up around people that owned 'Grifters', I've never been impressed by the idea of twist-shifters.

Sir HC

X9, half the price of X0. More money to go down the pub....
Same goes with buying mechs, they are only going to get trashed.

JacksLostSanity

well, there's certainly a clear leader at the moment. Cheers for the input guys

gbrnole

I run both x9 and x0 on my bikes, x0 are awesome such a positive click on shifting. On my latest bike I just went with the x9 rear mech as I couldn't notice any difference to the x0 mech but definatley made sure to get the x0 shifters.

I would never pay full retail for them though, try eBay or merlin.

Anonymous

i have used the x.0 grip shifters and they are absolutely amazing, very light, super responsive and i loved being able to change all of the gears in a one-er. if i go from xtr to x.0 rear mech (which i might do ) i will probably be fitting gripshift too.

gcwebbyuk

Hmmm I considered the gripshift for their light weightness, (is that a word?) and also heard good things about them - trouble is i have never ridden a bike with them on, and no bikes seem to come with them as standard to test ride - so its a case of cough up £50 and fit them, and then not like them.

How much would I be able to sell them for on ebay if I didnt like them you reckon?

Anonymous

if they are 50 new, probs about 30 second hand, id buy them for that anyway 8)

i had them on my bionicon and on my last stumpy. im probs gonna change to rear x.o and some x.o grips on my newest stumpy.

gcwebbyuk

so if splashed out on a pair - and then didnt like them - you would have them off me?

so £20 to see if i like them - hmmmm will think on that one - spose thats a better bet than paying £30 for a pair off ebay and then not liking them.

Anonymous

i would indeed. im running xtr rear mech at the mo which is ok but i much prefer the sram shifting so im gonna change at some point in the near future.

pm me if you do try em out.

Steve_F

I do like using shifters and have never usually really used gripshift but with the brake in the perfect position for one fingered braking the shifters are either too close or too far which is why I'm considering gripshift.

Will have to try it out properly on my mate's bike I think.

mcbazza

Well, now that I'm running X9/X0 shifters across my bikes (none have the little window), with Juicy 5/7's, I'm free to setup my levers how I see fit.

Which means the brakes are now nearest the stem (I "one finger" brake, so only need the end of the levers for maximum leverage), and the shifters are nearest the grips.

I prefer to run collar-less lock-ons (ones with no big rubber collar nearest stem-side of the grip, if that makes sense). Which improves access to the shifters.

Just about perfection for me. But, everyone is different.

Anonymous

slightly off topic, i have gone for a set of xtr shifters for now so i wont be getting any sram kit for the foreseeable future gcwebby

Anonymous

If you're buying SRAM better do it soon, they're about to put up prices across the board by 25%!!!

gcwebbyuk

Damn sheepsteeth - I just bought them and didnt like them - you barsteward :P

Haha only kidding, still considering it though

Anonymous

phew, i felt bad when i read the first line there!!

seriously, those grips shifters are absolutely ace, very intuitive, super acurate, never had any phantom shifting and the ability to drop as many gears as you like in one go is awesome.

also, you can twist pretty hard which means you can force the rear mech to change gear even when stomping hard on the pedals.

if it wasnt for the x.0 mech being so expensive, i would deffo swap over but i thought i would see how the xtr shifters and mech work out, might turn me back to shimano (but i doubt it very much) i figured if i stil prefer sram after having tried pretty much every shimano option, i might sell the xtr mech and shifters and fork out for the sram set up, if i do, it will deffo be twisters i fit.