Shimano XT Shadow, SRAM X7 or X9?

timpop
timpop Posts: 394
edited July 2010 in MTB buying advice
Need to get a new rear mech, had a look at the above but can't decide. Any opinions on the these? Or is it a case of same old thing?
Many happy trails!

Comments

  • peter413
    peter413 Posts: 4,909
    What shifters do you have.

    Unless you decide to replace those you are stuck to the paired rear mechs so shimano-shimano sram-sram, but it gets complicated since some sram are compatible with shimano
    Transition Patrol
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    Glentress Trailfairies
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    what shifter will you be using?

    as you may have issues with any of them.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • timpop
    timpop Posts: 394
    Good shout, that makes sense. I have Deore shifters. I could be convinced to get new shifters too if necessary :) I should replace my front mech too, it's a bit wobbly.
    Many happy trails!
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    in that case Shadow XT. Best mech I've ever had.
  • Bred2shred
    Bred2shred Posts: 306
    Ditto, mine is clicky clicky goodness.
    Never argue with an idiot, he'll only drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
  • Chunkers1980
    Chunkers1980 Posts: 8,035
    But a deore shifter with an XT mech is still a bit rubbish esp if the model you've got doesn't have 2 way release.

    Try and pair them, XT-XT or even just get a new righthand XTR one don't bother with the front?? But hey that might be out of budget.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    nothing wrong with deore.
  • Chunkers1980
    Chunkers1980 Posts: 8,035
    nowt right with it either.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    Chunkers1980 wrote:
    nowt right with it either.
    Elaborate then, if you will.
    Deore is a great priced, well functioning piece of kit. It works so well, that there is simply no reason to swap it out for anything else, whilst it's working fine.
  • timpop
    timpop Posts: 394
    Thanks for the advise, I think I'll just get the XT and see how that is. The shifters still work well so there's no need to change them right away. I've spent quite a bit lately. Deore is the range name for lx, xt, xtr etc. It'll be fine.
    Many happy trails!
  • bails87
    bails87 Posts: 12,998
    timpop wrote:
    Thanks for the advise, I think I'll just get the XT and see how that is. The shifters still work well so there's no need to change them right away. I've spent quite a bit lately. Deore is the range name for lx, xt, xtr etc. It'll be fine.

    I agree with Yeehaa in that there's nothing "wrong" with a lot of Deore kit.

    But the hierachy for Shimano MTB stuff is:
    Deore->SLX->Deore XT->XTR

    I've heard the shifters make more of a difference than the rear mech, but I couldn't say myself as I use SRAM.
    MTB/CX

    "As I said last time, it won't happen again."
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    not quite, apparently it goes something like.... (for the MTB groupsets worth having anyway)

    Deore
    SLX
    Deore XT (stupid I know!)
    XTR / Saint

    EDIT: ah, that cheeky little mouse got there first.
  • Chunkers1980
    Chunkers1980 Posts: 8,035
    yeehaamcgee wrote:
    Chunkers1980 wrote:
    nowt right with it either.
    Elaborate then, if you will.
    Deore is a great priced, well functioning piece of kit. It works so well, that there is simply no reason to swap it out for anything else, whilst it's working fine.

    Well I've finished my HT build running XT - XT front and XTR - XTR rear. The bike started with Deore M510 I think (no 2 way release), it bust and I bought an XTR rear shifter - the difference with multi release and 2 way release as well is the instant release feature of the XTR m970 is massive. Well worth the 50 pounds paid.

    Just got a new FS bike that came with Deore M590 shifters (2 way release) paired with an SLX rear mech.

    The shifting felt sloppy, not very snappy so I took it off and put on an XT shadow that's had c.2 years of use, played with them side by side before and the spring tension of the XT was remarkably stronger - not to mention a nicer overall build and a weight difference that could be easily felt - it's that's what SLX is like II'd hate to think what a deore mech would be like.

    Any how, this has made the changes slightly better - more positive - BUT you're still restrained by the shifter (the deore) as it feels no where near as good as when I had XT rear mech and XTR shifter
  • reevie25
    reevie25 Posts: 254
    edited July 2010
    I've just upgaded to a Deore shifter and XT Shadow Rear mech and the combination works fine, again nothing wrong with Deore, Great Budget kit.....
    Scott Aspect 45
    Giant Reign 3
    My Blog
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    he's talking about an XT shadow mech though.
    Like I said, nothing wrong with deore. XT, saint and XTR would always (hopefully) offer an improvement, but there's nothing at all wrong with deore. It works fine.
    When it wears out, then yeah, consider getting XT, but no reason to swap it out immediately, unless you've got far too much spare cash lying around.
  • reevie25
    reevie25 Posts: 254
    Sorry, forgot to add, it is a Shadow
    Scott Aspect 45
    Giant Reign 3
    My Blog
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    sorry, Reevie25, I was referring to Chunkers1980's
    II'd hate to think what a deore mech would be like
    comment.
  • bertberr
    bertberr Posts: 151
    ... actually pretty dam good in a basic, no nonsence, cheap as chips kind of way. My wife's Giant came with boggo deore RD, FD & shifters... five years ago... and they're still shifting as sweet as a nut, with nothing more than the (very) occasional lube.

    Whilst obviously heavier than my XTR rear mech, I have to say the difference in action is negliable, though I do think my XTR shifters have a much nicer feel than her deore ones.

    In other words, they're absolutely fine until a) they ware out or b) you're suddenly feeling considerably richer.
  • ilovedirt
    ilovedirt Posts: 5,798
    I'm running a SRAM X.0 shifter and X.9 rear mech, feels miles better than my older XT stuff that i had, much quicker and smoother shifting and the lever is easier to use.
    Production Privee Shan

    B'Twin Triban 5
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    GAH, I hate SRAM shifters - but that is all down to personal taste.
  • timpop
    timpop Posts: 394
    That's one of the things I like about this forum, so many opinions makes it a lot more interesting.
    I think I will just get the rear mech for now. Already have new chain, cassette & chain rings. (not to mention new wheel, tires and bottom bracket) It adds up. Will stick with the XT shadow. As the shifters work fine I'm not changing them til I need to. I still have a mortgage to pay... :shock:

    Anyways, thanks for the advise. It helps.

    Have fun out there!
    Many happy trails!
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    It's just a matter of taste between equivalent SRAM and Shimano bits, the Shimano stuff is slightly better built IMO but trivial... SRAM's easier to set up and seems a bit more stable in bad conditions because of the improved cable ratio on the rear mech. SRAM aren't that good at front mechs though.

    But, as for which bits to go, remember the shifter is the brain, the mech just does what it's told. If you're going to have one bit be better than the other it's better to have great shifters and a cheaper mech- especialyl since mechs are exposed and easily broken.
    Uncompromising extremist
  • pte1643
    pte1643 Posts: 518
    Deore might well be cheap as chips, but it's practically bombproof.

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