What determines shift quality?

alomac

This is a daft question that I should just be able to Google (but have had no real luck with so far), but which components predominately determine a bike's shift quality? Is it the derailler, shifters, cassette, etc?
I know they all play a role, but was wondering if one matters more than the others.

desweller

Cables.

stumpyjon

Shifters, cables then mech (assuming your cables are clean). SHifters definitely make the most difference, not surprising really when you think they're the bit you come into contact with, control the shift and are the bit with the indexing.

Personally I use cheapish Shimano SP40 cables and just replace them fairly regualrly. I've tried more expensive cables and outers and not seen the extra value for the money.

PS front mechs are pretty simple. A more expensive front mech probably won't work any better, it'll just be lighter and have a higher bling factor.

The other thing to remember is Shimano and SRAM systems work differently. Shimano works on a 2:1 ratio which makes for lighter shifting but is more prone to mud clogging, SRAM works on a 1:1 ratio so it's less prone to clogging but is a heavier shift which some people prefer.

nicklouse

the person who set it up.

Daz555

Basic quality of the components combined with skill of person who set it up.

ride_whenever

The quality of the freehub is also apparently relevant, my mavic rear wheel (cheapo one) has real shifting issues due to the freehub wobbling about.

Cables then cassette, then shifters IME

joshtp

cables, then shifter, than cassette, then mech. With the front mech, mech is really irrelevance... much of a muchness, but the rear can make a difference, a sharper spring and stiffer cage all help. But mostly cables and shifter... clean cables are usually the answer to all sorts of shifting issues, and the shifters make the biggest difference to feel, solid, well built shifters, with good bearings, good indexing, and good design such as instant release and such stuff that garnishes XTR shifters make a huge difference to feel.

But really this ALL depends on who set them up. Well set up alivio's will feel better than badly set up XTR.

maddog 2

joshtp wrote:

cables, then shifter, than cassette, then mech. .

+1

XTR shifters are very good though. I also think the Tacx 'fixed' jockeys are better than Shimano, if the rest of the system is clean and decent.

edhornby

everything being clean and the right lubes in the right places

lasty

" Well set up alivio's will feel better than badly set up XTR."

Very true ..... Had a bimble around on a mates giant `boulder` - sweet shifting cheapo alvio , shame one of the other lads can`t get his XTR stuff sorted for love nor money - renewed the drivetrain (ouch ... :shock: ) and it`s still giving him grief , even the local guru is stumped .... currently saving for an expensive shifter set !!

Personally i`ve gone down the SRAM road of enlightenment - Sooooo easy to set up and certainly not as fussy as the shimano stuff i`ve been using . Even the cheapo X5 stuff i bought 2nd hand on here for under £30 and fitted to my winter hack does exactly what its supposed to without any dramas . AND i set it up ............. :roll:

Try taking some wire wool , rub SHIMANO off the mech and write SRAM on it - Gotta be worth a try ....