Best Mid Range Shifters?

Sir.Swish

I searched briefly but couldn't find the answer i'm looking for, I'm rebuilding my GT Avalanche 1.0 one part at a time and it needs shifters. I'm going for an all-Shimano build 3 front 9 rear. My LBS can get me SL-M590 with cables for £45 but what are they like to live with and is there any others I should consider?

poah

if you've not actually got anything I'd personally go for 10 at the back.

merlin have got Deore M590 shifters for £27.50

cooldad

They work. I'd look for XT.

Sir.Swish

Will my FH-M525 rear hub take a 10 speed cassette?

poah

if it takes a 8 or 9 it will take a 10

Sir.Swish

Looks like my old deore rear mech is retiring earlier than expected then

rockmonkeysc

There's some great deals on XT shifters online. A bit more expensive than Deore but they will last forever.

swod1

RockmonkeySC wrote:

There's some great deals on XT shifters online. A bit more expensive than Deore but they will last forever.

I'm replacing the shifters on my bike and was thinking are xtr shifters worth the extra over xt ?

I'll be using them with an xt shadow + rear mech.

rockmonkeysc

XTR Shifters are very nice but they would have to be heavily discounted before I would consider them.

poah

swod1 wrote:

RockmonkeySC wrote:

There's some great deals on XT shifters online. A bit more expensive than Deore but they will last forever.

I'm replacing the shifters on my bike and was thinking are xtr shifters worth the extra over xt ?

I'll be using them with an xt shadow + rear mech.

personally I doubt you'd be able to tell the difference between SLX, XT, and XTR

rockmonkeysc

There's a definite difference between SLX and XT. My XT shifters are a little lighter to use than my SLX and they are better built and better sealed.
XTR are nicer than XT but not enough to justify the cost.
I have a SRAM X0 shifter on my DH bike and it is vvery nice, better than my XT but not worth the cost.

Sir.Swish

Top advice everyone- seems XT is the way to go