Mountain Biking - XTR shifter/brake combo (whatever it is called)

Anyone tried it out or have any opinions on it? Looks pretty wierd :confused:

Not sure if I'm behind on the times here (I probably am) but if you haven't seen it, it's basically a brake lever that can be pushed up and down to shift, and in to brake.

Probably costs an arm and a leg, so I'll wait for the XT version if it all...

Originally posted by palooka
Probably costs an arm and a leg, so I'll wait for the XT version if it all...

Shift/Brake Lever assemblies go for $285 cable and $395 hydraulic. I had never thought about it before, but have you been in a situation where you are braking and shifting? Probably not, but it sure seems like an odd direction for such a well respected product.

read about it in MBA, dont know anything else about them, but the MBA people said it was easy to get used to

The new XTR is rather unique. You do shave some weight. You have to adapt your shifting or use the optional thumb shifter. There is a bit of a catch if you convert to the 03. The new disc locks onto the hub similiar as the cog set. That means new hubs also. The shifter/brake combo is race proven. One point though the lever is fragil (the best way I can descrive it) It privots on two axis so a hard crash can be costly and require a replacement. Shimano is still making the "old" XTR. Try it before you buy it.

I think it would be horrible for technical or intense riding. I keep one finger on the brake at all times. It would suck badly imo. :) But then again grip shift falls into the same category. Too easy to shift gears during technical situations

As a person that is somewhat of a retro grouch, and who believes 8-Speed is better than 9-speed, I'm gonna stay away from the new lever. Sure it works great on a road bike, but how often do you crash on a road bike? Not too often. What usually ends up getting ruined? Yep, the handlebar tape and the lever.

I'll stick to my shifter pods and seperate brake levers.

Time will tell, and I'm sure in another 3 or 4 years everyone will be using these new shifter/levers and I'll have to "switch" but I'll fight the urge as long as possible.

I'm not opposed to new technology, but only when it's an improvement to fix a problem. Currently, I don't have any problems in the way I shift. I think this is a non-upgrade for a non-issue. Maybe I just woke up grouchy today!

L8R

Optional thumb shifter? So they've completely changed the system but still left the old one on there as well? Seems like it would have made sense to just use the brake shifting and still offer the traditional '02 model.


But...I'm sticking with my rapids for sure :)

The new xtr system scares me.

I am still trying to figure out what was wrong with rapids. Sooo easy to use and shift. Setups are a breeze. I can fly through the gears to the exact position I want. They didn't get in the way when I do dh or technical riding. They aren't super heavy. What was wrong with rapid fire?

What happens when you brush up against a tree (I do this often in really narrow sections on trails like cut-yer-bars) breaking one of these things is going to cost a fortune.

companies are forced to push the envelope. like sram's singleshifter thing where its grip shift but also theres another trigger for a system inside the rear hub???

too bad we aren't at a time when we need that change..

Yup. Gotta come up with some shiny new solution to a non-problem. Shimano is starting to remind me of Cannondale. heh :)

A2P: Retro Grouch?? Your bike has like 5 feet of combined suspension front and back...lol ;)

I wouldn't go that far. :)...I am sure it will help out the weight weenies...I have no interest in it due to that fact I think it is useless for my riding style and I don't care about weight.

I would classify myself as borderline weight weeny :) But spending a few hundred bucks to save a couple grams and completely change the way my bike shifts (I like how it shifts just fine) is a bit much.