Mountain Biking - SRAM X.9 or Shimano XT/XTR

Hey I know there are lots of threads regarding SRAM and Shimano, and the new trigger shifters. But I'm trying to finish my bike and I want to make it nice. I have the option of getting the SRAM X.9 Shifters/Rear Derraileur or Shimano XT Shifters/XT or XTR rear derraileur. I am about split between the two. However I would like to supposrt SRAM as Im not a fan of Shimano and how all their groups are doing that integrated crap. But my hangup on SRAM is that I may not like the new ergnomics. My shop will not be important any bikes with the new triggers so I dont ahve the option of trying them out. I'm afraid I wont be able to shift as fast as the shimano rapid fires, as I hear to downshift with the srams, you have to pull up as opposed to just pulling it back. The X.9 also looks cool. However, the long term reviews of the SRAM triggers has yet to be seen. I like shimano stuff however and have nothing against the stuff (except the new crap). The shimano stuff will be a little more in price, but I'm allowing my self to spend more on this bike as I want to make it light and durable.
What should I do?

Personally, I'd go for the XT RapidFire+ shifters and der. combo as they are a known quantity and can be had right now. By the time they wear out and need replacement and you will have no choice with Shimano's wholly integrated crap, the SRAM equipment will have been thoroughly put through their paces and maybe even improved to the point of being considered mature. Then you can make your move with more confidence.

I'd try the SRAM. I'm very happy with my XO setup.. its set it and forget it, unlike my other bike with Shimano shifting.

I've tried the X.9 shifters and did'nt like the ergonomics at all. Something just doesn't feel right about having to use yuor thumb for up and down shifts when it should be gripping the bar and providing control.

Also I think the XT shifters are smoother.

Oh and even if you don't like the new 'crap' Shimano stuff as you call (without actually trying it no doubt) the Rapid Fire+ shifters will be available for at least another 3-4years.
Shimano has'nt marketed 8 speed RF+ shifters for over 5 yrs but theyare still available. No doubt it wil be the same with the 9speed stuff.

Hey sorry for bashing shimano without trying it. I just don;t like the concept of requiring like Shimano Disc brakes with their shifters and whatnot. I like how SRAM makes their shifters available to use with shimano while shimano does not.

For now you don't have to run shimano brakes. You can still get non integrated brake/shifters. I am hoping that they will realize that an integrated system doesn't work for a lot of people for a lot of reasons and will offer both. Besides I use LX...I bought an XT deraileur (3$ more than lx) and can't tell a bit of difference in shifting quality so I probably would never go xt again :)

Originally posted by Maelstrom
I am hoping that they will realize that an integrated system doesn't work for a lot of people for a lot of reasons and will offer both.

Set the Wayback Machine to the year 1989... Shimano introduces STI for the MTB world with their RapidFire shifters featuring thumb-only activation and mounted in an underbar fashion. Shimano hails this as a revolution in shifting. Not everyone was convinced. One big criticism was that these shifters were integrated with the brake levers and that they were not independtly adjustable... or replacable. Fast forward two years and we see the introduction of RapidFire+. These shifters feature a trigger for a more ergonomic feel. Additionally, one could decouple the shifters from the brake levers and mount them in pods that were independently adjustable. As an even greater benefit, one could use other manufacturers brake levers like in the days of the thumbshifters. All was right in the world once again... well.. almost. I have a feeling Shimano will once again suffer from the backlash of the dual-control system. They're banking on the fact that they've got a strong position in the marketplace but I believe they'll see a replay of the criticism they saw in the early 1990s. I wonder if they will respond in the same manner. It will be extremely hard to design around the dual-control paradigm to allow a consumer to seperate the brake levers from the shifters and provide the same manner of functionality. They'd have to create an open-spec of licensable interface to allow brake lever manufacturers to graft their design into the system. The other option would be to continue offering RapidFire+ and the shifter pods for "legacy" installations. FWIW, I currently run integrated Shimano XTR shifters and brake levers (M952) and am quite happy with them despite my inability to independently adjust the shifters and brake levers. I feel that at the very high end I'm not giving up much by sticking with a pure Shimano control solution. However, on my wife's bike which has LX components, I think the use of LX shifters on pods combined with Avid levers provides better performance for the buck than an all-Shimano setup. I like options and I believe most MTBers do too. I think Shimano needs to understand this.

Well said Khuon. We can hope :)

Yea well said. I went with X.9, ordered the stuff today. Thanksf or the the help guys.