Mountain Biking - anybody using the new XTR lever shifters?

My old XT rapid fires are nearly worn out, the ones I'm using on my race bike have been through 4 bikes now. I have an extra set of SRAM grip shifters that I might use but those new XTR lever shifters look like a sweet idea. Anybody using these or know someone who uses them? I'll be using the v brake version... Kinda steep at $275 but maybe worth it...

You can still order xt rapidfire. I did it recently for my wifes bike.

I will not use the lever/shifter/brake combo's.

are you talking about this one?. Looks pretty weird to me. I think ill still stick with the original rapid fire as long as they make them.

Last year, when outfitting a bike, I was in a similar situation. I was really agonizing with this decision. The STI-type XTR shifter/brake levers were just out, but the XT were still the old rapid-fire type. In the end, I decided to get a pair of the 2002 XTR rapid-fire shifters, and I'm very happy with them. I just like this way of shifting better, and also wanted Hayes discs – so the new stuff wasn’t going to work for me.

Having said that, a guy I ride with is using the new XTR stuff, and he likes it - so it seems to be more of a user preference. However, in theory, the rapid-fire stuff will eventually be gone from the Shimano lineup. At least that's their plan - we shall see.

Good luck with your choice. I would recommend @ least a test ride on a bike equipped with the new shifter/brake levers before plunking down your cash, though!

mindbogger - yes, that's the one. It's the mtb version of the roadie brake lever shifters.

bac - good idea, I've just not run across anybody who uses them yet. For that matter, I haven't even read a report on any of the forums about them, maybe I'll go over to mtbr and see if anyone has anything to say.

The rapid fires work well, I'm just getting old and my thumb gets really sore after a big ride. Lately it seems like it is staying sore so I'm trying to avoid having yet another boo-boo to contend with for the rest of my life :)

Thanks...

The rapid fires work well, I'm just getting old and my thumb gets really sore after a big ride. Lately it seems like it is staying sore so I'm trying to avoid having yet another boo-boo to contend with for the rest of my life :)



in that case...go single speed! Maybe in a couple years, everyone will catch on to the craze of this new system and you can proundly say that you have had this fra while :D

I had the opportunity to ride a fuel 100 with full XTR in december. It was a gorgeous bike, full carbon fiber, and fairly bob-free. I was at first a bit apprehensive about the shifters, because, I figured that my hands don't really go up that far. boy was I surprised. the upstroke on the shifter is SO short, it is almost an instant shift. the downstroke was smooth too, but a bit longer though.

all together, i probably rode it for about 30 minutes, mostly though fields, not real technical trails becuase the trails had been closed because of the recent rain. 6'' of standing water make for a messed up trail if people ride it. I was pleased though, and I think it is was good system. not sure about durablity, but it was a demo bike, and I'm sure that people have threashed it a fair amount in its lifetime.

Shimano is attempting to put hydro disc manufacturers out of business..If people don't want to run shimano discs, then they'll have to use the SRAM triggers...oh the beauty of it all, either the combo is a blessing or a curse for Shimano. I personally think it's the latter, but hey...

Blue thunder, i think he was asking if anyone had used the XTR shifters. have you? I REALLY don't want to get into the whole shimano mountian STI argument again. I'm not gonna post in this thread anymore, except to reply to questions about my own personal experience with the sti shifters.

Lol, yeah, I've used them, they're pretty nice, but I'd much rather have SRAM triggers with an X.0 rear D and my own choice of brakes ;)

I have used the flippy shifters. They suck, period. Interesting idea and may be useful for pure xc but anything technical and they stink. That and they are damn expensive to fix / replace, which on a mtb is likely to happen.

I have used the flippy shifters. They suck, period. Interesting idea and may be useful for pure xc but anything technical and they stink. That and they are damn expensive to fix / replace, which on a mtb is likely to happen.

I wondered about that too, I thought their weak place might be in rough stuff. I'll probably hang onto these old XT rapid fires either until they quit or just before my opposable thumb stops being opposable :)

How about XTR rapid fires, are they any easier to push or do they at least have a shorter throw than XT? That would be a big help if they just didn't have such a long throw.

How about XTR rapid fires, are they any easier to push or do they at least have a shorter throw than XT? That would be a big help if they just didn't have such a long throw.

I have 2000 XTR RF shifters (they might be even 1999) which I believe are the same design as 2002. I didn't think they changed the shifter design much since they went to 9sp. Anyways, I don't know how they compare to XT but they seem to have a little shorter throw than the 2001 LX shifters on my wife's bike.

I wondered about that too, I thought their weak place might be in rough stuff. I'll probably hang onto these old XT rapid fires either until they quit or just before my opposable thumb stops being opposable :)

How about XTR rapid fires, are they any easier to push or do they at least have a shorter throw than XT? That would be a big help if they just didn't have such a long throw.

Can't answer that one. I won't buy xtr parts. I generally stick to lx or xt tops...and soon to be sram if they get enough support up here.

I have the new XTR setup and I love the levers. I took off the little downshift paddles-they are just for people getting weened off the old method.

The shifting is great- light and fast shifts, breaking is great on the XTR discs. It's a good setup, I like it very much.

I have the new XTR setup and I love the levers. I took off the little downshift paddles-they are just for people getting weened off the old method.

The shifting is great- light and fast shifts, breaking is great on the XTR discs. It's a good setup, I like it very much.

RacerX - have you ever had any trouble with mis-shifts, like when going down a real steep technical downhill while braking?

breaking is great on the XTR discs.

I gather that was a typo... :p

hehe, BRAKING is great on XTR discs!

No problems with technical descents. The shifting is actually fast and easy. I can't say it's faster but I feel like it's faster.
For me, it's faster than old XTR pods and seems just as fast as Gripshift except more comfortable.

You only need the levers for braking, up/down shifts so it makes everything really intuitive. You unscrew and throw away those stupid downshift levers after one ride--they are only there for people transitioning off old XTR/XT

I like the fact the handlebars are cleaned up and really simple--but that is more of an aesthetic thing. Still it makes the bike look sharp.

No, I can't say there is any downside to the shifters at all.

As to the durability in a crash? I don't know. To be honest, I have them angled down as a matter of preference and it would be fairly hard to crunch them.

I am a XC rider so I don't know how they would survive a freerider's bike but that's what their beefier line is for.

I went ahead and sprang for the lever shifters, I wanted to get a few rides in before I posted. I'm using the V brake version. They work great, so far I have several rides on them, including a couple technical rocky trail rides and so far zero false shifts. All my thumb and wrist pain is gone too. It took one long ride to get the hang of them, and a couple good rides for them to feel second nature.

They are expensive though, if I were not having pain from the pod shifters I don't think they would be worth the high cost. If you want these I reccomend waiting for the XT version or at least wait until the price drops a little. If you do mostly downhill I think they might not be so good but for XC they are great...