Mountain Biking - Deore LX shifters: two models that shift differently?

I have 2 sets of Deore LX shifters, one set on a Giant Anthem and the other set on a Trek 4300.

On the Giant, the lower shifter pod is to shift to an easier gear.

On the Trek, the lower shifter pod is to shift to an harder gear.

How can this be? Both same brand and model, but the pods are inversed.

Could someone kindly shed some light on this?

You may have different derailuers

You may have different derailuers

I do, XT (had an SLX before that shifted in the same manner) and Deore LX.

I think they made a reverse pull option?

The mechanics forum will be of more help.

Fair enough, I'll post there. Thanks

Someone here will know. You'll just have to give it a few hours until someone more knowledgeable sees your thread.

I think they made a reverse pull option?

The mechanics forum will be of more help.

You were correct, there are high and low versions of derailleurs.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/789258-Deore-LX-shifters-two-models-that-shift-differently?p=13652390#post13652390

I am both impressed and scared by the people who memorize these sorts of things. Also thankful.

I guess they could be bike mechanics who after working on bikes for 40+ hours a week, go to a forum to talk about fixing obscure bike problems. Amazing.

I am both impressed and scared by the people who memorize these sorts of things. Also thankful.

I guess they could be bike mechanics who after working on bikes for 40+ hours a week, go to a forum to talk about fixing obscure bike problems. Amazing.

Machinists are known to be somewhat obsessed with their craft, as well; sorry if guys like me scare you, but it's an ongoing fascination.

The answer is yes, there are different derailleurs, nowadays called high-normal and low-normal. Low-normal used to be called RapidRise, and they were just as pukey then as now. They only benefit XC racer-boys who need to downshift three gears at a time.

I have ONE thing in common with Lance Armstrong -- we both believe, and will say, that the bike is the greatest thing ever invented. (I'd LIKE to have one other thing in common, but nobody's got millions of $$ laying around that they're willing to hand me....) That's the kind of mindset that spawns this.

Yup...rapidrise = crap. You can change it to something normal when you break it or wear it out.

Yup...rapidrise = crap. You can change it to something normal when you break it or wear it out.

That said if any body is looking to unload a rapid rise RD I am interested. Especially if it is a medium or short cage.

That said if any body is looking to unload a rapid rise RD I am interested. Especially if it is a medium or short cage.

From what the guys described above, I have a rapid rise RD in a Deore LX. The top shifter moves you to a larger cog, and the bottom moves you to a smaller cog.
It's used but works great. Do you have a low rise derailleur you'd like to trade it for?

What do you mean by Top and Bottom? Thumb and index finger? Because if your thumb moves to a larger cog in back, that's the normal one. It means your RD is on the smallest cog by default, and when you pull the cable it moves up a cog.

The rapid rise RD, when you use your thumb it moves down a cog, meaning that the default setting for that RD is at the top cog, so when you release cable (by using your index finger switch) the RD 'rises'.

What do you mean by Top and Bottom? Thumb and index finger? Because if your thumb moves to a larger cog in back, that's the normal one. It means your RD is on the smallest cog by default, and when you pull the cable it moves up a cog.

The rapid rise RD, when you use your thumb it moves down a cog, meaning that the default setting for that RD is at the top cog, so when you release cable (by using your index finger switch) the RD 'rises'.

For mine, the thumb shifter moves the chain to a lower gear, ie. 12 to 14 to 16 teeth, etc.

That's the normal shifting one. A rapid rise one would have the thumb moving you down a cog, to a higher gear, ie 32 to 30 to 28 etc.

I thought there were rapid rise shifters also... could be wrong on that one.