I've had the early low-normal (XTR) and never found that to be the case. The derailer hesitated during downshifts under load just like a front derailer will hesitate...and sometimes not shift...when shifting to the lowest range. To downshift under pressure, you are relying on the spring to move the derailer to the lower gear while in a high normal derailer you are dragging the chain up onto the larger diameter cog. You can put as much pressure on the cable as you like to make it shift. You can't put pressure on the spring to force it to shift. Essentially you have to wait until you ease off on pedal pressure...which will happen sooner or later.