Originally Posted by mtb-chop
Hmmmm, my XT rear derailleur doesn't hit the chainstay on my Stumpjumper...in fact, it isn't even close.
Same here on my Enduro...
Originally Posted by mtb-chop
A properly adjusted derailleur, with a clean (relatively), and well-lubed drivetrain will shift great. One other variable is the cables. Old, dirty cables will shift like crap. People have their preferences, but mine are the Avid Flak Jackets - fully sealed with a great compressionless housing. I've had no problems with mud or ghost shifting.
I vote Shimano with a quality set of sealed cables.
Excellent points on the cable!
I have a MTB buddy that always complained about how sh*tty his bike shifted. He could never get it to shift correctly so he was doing the "old 2 shifts up & 1 down" to get to the next gear. I finally had him bring his bike over (with a 6-pack of course)
and we went through it. His RD cable was severly rusted and the housing was so packed with mud that the cable barely moved. I replaced his cable & housing and he was floored to how easy & precise it shifted.
T.J.