We have a bunch of Cues-equipped bikes at the shop--Trek Marlins and FX's--and they work alright. My present thought is that wide range cassettes are a big challenge to smooth operation of the Cues rear derailleurs. Especially when the Link Glide cassette cog shifting gates are more agrarian than supple. Deore is a huge improvement. I've seen a lot of internet buzz about "OMG Cues is soooo great" and it is my firm belief, from experience that the outgoing Shimano Alivio (M3100 generation) derailleur and shifter are far superior in shifter feel--the haptics are sublime--and shift action. Like others of this architecture (Altus, Claris, Sora, and other unsung and forgotten groups), with 7, 8, or 9 speeds, it is classic quality Shimano. I prefer Alivio's shift lever action and feel to Deore and better's 12-speed systems. Alivio's derailleur construction is also better--Cues I have found to have loose pins/joints everywhere. Lotta slop. I could go to a coop right now, dig in their "who cares" derailleur bin to find an early '90s RSX or RX100 or Deore LX rear derailleur, scratched up with use, yet with all joints perfectly tight and smooth to operate. In a world where wide-range cassettes require precise derailleur hanger alignment and minimal joint play in derailleur components--the world we live in right now--Cues is subpar, but works just well enough to get the job done for most people.