Hi - I'm new to the forum and have started biking for the summer. I'm riding a ~1991 GT Talera that I bought new many years ago. I'm enjoying the riding and plan to continue indefinitely and am considering upgrading to a new Hybrid.

Based on the miles I've put on this summer, I'm pretty certain I want slicker tires, front suspension, and more comfortable handlebars (flat bar, but need more sweep). Rather than invest in those on my current bike, I may just get a new bike. My question for you folks is, am I going to see a noticeable difference in shifting, drive, or anything else relevant between the families (Shimano in this case) of derailleurs?

I ride only on the road - no trails. My bike has Shimano Exage 300LX components and they shift pretty cleanly. From what I've researched on line, they seem to be equivalent to Alivio. I do plan on riding at the bike shop, but I don't expect a short ride in a flat parking lot to tell me the whole story on a Deore or SLX system. Are they worth the $ and will I notice any difference?

Thanks.
Rich

Good ol x00LX. Pre Rapidfire Plus, 7 sp, cantilevers, 110 bcd. I remember those.

The biggest advances in componentry since then have been in primarily in suspension (stiffness, quality of travel) and brakes (V-brakes, then disks)

Regarding drivetrains - there is rapidfire plus, more clicks in the rear, and much better front shifting. I would put better front shifting as the best drivetrain improvement - a modern triple SLX shifts better than 900 XTR. Cables have also gotten much better. Hollowtech II is light and stiff, but durability has yet to be tested. Clutch derailleurs eliminate chain slap and increase chain retention.

More clicks in the rear has allowed for 2x and 1x chainring setups

Once you get to modern day Deore level, you'll be good to go. That's more than most will need/want. I'm running XT FD/RD and XTR shifters. It shifts like butter. But, that's not the whole story. The cassette does make a difference and so do the chainrings. The higher up the line you go, the better the ramping becomes on those components. It'll allow the chain to move up and down the gears easier. Then there is the chain. Cheapo chains will work just fine, but the better the chain, then the better the shifts...and perhaps less noise.

I run a SRAM Powerglide (spider) cassette, XTR/DuraAce chain. My current setup shifts very smoothly and if you hate noise like I do, then this kind of setup will do quite nicely.

I'll add that on my partner's Trek FX 7.4, it has a mix of Alivio and Deore components along with the stock all steel cassette and a KMC X9 chain. It shifts ok but it's a noisy setup. Riding my bike back to back with his and you can tell the difference. However, if you never get on a bike with higher end components, you may never know the difference.

Doing a quick search on the RD. An alivio would cost you ~$18 on ebay. A deore would cost ~$40 - $50. But you add up all the parts and it turns into some real dough. My suggestion? Go ride a few bikes with lower end components then ride one with higher end components and see if you can tell. You may or may not be able to. My partner has done a test ride on mine after riding his and he tells me that he can tell a slight difference, but it's not worth it to him to upgrade his parts.

On my MTB, I have a frankenstein setup wth Sram XO and XTR mix and match. It works great. I can tell that it shifts smoother than my XT stuff. But the step from XT to XTR is pretty big.

Thank you guys. I'll see how the test rides go. I'm looking at the Trek DS 8.6 and the Crosstrail Comp Disc. Wish me luck.

I rode a little at my bike shop this weekend. The highest end components I tried were SLX RD on a 2014 Trek DS 8.5. I tried to exercise both derailleurs as much as possible and I didn't notice much difference at all between that and my 20 year old components. In fact, they were quite a bit louder too. Maybe not lubricated yet.
I understand my ability to really put them thru their paces is limited on a test ride. But I didn't see the seamless shifting or value to drop over $1K. And believe me, I was looking for every excuse to get a new bike.
I liked the front suspension but, after all my research, was surprised at the lack of difference in shifting between a new SLX and my old 300LX.

If you are only going to ride pavement, you really don't want suspension.'

Personally, I'd keep the bike you have and maybe put on some different bars & tires.
Maybe a different cassette might give you more useful gears??

If you don't notice a difference, then don't spend the dough. It'll be a combo of all the components together. A single RD change won't make any changes perceptible. If you have a buddy with nice components ride it and then ride the one with the lower grade stuff. FD and RD are dumb. They react to the shifters. If you have better shifters and mechs, then the shifting will be smoother. Also, you can't discount the cassette and chainset. Better stuff will be ramped more aggressively and will allow for smoother shifts. Like I said before, all of it combined together make the difference. But a single part here and there won't amount to a whole hill of beans.

If I were you, I'd ride a bike that I like in your price range and then change parts as you ride more and the parts wear out. As long as you're out on your bike, just enjoy the ride

Shifters make more of a difference in shifting smoothness and speed. More than likely, the bikes you tested had midling shifters. Once you get to R780 or Deore XT or better shifters, you will appreciate the improvement.

Thanks a lot for the feedback. I'll try to test ride some higher end shifters. Until then, I put in the order for slicker tires and some more comfortable handlebars and plan on riding the Talera until the wheels fall off and I HAVE to buy a new bike.

You sir have made my day. So many people come onto this forum, ask questions about a bike they liked at the shop, and get steered towards all sorts of unnoticable upgrades or brands or materials that wouldn't make much of a difference at all (except to confuse and to cost more). You saw right through it. Sure there is improvement to be had in the newer bikes and technology, but only up to a point. After that its just buckets of cash in someone elses pocket.