Jim311

I was railing around a corner on a downhill, so the wheel was cut pretty far to the right. I came upon a small stump, maybe an inch tall. The front tire slid into it sideways, which then threw the bars off enough for me to go about a foot to the right side, where my bars clipped a tree HARD and sent me flying. I hit a rotten tree which absolutely EXPLODED all over me. I had dirt up my NOSE in my mouth... everywhere. I fell hard on my chest on top of a log. It was a nasty crash.... shoulda been in some action video but unfortunately I was alone. The bars flipped around, bending the hell out of my left XTR lever, and tearing the cable out. So now I'm trying to justify whether it's worth buying another set of XTR levers for like 80 bucks, or going with something cheaper. The XTRs were at least 5 years old and just starting to show signs of wearing out. So I know the XTRs are a quality part... but so expensive! Do you guys think it's justifiable to buy another set, or go for something cheaper?

Maelstrom 

Sounds like a fun rip. Too bad no vid...definately one to show the girls

As for xtr levers, Why not look at XT or aven some Avid's (which offer more ability to set modulation). Either ones will do.

https://pricepoint.com/product2.html (man I might grab a set of these for any future bike.)
https://pricepoint.com/product1053.html (too much but just showing ya)
https://pricepoint.com/product307.html (xt's)

I personally would go with the first one. Tonnes of modulation and strength.

WorldIRC

Also try and look for a pair of the XTR levers from last year. Not the STI ones.

Jim311

I would have thought since Shimano introduced the new XTR line that the old line would have gone down in price since it's old technology, but what do I know

Jim311

I was actually considering the first ones, Maelstrom... looks like a good deal, and light. I saw a set of the Avid Ultimates on Ebay for super cheap though.. so if I can win the bid I'll be a happy man

DrGonzo

Man, sounds like the crash i had on friday only i didn't bust up my brake lever, just my brake/shifter cables! Mine got all chewed up and now it's time to buy new ones. Unfortunately with school just getting out in the next week i have no money, so it will be a summer project, i'm riding ghetto for now. Go with the Avid brake levers btw, i have Avids and they're great.

KevinG

When you get your new levers try this.
Wrap one layer of teflon tape around your bar where the brake levers and shift levers go. Then only tighten the clamp bolts on the shift and brake levers enough so that dont move during normal use. Leave them loose enough so that a medium to hard impact will cause them to rotate instead of bending.

Kevin

Chi

I love my Avid SD7s. Solid.

Maelstrom 

Great idea. And that also saves pinching the handlebars too

DiL

I second the motion for avids. I don't think it gets much better in a cable pull lever