XTR vs LT Shifters and Front Derailer
 

Hi All

Have an 07 stumpjumper and not overly impressed with the LX shifters that come with the bike. If i upgrade to the M970 shifters and XTR front derailer will i see much improvement. LBS told me not to go to the SRAM shifters as i would have to change to much on the bike. They also said that i would probably not see much difference in the LX to XTR change in shifters or derailer. Any information here would be greatly appreciated.

I have the same bike. I'd dump the porky HG 50 cassette first if I we're you. I orginally was going to change the shifters to XT, like I have on another bike but never did. The bike shifts well enough for me, especially since I put a Sram 990 cassette. So far: new wheels, tires, pedals, handle bars, stem, grips, seatpost, chain, cassette, to get it the way I like it. But I like swapping parts. To go Sram shifters you would need to go sram rear der. Great bike though, huh?

Are you planning on upgrading both your FD and shifters? If so there is no reason to rule out SRAM as to upgrade to SRAM shifters you need to upgrade the FD as well (unless using their 1:1 trigger shifters) so if you are already doing that it won't as your LBS says "have to change to much on the bike". Unless I am reading that wrong.

Nitro is correct. If you only get the front der. shifter you can go sram. If however you are buying a set of shifters, i.e. front and back, then if you get sram you'd have to get a sram rear der. also.

I think Specialized put components on the bike where it mattered, with the exception of the xtr rear. xtr rear was purely for marketing purposes. Doubt there is any functional difference between lx shifters & xtr shifters except weight & finish quality. Personally I also think that the Deore cassette is the same as the others too, except for weight due to steel vs alu parts.

My 06 shifts fine in the rear in all instances. The front fine except under load, where nothing will shift properly anyway.

Shifting performance is at least 90% setup.

I can't say from experience but I do believe there is quite a bit of difference functionally. With XTR you get 2-way release, ie index or thumb, and the shifting happens instantly as opposed to after letting go of the release trigger. FWIW, my LX shifters have been great but I do plan on going with the new XT's in the future.

People seem to always forget that SRAM has TWO lines of shifters. Ones that work with a SRAM rear derailer and one that works with shimano's 2:1 ratio

SRAM Attack for the win:

http://www.sram.com/en/srammountain/...gershifter.php


Honestly, you can upgrade the front and rear derailer to Sram X.9 for about $150 or less if you buy the parts online.

LX does have functional differences in XTR but I've used XT, LX and XTR and they all work well.

With that said, I now have SRAM on both my MTB.

Hmm...My 07 stumpjumper came with SRAM.

Your bike shop sounds like a bunch of dorks. The cost of X.9 front and rear derailer and X.9 pods would probably be less than the XTR pods.

I appreciate the info all...Victim, why would you switch out the cassette, doesnt the specialized come with a good one. I recently tested a newer stumpy, that used the brain not that makes difference here, that had the rapid fire shifters...i think the shifting is far smoothier. My problem is that starting mountain biking last year after coming off several surgeries I use the three ranges the front derailer has to offer...yes the dreaded granny i am told...i ride single track trails in the Rockies and it seems like i have to press the lever and wait a sec for it to catch...this can be kinda distracting which isnt conducive for the trails i ride on. I have a maintenance plan with LBS and they informed me the front is about as tooned as it is going to get. Informed a friend who has done it a while and he said definitely go rapid fire or sram x if i felt that the LX was a hinderance.

I am also lookin for any other advice...like the cassette....what benefits would i see there. My first year my endurance really improved...hopefully i can recoup that after this winter we have had...if i do i want to start playing a little wilder on some of these trails...so any recommended improvements...personal likes that you dont mind sharing or anything i can do to improve my bikes handling (which so far has seemed pretty impressive to me) please share...thanks again

You have a rapid fire set up now. Like someone else said, I am suspecting of you LBS's compentecy. I think XT and XTR shifts a little crisper, but not much. And on a road bike the granny is dreaded and mocked, but on a MTB it's your best buddy. I think you like real crisp shifting so for you I would recommend XT, i think it is the best blend of price and performance from Shimano. You already have an XTR (top of line) rear der so your all set there. Nice set up IMO.

Cassette question: You can shave a half to three quarters of a pound for around 90 bucks. Hg 50 cassette is not top quality at all. Sram 990, or Xt or XTR. I tried to find an XTR on Ebay for awhile but I refuse to pay 200+ for one, but those are real light. It's a great bike but it can be made better. I preferred the Triad over the Brain, but I am in the minorty there.

Oh and one more thing, it sounds like your FD is not tuned right. Maybe use the Park site to double check it. It should not really have to "catch". Really it should shift similar to your road bike, mine does. Nice road bike BTW. Good luck.

Sometimes a cheap crank will shift slow in the front. Honestly, I see more people trying to hammer on power while shifting that causes more problems. That easing up slightly during the shift really helps.

I seldom ever use granny even climbing 20% stuff with a MTB cassette but I've been using an ultegra 12-27 lately on my HT.

His bike has XT cranks. Do people who ride more than than a few times a year try to shift under heavy loading? You would think common sense and feel would prevent this. Sounds like your a strong rider, but I still love my granny for the techy stuff.

Well i got the XTR rapid fire shifters and an XTR front derailer. When into bike shop to have them put it on...was lookin at a XT Deloare cassette they wanted $99 for. Come home and found the same one in mag for $58. Ordered a SRAM 990 for $88. Should be here in a week and have them slap it on. Doubt that i will notice much difference but when the bike shop brought out the one I had (HG 50) an the Deloare XT...you actually could feel a difference when you pick them up and then the machining of the two were night and day. What the hay...its only money and is now my hobby...might as well go for it. Hope the SRAM 990 is a good as that XT...by the way a XTR cassette was like $315...couldnt justify that one.

Sounds good. When you get some miles a report stating how much difference you notice and if you think it was worth it would be cool.