Anyone have any opinions on the new X-Generation front derailleur from SRAM? Has anyone seen it up close? It sure is nice to finally have a viable front shifting option other than Shimano.

http://www.sram.com/_media/images/co...lver-front.jpg
http://www.sram.com/_media/images/co...-front-der.jpg

I knew they were developing a front deraillieur, but didn't know it was to be released this quickly. I'm usually very good posting the new offerings of makers that I use before anyone, thumbs up to you Khuon for beating me to this.:thumbs:

That made two now that I was beat to.

Dammit, I just bought an XT front derailleur, too.

Hmmmmm...sexy. No opinions. I haven't seen or heard of anything.

Sod it!

I just bought an XTR front mech! I have X.O all round. Just the front mech ruins the setup.

Damn!

This new Ft mech better be damn good if it is going to replace the xtr 952 front derailleur in my estimation. And I don't see any differential swing plates in that pic. Despite their mystique, front derailleurs are quite simple objects. They slap the chain from one ring to another. So unless it is particularlly special, I think the footmen can discontinue their fanfare.

Yeah, that's the only thing. I really like the FD-M952's diff-plates. It really does make a difference. I can possibly see SRAM's new FDs being superior to Shimano's other derailleurs but it's going to be hard to beat the M952, in terms of shifting performance, IMHO. However, notice that Shimano dropped diff-plate design from XTR. It looks like they've abandoned the technology. I wonder why that is.

Maybe we just like the fact sram has a front and you can now run ALL sram front to back?

I agree. Options are always a good thing.

Holy Crack Babies! ^_^ I am about to get a bike and I ordered an XT front. But now I bet I can change it!