Do shifters matter?

[GhostRider2]

Hey hubbers.

 

I have 2 bikes with XT rear derailleurs.

 

One bike has XT shifters and the movements between gears (rear) are clean, sharp, quick and crisp.

 

The other bike has SLX shifters and the shifting is nowhere near as crisp.

 

Is it the shifters? Could it be the chain, the cluster or something else.

 

Note that both bikes have been professionally serviced recently and this issue persists.

[ChUkKy]

Hey hubbers.

 

I have 2 bikes with XT rear derailleurs.

 

One bike has XT shifters and the movements between gears (rear) are clean, sharp, quick and crisp.

 

The other bike has SLX shifters and the shifting is nowhere near as crisp.

 

Is it the shifters? Could it be the chain, the cluster or something else.

 

Note that both bikes have been professionally serviced recently and this issue persists.

Shifters, I have XT on my bike and my other half has SLX on hers... noticable difference between them.

XT a lot smoother I find

[Tankman]

Do shifters matter?

 

 

No, they dont.

 

[Tankman]

They really don't

 

Edited August 22, 2012 by Tankman

[GhostRider2]

Shifters, I have XT on my bike and my other half has SLX on hers... noticable difference between them.

XT a lot smoother I find

 

Hmmmm ... thanks Sean

[GhostRider2]

No, they dont.

 

 

:clap:

 

Classic!

[Excite_Bike]

They really don't

 

 

Nice one! Up there with you!

[Squier]

I ride an XT setup with SLX shifters. My shifting is perfect.

 

I bought the bike with this setup and have never even considered upgrading the shifters as I haven't ever had any issues whatsoever. So, this is actually a very good question. How big an impact does your shifters really have, technically? Isn't your rear derailleur the most important aspect?

[Pieterg]

I was using the old LX on my gaint-CRAPppppppppppppppp.My new XT on my Merida is SupeRRrrrrrrrrrrrrr a big improvement!!!!

[MrJacques]

Something else to consider: continuous cable housing made a difference for me with my old setup. I don't know why they still put exposed cables on mountain bikes. They get dirty much quicker and will affect your shifting.

[MeridaHFS]

I ride with full XT groupset and shifting has been faultless since I got the bike(almost 2 yrs now), Rode a buddies Morewood at G-spot on sunday with SLX shifters and XT rear derailleur - moerse difference in shifting response/accuracy and feel. I agree with you on the shifters..

[Mojoman]

Something else to consider: continuous cable housing made a difference for me with my old setup. I don't know why they still put exposed cables on mountain bikes. They get dirty much quicker and will affect your shifting.

I have a XT RD and Deore FD and Deore shifters, they work fine, but when I fitted the continuous cable housing it made a huge difference.

[canfan]

Yes shifters makes a huge difference, but as some of the guys have already said, why use shifters if you can ride SS?

[Stretch]

I ride an XT setup with SLX shifters. My shifting is perfect.

 

I bought the bike with this setup and have never even considered upgrading the shifters as I haven't ever had any issues whatsoever. So, this is actually a very good question. How big an impact does your shifters really have, technically? Isn't your rear derailleur the most important aspect?

 

i went from slx to xx - shifters make a HUGE difference

[TheV]

i went from slx to xx - shifters make a HUGE difference

 

really?

 

you went from SLX shifters to XX shifters?

 

Or are you actually saying you went from SLX gruppo to XX, in which case the shifters comment is redundant because you changed an entire system.

[Stretch]

really?

 

you went from SLX shifters to XX shifters?

 

Or are you actually saying you went from SLX gruppo to XX, in which case the shifters comment is redundant because you changed an entire system.

ok lets put it this way - the xx shifter and r der combo is significantly smoother and quicker than the slx and xt r der combo