Question about Shimano XTR Dual Control Hydraulic Brake & Shifters

[janneman72]

I'm riding with a SRAM groupset on my one mtb and shimano on the the other but on both the brake levers are seperate from the shifters.

 

I bought a 2nd hand mtb which came with Shimano XTR Dual Control Hydraulic Brakes & Shifters and because I don't need them I've placed it in the classified section of theHub.

 

My question is that personally I've never ridden with dual controls but why are there no interest in them, if I understand correctly they cost new around R5000/set, I've costed it for R1500 for the set and still no interest.

 

Whats the story/issue/problem around them and why are they not popular? I've ridden with Danny Fowler once and he rides with dual controls, one of the best mtb'ers in the country?

[seven]

I used XT dual control on previous bike, loved it.

 

If it was 10 speed I might have been interested...

[brad890]

could be the fact that they 9 speed? all the bikes that come out now are 10 speed so thats maybe why?

[seven]

Jip

[Sepia]

I have them on both of my bikes and would never change. They work for me. I guess it is what you are used to. One downside is if you fall you break both your brakes and your shifter.

Good question though. Will see what the general consensus is.

[carbon29er]

While I thought they were absolutely great and so easy to use, the market disagreed completely and they were a sales flop for Shimano.

 

I loved the tap up or down on the brake lever to change gear, in fact, it's taken me years to get out of the habit.

[janneman72]

Thanks guys. So what is your recommendation on them? Must I keep them for perhaps another bike later, or what is a decent price. I totally agree on the 3x9 which is a bit outdated for some of us, I'm riding 1x11 myself but thought that there might be some guys still wanting to upgrade their 3x9's.

 

The gears are really light and in an awesome condition, I just wish I could use them...

[Shebeen]

I'm still 9 speed, last year went from v brakes to discs and looked at this option, was worried about spares.I've seen the shifter for cheaper on crc

[Flowta]

I'm still 9 speed, last year went from v brakes to discs and looked at this option, was worried about spares.I've seen the shifter for cheaper on crc

 

Still got thumbshifters on my one bike

[Tumbleweed]

I could never get used to them, and seemed to make too many unintentional shifts under braking.

[Headshot]

I could never get used to them, and seemed to make too many unintentional shifts under braking.

 

thats werid - used them for 7 years in XT 9 spd form and never had this problem. I am however enjoying my new slx shorty levers - braking is way better than the 05 XTs. I do miss the rapid ride rear der tho - another brilliant Shimano invention that never caught on...

[GoLefty!!]

I'm riding with a SRAM groupset on my one mtb and shimano on the the other but on both the brake levers are seperate from the shifters.

 

I bought a 2nd hand mtb which came with Shimano XTR Dual Control Hydraulic Brakes & Shifters and because I don't need them I've placed it in the classified section of theHub.

 

My question is that personally I've never ridden with dual controls but why are there no interest in them, if I understand correctly they cost new around R5000/set, I've costed it for R1500 for the set and still no interest.

 

Whats the story/issue/problem around them and why are they not popular? I've ridden with Danny Fowler once and he rides with dual controls, one of the best mtb'ers in the country?

 

 

A lot of the sentiment toward components is driven by the US market. They're stupid people with a serious case of not invented here syndrome.

The big issue with Dual control started with the Shimano M965 XTR groupset, also known as XTR 2003. When launched it features many innovations that many journalists felt were a bridge too far.

Proprietry chainrings with Bolt circle diameter unique to XTR (not new since M950 featured a similar concept but executed differently),

The DUal control

coupled to Rapid Rise or Low normal rear derailleurs.

 

From the get go Dual COntrol with Rapid rise had a distinct advantage in rapid, smooth and precise downshifts. But you had to learn to flip the lever upward while braking. Immediately those people with learning disabilities jumped onto the forums proclaiming Dual control a failure and rapid rise the devil's child. SOme of us found the combo to be the best thing since sliced bread but we were definately in the minority. Those who persevered learned to brake and up shift or downshift simultaneously and found better chain life a pleasant side effect - the rapid rise rear derailleur would make the downshift only when the cassettte ramp caught the chain where with top normal derailleurs the rider can force the downshift (to a bigger sprocket) which has negative consequences for chain life and sprocket life.

Eventually in the US the Anti Dual control evangelists got their way and Dual control found itself being moved sideways for a new trigger shifters when M970 was launched in 2007. today its hardly even mentioned and probably 50% of riders who pay stupid money to ride "That" race don't even know what DUAL CONTROl or Rapid Rise is and are poorer for it. But as they say, you can't miss what you don't have ....

 

Good luck getting the Dual Controls sold. Stupidity and near sightedness has effectively killed the market for that superb product

[Hairy]

I had a lx version that had seen 7-8 years loyal service and the rhs set finally broke a month or so ago.......with many many thousands of km covered.

 

My only negative comment about the system I had was that the shifts/brake lever body is a bit chunky.

 

I do how ever like that with convensional shifters you can chose to up grade or change brake levers or shifters independently of eachother.

[Tumbleweed]

thats werid - used them for 7 years in XT 9 spd form and never had this problem. I am however enjoying my new slx shorty levers - braking is way better than the 05 XTs. I do miss the rapid ride rear der tho - another brilliant Shimano invention that never caught on...

 

Ja, I guess it's a choice thing. I struggled with Rapid Rise at first too. Hahahaha!

[NotSoBigBen]

Ja, I guess it's a choice thing. I struggled with Rapid Rise at first too. Hahahaha!

 

Rapid Rise is OK if you only have one bike or all your bikes have it ......

[janneman72]

Thanks for the real feedback GoLefty! That really explains a lot then. Perhaps I should keep them and buod them to another bike when the time comes, they seem to have more value on a bike than on the hub.