CWC Cycles

[WillemT]

CWC will probably not supply to other LBSs but it would've been cool, cause as far as know cool heat is the only shimano importer and like my LBS told me yesterday, they wish they could import but they're way to small!!! or just at least get another shimano supplier.

 

 

[APJ88]

I'll see if I can get a group tom. before the prices goes up again...

 

I love the styling of the SLX' date=' really looks nice! I'm starting to think about replacing my r der while i'm at it, but then again I probably don't need to... Just need the crank!!

[/quote']

 

the SLX cranksets in the UK are all on back order! for another 2 months, can you believe that!apparently their hydro brakes will also be very good quility

[WillemT]

looks like i'll have to hurry then before CWC run out of stock!!!!

[AndreZA]

SLX is just the rebranded LX as it, the LX, is moving to touring and city bikes.

 

 

[Mackem]

I have heard that J&J will not be bringing in any record or super record into the country because of fall in the rand!

[javadude]

 

I have heard that J&J will not be bringing in any record or super record into the country because of fall in the rand!

 

Well, with their markup they would be selling Super Record for over 40K, so they would rather sell us Chorus at the overseas Super Record price.

 

[WillemT]

SLX is just the rebranded LX as it' date=' the LX, is moving to touring and city bikes.

 

 

[/quote']

 

I would not really say that. It's a complete new groupset not just a rebranded one. The crank is lighter, derrailer construction is more like the xt, so it's completely redesigned.

The slyling of the SLX crank look better to me than the XT although it's some 35g heavier. The SLX seems to be about 30g or so lighter than the LX so clearly it's taken a spot between XT an LX. I'm also hoping it to be a bit stronger...

[AndreZA]

SLX is just the rebranded LX as it' date=' the LX, is moving to touring and city bikes.

 

 

[/quote']

 

I would not really say that. It's a complete new groupset not just a rebranded one. The crank is lighter, derrailer construction is more like the xt, so it's completely redesigned.

The slyling of the SLX crank look better to me than the XT although it's some 35g heavier. The SLX seems to be about 30g or so lighter than the LX so clearly it's taken a spot between XT an LX. I'm also hoping it to be a bit stronger...

 

LX does not fall in the MTB groupsets anymore. It's now for city and touring. So yes, SLX is "new" but it replaced LX.

 

from Bikeradar

 

http://mos.bikeradar.com/images/bikes-and-gear/components/groupset/road/CYP215.tested.lxpic4_prev-399-75.jpg 

With the launch of its new SLX mountain bike groupset, Shimano has repurposed the Deore LX collection as city bike components.It?s quite a departure for the Deore LX label, and functionally and ergonomically the individual components are a success.

Additions such as a front hub dynamo, compact triple and integrated levers firmly position it as a road/touring groupset and it?s a bit difficult to divorce the new components from what your preconceptions of what Shimano Deore LX gear should look like.

The changes have obviously been thought through, though, and it?s easy to see the reasoning behind them. Shimano is clearly convinced that the urban and commuting markets will continue to expand, and manufacturers will no doubt be glad of an off-the-peg solution to speccing these bikes, which are often quite mix-and-match in their components.

Our only criticism is that price-wise, it?s a bit expensive for the big sellers in the category, such as the Specialized Sirrus Comp and Trek 7.5FX, and perhaps not sleek enough in its looks to be an ideal fit for ?800-?1,000 urban machines.

Will we be seeing a budget version too? Perhaps STX will eventually be reincarnated.

Let?s take a look at the individual parts.

Chainset: bigger gears, sleek lines

One of the most obvious changes from 2008 is the adoption of a more road-friendly 48/36/26 triple in the ?119.99 chainset in addition to the standard 44/32/22 mountain bike unit.

The look is a bit more sinewy and organic than last year?s very functional lines, and the polished silver finish is more high street than high places.

The chainset uses the same two-piece construction and outboard bearing set-up as other Hollowtech II units. At 920g it?s a middleweight, as you?d expect ? Shimano claims to have shaved a couple of hundred grams off the groupset as a whole.

Shifting performance is excellent, and the gear range with the recommended 11-28-tooth cassette is just right for most urban and touring duties. You can also fit an 11-32, but 11-34 isn?t recommended because the new shorter cage rear mech might struggle.

Both chainsets come fitted with a plastic guard, which is easy to remove if you prefer clean lines and dirty trousers.

Rapidfire shifter/brake lever: long levers, nice feel

http://mos.bikeradar.com/images/bikes-and-gear/components/groupset/road/CYP215.tested.lxpic1_prev-500-90-500-70.jpg

Aimed squarely at flat-bar road applications, the  ?74.99 integrated shifter/brake units pull cassette-equipped V-brakes and new front and rear derailleurs.

The levers and shifters are also available as separate units, and there?s a hydraulic disc option too.

The first thing you notice is the size. The big, clear gear displays and four-finger levers mark this out as tarmac gear, and the look is more about-town Nexave than flashy XTR.

The shifters have a light action and feature the excellent two-way release from last year?s LX, which allows you to upshift either by pulling the release lever or tapping it with your thumb, which is often easier and soon becomes intuitive.

The long levers won?t be to everyone?s taste but they?re comfy, give plenty of feel, and they work effortlessly in tandem with the V-brakes, which appear to have had a cosmetic makeover but not much else.

We didn?t try the hydraulic option but the integrated levers also worked pretty well with Shimano Tiagra R505 mechanical discs, even though the cable pull is longer than a road lever.

Derailleurs: Shimano?s usual excellent shifting

http://mos.bikeradar.com/images/bikes-and-gear/components/groupset/road/CYP215.tested.lxpic2_prev-500-90-500-70.jpg

The ?44.99 rear derailleur has a slightly shorter cage for 2009, reflecting the shift to 11-28 as the standard cassette. It also scores an alloy inner plate, which helps to drop the weight a bit; at 269g it?s about 15g lighter than last year?s unit.

The ?24.99 front mech is available in top and down swing configurations (the pivot is above the clamp on a top swing mech, and below the clamp on a down swing), and both are designed to work with either size of chainset.

Certainly there were no setup issues getting the down swing mech and the 48/36/26 chainset working together, though we didn?t try the other combinations available.

 

Mampara2008-10-24 02:15:20

[WillemT]

Ok I understand what you meant with rebranded now. I think that the SLX group is much better and closer to the XT than the LX were....

[LazyTrailRider]

SLX is just the rebranded LX as it' date=' the LX, is moving to touring and city bikes.

 

 

[/quote']

 

I would not really say that. It's a complete new groupset not just a rebranded one. The crank is lighter, derrailer construction is more like the xt, so it's completely redesigned.

The slyling of the SLX crank look better to me than the XT although it's some 35g heavier. The SLX seems to be about 30g or so lighter than the LX so clearly it's taken a spot between XT an LX. I'm also hoping it to be a bit stronger...

 

OK, so here's a quick mini-review of SLX performance that I've experienced over the last 2 weeks (1 road ride, 2 MTB rides, 1 30km MTB race), bearing in mind that I upgraded from LX:

Shifters: Pronouncedly more crisp than LX. According to several sources, they in fact use 2008 XT internals. Nice loud clicking action.

Front derailleur: Moves very solidly, seems like uprated spring tension is the source. As a result, shifting to smaller blades is more consistent.

Rear derailleur: Unfortunately can't comment, mine is still boxed, as I kept my 2008 XT Shadow, which from casual observation is better constructed (SLX uses a cheap-looking stamped cage, where XT is machined).

Brakes: Wow. Servo-wave puts them in a different class to the outgoing LX, and the lever pivots are rock solid. Also, the lever shape is more angled, which combined with the easy reach adjustment makes perfect ergonomically sound setup a snap. Powerful, with awesome modulation, even though servo-wave creates a slightly mushy feel. Highly recommended.

Cranks: Quite difficult to tell the difference functionally (and to be honest, I'd love to see a blindfolded comparison test conducted by the average rider or even racer). That being said, they're only 40g heavier than XT, they turn like they're supposed to, and they look good.

All in all, I'm very happy - thumbs up!

[PeterM]

do u guys think the rands gonna improve soon?

 

Yes, i think it will find it's range between 9 - 10 ZAR to the US$ fairly soon. Will take some time before we can see a 6,70 : 1 again...

 

But the ZAR will tip a few times:

- when Trevor M resigns, which will be soon

- our elections

- Zuma's court case (or lack of it)

- .....