A few years ago, when I worked in a bike shop, I bought some XTR stuff cos I got a big discount on it. M952 rear mech and shifters. I still have them, and the shifters in particular have outlasted XT and Deore ones on other bikes. Actually, the XT ones were a bit crap imo and not as good as Deore!
I dunno. I think the M950 stuff lasted really well, not so sure about more recent revisions. I think when these shifters do eventually die, I’d replace them with XTR again, cos I’d assume the XTR stuff is stronger and more robust than the cheaper bits. Deore and XT mechs don’t last as long as my XTR mech.
So for me it’s about buying stuff that does the job and lasts, and if it means XTR is actually ‘better’, then I’ll cough up for that. If, like Binners, I coon’t actually ride my bike propply and fell off all the time bashing stuff, then I’d probbly just buy Tourney. As regular replacement of anything more spensive would be an utter waste of money.
Front mechs though; I still have the original LX one what came with the bike and is now 10 years old. 🙂 If it ain’t broke, don’t upgrade…
A lot of current stuff is nowhere near as well made as equivalent stuff ten years ago or more though, that’s for sure. It’s meant to wear out quicker so you upgrade more often and the component manufacturers continue making money out of you…