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This wasn't an option last time I built a bike. What's the user feedback?
heard lots of negative things abut how they must be fragile (though not heard of people breaking em). I got one and was a bit sceptical but it is the first time I've had perfect 9 speed shifting in 4 years. The long cage seems bonkers long, which might undermine the supposed advantage of having it tucked out the way, but from a pure performance aspect I am impressed (comparing shadow XT with standard XT so like for like).
Shadow short cage is the way to go. no need for the dangly long cage
I had this choice recently. I've never ripped of a conventioanl mech and my mechs normally die from sloppy pivots including the main bolt. The shadow is norrower so would suggest that it will go sloppy sooner. For that reason, I stuck with a conventional rear mech. I've never ridden with a shadow mech, it's just my own personal speculation.
My XT Shadow has been fine. Seen a lot of problems with the tension spring popping out on the XTR, had three sepperate incidents in just one day.
Agree about the long cage, picks up lots of debris.
So, Onzadog, you don't know why, but you wouldn't recommend a shadow rear mech?
that is pure STW gold 😀
The question to ask is: have you ever kept bashing your mech on a rock and found yourself wishing that it was tucked slightly further under your cassette and that without that development you just couldn't survive?
Yes? Shadow
No? Dont fix what aint broke
I do know why I wouldn't, I think the narrower main pivot will reduce the life span. I was mearly making it clear that it was my opinion. Essentailly, isn't that the essance of most posts, ask the opinion of others?
Loving my Shadow XT, about a year old now and is still like new
Loving my Shadow XT, about a year old now and is still like new
Ditto.
Mine's fine, it's a mech, no real drama.
I didn't get on with the shadow, prefer rapid rise because of the upside down shifting 😕
Kev
Icj- the more direct cable routing (ala Sram) makes a tangible difference to the quality of the shifting. Thats why I rate mine. I was and am sceptical of the "out of the way" claim as when ive ripped off a rear mech its been bounced/pushed/flexed/dragged into the spokes, not taken off by a rock directly. However I finally have 9 speed (running XT shadow with 2008 XT shifters) that work as well and reliably as my XTR 8 speed did.
XT shadow, 2 years-ish. Perfect shifting. No problems.
Wouldn't boter as I want both my bikes to have the advantage of Rapid Rise. Have it on my Maxlight at the mo and love the flawless downshifts under power. Will change on by other bike as soon as the old one gives up the ghost (or gets t**tted by a rock :D)
druidh some have posted re issues with them breaking.
The section screwed into the dropout does look thin to me!
Think I belong in the "if it ain't broke.." camp FWIW
Mungey-one: shifting quality and cable routing was surely why they invented SRAM? :-p
Let's not open that can of worms eh?!
just a comment on cage length. General rule is SGS on a triple and a full spring bike, especially if you want to use the full spread of gears.