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  • 9 Speed rear mech – XTR, XT or what???
  • mattw
    Free Member

    Went out on my first club MTB ride for over 2 years last night and managed to snap my rear mech 🙁

    So I need a new 9 speed rear mech. I was gunna get the XTR (M972 Shadow) cos the extra ‘R’ definitely makes you go faster, but I had one of these a few years back and broke it in under a couple of months. Reading around suggests that the carbon cage is a mega weak point???

    That leaves the XT (M772 Shadow) which also seems to get mixed reviews with regards to strength.

    XTR is £100 from CRC and XT is £45. I’m not too bothered about the cost, but I don’t want to be replacing mechs every month.

    What’s the general consensus (ignoring price difference)?

    Cheers!
    Matt.

    Posted 10 years ago
    njee20
    Free Member

    I’d have (or do have) XTR myself, but I’d really struggle with the economics of a £100 mech for a bike used every two years…

    Not seen any particular issues with the carbon cage, so if cost really doesn’t matter then I’d go XTR.

    Posted 10 years ago
    boriselbrus
    Free Member

    If you have snapped the cage you can get replacements. Much cheaper than a new mech. I bought a snapped XTR and replced the ack part of the cage with one from an XT mech for about a tenner. Still going strong several years later.

    Try Petra Cycles.

    Posted 10 years ago
    bigyinn
    Free Member

    I do wonder what people do to their bikes if they snap rear mechs. Maybe im just lucky, or careful.

    Posted 10 years ago
    ti_pin_man
    Free Member

    XT = great, will work, will last, will keep going for years
    XTR = great, will work, will last and should keep going but is lighter, more trick and more bling.

    either will do. pays yer money and makes yer choice.

    Posted 10 years ago
    mrmo
    Free Member

    For general use just stick to XT, if you want to cut costs SLX is fine, if you have money to burn XTR.

    Spend the money on the shifter not the mech!

    Posted 10 years ago
    thomasgeorge
    Free Member

    Hi Matt, thought of going 10 speed, I have full set of xtr kits for sale. Look under my post from a few days ago, or drop me an e-mail.

    Posted 10 years ago
    mattw
    Free Member

    @njee20 – Like it! hoping to ride more that once in two years now 😀

    @boriselbrus     – I’ll look into replacing just the cage if it goes again

    @bigyinn     – Just bad luck I think. I’m not a heavy rider and am generally pretty smooth but both broken mechs were result of sticks in mech/wheel.

    @ti_pin_man     – like it!

    @mrmo     – how you doin’ mo?! Already got XTR shifters 🙂

    @thomasgeorge     – tempted, but just forked out on new brakes and lights so don’t wanna burn TOOOOO much $$$ just yet.

    I think I’ll go XTR! 🙂

    Thanks all!

    Posted 10 years ago
    Northwind
    Full Member

    I have a medium-cage 9-speed XT in the garage incidentally, if you want it…

    Posted 10 years ago
    GEDA
    Free Member

    Just go with Deore unless you like giving money away. In fact buy the deore and give me the difference I will think you are ace. Buying XT or XTR will make .0001% difference to your riding but may give you a warm fuzzy feeling as you know you have bought “the best”. You can get an even more warm fuzzy feeling for cheaper by peeing in your wetsuit in the north sea.

    Posted 10 years ago
    edward2000
    Free Member

    I sold one once. I remember thinking the 2nd hand value of XTR 9 speed mechs was poor for the seller, good for the buyer! You might be able to get a bargain on ebay

    Posted 10 years ago
    Scamper
    Free Member

    The XTR shifts better and 60g lighter if you are that way inclined. What about the non shadow 971(?) XT with a stiffer hanger or if you are thinking of the XTR cost wise what about a mid cage Saint if they still do them?

    Posted 10 years ago
    Thrustyjust
    Free Member

    SLX shadow here and does what it should on my 456. Really happy with it and was cheap too.

    Posted 10 years ago
    aphex_2k
    Free Member

    I bought an slx to replac an old xtr mech. Works fine. Price was bob on and really like the look of it. Do you Need xtr or want it?

    Posted 10 years ago
    ransos
    Free Member

    I have an XTR mech which replaced an XT. I detect no functional difference between the two, so I’d save your money unless you really like the look of the carbon cage.

    Posted 10 years ago
    bigyinn
    Free Member

    Scamper – Member

    The XTR shifts better
    Really? Better than what?

    Posted 10 years ago
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