Am I the only one who thinks m900 xtr shifters are cack?

[ishaw]

I've got a few builds wearing m900, and whilst it is lovely to look at, I always find that whenever I take a bike for a spin, the shifting is really poor when compared to almost anything else I've ever used, even going back to the push-push levers.

I can appreciate that use and age play a part, but my shifters are minty, low miles and well cared for. If it were one set then maybe I could accept it, but three sets all feel the same. Xt of the same era is miles better imho. Is it just me, or are we (am I) blinded by the top of the range status, when in fact mechanically it isn't up to much?

 

[taffy]

Does it feel.. slightly fragile as if its going to break? most M900 sti units vie had have all had the same feel. Flushing with GT85/WD40 and lubing helps but they all feel the same ish.

 

[ishaw]

Indeed they do, almost like you are forcing every click rather than it wanting to change gear as its intended function suggests it should love to do.

I am ore than likely going to rid myself of these shifters as three/four sets, some low mileage and minty, and others used/abused yet all feel the same, even after the suggested treatment.

I may be unlucky, but when you hit three/four, it ha to be more than coincidence, right?

 

[taffy]

Indeed they do, almost like you are forcing every click rather than it wanting to change gear as its intended function suggests it should love to do.

Thats the one as if the shifter is working but something is binding to about to snap

Seems consistent in the half dozen set's ive had - varying from shagged out but still working to well used but cared for to minty. all ahd a similar feel.

i guess its the first gen design of RF+ before they finet uned it and refined it . Stupidly 92 XT MO95 RF+ units feel much nicer in use :/

 

[ishaw]

I'd say the lx and dx shifters of the same era also shifted better, but maybe there is some dark art to get these purring like pedigree kittens?

 

[FluffyChicken]

They where cack and still are cack, it's what converted* to GripShift BiTD, which I really like

The only bike with M900 on now has an STX/Alivio 8 speed shifter in it place as the M900 was well cack.

Of course they bettered the design later on, though I do have some M739 STI's that have a poor funny feeling thumb paddle.



*helped along by it ceasing to function as a shifter anymore in less than a year

 

[mkaavin]

Back in in '94 when M737 XT was released the M900 fell far behind. I mean the M900 still looked better but the M737 was superior on performance. The shifting was far better and nothing at that time could compete with the 737 brakes. Most of this was of course related to the brilliant 737 STI's. But there were also no other reason than looks and status that should convince you to buy M900 over M737 at the time......except for the cranks. The 737 cranks was not very good and the M900's may be the best cranks ever made.

A dream build for me in 95 would be:

STI: M738
Cantis: M900
Crank: M900
R&F mech: M737
Hubs: Hugi, Ringle, M737

 

[lrh]

Probably a case of having to make XTR lighter for the catalogue specs... Removing metal parts that made DX/XT more smooth/reliable and replacing them with brittle plastic... Then charging twice as much for them

 

[hamster]

I think that sums up XTR - durability sacrificed for weight. OK for racing, not so good in the real world, especially 20 years on!

 

[sylus]

they are okay if you get them cheap or don't mind paying more for the label

I've always found XT to be slightly more resilliant and better value as a day to day user friendly items

Now if it was a garage queen then XTR I would consider