New Shimano Model Line
March 27th, 2008 by ArleighIntroducing, Shimano SLX. As mountain bikes, trails, and use evolves, so does the need for more targeted components. In recognition of the trends, Shimano has split LX into two separate component sets: Deore LX has a more sleek appearance and pavement oriented gearing for trekking use. SLX, on the other hand retains the lightness of LX, while being able to tackle the more aggressive use that Hone targeted. SLX covers the range from All-Mountain Extreme to Cross-Country use.
SLX Highlights:
- Shadow low-profile rear derailleur design is tougher than Deore LX and 45g lighter
- RapidFire Plus shifter pods have 2-way release trigger and easily removable Optical gear Display
- 2 piston hydraulic disc brakes are controlled with new Servo Wave levers featuring tool-free reach adjust and 20% higher system stopping power
- A wide range double (36-22) or a triple crank is available with Hollowtech II construction. The double uses a honeycomb style bashguard that is light and absorbs impact. The SLX crank is 2 times the strength of a standard Deore XT
- A double specific front derailleur is available
- Micro-rachet freehub design guarantees quick engagement
Originally found at Decline
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Anything is better than Sram
I saw this a week or 2 ago and I thought SLX was for the mountain (Xc) version of Ultrgra SL. lol sounds like an interesting line-up, can’t help but wonder if its just an after-though for more $?
skidder: Anything but SRAM? Why do you say that?
Pretty simple really, I think Sram is junk.
Skidder
have you used sram in the past… 4 years?
Skidder,
Please back up your stupid comment……
My Sram X9 shifter and X9 short cage derailleur kicks arse on my 1×9.
Sram shifts way faster than shimano and does not rattle as much on the trail. explain how it sucks
I really tried to like SRAM, them being from the USA and all. I just don’t think they are up to Shimano’s standards.
I was disappointed in SRAM because my new X-9 derailleurs are nearly identical to my 7 year old 5.0 derailleur…IDENTICAL, except for the top-most portion of the parallelogram (i.e. the most visible part). Plus there is a lot of play in the rear derailleur around the anchor bolt.
BTW, this “new” SLX group is old news already.
Rockhound,
It is old news as it was released on most news sites back in the end of February but in talking I realized most normal folks hadn’t heard about it.
I rode my budie`s month old Fisher Paragon last summer and I couldn`t even push the rear shift lever to make it move. Sram is the decendant of the infamous Grip Shift X Ray.
Use whatever you want but I am a Shimano man. I like it because it works better.
Your buddy should take the bike to the LBS and have it adjusted or replaced. I mean, to throw a blanket statement over one technical problem ( that could be fixed) is a little silly and misguided don’t you think?
Gripshift X-Ray, I know….I actually ran these when they were introduced. They worked decent way back then…
The company has evolved and their products as well.
Shimano is great stuff….I’ve used it.
My point is that throwing a statement out like that over one isolated incident is immature.
If I’m having a problem with my Durango, should I say that Dodge sucks?
Every bike that leaves our store gets a out the door tune up becuase most shift like crap out of the box regardless of whether the bike is equiped with Sram or Shimano. Both companies make excellent products at all price levels. It’s silly to make a blanket statement about the quality of either of them.
The ONLY reason Sram comes on so many bikes these days is because it is less expensive than Shimano. That`s what you get when the dollar is weak. Sram is junk
Hey skidder: You’re welcome to your opinions, but consider this- SRAM has innovated and made technical changes in mountain bike componentry that Shimano is having to react to. That says to me that the majority of mountain bikers, product managers, and racers disagree that SRAM is “junk”.
Want examples? Okay, SRAMs trigger shifter activation has led to Shimano’s Dual Release Rapid Fire. (If you want to know, it probably ressurected Rapid Fire) How about SRAM’s rear derailluer design. Shimano reacts by designing the “Shadow” series of rear derailluers which have a more than cursory resemblance to SRAM’s design. How about SRAM’s front mech? Shimano answers with a redesigned front mech with a pivot/parallelogram much the same as SRAM’s- wider, more rigid.
Only in the area of crank forging is Shimano leading the way, but again they should be. Shimano’s bread and butter is metal forging.
I’m not bagging on Shimano stuff. I use it too and it is fantastic stuff. However; I also recognize where Shimano is coming from with the newer models and SRAM stuff is certainly not junk. I use it as well and it performs without issue for me in the most severe of conditions.
While SRAM and Shimano both have their fans and make good stuff, I feel tend to feel that SRAM equipment is generally overpriced in the aftermarket. Why would I think this? Part of the reason that you see so much OEM SRAM spec is that it’s 15-20% cheaper (to OEMs) than a Shimano part with the same retail price. For better or worse, premium retail pricing is part of SRAM’s marketing strategy (it doesn’t seem to be hurting them much). If it comes OEM and floats your boat, SRAM stuff is a good value. Aftermarket, though, their pricing seems a bit optimistic. Why buy BB7s and levers when you can get Deore Hydraulics that are more advanced, have better modulation and lower maintenance for the same price (Luddites need not answer)? Juicys were initially designed by Formula, yet the latter’s brakes are less expensive, more reliable and not made in a third world country. Again, good kit if it comes with your bike, but there aren’t many folks out there who’d seek out Truvativ cranks over a mid-range Shimano.
Guitar Ted makes a very good point about them driving Shimano’s progress as well- that way everyone benefits, regardless of their shifting preference. I’ve been around since the days of (the original) push-push shifters and exploding X-Rays and both companies have come a long, long way. SRAM also tends to be fairly generous with warranty issues, which helps to build loyalty…