XTR Shadow Rear Derailleur (M972)
The new XTR Shadow Rear Derailleur (M972) is a work of art to look at. The new
X outer plate and the carbon fiber cage will appeal to those of us motivated by
bling! At a claimed weight of 180 grams it comes in just a little less than 20
grams lighter than the XTR M971. As promised, the new design has eliminated
the chaistay banging common to past Shimano derailleurs, and the profile of the
new derailleur is considerably slimmer than past designs. Both of these traits are
effects of eliminating the bracket axel spring that surrounded the mounting bolt on
past Shimano designs.
The new XTR Shadow Rear Derailleur (M972) is a work of art to look at. The new
X outer plate and the carbon fiber cage will appeal to those of us motivated by
bling! At a claimed weight of 180 grams it comes in just a little less than 20
grams lighter than the XTR M971. As promised, the new design has eliminated
the chaistay banging common to past Shimano derailleurs, and the profile of the
new derailleur is considerably slimmer than past designs. Both of these traits are
effects of eliminating the bracket axel spring that surrounded the mounting bolt on
past Shimano designs.
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Elite Cycling
After much consideration, I did
decide to give the new XTR a shot
anyway. In terms of performance, I
have not been disappointed. I have
been running the derailleur for just
over 6 weeks now and have had no
issues. I have noticed considerably
more chain slap on rocky decents,
likely due to the single retention
spring, but have had no issues
effecting performance. I have ridden
a number of hard training rides since
installing the new mech, but I have not
yet raced with it. That being said, the
derailleur has done it's job in all the
situations I have put it in. I have
pushed it as hard as I could, shifted
under heavy climbing loads, and
doled out just about every other
abuse I can think of and it has
performed.
decide to give the new XTR a shot
anyway. In terms of performance, I
have not been disappointed. I have
been running the derailleur for just
over 6 weeks now and have had no
issues. I have noticed considerably
more chain slap on rocky decents,
likely due to the single retention
spring, but have had no issues
effecting performance. I have ridden
a number of hard training rides since
installing the new mech, but I have not
yet raced with it. That being said, the
derailleur has done it's job in all the
situations I have put it in. I have
pushed it as hard as I could, shifted
under heavy climbing loads, and
doled out just about every other
abuse I can think of and it has
performed.
Admittedly, it was with some
trepidation that I bolted the new XTR
rear mech to my bike. In scouring the
web for reviews of the new offering
from Shimano, I found two types of
reviews - Those who are paid to
write marketing reviews, which
generally said the derailleur walked
on water, and a handful of reports of
pretty serious issues with the
retention spring. The weekend
before I mounted my new rear mech,
I talked with a guy at a race who I
noticed had the carbon cage of his
new XTR rear derailleur taped to his
chainstay.
trepidation that I bolted the new XTR
rear mech to my bike. In scouring the
web for reviews of the new offering
from Shimano, I found two types of
reviews - Those who are paid to
write marketing reviews, which
generally said the derailleur walked
on water, and a handful of reports of
pretty serious issues with the
retention spring. The weekend
before I mounted my new rear mech,
I talked with a guy at a race who I
noticed had the carbon cage of his
new XTR rear derailleur taped to his
chainstay.
As with the other reports I had read, one end of his retention spring had come
off the mounting pin and the derailleur became chain jewelery mid-race. With
the new single retention spring design if something goes wrong with it, there is
nothing to hold the chain on any single rear cog, so your chain jumps around
the cog with any bump or lean of the bike.
off the mounting pin and the derailleur became chain jewelery mid-race. With
the new single retention spring design if something goes wrong with it, there is
nothing to hold the chain on any single rear cog, so your chain jumps around
the cog with any bump or lean of the bike.
All in all, the new XTR Shadow Rear Derailleur lives up to its heritage. It will be
interesting to see this new design evolve. If the $239 price tag doesn't make
you wince, you will get your money's worth. If the cost will stretch your budget,
pick up the XT Shadow which uses the same design innovations, or go with the
standard M971 XTR Derailleur. Either of these options provide comparable
performance albeit without the bling. Whatever you decide to do, keep an eye
on the Shadow technology as it continues to evolve.
interesting to see this new design evolve. If the $239 price tag doesn't make
you wince, you will get your money's worth. If the cost will stretch your budget,
pick up the XT Shadow which uses the same design innovations, or go with the
standard M971 XTR Derailleur. Either of these options provide comparable
performance albeit without the bling. Whatever you decide to do, keep an eye
on the Shadow technology as it continues to evolve.
While I still consider the shifting crisp, it is not quite as crisp as the XTR M971
that this derailluer replaced. The direct routed cable is a big plus and reduces
cable resistance drastically. This also gives a very clean look by eliminating the
housing loop feeding into the derailleur. However I did notice the cable routing
routing. I have not had it snag on anything yet, but the potential is there.
that this derailluer replaced. The direct routed cable is a big plus and reduces
cable resistance drastically. This also gives a very clean look by eliminating the
housing loop feeding into the derailleur. However I did notice the cable routing
routing. I have not had it snag on anything yet, but the potential is there.
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