Shimano XTR M965 Disc Brake

Advantages: lightweight; very strong; slick gears; very fast
Disadvantages: cost; keeping it yours !

...Enthusiasts might tell you this is only the best downhill MTB. I don't care which way you're going, you simply have to ride this bike to appreciate how fast and slick it is. Its hard getting a dealer demo because of the cost but more about that later. Features: 6061 Series Aluminum twin Monocoque front, light-weight Monocoque swingarm with integral disc brake mounts and cable stops; Answer Mars Super, 80mm of Travel with Lockout; excellent Fox Float RL, with Rebound Adjuster and Lockout rear air shock; Shimano XTR throughout; Mavix X517. I chose downhill bars which I find more comfortable. Most dealers give you these for a free swap. disk brakes are extra but possible. You don't have to be fit to be the fastest thing on the road and off-road it knocks about 5 to 10 years off your age. A great bike. The XTR gearchange is amazing... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: HUGE ADVANTAGES-GREAT LOOKS-GREAT DURIBILTY
Disadvantages: PRICE

...O BOY, THIS XTR REAR MECH IS THE DADDY,HE'S SMOOOOTH,STABLE,SHORT&TIGHT,ITS FAST AND RESPONSIVE.VERY HIGHLEY RECOMENDED. NOW FOR THE CONS, AS MOST XRT, PARTS ITS VERY EXPENSIVE BUT YOU KNOW WHAT THAY SAY YOU PAY FOR TOP QUALITY.I HAVE USED THE XTR SHORT CAGE REAR MECH ON A RIDE AND IT PERFORMED VERY WELL THE GEAR SHIFT WAS VERY SWIFT WITHOUT ANY GRAUNCHING OR CLICKING. I WOULD ONLY USE THE LONG CAGE FOR CROSS COUNTRY AS IT TENDS TO HAMPER MY STYLE OF RIDEING. WHEN IN COMBO, WITH THE XTR 9 SPEED SHIFTERS AND FRONT MECH THIS KIT WILL BE A CERTIAN WINNER. THIS IS THE BEST SET UP IVE USED AN A VERY WOURTHWILE UP GRAED TO ANY RIDEING STYLE.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average not helpful

Advantages: cheaper than contemporaries
Disadvantages: difficult hoses

...shimano, in using a new 4 pot system have moved into the league usually dominated by Hope. the 4 pot system gives greater power than two pot systems and doesnt overheat easily. the shimano is better than the hopes because it uses two cylinders to drive the pads rather than the one cylinder that the hope uses to drive all 4 pads. the shimanos are also a lot cheaper than other systems with comparible performance, although they need expensive hubs, making them more expensive than the hope open 2s. the braided hoses are bombproof but need to be precut and the levers give superb modulation and good feel.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful