Shimano XT M761 Middle Chainring

Advantages: value for money and great perfomance
Disadvantages: takes a little setting up...

...I've been biking for a long time and have been using XT shifting gear for years now so I've seen several changes in design over the years... This shifter has to be one of the best available as it brings together great looks, excellent performance and pretty good value for money and durability not to mention ease of set up and maintenance. With competition increasing year on year from SRAM (the original manufacturers of the GripShift shifting system) it’s a good job Shaman aren't resting on their laurels. On the contrary, not only do Shimano mange to offer value and excellent shifting but they’ve also managed to design the unit so that it looks sleek and stylish on the bike. Overall, highly recommended on both performance and value for money…... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Top of the range "bling" rear mech
Disadvantages: 9 speed "only", superceeded by RD-7800 10-speed version

...I bought this rear derailleur to replace an Ultegra mech when upgrading my bike from 8 to 9-speeds (well, 16 to 18 speed really with my double front chainset). Apparently, this mech is also compatible with 8-speed systems, you just need to change the cable mounting position. Dura Ace is the name of Shimano's top of the range group of bicycle components, or "groupset", for road race bikes, and the 9-speed 7700-series was introduced to the public in 1997 after Shimano sponsored riders using Dura-Ace 7700 series equipped bikes in 1996. Year by year, it's been enhanced, and this review is of rear mech from the 2004 model year. For the non-bike-ophiles among you, the rear mech (or mechanism) is the device at the back end of the bike that moves the chain across the muliple cogs (cassette) on the back wheel to change gear - bigger cog... Read review

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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