2003 XTR

[Ben]

Have a look: http://xtr.shimano.com/ :D

[leadfootedfool]

I don't know whats better, the new stuff, or that the cheesy xtr pop up isn't on shimano's page anymore.

[mudanoman]

Just read about some of the 2003 shimano stuff from their catalog....the XTR brake lever which also does shifting is a unique design but I wonder how it will hold up durability wise and also how much more work it will bring to a mechanic. They make the shifter combo for V-brakes and the new XTR disc brakes so I really wonder how they could do that with the disc setup...would be nice to see it in action....maybe a trip to Supergo in Oceanside will do the trick -mm

[wddung]

The cheesy 2003 XTR pop up was a bit annoying. XTR's new Crankset/BB combo, Dual Control lever, and disc brake system designs do not bode well for other manufacturers - specifically SRAM, Hayes, Avid...

The need for specialized tools just for installation indicates to me that Shimano desires to take even greater control of the race performance market. Innovation in itself is a poor excuse.

However, I am willing allow for the fact that racing products traditionally affect the performance of OEM grade products years down the line. It can be argued that Shimano is largely responsible for making linear pull brakes an industry standard. They may not have been the first to make a linear pull brake, but they certainly made Cantis a thing of the past for mountain bikers.