I realise this has been asked before, I've searched the forum and found useful advice so just looking for confirmation really. I didn't realise there was a couple of versions 50/51 8 speed, 52/53 9 speed. From what I gather it'll all work together, for example 8 speed shifters are happy with 9 speed mechs and the other way around. Am I correct in thinking this.
M950 XTR advice
- Thread starter AWK
- Start date
Never knew that, I just assumed some were faded.
No mate they changed from being a lighter grey to a very dark grey.
Don’t get me wrong some are faded but the colour is very different when you see both.
I’ve M950 hubs from both colours and they are totally different. I believe they updated the M950 colours when the M952 came out (but obviously some items kept their original model number)
Thanks for confirmation about the shifting
As for colour variation I've got 4 rear mechs, 2 are definitely a lighter grey. Having said that i didnt actually pay much attention and just dismissed it. I've never actually put them together to see the difference.
I've been collecting xtr parts for a couple of builds and paid zero attention to model numbers or colour. The mega 9 symbol on a couple of the mechs I never even noticed until I did a bit of a sort out the other day. I thought everything was 8 speed.
As for colour variation I've got 4 rear mechs, 2 are definitely a lighter grey. Having said that i didnt actually pay much attention and just dismissed it. I've never actually put them together to see the difference.
I've been collecting xtr parts for a couple of builds and paid zero attention to model numbers or colour. The mega 9 symbol on a couple of the mechs I never even noticed until I did a bit of a sort out the other day. I thought everything was 8 speed.
A lot of the bits are quite different but work together.
BB - M950 open bearings and a locking / preload as M952 is a normal BB
Cranks - M950 / M951 M952 arms are the same but the rings/ spiders change
Front mechs - M950 is low clamp only. M953 is high clamp.
Cassettes - M950 is 8 speed and M952 and M953 are 9.
Brakes - M950 has slightly different pad arms to M951
Shifters - M950 is 8 speed and M951. M952 is 9.
Levers , and hubs are M950’only
STI units have the slightly black area on M950 near the XTR logo.
Rea mechs M950 and M952 have different cages (maybe more) M951 is rapid rise.
BB - M950 open bearings and a locking / preload as M952 is a normal BB
Cranks - M950 / M951 M952 arms are the same but the rings/ spiders change
Front mechs - M950 is low clamp only. M953 is high clamp.
Cassettes - M950 is 8 speed and M952 and M953 are 9.
Brakes - M950 has slightly different pad arms to M951
Shifters - M950 is 8 speed and M951. M952 is 9.
Levers , and hubs are M950’only
STI units have the slightly black area on M950 near the XTR logo.
Rea mechs M950 and M952 have different cages (maybe more) M951 is rapid rise.
Great info and I'll definitely keep all that in mind going forward. It appears I have a bit of mix and match going on, I'm ok with that, for now anyway.
On the bb, so I belive it works like a more modern bb using spacers for 68 vs 73, is that the case? I have a 952 bb with 112.5 shaft which is for a 96 zaskar build. I think this is correct for that bike? Also want another for a 98 stumpjumper which I'd need spacers for if I understand right but would I need to go for a longer shaft?
On the bb, so I belive it works like a more modern bb using spacers for 68 vs 73, is that the case? I have a 952 bb with 112.5 shaft which is for a 96 zaskar build. I think this is correct for that bike? Also want another for a 98 stumpjumper which I'd need spacers for if I understand right but would I need to go for a longer shaft?
