New XT

[bpikeuk]

Hi all,

Now I know nothing about modern bits so;

Can I use a brand new XT rear mech with my '97 XT rapid fire shifters ?

I hear things about reverse pull and other modern horrors and need some clarification.

Cheers

Barry

 

[Andy R]

Yes, you can indeed. A modern "high-normal" rear mech will behave just like one from '97 or whenever, the cable pull per shift hasn't changed.
You could even use a "Rapid Rise" low-normal rear mech with your existing shifters, you'd just have to get used to shifting the opposite way.

 

[brocklanders023]

I also know very little but I do know that my 2008 XTR rear mech is 'rapid rise' which basicly means it shifts the other way round to the older stuff. I guess this years XT will be the same? I'm guessing you might have problems but could quite easily be wrong. :roll:

 

[Andy R]

I also know very little but I do know that my 2008 XTR rear mech is 'rapid rise' which basicly means it shifts the other way round to the older stuff. I guess this years XT will be the same? I'm guessing you might have problems but could quite easily be wrong. :roll:

You can still buy "conventional" rear mechs as well as the rapid rise version. You can use the rapid rise version with any shifter but you would have to get used to pushing with your thumb to change up, rather than down (as you have no doubt discovered).
Also if you have a numbered display it will be the wrong way round.....

AFAIK the rapid rise mechs were introduced at the same time as the dual control brake/shifter lever assemblies and presumably work most intuitively in that situation.

 

[brocklanders023]

Told you I didn't know much.