Upgrading rear derailleur to XTR...

[Ken Braatz]

Hi, I'm new to this so please bear with me if I ask the obvious....

I'd like to upgrade my rear derailleur to a Shimano XTR Rapid Rise.
Currently, I'm setup with all stock gear: Shimano Acera-X and an SRAM
5.0 11-32 8spd cassette.

My question is: Can I upgrade the derailleur alone or do I need to
upgrade the cassette, shifters, etc.... with the XTR stuff being 9
speed and the Acera-X being 8 speed?


My bike is a 2002 Trek 4300. More info can be found here:
http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2002/mountain/4300.html

Thanks!

[jimilton80401]

I believe that the derailleur makes less of a difference (not that it doesn't make a difference), but the shifters and how much cable they move for each click is what determines whether or not the derailleur moves the right amount.
I'm running a "9-speed" XT der with an 8 speed cassette and I think that it works fine.
Of course YMMV and mine is not a rapid rise shifting system.

[Rotifer]

Acera to XTR is a dramatic leap ... maybe you should consider upgrading your shifters, cassette and derailleur to, say, LX. Then, when you break something, move up to XT or XTR. I think you would notice an improvement even in an Acera to LX upgrade.

[Mauriceman]

Yea, that acera shifter is a weak link. When (not if) that breaks, you will need to upgrade to something higher in the line

[Roadkill611]

That setup should work though.. My thoughts are "If it aint broke dont fix it." However, if you do experiance poor shifting, it is most likely due to the shifters.
Just make sure to dial in the high and low set screws on the der. and give it a shot.
Its not about the fancy components, its about the ride.

[Goride]

Compatible it will be for sure, the shifting ratios for all Shimano deraileurs, road and mtb, are the same. Useful is another story, based on the fact that your bike has Acera components, an XTR deraileur is out of place. I'd guess your bike cost between $350 and $500 complete...hanging a $100+ rear deraileur on it is simply foolish. Its similar to installing a largese airfoil on your underpowered import car, its just not right. Don't fall into the trap of believeing that changing your components to XTR will make you a better rider or your bike a more race-ready machine, because neither will happen. You're much better off saving the money and buying a higher end bike later than upgrading your lower end bike now. Low end bikes are great for getting into the sport, for utility purposes...for anything but hanging XTR equipment on.

-brad

[Blatz]

If everything you have is 8 speed, keep it simple. Get an 8 speed LX or XT derailleur. I think I know what you`re thinking becouse a lot of people fall into this trap. "that XTR derailleur will look pretty cool on my bike". People tend to look at derailleurs and judge a bike by it. It`s kind of funny. I`ve been Mountain Biking for 10 years now and I just started useing an XTR derailleur about 3 years ago. Before that it was ? STX LX and XT. Xt is good stuff at about half the price of XTR. Also I wouldn`t mix 9 speed with 8 speed.

[aredee]

Yeah, I too think the XTR syndrome is way too common.

I'd say get whatever you can find the cheapest.

I personally wish I could find some Exage rear derailleurs. Virtually bomb-proof. Saw em at Krayniks shop in PA a few years back for $10 each. I shoulda stocked-up.

*sigh*

[angelo_caduto86]

When I was young(er) I thought I had to have the best stereo system (I forget if I thought it would get me chicks or elevate me to more reverence from my friends). I bought the most expensive speakers I could afford. Now when I buy stereo equipment I start with the cheapest, then listen to next in line, then next, until I can no longer hear the difference, then I move back to the last speaker (or cd player, etc).

I think the deraileur discussion is the same. I have an LX and I was thinking about getting an XT or XTR. The reason? To get chicks, of course!?? No because I thought it would make me a better rider. But I wouldn't ride more and the fact remains the only reason I would consider upgrading is because the LX is bent. It is bent because when I was picking my bike and bob trailer over a tree stump I grabbed the deraileur ...

Ask yourself, will a new deraileur get you chicks or shift better than you need? Then stay at the same level you have.

Unless some one can say that XT or XTR will be more dependable (for your needs) than what you have.

my two pennies

btw, is either the XT or the XTR all that much more dependable or so much lighter that you need to put rocks in your pockets so you don't float away?

rock the casaba

[The Gordo]

I've been Mountain Biking since 1988 and just last year I got my first XTR rear only because I found it used in the bottom of a milk crate at the local shop. I always used XT except my first Mt Bike had Suntour XC Pro (remember when there was a choice?) and that stuff rocked.

Anyhow, the XT and LX stuff works great and gets you in and out of the woods (or the city ), which should be the reason you ride. I will admit to buying some XTR shifters (Used 8-speed) shortly after the rear upgrade. My old XT pods are my wife's bike and shift like butter with many thousands of miles under their belt. My advice dump the shifters and the rear and go XT.