hey guys i'm just on the verge of getting an xtr rear disc brake with dt 240s hub and i'm in a real dilema about getting the xtr dual control units,if i where not to get the dual control units i would make the left side of my handle bars the same set up as my right side ...which is xtr trigger shifter and xt disc brake lever...i find no problems with this current set up (i need to be able to shift and brake at the same time)
i'm trying to work out the advantage with getting dual control...i guess the main advantage would be that your hands would be on the same lever for braking and shifting...but i've already tried the xt dual control and discovered that i needed to move the units up so that they where almost parrallel (horizontal that is) with the ground as i found that this was the only way to get descent leverage to push the brake lever down to shift but felt that my wrists where under pressure when braking!
has any body else found this and what do you think are the real advantages with dual control over trigger?
For proper control I've also found that the angle of lever set-up and position on the handlebar is important. I don't require them to be almost horizontal however. Mine are sort of naturally angled down at around 45 degrees. Are you using the tips of your fingers to push them down? The amount of pressure required shouldn't be high.
The main advantage I've found with this system is that my thumbs are wrapped securely around the handlebars at all times. I also like that I'm now able to shift up multiple gears at a time (you can do this with triggers as well with an RR derailleur, but it's very inconvenient to shift down while braking due to the reversed trigger function). It's great to be able shift two gears up at a time when accelerating from a low gear.
Being the weightweenie board, I'd have to point out that the dual control lever will also save you a whole bunch of weight over the combo of shift unit+brake lever, too!
i dont know if that's light or heavy compared to XT hydro with trigger unit but what i do know id^s that most still prefer the trigger shifters in techncal terrain.braking and shifting at the same time is almost impossible, the shifting direction makes no sense and the simplicity and ergonpmics of the triggers are still unbeaten.
for me it would be triggers for sure.
I use the XTR M952 trigger shift/brake lever combo. I purchased the shifter/brake lever combo for the simplicity and to save handlebar real estate.
Although I lack the experience that Nino has (this is my first year mountain biking), I must say that I am also a fan of the trigger system for the following reasons:
1) Because I use the XTR M960 Rapid Rise rear derailleur, the trigger system is VERY INTUITIVE- push the thumb to shift to a harder gear or pull with the index finger to shift to an easier gear. This applies to the front or rear rings. Trust me, as a beginner, this is absolutely the most logical way to use triggers!
2) One device=One function. I like knowing that ANY action on the brake lever will activate ONLY the brakes, that ANY action on the thumb trigger ONLY will shift to a higher gear, etc.
3) With the trigger system, I ALWAYS have four fingers of the shifting hand on the handlebar whenever I shift. Some people may be able to work the dual control levers with one finger, but most people that I know who have them use three. This, of course, means that only two fingers are on the handlebar of the shifting hand (very dicy when shifting on rough terrain).
4) In my never-ending study of all things mountain biking, I can't help but feel that Shimano, in their efforts to remain the King of Components, over reach themselves from time to time. A prime example is their M960 crankset and bb combo. Although the idea of having the bottom bracket extend outside of the shell may be cool on paper, many have given it the thumbs down. IMHO, the M960 dual shifters falls into this camp (although not to the same extreme).
The final decision, of course, is yours to make. You may want to seriously test ride a rig with the dual shifters before making the call. A short test at my lbs was enough for me.
p.s. If you decide on the trigger system, you may want to research the SRAM X0 series. Although you must use the SRAM rear derailleur (if you go X0), people who have them swear they are the cat's meow. As a matter of fact, my next build just may utilize the SRAM XO shifters with the Avid Ultimate brake levers.
I've used twisters, triggers and dual control and..
..they all work extremely well. Anyone who tells you one is superior to the others is someone who hasn't used the other systems long enough or is caught up in hype.
I recently moved to XTR dual control and although sceptical at first, I have found it a particularly good system. Braking and simultaneously flicking up gears is intuitive and very safe. Have found that this function is unmatched when encountering an obstacle on the trail.
The low normal derailleur takes a little bit if getting used to, like anything new but after a learning period there are no disadvantages. I actually find it shifts smoother than the old sort. I think this is because it allows the chain to use the ramps when shifting to a larger cog rather than be forced by the derailleur. I definitely could not say one makes more sense that the other. As 514Climber noted it is also intuitive b/c the left and right operate the same.
Having harped on about the dual control I add that I loved the simplicity of my twisters, the ability to grab a heap of gears in either direction but I also found the triggers awesome too. I concede separate brakes and shifters may offer an advantage on extremely technical terrain, but I can't comment on that.
I don't think you will be disappointed with whatever you decide. I'd ride any of them any day and be happy.
PS - Didn't realise "many" had given the M960 BB and crankset the thumbs down. I heard there were bearing problems - initially. Certainly RaceFace doesn't think it a bad idea.
hey guys i'm just on the verge of getting an xtr rear disc brake with dt 240s hub and i'm in a real dilema about getting the xtr dual control units,if i where not to get the dual control units i would make the left side of my handle bars the same set up as my right side ...which is xtr trigger shifter and xt disc brake lever...i find no problems with this current set up (i need to be able to shift and brake at the same time)
i'm trying to work out the advantage with getting dual control...i guess the main advantage would be that your hands would be on the same lever for braking and shifting...but i've already tried the xt dual control and discovered that i needed to move the units up so that they where almost parrallel (horizontal that is) with the ground as i found that this was the only way to get descent leverage to push the brake lever down to shift but felt that my wrists where under pressure when braking!
has any body else found this and what do you think are the real advantages with dual control over trigger?
I have mny Dual control levers (XTR) set up so that the brake fluid reservoir is parallel with the ground. The lever rest at about 40degrees from the horizontal and I can get all three upshifts and brake and downshift simultaneously.
Admittely coming from rapidfire it takes a while to get used to but I used Gripshift before i bought the Dual control levers.
Advantages over the Rapid fire system....hmmmm
well for one the shifting and braking is more controlled since it's only the two fingers that are responsible for everything, the rest of your hand is busy controlling the bike (a very good thing).
Personally I feel the Dual Control system is an ergonomic step up from anything else out there.
I love my XTR dual control. Like most people I was very sceptical of these items. The reviews certainly are mixed. I ride VERY technical terrain here in Phoenix. Infact, most people should know by now that Manitou brings Johnny T here to do all of their product testing. It is rough, drops everywhere, switchbacks, sand, etc. I have NO problems with ghost shifting, the levers bouncing around or anything of the such. I also have the XTR disks which I love. Coming from magura Marta SL's, I really am impressed by the brakes. They took what seemed forever for them to bed in, but now, WOW. No noise, no rub, no fade, just perfect braking.
The first few rides I had a few mis-shifts, or shifted the wrong direction. Since then, nothing but perfection.
i switched my dual control xtr's with xtr calipers to deore levers and sram triggers. i didn't like the dual control because they were such a pain to deal with. whenever i wanted to change the cables i had to disassemble it and it took forever. go with sram. and the deore levers weigh they same as the xt's.
-mpap
If you're having trouble getting enough leverage to shift them its probably because you have them crammed all the way up to the grip. Push them out so there's about 20-30mm of seperation depending on you hand size and set them at about a 45-50 degree angle. The reservoir should be roughly parallel to the ground or pointing down a little bit. This is the most commonly accepted mounting form. Avoid shifting from the inside of the lever.
mpap89 said:
whenever i wanted to change the cables i had to disassemble it and it took forever. go with sram. and the deore levers weigh they same as the xt's.
-mpap
i dont know if that's light or heavy compared to XT hydro with trigger unit but what i do know id^s that most still prefer the trigger shifters in techncal terrain.braking and shifting at the same time is almost impossible, the shifting direction makes no sense and the simplicity and ergonpmics of the triggers are still unbeaten.
for me it would be triggers for sure.
They are quite lighter at 430g for the pair. 395g if you take the thumb shifters off which most people do (or at least don't use). An XT pod is ~250g for the pair and the XT standalone levers are about 250g for the pair.
yeah but i got the cable end jammed in my shifters then i had to completely disassemble it, then upon reasembling it, the shifter turned into a six speed.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Mountain Bike Reviews Forum
15.4M posts
515.2K members
Since 1990
A forum community dedicated to Mountain Bike owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, trails, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!