ryan the weight difference is sooooo small that that argument is pointless

then finish on XT seems to be nicer for some reason, all my bikes are XTR or equvelent non shimano on parts but tbh i prefer the XT finish

but the ratios where better on the XTR range and the gear shifters used to be the only ones to shift more than 1 gear oer push ( would change 4 gears per push for racing cross country where as XT used to have to click for ever )

also the most robust ive seen are LX but the gearing on it is soooo crap and the levers again do not change more than 1 gear ( xt now change 3 at a push)

ive also got a brand new XTR 9 speed lever as i was toying with going 9 speed cause i cant find XTR levers in 8 speed at all, only found XT

the amount of bike junk ive got is stupid

but i was sooooo into it back when i was a kid, was fun racing though


but ya just get old and cant be bothered anymore

i still wanna open a bike shop but i would have to sell the cossie to do it

maybe i will next year