Ask the experts

[NuMexJoe]

Anyone have a rain jacket (waterproof, not water resistant) that they really like and is extremely packable? I want to be able to stuff it into my top tube bag, like I do with my water resistant wind layer...

If you want packable and water-PROOF, it's hard to beat the Gore Wear Shakedry cycling jacket. I wanted one small enough that I'd never hesitate to bring it along during "monsoon" season, and it packs down smaller than my fist. I normally cheap out on such purchases, but I've regretted this one. Caveats: No hood, and no comfy liner, but that's how they get it so small.

[toast2266]

I've killed 3 or 4 XT rear mechs. They just start to suck after a while. Everything clean/lubed and they just get sticky and stay sticky in my experience.

I've come to the conclusion that stuff is designed for the masses.....aka people that ride 30 miles a year. Pros are getting new mechs like every week probably. Those of us who actually ride a lot but arent spancered just need to accept that these components are basically built to be somewhat disposable I guess.

Same.

I've had somewhat better luck with mid level sram stuff (gx and xo). I've also heard XTR legitimately lasts a lot longer than XT, but no personal experience with the current xtr derailleurs.

[MegaStoke]

Same.

I've had somewhat better luck with mid level sram stuff (gx and xo). I've also heard XTR legitimately lasts a lot longer than XT, but no personal experience with the current xtr derailleurs.

I’ve got an XTR derailleur that I bought when 12 speed came out and it’s still mint after 3-4k miles, about a million shifts, and more than a few rock strikes. All I’ve done is the occasional clutch service.

[climberevan]

I agree that XT ders are semi-disposable. After 2000mi or so they just start to suck for undiscernable reasons. But they are cheap enough.

I've bought shifters from Ali and they are, to my eyes, genuine. Chains are often counterfeit, but I don't think they are doing mechs yet.

[Dee Hubbs]

You think this is true across all the similar shadow+ mechs, xt, SLX,Deore , or just a specific problem with that clutch?
With these problems and.assuming the longevity sucks , circling back to the grey market discussion from earlier, does anyone think the AliExpress XT mechs are knockoffs or factory seconds vs grey market? How about eBay? Any good way to tell ?

It's the same clutch in all of the Shimano RD's. XTR, XT, SLX (cover is different on SLX below, with out an external adjustment hole). The clutch is the same part number across all RD's.
Grey Market stuff is genuine Shimano Parts, just from an OEM purchaser. "Big Toms Frames" applies for a OEM account to put Shimano Parts on their bikes, and get the parts way below wholesale price, and turns around and sells them for way below retail price, and still makes money. These parts are no different than what Giant or Trek buy to assemble their bikes, they will arrive with no retail packaging.

As for the clutch maintenance, these clutches are very sensitive to the type of grease used to service them. I'm not drinking the Shimano CoolAid, but anything other that Shimano Shadow+ RD Grease.
If you think you're smarter than the Shimano Engineers you can try a thin grease like Dumont's freehub grease, but anything thicker will hamper the sprag clutch operations. (I'm sure XXX will speak up about his experience with Xerox printers and sprag clutches, I think he has a google alert set for "Sprag Clutch" )

A production change in the RD assembly plant a few seasons ago has seen an increase new RDs needing grease straight from the factory. It's now a new build SOP that I have added to assembling new bikes with Shimano clutched RDs.

[XtrPickels]

If you want packable and water-PROOF, it's hard to beat the Gore Wear Shakedry cycling jacket. I wanted one small enough that I'd never hesitate to bring it along during "monsoon" season, and it packs down smaller than my fist. I normally cheap out on such purchases, but I've regretted this one. Caveats: No hood, and no comfy liner, but that's how they get it so small.

This is the answer with the caveat that they are not durable at all.

[XXX-er]

As for the clutch maintenance, these clutches are very sensitive to the type of grease used to service them. I'm not drinking the Shimano CoolAid, but anything other that Shimano Shadow+ RD Grease.
If you think you're smarter than the Shimano Engineers you can try a thin grease like Dumont's freehub grease, but anything thicker will hamper the sprag clutch operations. (I'm sure XXX will speak up about his experience with Xerox printers and sprag clutches, I think he has a google alert set for "Sprag Clutch" )

A production change in the RD assembly plant a few seasons ago has seen an increase new RDs needing grease straight from the factory. It's now a new build SOP that I have added to assembling new bikes with Shimano clutched RDs.

Since you asked yeah spragg clutches were used all over on printers,

My most intense experiance was a whole shwack of system printers at the Canadian Airlines hanger at YVR. The ribbon drive used a pair of one way clutches to drive the ribbon as the carrier went back and forth so they ran every time the carrier moved. They failed so often that if i was going in that building I would fill the pocket of my suit jacket with spragg clutches so they didnt even make it into my printer go-kit, I was working on failed spragg clutches almost every day.

As they failed it was always best to replace the spragg clutch but if I ran out of parts I would clean and relube with IBM #23 grease, it was also good to rough up the DRIVEN SURFACE UNDER a spragg clutch spring with an emery board or fine sand paper, a sure sign of a failed spragg clutch would be signs of " red rust "

[skaredshtles]

Could always just duct tape some to the underside of your saddle.

I carry a pack, regardless of the length of ride. It's amazing how liberating it is having everything you need right there on your back. Every time.

[Jtlange]

It's the same clutch in all of the Shimano RD's. XTR, XT, SLX (cover is different on SLX below, with out an external adjustment hole). The clutch is the same part number across all RD's.
Grey Market stuff is genuine Shimano Parts, just from an OEM purchaser. "Big Toms Frames" applies for a OEM account to put Shimano Parts on their bikes, and get the parts way below wholesale price, and turns around and sells them for way below retail price, and still makes money. These parts are no different than what Giant or Trek buy to assemble their bikes, they will arrive with no retail packaging.

As for the clutch maintenance, these clutches are very sensitive to the type of grease used to service them. I'm not drinking the Shimano CoolAid, but anything other that Shimano Shadow+ RD Grease.
If you think you're smarter than the Shimano Engineers you can try a thin grease like Dumont's freehub grease, but anything thicker will hamper the sprag clutch operations. (I'm sure XXX will speak up about his experience with Xerox printers and sprag clutches, I think he has a google alert set for "Sprag Clutch" )

A production change in the RD assembly plant a few seasons ago has seen an increase new RDs needing grease straight from the factory. It's now a new build SOP that I have added to assembling new bikes with Shimano clutched RDs.

I had been using Dumonde and thought it worked better than the Shimano grease, but I had a pretty early gen XT 12sp derailleur that had the water ingress problem which may have been why I thought that. Mainly I thought it had better lubricating properties and I had it in hand in 2020 when you couldn't buy the Shimano stuff due to supply issues.

[gretch6364]

I carry a pack, regardless of the length of ride. It's amazing how liberating it is having everything you need right there on your back. Every time.

Backpack or a sweet hip pack?


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[summit]

As for the clutch maintenance, these clutches are very sensitive to the type of grease used to service them. I'm not drinking the Shimano CoolAid, but anything other that Shimano Shadow+ RD Grease.
If you think you're smarter than the Shimano Engineers you can try a thin grease like Dumont's freehub grease, but anything thicker will hamper the sprag clutch operations.

I used Park Tool's PolyLube 1000 polyurea lubricant because that is what I had besides epic chainlube as I'm traveling.

[skaredshtles]

Backpack or a sweet hip pack?

Backpack, of course. Short ride, long ride, whatever - shit's all there.

[XXX-er]

Yeah I use a Dakine Apex, only 35$ from the Dakine rep, got the 2900km discount , a really quality product still looks like new 20 years later

I often carry a folder saw, food, all the tools cuz mopeders don't care how much shit weighs

[Rossymcg]

Same.

I've had somewhat better luck with mid level sram stuff (gx and xo). I've also heard XTR legitimately lasts a lot longer than XT, but no personal experience with the current xtr derailleurs.

does it fuck. I killed an XTR off in less than a year, then an XT in less than a year I'm thinking of treating them like brake pads and buying deore rear mechs, fuck em and chuck em

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[XXX-er]

Same.

I've had somewhat better luck with mid level sram stuff (gx and xo). I've also heard XTR legitimately lasts a lot longer than XT, but no personal experience with the current xtr derailleurs.

My moped with an EP8 has NX I think all the cogs are steel, so after the original NX chain (which still hadn't got to .75 yet) I put on an XO and that drive train seems Bullitproof

so thats 2 seasons 3600 kms on the Bullit

[goldenboy]

If you want packable and water-PROOF, it's hard to beat the Gore Wear Shakedry cycling jacket. I wanted one small enough that I'd never hesitate to bring it along during "monsoon" season, and it packs down smaller than my fist. I normally cheap out on such purchases, but I've regretted this one. Caveats: No hood, and no comfy liner, but that's how they get it so small.

Thanks, that's what I'm looking for but you weren't kidding on the price tag. And with xtrpickels durability comment, that's a tough one...

[smmokan]

I carry a pack, regardless of the length of ride. It's amazing how liberating it is having everything you need right there on your back. Every time.

Betcha it’s not as liberating as not wearing a backpack.

[summit]

I just strap all my crap to my bike. My enduro has bikepacker steeze! But, I have what I need and no backpack!

[Meconium]

XT 12sp rear der

Stick arm, low chain tension, so I try to loosen the clutch. Doesn't help So I pull the clutch apart, clean, and lube as per readily available vids. That improved it, but still really sticky.

The P-tension seal ring (15) on that articulation is loose (can wiggle). Adding chain lube to that made the stick go away.

Can disassemble and service it?

Attachment 472259

Yes


It's one of the last wrenching "tasks" that I still get enjoyment from. Guess cup and cone is still rewarding. The M950 BB with needle bearings was also fun.
If you do it, id recommended siting at a desk in a cookie tray or something and not getting drunk watching football.

[zion zig zag]

Thanks, that's what I'm looking for but you weren't kidding on the price tag. And with xtrpickels durability comment, that's a tough one...

I carry an Outdoor Research Helium that I got for $60. Weighs like 7 ounces, has a hood and packs up in a tiny pocket. I can't imagine having a rain jacket with no hood.

[goldenboy]

I carry an Outdoor Research Helium that I got for $60. Weighs like 7 ounces, has a hood and packs up in a tiny pocket. I can't imagine having a rain jacket with no hood.

Yeah, a no hood rain jacket seems odd though if packability is the goal.

That one looks solid, thanks

[skaredshtles]

Betcha it’s not as liberating as not wearing a backpack.

I mean - I've ridden like that. I just don't like the idea of not having *anything* to fix *anything* should some shit hit the fan.

And I'm not going to strap a bunch of shit to my bike like the Clampetts.

[east or bust]

Per my search the latest discussion on ultrasonic cleaners was about 60 pages ago. Gunder had recommended a cleaner from Grizzly Industrial but I don't see any listed on their website.

Would an ultrasonic cleaner from Vevor be up to the task? They have pretty good reviews. Don't think I'd need one bigger than what a cassette would fit in.

edit: this is the specific unit I'm looking at
https://www.vevor.com/ultrasonic-cle...p_010392924762

[g_man80]

Those of you with a Fox Transfer (2021+), how is it holding up? It seems there’s still reports of posts not extending fully.

In my experience it’s usually when starting from a point above half way. In that situation it’ll stop about 1/2” short. If starting from the bottom it’ll have enough momentum to top out.

Curious if that’s mostly been resolved. Or if a little Slickoleum does the trick.

I know the replies will be to get a Bikeyoke or save the money and get a Oneup. I like both of those, but the transfer is currently cheaper than the Oneup in the size I need. And I really like the seat clamp on the Transfer.

[LeeLau]

Those of you with a Fox Transfer (2021+), how is it holding up? It seems there’s still reports of posts not extending fully.

In my experience it’s usually when starting from a point above half way. In that situation it’ll stop about 1/2” short. If starting from the bottom it’ll have enough momentum to top out.

Curious if that’s mostly been resolved. Or if a little Slickoleum does the trick.

I know the replies will be to get a Bikeyoke or save the money and get a Oneup. I like both of those, but the transfer is currently cheaper than the Oneup in the size I need. I really like the seat clamp on the Transfer.

Not good. The first one off my wife's Pivot Shadowcat would not extend fully whether from all the way down or from halfway dropped. I lubed the post and that would help but then it would stick. Sent back to Fox over winter last season

It's happened again.