Conference noted::bicycle

    
    	I use the Shimano shifters and deore deraillures, and like them
    a lot.   When a freind and I compared the Shimano index system with
    the suntour, the Shimano came out much better.    Personally, I
    don't think there's much difference between the deore and the
    deore xt.     Get thumbtip shifters for sure!
    	I think the rear deraillure is kind of expendable on
    a mountain bike.   If you do a lot of trails, you might end up
    replacing it at least once a year anyway, and since the more expensive
    deraillure is really the same, except for better bearings and such
    to give it a longer road life...   In my experience the deraillure
    gets trashed before it wears out, so you might as well go for the
    regular deore.
    	I don't like indexed shifting.   It's OK for my friend's
    girlfriend who's not used to shifting, but for anyone used to
    riding 10 speeds I wouldn't recommend them.   Last weekend I
    hit a branch and bent my deraillure, miles from the nearest
    road.   If I had been using the indexed system, it would have
    been out of adjustment for the rest of the ride.   (Well, it
    was out of adjustment anyway, but wasn't quite as much hassle
    as the indexed would have been.)
    	And of course, the *widest* gear range possible.   (I am
    currently using a biopace 48-38-26, with a 12..34 suntour 
    freewheel, and like it a lot.)

    		Alan.

    RE: .0
    
    I don't know exactly what the differences are, but in terms of price
    (and presumably quality) the Shimano offerings are:
    
    1)light action 	(cheapest)
    2)exage trail
    3)exage mountain
    4)deore
    5)deore xt
    
    The exage trail and mountain are new this year (88), and have both
    rear AND front indexing, compared to the others which are indexed
    only in the rear.  The exage also appear to use a lot more plastic
    components, compared to deore, which has more metal.
    
    Steve
    

    The Exage components are one step below Deore in terms of price.
    Exage uses a combination of steel, allow and plastic in there component
    line, with a special gray plastic coating over the components giving
    the package a consistant look.  Exage also comes with index front
    shifting.  
    
    I disagree with 708.1, I use SIS on my mountain bike and find it
    fantastic (my road bike is not index).  With SIS you can jam into
    lower gears easier then spending time finding the gear.  SIS on
    a mountain bike does take some adjustments, it is not fool proof.
    With Deore (not sure with Exage) you can easily switch to friction
    on the fly.
    
    I have seen overlaps in prices of bikes with Exage and Deore.  Myself,
    I would spend the effort in looking for a Deore system.  There are
    other components in the Deore family that are nice, the new pedals,
    hubs, and crankset are definitly a step higher.
    
    steve
    

>    With Deore (not sure with Exage) you can easily switch to friction
>    on the fly.

     Can you explain how this is done? 
    
     Also, I heard that the difference between Deore and Deore XT is
     more of a cosmetic factor than a performance factor, is this true?

    						Gerry
    

    There is a small lever on the shifter to move from index to friction.
    
    There is come difference between Deore and XT.  The clamps on the
    levers, shifters are smoother and heavier, the crankset is cold
    forged rather than melt forged.  I have ridden both and the XT is
    definitely smoother.
    
    steve

    
    THIS IS done by a lever on the shifter that allows either SIS or
    friction for the DEORE shifters (for 708.4). 
    I also like SIS for mountain bikes. It's handy to be able to push
    into the next lower gear without fear of over shifting. this is
    not as big a deal in road bikes, but i ride on trails where you
    may frequently change from a very high gear to a very low gear.
    SIS allows you to change gears "without thinking".
    
                                                  doug 
    

    
    I have Shimano Deore parts on my bike and I think they are great,
    I agree with the previous notes that SIS is a good feature (changing
    gear going up nasty hills is a revalation after friction shifting).
    
    My vote goes to Deore for the following reasons :-
    
    	1. I can 'feel' no difference between Deore and Deore XT and
    	   I usually break parts before they wear out and therefore
    	   the longevity of XT parts really doesn't affect my decision.
    
    	2. The Exage group is too new for any real feed back as to how
    	   they last (if they last as well as Deore I may start using 
    	   Exage Mountain components).
                         
    	3. My previous bike had Suntour parts and I was not impressed
    	   with them - it seems that at the bottom end of the range
    	   Shimano parts are far superior, at the top end (eg Suntour
    	   XC9000) they are much the same.                           
    
    	Get Exage Mountain or Deore (depending on your budget) but most
    	of all have fun - leave the componentry posing to those that
    	can afford it........
    
    	Paul
    

    
    After reading this note, I was curious just what the price differences
    were between the Deore & Deore XT.  In the Bike Nashbar spring catalog,
    the prices for the rear derailers are:
    
    			Deore 		$24.95
    			Deore XT	$31.95	(28% more)

   How do these prices compare with other places?  BTW, based on my
    recent experiences with the Massachusetts Bike Nasbar store, you
    would be wise to call them before making a long trip there.  Half
    the stuff I have gone there for they have been out of.....