That is a semi-fail. These are the only shots up to now, so maybe there's more material on the crank, or those are covers or something...?Looks great!
Slightly disappointed they went with Xtr-esque chainring bolts. Had nothing but trouble with mine and they weigh more than standard ones...
How so? I have the XTR and love the super clean look - no problems whatsoever.Looks great!
Slightly disappointed they went with Xtr-esque chainring bolts. Had nothing but trouble with mine and they weigh more than standard ones...
Observation noted. But they have slimmed down a ton! maybe more to come if there are still bugs and the need is there. But honestly that seems pretty normal as far pedals go. Not super thin like Twenty6 or Canfield or Spank, but they look about the width if not thinner than proven Straitlines and Atomlabs. I have the atomlabs, maybe a bit thinner than these Saints, but still thin enough. I feel like riding pedals modeled with the thickness of poster board and the tread pattern of nails is sketchy, little thin for my standards. These Saints seem to be a perfect widthNo weird rotor shown, yet? Prepare yourself for a surprise
Pedals went on serious diet, but still... far from current flats standard, IMO.
As for the crankset, I hope it lost some weight but kept the its strength
BTW, no word/pic of Zee? ;>
The main upgrade for me that's obvious is the brakeset. Better lever design, top loading pads, probably lighter too.It looks great, and don't get me wrong when I say this, but other than the clutch on the rear der I can't see how it will be worth the money over the older stuff. Not that the newer stuff won't be good of course. I'm sure it will be amazing. Its just that the current SAINT stuff is just awesome. Other than a few small changes (slightly lighter I'd bet, and maybe the brakes) I don't know that it would justify an upgrade, ya know>?
I agree. However, I don't feel like waiting for them so I'm going to give the XT lever/ Saint caliper a try.The main upgrade for me that's obvious is the brakeset. Better lever design, top loading pads, probably lighter too.
I remember hearing that the ice tech rotors were not ideal for DH, and especially heavier riders. Apparently the rotor materials can seperate under extreme heat. (Aka fatty dragging brakes down DH runs.)Wonder if the brakes will come with those Ice-Tech rotors that XT/XTR have been running? I'd be all over a set of those brakes.
I haven't seen them in real life, but from the PDF you posted, it looks like anyone who didn't like the funky bolts could just run the regular ones instead?anybody care to elaborate on the crankbolts? haven't seen XTR in reallife so far, so whats thedeal with the cranks?
used to love old saint cranks...
so far i am thrilled about the brakes and the rear der. hope i will be able to ide again 2013
EDIT: nevermind somebody posted this on pb
http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/techdocs/content/cycle/EV/bikecomponents/FC/EV-FC-M820-3384_v1_m56577569830799254.pdf
"Documents we’ve seen indicate the rotors will use “ICE Technologies,” which likely means they will have a three-layer design like XTR based around an aluminum core with steel braking surfaces for better heat management. The brakes also will use the finned brake pads introduced on XTR Trail brakes this year."I remember hearing that the ice tech rotors were not ideal for DH, and especially heavier riders. Apparently the rotor materials can seperate under extreme heat. (Aka fatty dragging brakes down DH runs.)
But this is rumor, I dont recall where, or how often - but since this is teh w3b, here ya go!
All that shiny is nice, I keep finding ways to bankrupt myself; I want it all, but as said above, the only 'critical' piece for me is the RD (and shifter by proxy as I expect it's 10 speed)
This is correct. The spider tabs are normal and you could use standard chainring bolts if you wanted. The stock setup is just so damned cool thoughI haven't seen them in real life, but from the PDF you posted, it looks like anyone who didn't like the funky bolts could just run the regular ones instead?
It is cool. Sure, you could lose the slick "nuts," but at least you're not committed to running them. Removable for bash ring use too...This is correct. The spider tabs are normal and you could use standard chainring bolts if you wanted. The stock setup is just so damned cool though
The current saint stuff is great, don't get me wrong. But there is room for improvement. It hasn't been mentioned much but shimano 10 speed has a better actuation ratio than the 9 speed. So it should be less finicky to adjust and hold its tune longer. The brakes will probably be the biggest upgrade though. Ergonomically I've been disappointed with previous shimano levers. The latest offerings have been the most comfortable levers I've tried. Better heat dissapation too, sweet.It looks great, and don't get me wrong when I say this, but other than the clutch on the rear der I can't see how it will be worth the money over the older stuff. Not that the newer stuff won't be good of course. I'm sure it will be amazing. Its just that the current SAINT stuff is just awesome. Other than a few small changes (slightly lighter I'd bet, and maybe the brakes) I don't know that it would justify an upgrade, ya know>?
Hopefully they don't squeal on ABP and split pivot bikes.The brakes will probably be the biggest upgrade though.
I am with you, but if I decide to upgrade front caliper, I will most probably use Zee, which seem to be the same constructionas new Saint.I agree. However, I don't feel like waiting for them so I'm going to give the XT lever/ Saint caliper a try.
They will come with something even... better? ;>Wonder if the brakes will come with those Ice-Tech rotors that XT/XTR have been running? I'd be all over a set of those brakes.
Wrap your chainstays in some discrete black tape and a lot of the squealing will dissappear.Hopefully they don't squeal on ABP and split pivot bikes.
Waffle cones? Avid lever feel? Tell us man, or forever hold your peace...They will come with something even... better? ;>
There were plenty of little problems with the old brakes that a lot of people experienced (me included) like leaking from the reservoirs and excessively long lever throw that got longer over time requiring attention/correction. I think they should have updated them sooner than waiting for the new model to roll around if anything, but regardless, it looks like these should be very nice judging by their other brakes with the same lever.It looks great, and don't get me wrong when I say this, but other than the clutch on the rear der I can't see how it will be worth the money over the older stuff. Its just that the current SAINT stuff is just awesome.
+1 I was a huge fan of the gen 1 Saint brakes, had my set forever. This past year I got a set of the v2's, the levers sucked bad, calipers were great.Love my Saint stopper but have to agree completely on the levers. Stoke there is a change considering I have been holding off till I could find something better - bonza now I have it. Happy with my rear mech but the shifter could be better, I need both so I will get to try this upgrade too.
Never been disapointed with Shimano durability and ease of setup, if they make improvements with same track record they will really be top.
That sounds like a pretty trick setup but how do you actuate the brake? Do you use your toe/heal and hit the levers on the calipers?Called up Shimano and threw some XTR Levers on the calipers, problem solved. IMO it's the best setup around.
No dummy, he has a dw double kick pedal attached.That sounds like a pretty trick setup but how do you actuate the brake? Do you use your toe/heal and hit the levers on the calipers?