[mtbman4]

Shimano is coming out with a Saint front der. and "dual control" levers for 05. First of all, what do you need a super-burly front derailleur for? How many time have you whacked your front derailleur on a rock? And those horrid dual control levers? Ughhh.

On a good note, Shimano is re-releasing the XT 9 speed trigger shifters (the normal ones) for 05.

 

[speedster]

It makes sense to offer a front derailler for 05 because now Saint is a full group. It it not a super beefy part, it is just there to complete the group. As for the dual control levers the same idea applies. Shimano wants to give companies a full group with there freeride gruppo...and of course Shimano will do what they want because they want to push that design on the industry. And yes, I am glad they are offering rapid fire shifters for 05, my choice for DH, slalom, dj and street.

 

[Incubus]

speedster is right on about the full-group thing. The front derailleur likely won't be any different than an XT short of the paint. Just like the brake calipers are. Just like the '05 brake levers will be XTs painted in Saint's bronze color.

 

[mtbman4]

Saint's bronze color.

err...black?

 

[ska todd]

The Saint FD-M805 & FD-M806 is for 83/150 set-ups. 73 & 68/135 set-ups do not have a specific FD.

-ska todd

 

[Dogboy]

The Saint FD-M805 & FD-M806 is for 83/150 set-ups. 73 & 68/135 set-ups do not have a specific FD.

-ska todd

Todd is correct. There isn't a front derailleur on the market now for a 57mm chainline. Also, the brake levers are supposed to have stronger return springs than the XT models.

 

[Incubus]

err...black?

Nope. It's a dark bronze.

 

[leprechaun]

Just to elaborate in case this isn't sinking in.
The 83 mm bb shell is designed to work with the 150x12 rear hub to achieve a straight chainline.
The turner highline is one bike that, if a front der is to be used will need to be the new saint one.
i can't believe i just posted about a f der!!

 

[ska todd]

The turner highline is one bike that, if a front der is to be used will need to be the new saint one.

If used w/ 3-rings on an 83mm shell you will need a Saint FD. When used w/ a 2-ring set-up a Deore, LX, Hone, XT, XTR, or Sram X-Gen will work no problem.

-ska todd

 

[Bulldog]

If used w/ 3-rings on an 83mm shell you will need a Saint FD. When used w/ a 2-ring set-up a Deore, LX, Hone, XT, XTR, or Sram X-Gen will work no problem.

-ska todd

And that begs the question: Are there really enough people out there with 7-10" travel bikes and forks and running this new FR/DH chainline hopeful standard that will actually run a triple on these bikes? Seriously? There are a lot of products that never make it to market - not for lack of interest, but for lack of enough interest. A DH front derailleur should be one of them.

 

[Incubus]

It'll work nicely with a hiem guide. A bike with DH-like travel and triple rings will be a true jack-of-all-trades [master-of-none ]

 

[Incubus]

Those in the know: any ideas when we'll see '05 saint? I'm being an asthetic wh0re and waiting for the Saint hydro levers.

 

[ska todd]

My personal opinion is that Shimano et al need to switch away from the ST mount FD to a post mount or side mount style (a kin to road bikes). This would free up bike designs a lot and allow riders to run FD's on virtually any DH bike w/ a post and cablestops. This would allow frame builders to run linkages in that area, use STs over 35mm, or use whatever size BB shell they choose.

-ska todd