What's the buzz about Shimano's new stuff? What do you think about the new derailleur mount? Holla back.
'MARCH 20, 2003 -- IRVINE, CA (BRAIN)--Shimano targeted the cross-country rider with its latest XTR group; its forthcoming Saint component line addresses the needs of the free rider and downhiller.
"Our focus with Saint was to make things durable and reliable bombing down rock gardens. This is not a cross-country group so the parts will be heavier than XTR," said Chris DiStefano, Shimano's public relations officer. "But I wouldn't want Saint to be labeled as only a downhill group as it is just as capable on uphills and flats."
Saint is not a full group. There is no Saint front derailleur, shifters or cassette. Shimano expects product managers to blend Saint's components with XT and XTR components to tailor bikes to product categories.
Saint's perhaps most innovative feature is its rear axle mounting derailleur. A 6-millimeter bolt holds the derailleur to the rear-axle precluding a quick-release. It works on frames with hangers.
"Axle mounting makes it stronger in its ability to take impact and it is always in-line with the hub and cassette. Unlike derailleur hangers which can bend," DiStefano said.
Both hubs have oversize axles, the front is a 20 millimeter through axle design. The rear uses a 20-millimeter axle that steps down to the normal 10 millimeter at the dropout. It will work with standard frame dropouts, but it is not a quick-release design because of its derailleur mounting.
Saint brakes look similar to XTR mono-body styling but beefier. They do no require shims to align, which should speed up installation. Saint cranks are stockier versions of XTR's two-piece pinch crank using an oversized external bearing.
Bikes using Saint parts are not expected until the first of next year, DiStefano said. Pricing and production component weights are still to be determined.' - Bicycle Retailer and Industry News
'MARCH 20, 2003 -- IRVINE, CA (BRAIN)--Shimano targeted the cross-country rider with its latest XTR group; its forthcoming Saint component line addresses the needs of the free rider and downhiller.
"Our focus with Saint was to make things durable and reliable bombing down rock gardens. This is not a cross-country group so the parts will be heavier than XTR," said Chris DiStefano, Shimano's public relations officer. "But I wouldn't want Saint to be labeled as only a downhill group as it is just as capable on uphills and flats."
Saint is not a full group. There is no Saint front derailleur, shifters or cassette. Shimano expects product managers to blend Saint's components with XT and XTR components to tailor bikes to product categories.
Saint's perhaps most innovative feature is its rear axle mounting derailleur. A 6-millimeter bolt holds the derailleur to the rear-axle precluding a quick-release. It works on frames with hangers.
"Axle mounting makes it stronger in its ability to take impact and it is always in-line with the hub and cassette. Unlike derailleur hangers which can bend," DiStefano said.
Both hubs have oversize axles, the front is a 20 millimeter through axle design. The rear uses a 20-millimeter axle that steps down to the normal 10 millimeter at the dropout. It will work with standard frame dropouts, but it is not a quick-release design because of its derailleur mounting.
Saint brakes look similar to XTR mono-body styling but beefier. They do no require shims to align, which should speed up installation. Saint cranks are stockier versions of XTR's two-piece pinch crank using an oversized external bearing.
Bikes using Saint parts are not expected until the first of next year, DiStefano said. Pricing and production component weights are still to be determined.' - Bicycle Retailer and Industry News
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