| Mountain bike components are designed to withstand | | | | occasional or enthusiast rider. These components are |
| more abuse and extreme riding conditions. These | | | | stocked on entry level mountain bikes. |
| components are heavier, sometime larger and more | | | | Shimano Deore LX is their next level in higher quality. |
| durable then road bike components. Sometime you | | | | This category level consists of a more durable |
| are riding on dirt, rock, or in water, etc and the | | | | product. The main difference that I noticed is that |
| components need to be durable enough so they can | | | | Deore LX is lighter then Deore. My derailleur was a |
| withstand abusive treatment. | | | | Deore LX and it has shown me proven quality and |
| It just so happened that my rear derailleur broke on | | | | reliability for many years. |
| my full suspension mountain bike. I was riding a down | | | | Shimano Deore XT was referred to as their heavy |
| hill trail and lost control of my bike. The rear of the | | | | duty category. This product category is not |
| bike ended up hitting the face of a rock and I was | | | | considered race quality performance but they are |
| left with a mangled rear derailleur. So I looked at the | | | | light weight and more durable then the LX category. |
| positive side of the accident and said to myself now | | | | The price difference between the LX category and |
| is the time to upgrade. | | | | the XT category was noticeable. |
| I could find new or near new parts on Bike Servant | | | | Shimano XTR is considered their high performance |
| which is a mountain bike classifieds website and lists | | | | category. Again these parts are lighter then the XT |
| mountain bikes for sale, bike parts and race events | | | | category. As a consumer I took notice to the price |
| but I was in the car with my bike so I decided to go | | | | increase from XT to XTR. It appeared to me that |
| to the store. | | | | this category appeals to the racers that demand light |
| On the way home from the trail I stopped at my | | | | weight and high performance. |
| local bike store to buy a new derailleur so I can | | | | Keep in mind that this is not a complete list of |
| resume riding as quickly as possible. I told the bike | | | | Shimano's product line. It is the list that my bike store |
| shop guy my situation and she asked me which | | | | carried. You bike store might carry more bikes for |
| aftermarket Shimano derailleur I wanted to buy. Not | | | | sale and part to suit your needs. |
| knowing anything about the different categories in | | | | So in my quest to buy a new derailleur I decided to |
| the Shimano product line I asked for help and this is | | | | purchase the Shimano Deore XT because of its light |
| what she relayed to me. | | | | weight, durability and price. I had the bike shop install |
| Shimano Deore is their entry level category. These | | | | it for me and I was back on the trail in no time. |
| products are inexpensive and meant for the | | | | |