New 03 XTR Shifting Problems

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by redeem
I have the new XTR group installed on a new Marin Quad frame from last year. Always had shifting problems - never got it to be as crisp as my XT thumb or 92 XTR.

All the bike mechanics in my area are stumped by my rig. 3 have replaced cables and housing to no avail. COG SET was verified and checked for any bents or chipped teeth - none seen. Rear derail hanger checked for alignment- OK. rear derail pulleys checked - OK. Chain OK but replaced to no avail (using both shimano XTR and now SRAM hollow pin 99. Drop-outs checked (a little bit off - Marin validated that it is within product specs). Cones checked - within spec. B tension checked- within spec.

The problem: From the lowest gear (largest cog), the upshifting is always searching especially between 2 and 3. Downshifting is ok - but upshifting is searching always. If you adjust SIS to properly shift in the lower (1-2-3-4) cogs, shifting in 7-8-9 suffers!!! Does this both on the stand and while ridden.

Shops are telling me to get an older (normal rise 02 XTR rear). The solution was to do what specialize does.

What can I check in the rear derail or dual lever arena to rule out defects in either. Any known problems with first generation XTR dual control levers or derail?

We have very decent shops in my area - Jackson Hole WY - I too have tweaked for shops and am ready to toss bike off of Snow King chair lift!!!!!! Please help!!!!!

I am ready to SRAM it and get XT disk brake levers to work with current XTR disk set.

Any Shimano techs out there who could help me stay with my XTR set-up?

New cable and housing sound like good choices.
Have you read the section on cables and housings on Sheldon Brown's web site?

<http://sheldonbrown.com/cables.html>

Make sure the details of lengths, ends, fit into frame braze-ons, bends, exposed sections, etc. are all correct. Get the best housing and cable you can afford. Not all cables and housings are the same, and Shimano makes varying levels... and still isn't the best. I like Avid Flak jacket, but it is tough to cut and put nice smooth ends on. It is also fatter, and may require some braze-ons to have their inner diameter enlarged.
The Shimano site has adjustments for the new style derailers. They work well when adjusted properly and when the cable and housing issues are resolved.
I wouldn't give up, but I would go back to the XTR chain. It shifts better than SRAM, in my experience.
You might also try writing to or talking with marinbike to see if they have uncovered any specific issues with that particular bicycle.