Conference noted::bicycle

Go for the Sun Tour XCD6000.  Because Sun Tour doesn't have the instant 
"Oh, jeez, wow!" name recognition that Shimano enjoys, ST has to work 
harder to produce components that are better.  It shows - my daughter's 
Cannondale came with XCD6000, and I am flat *impressed*.  I'm also a Sun 
Tour road component user from way back before Ronnie became Prez; I gave 
up Shimano the first time I rode s ST-equipped bike.  I can't say enough 
good things about ST, so I won't.  Just buy it.

- Dick

    I have nothing against Suntour (in fact I race on my road bike with
    a Suntour Superbe Pro deurailler), but I'd favor DEORE. My Fisher
    mountain bike has DEORE on it, and it shifts beautifully under all
    conditions. I've had no problems shifting under load, in rain, in
    zero degree temps, ...
    
    I also read in a recent mountain biking magazine that DEORE shifts
    a little bit "faster" than the Suntour XCD6000. I think it was in
    the Jan issue of Mountain Bike Action. I have never actually tried
    the XCD6000 though, so can't say for sure.
    
    Mark

I would say that you would be safe with either.  Is there anything else that
would favor one bike over the other, price, bike shop, color/looks, other
components such as rims, stem or tires?

I own an '87 Stumpjumper which is mixture of brands, Specialized hubs, rims,
headset, BB and tires, DEORE cranks and brakes and Suntour derailluers, levers
and freewheel.  The Suntour stuff is XC9000.  I understand that the newer
Suntour stuff is even better which is hard to believe because the stuff I have
is great.

The only real advantage to DEORE, as I see it, it that whether it is actually
better or not it is the de facto industry standard now.  It may make you feel a
bit safer know that so many others are using the same equipment.

    This is a good a note as any for a Shimano vs. Sun Tour question so...
    What's the word on the ST XCD group? Some rags regard them as improved,
    but they rarely say a bad word about anything. The catalogs price the
    XCD components either at, or just below the Deore DX line. Any actual
    users out there, or better yet, folks who have compared the 2? How
    about weight, btw, about equal? It's often hard to get answers from
    dealers...
    Thanks,
    John

    I have an '89 Fisher CR-7 with a mix of components.  90% off road.
    
    XCD levers and derailers on the bike are VERY good.  Problems have been
    sensitivity to streached cables (easy to fix, make sure its adjusted),
    extreamly rare "ghost shifting" when the bike has been in deep mud, a
    slight bit of chain noise when on the road (may be due to Bullseye
    aluminum jockey wheels), and occasional tossing the chain from the
    front rings (overshifting to the outer - again can be adjusted).
    
    I particularly like the ability to use all the 6 cogs on any chainring. 
    The "forbidden combination" of roadie fame doesn't cause 
    noise or slipping (granted it may be wearing things out a bit faster). 
    
    I plan to upgrade to 9000 later this year.
    
    Bob

    re .5
    Thanks for the info. I didn't know they put XCD on the CR-7.
    On the upgrade, why to the 9000? Maybe I'm confused on
    SunTour's line, but I thought the XC Comp and XC Pro were
    the top 2 grades of their off-road groups. Does XCD have it's
    own groups?
    
    Thanks,
    John

    I guess I want the 9000 because I've read favorable reports.  The Comp
    and Pro I've never read much about.  6000 to 9000 is almost a lateral
    move so performance should be predictable.
    
    You know how it is when you get an idea in your head  :^).
    
    bob

    Yeah, I know what you mean. It's just that the XC-Comp and especially
    the XC-Pro seem to be on a lot of bikes in the $1500 and up range.
    
    John