XTR M960: Beyond diminishing returns

XTR M960 Cranks: $450
XTR M960 Brifters: $275
XTR M960 Rear Derailleur: $123
XTR M960 9sp Cassette: $142
XTR M960 Rear Disc Hub: $192

HA HA HA HA! Nobody is gonna buy this stuff, are they?

The weight weenies with more money than sense are gonna line up to drop $2k+
on the new XTR line. Does the phrase "diminishing returns" mean anything to
them? I'm betting it doesn't. Shimano is trying to see how much they can get
the logo whores to pay for ugly, trendy bike parts. It's not jewelry, but
it's priced like gold.

The new XTR is partially based on 11-year-old technology. Several companies
offered similar crank and BB designs in 1992, most notably Magic Motorcycle;
but also Bullseye, Sweet Wings and Syncros a few years later. Shimano has
been borrowing 1993 Magic Motorcycle crank technology for a while now
(square-splined BB, outboard bearings, hollow crankarms). The only thing
marginally new are the M960 shifters, and they're just a rehash of Dura Ace.

Meanwhile, all of Shimano's other component lines are going up in price.
Last season, I bought the new DuraAce mid-cage rear derailleur for $53 from
JensonUSA. Right now, JensonUSA lists DuraAce 7800 rear derailleurs for
$146!! LX cranks that sold for $59 are now $83. M753 XT cranks were $119.
The new XT cranks are $249!! That, folks, is a HUGE increase. Your next
bike will cost a *lot* more than your last bike did. Low-priced Shimano
sources are drying up quickly. If you're thinking of stocking up, do it very
soon.

Is Shimano begging us to switch to SRAM, or what?

Rocketman

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