Differences between SRAM X7 & X9 shifters

SRAM state model years on their products and it is probably just a big marketing racket to make people upgrade.  Also there is some confusion about technologies shifting down the range when a new higher range is introduced.  i.e. is this year's X7 kit the same as the previous year's X9 kit?  Chat on the forums suggest this is the case sometimes.


I don't have any answers, but I do have a selection of SRAM 9-speed shifters, so I thought I'd post these comparison photos as this might help someone in the future. 


My bike (a 2010 Boardman Team FS) had SRAM X7 shifters with an X9 rear derailleur and X7 up front.   Over the last few weeks there seems to be loads of new SRAM kit on eBay.  I assume all the shops are selling off the 2010 kit to stock up on the 2011 kit.  Some of it is quite cheap, so I decided to upgrade my rear shifter to match the X9 derailleur.


So I purchased a new X9 9-speed shifter, only to find that when it arrived it was a 2009 model.  After asking on the forums, I was advised this was probably not an upgrade to my 2010 X7 shifter!  So I hunted out another new X9 shifter and this time purchased a 2011 model.


The differences between the two X9 shifters can been seen in these photos.  One is a 2010/2011 model (stamped Aug 2010) and the other is a 2009 model (stamped Jan 2009).

They both weigh the same at 130g.

My previous X7 shifter is stamped Aug 2009.  I'm not sure if this is a 2009 or 2010 model.  However, it is almost identical to the 2011 X9 shifter above.

The only visible difference is that the casing is all plastic rather than half metal of the X9.  The X7 shifter weighs 128g.  I've not opened them to see if there is any internal differences, but the shifting action feels the same when in your hand.

Obviously the case design has changed recently and is now slightly slimmer, but my conclusion is that the difference between an X7 and X9 model is just the metal case and obviously no point in spending the extra money for the X9 unless you really like the little bit of bling!  

Bikehut performance platform pedals review

Purchased from Halfords (search on cat code 121619-0) for £29.99, these are good value alloy platform pedals.  They are precision CNC machined from a solid block of aluminium, with a 9/16 sized axel and 9 replaceable studs on each side.
The allen nut provides easy access to the bearing and to grease the axel - not that I've needed too yet, but I have taken them apart to check if they were greased properly and to see if any grit was getting passed the seals (it wasn't).  

They're not particularly light, but for the price they are very well made, strong and superb value.  They are half the price of other similar pedals.  They do look good too - apart from the Bikehut logo!!.
Size is approx 90mm width, 100mm long and 18mm deep.


My rating: 8/10

Park Tool CNW-2 chainring nut wrench review

I purchased this to hold the nut on the rear derailleur hanger.  After trying to hold it with two flat bade screwdrivers, I decided to buy the right tool for the job.  I went for the Park one as they have such a good reputation and at only £3.99 from Chain Reaction Cycles it was a small price to pay.

The tool is a bit of a lightweight and I'm not impressed with it.  For only £3.99, I suppose you can't expect much, but it could have been far better.  It is about 11cm long and made from 1mm thick pressed steel with a bright chrome finish.

The problem I found is that it is too thin and therefore much thinner than the size of the slot in the nuts and means you can't put much force on it before it pops out.  Being such a smooth glossy finish probably doesn't help either.  Also the ends (the vital bits that fit in the slot of the nut) have slightly rounded sides which also doesn't help it stay in place under force.  I'm going to get a metal file to it to see if I can make the ends completely flat to see if that improves it.  But ideally it should be made out of a metal that is two or three times thicker.

My rating: 4/10


Does anyone know of any other similar tools for holding the slotted nuts?
CRC sell the BBB BoldGrip BTL32L wrench, but it looks to be no better than the Park one.  See http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=60760

Lezyne Alloy Drive MTB hand pump

After my previous BikeHut hand pump only lasted about a month and failed on second use, I decided to buy the best small pump I could find.  All the reviews led me to Lezyne.

I purchased the Lezyne Alloy Drive high-volume pump in Medium size.  See http://www.lezyne.com/alloy-drive for all the details.
The pump is extremely light at only 128 grams and is small enough to carry in your Camelbak, although probably better with the small size if you're going to carry it - 166mm vs 214mm long.  I mounted mine on the frame with the supplied cradle.  The cradle is designed to fit under a bottle holder, so it sticks out to one side.
This pump is pure class and oozes quality - it's 100% aluminium.  The flexible hose is double ended for either presta or schrader valves, yet cleverly also screws into the pump either way.  As this is the high-volume version, which is ideal for mountain bikes, it inflates a standard 26x2.1" tube in less than a minute.
At both ends of the pump are rubber caps protecting the pump from dirt and water.  I found that these aren't quite secure enough and don't offer enough protection if the pump is mounted on the lower section of the frame where it gets covered in crud.  So I've resorted to wrapping the pump in a plastic bag, which spoils the look a little, but at least is stops grit getting into the threads.
At £23.88 delivered (of an eBay retailer), this pump is well worth the money, considering that my previous pump cost £20 and only lasted a month before the seals failed.  I normally get a puncture on every weekend ride and I find this pump a pleasure to use.  I'd go so far as to say it is perfect and unbeatable.  I just wish there was a little protective jacket for it, as it's too nice to get dirty!


My rating: 10/10

Urge Endur-O-Matic MTB helmet review

This is my first time using blogger.  I thought I'd try it to post a review of the new Urge Endur-o-matic bike helmet as there is very little information on the internet about this helmet and I hope this will help others in the future.  Please add your comments.


This helmet is new to the UK in late December 2010.  Mine arrived on Christmas eve after ordering it from Chain Reaction Cycles a few weeks ago.

As a middle aged bloke who's recently got back into mountain biking again, I wanted a new helmet.  After a recent fall, I wanted one with the best protection available.  I've never been impressed with the trend of having more and larger air vents.  Fine for the road, but it would be far too easy for a stick or stone to come through these vents when falling in rough terrain.  I also wanted one that gave you protection around the back of the head.  I considered the Fox Flux and the Uvex XP100 - both of which seemed to offer the best protection of the traditional styled helmets.  Then I saw pictures of the new POC Trabec helmet due in April 2011 and then the Urge Endur-O-Matic.  Both seem to offer similar protection and after researching (the limited) information on the net, I decided to get the Urge as it was available sooner and is much cheaper.


Firstly, the sizing isn't clear.  Many online retailers aren't yet displaying the sizing information.  The helmet is available in two sizes: S/M and L/XL. After emailing the distribution company, they told me that S/M = 54-57cm and L/XL = 58-61cm.  I therefore ordered a L/XL.  Now that mine has arrived, the label inside says 57-60cm.
My head is 59.5cm and the helmet is not tight.  In fact I've changed one of the pads to the thicker one.


Inside the box you get:

• the helmet
• a storage bag
• two replacement pads
• a sheet of stickers
• instruction leaflet

The helmet is very light.  I weighed mine at 322 grams with one thin pad and one thick pad fitted.  The outer plastic shell is very high gloss and looks great.  The construction is a dense polystyrene of between 15-24mm thickness.  The fitting is pretty basic.  There's no internal headband.  Instead there is a front and rear pad, which fixes by a few small velcro adhesive discs.  One set of pads is about 5mm thick and the other about 10mm.  You simply install which combination is most suitable.  Therefore, I think some people may find it might not fit as well as some others and should check it first.  Trouble is that you can't if buying online.  However, I find it fits well and is very comfortable, so take the plunge!

Cooling is via eight 30mm round vents - four at the front, two on top and two at the rear.  They are meant to be positioned to create a venturi effect and the flexible visor is meant to aid airflow.  I've only used it for one 2 hour ride so far and I didn't find it hot at all.  Seemed no worse than my Met helmet.  I was only 5 degC today, so it might be a different story in the summer, but so far the cooling certainly works.  

The helmet comes in a range of colours.  See http://www.urgebike.com/accueil_gb.html  for the details.  I chose the black/white/red (red straps) and have already added some of the additional stickers in these photos.

So far, I'm very impressed with the helmet. It seems to offer superior protection and looks different.  It's an ideal compromise between a full face helmet and a traditional bike helmet.  Some will not like the styling and may find it (or think it will be) too hot, but that's personal preferences.  It looks a looks a lot more helmet for £79.99 than anything else at this price.  My only criticism so far is that the buckle could do with some sort of protection to stop pinching your skin when doing it up.

My rating: 9/10