Video: Shimano Shadow Plus In Action
Ever wondered how effective Shimano’s Shadow Plus chain stabilization system is? Well here are two videos that illustrate just how well it works on the new Saint rear mech.
First we have it switched off, working just like a regular rear mech would.
And now here it is switched on. Notice how there is still some movement, but it’s very much limited. There’s no massive swinging about like in the previous video.
I’ve yet to film a longer cage XTR mech, but I’d imagine that the difference is even greater with a longer cage.
so, when the chain is not swinging around, its good? surely its only the movement on the high side of the chainring/cassette that matters, and this is pulled tight when you pedal, so why does this matter?
Yeah less swinging about is definitely good, particularly if you’re not running a chain device (on a trail bike obviously). Apart from reducing the chances of a dropped chain the system also massively reduces noise, which can only be a good thing. As for the top run of the chain only mattering that’s not really the case as you can also lose the chain off the bottom, and as you said the top part is only pulled tight when you pedal, and of course you’re not always pedalling, particularly over rough stuff where chain loss is more likely to happen.
ahh so its a chain loss thing. I can see the point on a trail bike, but if you set up a chainguide properly then surely you dont need one? I can kind of see the point, but not enough to bother really Think I’d rather a decent gear box system.
Not every wants to run a chain device though. They are a neccesity on a dh bike, where two chainrings is pointless. For shorter travel bikes this is pretty awesome though as it does away with the need for a chain device in a lot of instances which saves weight and with a lot bikes using press fit bbs it gives people who can’t fit chain devices some options.
Plus it’ll help silence your dh bike should you want to, which most people do.
ride an Orange 224 and you will understand that this is a beneficial device to own.
If you want to se it in action take a look at it on the DirtTV Red camera here – http://mpora.com/videos/watch/x1ne6SDej/hd
You can see Shadow Plus at 2:00 and, um, not Shadow Plus at 2:16
easily the best thing i`ve fitted to my Orange five. The chain made a hell of a racket before i fitted one. Does affect the shifting though, not so crisp on the upshifts. Cant wait for the Saint version to come out so i can quiet down the Iron horse.
“epic”, well spotted. If the link brings up an error page, try removing the “/hd” from the end of it.
wow thats amazing, i cant see any difference…
who cares..? does it pedal when I need it..? thats all I need to know..
I’m glad to see James’ comment above. I don’t see any significant difference at all. I was hoping for more from this design but it seems to be all talk with little actual difference. I’d still like to try one to judge for myself but based on this I’m unimpressed.
can I get one with a bar remote please
There was still a lot of chain movement. I wouldn’t be surprised if it still tosses a chain without a chain tensioner.
i’m still gonna keep my chainguide. a true test is following a horrible rider thru the worst lines (so I’ll wait til my friend buys one).
I have the XTR shadow plus on my Mojo HD, with no chain guide. Its pretty simple, I turn it on and no chain drop, turn it off and I will tend lose the chain when it gets rough. Everyone on this post who owns one is saying the same thing (Ed / Cyrus / Dodger / Mat / me) – it makes a real difference, the skeptics don’t seem to be owners. Buy it, try it, like it – ‘nuf said..
i’m riding with the xtr shadow plus and a bionicon c guide. usually no chaindrops. the “guide” forces the chain to drop while pedaling backwards though so i’m thinking about throwing it away and stick with the shadow plus..
thoigh setting your chain guide up right in the first place might be the cheapest option?
i have seen a bike with a shadow mech on – the certainly are quieter which is ace…not sure if this video is the proof of why?! they look pretty similar! interesting in vid one where the suspension extends and the chain goes tight!
even for noise alone that’s worth the cash!
Tow vids show Marketeering in action. See and hear no difference. Its fixing a flawed system with a flawed system. Stay with dh-type chain keeper – that works.
Or how about a decent gear hub with a fixed length single speed chain. My SS bsolut SX is the quietest bike there is on a dh-track.
hub gears are older (and shiter) than rear mechs. wwheels are older still. there is no such thing as a flawless system. mechs aren’t ideal yet they are better thn the internal hub. a decsent gear box like the pinion would be the best but they are a long way off.
*decent *