Worth it? Upgrading shifters from LX to XT

[ebrandel]

Ok, this is most likely just a case of a biker who wants all his components to match (or, in my case, have XT shifters and disc brakes/levers with XTR derailleurs).

My bike came with LX M570 shifters. I'm looking at upgrading(?) to XT M751 shifters.

The only reason I'm thinking about doing this right now that I just picked up a new XTR front derailleur which I got a really good deal on ($19 shipped). It's the matching front to my XTR rear (same series). Next week I'm going to bring in my bike for the "free" tuneup I got with its purchase so I was going to have it installed then and figured that maybe I should just do it all at once so I don't have to be without my bike twice this summer.

So, I guess my question is: Is this at all worth it, or am I just succumbing to my own vanity? Right now I'm guessing it's the latter and I should just save myself the $70. Or should I just be waiting and then upgrading to XTR so I can really feel special?

And since I'm asking about shifters here's a more general question: are the gear indicators removable? I can't think of the last time I actually looked at one of those things.

[Tex]

So, I guess my question is: Is this at all worth it, or am I just succumbing to my own vanity? Right now I'm guessing it's the latter and I should just save myself the $70. Or should I just be waiting and then upgrading to XTR so I can really feel special?

And since I'm asking about shifters here's a more general: are the gear indicators removable? I can't think of the last time I actually looked at one of those things.

Is it worth it? I guess that depends on how much money you have burning in your pocket. Personally I would just wait until your LX shifters break or wear out, but that's just because I'm cheap. However, if you found a set of xt or xtr shifters on a price you just can't pass up, then I'd go for it. I will say there is a noticeable difference between lx and xtr shifters.

Yes, the gear indicators are removable.<o></o>

[transplant]

IF the deal is too good to pass up, buy the XT shifters and use the LX till they fail. This way you have back ups handy. I did this with some SRAM GripShifts a few years back. Of course, then it took 2 years for the old shifters to conk out.

[dejorn]

Buy the new XT shifters, use them and keep the LX shifters as back-ups.