So, what was it like then? Well, if there was one part of the groupset that I was really looking forward to trying out it had to be the new brakes. There had been an awful lot of talk about how much better these were than the previous models, and because they share many features with the latest XTR brakes (which we love) I had very high expectations. The feedback from many riders about the previous brakes was that the vast amount of power wasn’t controllable enough, it was too on/off, and so this was a key area that Shimano wanted to address. They’ve definitely done it too, modulation is massively improved, so much so that at first I was left wondering if the brakes had as much power as the previous ones. The modulation is deceptive though because if you pull a bit more the power is seemingly endless. The increased control was particularly noticeable on some insanely steep rock–rolls where you needed to keep your speed in check but the last thing you wanted to do was lock–up. These brakes made it a doddle, and I am not so sure that would have been the case with the old brakes. All that said, there was a part of me that was left wondering if Shimano had almost gone a bit too far with the modulation. I say that because I was one of the seemingly few who got on well with the power delivery of the old brakes. Yes it took some time to get used to, but when you did I liked the instant power delivery. Maybe I just need some more time to get used to them, but even now I can see a few situations where the increased control would be a bonus.

There was one aspect of the brakes though that I really would like changed, and that’s the lever reach and bite point. Now I know lever set–up is a very personal thing, and I also know that my taste is fairly extreme, but I just couldn’t get these brakes how I wanted, whereas I can with the old ones. I like my lever really close to the bar with a very short bite point, and when they’re fully on I want the lever almost touching the grip. Even at the extreme range of adjustment I couldn’t quite get that set–up. It was close, but not spot on. Yes I could live with it, but I just don’t see why Shimano couldn’t offer more adjustment. As I said before though this is a personal thing and no doubt the vast majority of you will be more than happy with the lever adjustment. Oh, and talking of the lever I like the way Shimano have fitted the cheaper SLX blade to the brakes rather than the XTR one. Why? Because although the XTR one is lighter the production technique means that in a crash it is more likely to snap, whereas the SLX one will simply bend, meaning you stand more chance of still being able to complete your run. It’s a good example of how Shimano really have thought about what riders need from a groupset like this.

On the whole then they didn’t quite live up to my expectations, but then maybe my expectations were too high in the first place. The brakes are still massively impressive though and I’d be hard pushed to think of a better brake for DH use. I never really suffered from heat fade with the previous brakes, but with Ice–Tec pads and rotors on these new brakes Shimano have got heat dissipation well and truly covered. Shimano hadn’t produced the new rotors with the big cooling fins in time so we just had standard Ice–Tec rotors, but I think you’d have to be doing some serious brake dragging on an epically long descent to warrant the fins if the truth be told.

When it came to the gears it was pretty much a reverse story. I wasn’t really expecting a massive change compared to the old kit, yet it was the gears that left me most impressed. A lot of people seem to have concerns about the move to 10 speed, and yes it’s not necessary on a DH bike, but at the same time there’s no question in my mind that this new Saint shifts better than ever. The increased cable pull means that cable contamination is less of an issue, plus it’s a coarser adjustment to get the indexing right. The shifter itself is also a big step forward. Ergonomically it is far better with the longer paddles, plus the shifting action is noticeably lighter and more consistent throughout the range. Being able to shift more gears at a time is also a massive bonus. That really just leaves us with the rear mech, and we already know how good the Shadow+ chain stabilization system is. Obviously if you’re running a full chaindevice its ability to help keep your chain on a chainring is less of an issue, but my god could you notice the difference in noise when you switched it on and off. Personally I don’t understand how anyone can think that a considerably quieter bike is not a big deal. With it switched off it was clang, clang, clangty, clang, and it definitely took away from the pleasure of my ride. Switching it on was like entering a world of bliss where all I could hear instead was my tyres ripping through the dirt. Try it, I don’t see how you can fail to like it.

There are of course a few other components that I haven’t yet mentioned; the cranks, pedals and hubs. When it comes to the latter you possibly already know that I have a thing against cup and cone bearings. I am well aware that on paper they deal with loads better, and I am perfectly capable of regularly maintaining them, but I just don’t want to be doing that, I’d rather be out riding and not having to worry about them. Give me a cartridge bearing hub any day. As for the new flat pedals, I’m afraid I am a diehard SPD user through and through so I didn’t use them. What I can tell you about them though is that I heard nothing but positive things from the other testers who were using them, and the axle and bearing design is the most reliable and easy to maintain system out there (it’s been well proven on Shimano pedals for years). That leaves us with the cranks which feel just as stiff as before and Shimano reckon they’re just as strong, yet they’re over 100g lighter. Can’t say fairer than that. It’s a pity though that after just a couple of days of riding in wet and muddy conditions they looked well and truly haggard, as the graphics had worn really badly. Shimano know it’s an issue but they obviously couldn’t find a solution.

Overall then it’s fair to say that I did really like the new groupset even though the brakes were a little different to my expectations. Everything has a real quality feel to it and the gears in particular are a joy to use. Going by previous Shimano efforts this stuff should be as bombproof as it gets too, and perhaps its biggest rival is going to come in the shape of its new cheaper brother Zee.