[jon721]

@AaronChamberlain I’m getting ready to purchase new Shimano 1×11 drivetrain to replace a 3×9.  Would the same advice apply to buying a new drivetrain today concerning SLX vs XT components?  Not sure if there have been changes to the SLX/XT groupsets since you posted this.

@bikerboy13 with the drivetrain components, it varies a little bit more. If I was buying a new drivetrain (and I will be shortly) here’s what I would go with:

Cranks: already got ’em, so I don’t need to buy new ones. However, if I were buying cranks, I’d get SLX

Rear derailleur: SLX

Shifter: XT, but possibly even XTR – the shifter is what’s going to improve shifting (both precision and feel), much more so than the derailleur. Bike companies usually go the opposite route by using a nicer derailleur and a cheaper shifter, just because a der. is easier to see and explain to the customer.

Cassette: XT, while the new 11-speed cassettes are heavy as shit, there’s nothing that comes close to the performance and durability of an XT cassette. Especially for the price.

Chain: XT or SRAM

I really like SRAM’s 11-speed stuff, but it costs substantially more. The Shimano group above would cost about $200 online. Doing similar mixing and matching with SRAM, the price is around $300.

 

[jon721]

Sounds good.  Thanks for the info John!

[jon721]

Thanks John!  Will probably be traveling with my pedals, shoes and helmet.  Just need to get a pedal wrench.  I rarely remove my pedals and last time I tried with an adjustable wrench they were on too tight and had to take it to the shop to get them removed.  Are Salida/Arkansas hills rideable in late October too?  Any high elevation/alpine trails close by that are rideable in late October?  May try to fit the bike in the rental car if I have time to drive to any other trails.

[jon721]

Thanks Greg!  Will check out the trails you mentioned and contact Boneshaker for the bike rental.

[Author]

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