Pint-Sized Gnar Shredder
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Somewhere between heaven and hell
Posts: 3,549
Bikes: '09 Jamis Komodo, '09 Mirraco Blend One, '08 Cervelo P2C, '08 Specialized Ruby Elite, '07 Yeti AS-R SL, '07 DMR Drone
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Downhill components are overbuilt for durability, but are heavy. I've always compared X.0 to XTR, but I have dinosaur bikes from 2007 so I haven't ridden XX or XX1. The non-downhill progression is XTR, XT, SLX, then Deore. Any of those will work just fine, though obviously XTR will be lighter and stay adjusted longer than Deore. IMO, X.9/XT is the sweet spot for value/quality, but you'll get differing opinions no matter who you ask.
As for SRAM vs. Shimano...Ford vs. Chevy, Microsoft vs. Apple, ESP vs. Gibson, Coke vs. Pepsi (SRAM, Ford, Apple, ESP, and Coke FTW! But feel free to disagree). The only catch is they don't play nice with each other because the pull ratios for shifters and rear derailleurs are different. Front derailleurs are interchangeable though...I run an XT FD with X.0/X.9 shifter/RD on my main bike.