Mountain Biking - LX or XT?

Should I keep my LX or get XT components? Is there a big difference?:confused:

If your LX stuff works, dont bother upgrading. There is not a noticable difference in the performance of XT over LX. The XT just seems to be a bit lighter. LX stuff is tough and high quality, at a good value.

I was thinking about gettin an XT front derailer for 25 bucks

I already have an XTR rd

I would go LX for the same reasons Burly said.

Originally posted by Maelstrom
I would go LX for the same reasons Burly said.



He has lx already.....read it again lol:D

Your front derailluer doesn't see as much use as the rear during a ride. It's one of the last things I plan on upgrading. LX is tough and should work just fine, especially for a front der. With well-kept cabling and proper adjustment, you shoudln't really notice much of a difference between what you've got and the XT. Did tou upgrade your shifters yet? They made a much bigger difference to me. I currently run XT shifters. If you still want an XT front der. and want to order online, don't pay 25 bucks. They can be found cheaper at most places.

-Moab

Originally posted by KleinMp99
He has lx already.....read it again lol:D

then keep the LX till it breaks...I was kind of going by title with a quick read...too quick it seems. :)

If it ain't broke.........

Originally posted by Feltup
If it ain't broke.........

Yup. Exactly! :beer:

What about that XT shifter/brake assembley?

Combination?. I never do it for the simple reason "what if you want to run other brakes that aren't cable actuated". Thats my ony beef with them.

I would never run a combo brake/shifter. What if you want to run a different braking system? Something hydro? What if you break either the shifter or a brake lever? If it's a combo, the whole thing goes. If it's not, a single component or set of levers, etc. can be replaced. I've always liked the ability to change things/set things up differently that having seperate controls gives me. The initial cost of a combo unit may be lower, but it's not worth it to me.

-Moab

Like everyone else said. If it aint broke, don't fix it.

Greg Herbold, (sponsored Pro and Test rider for Rock Shox and Sram) still uses an LX front derailleur on his personal bikes. He states if they're adjusted properly, they work as well if not better than XT or even XTR.

With that said, I'd go ahead and upgrade to XT when the time comes.

As far as combo levers, once again I agree, get seperate levers/shifters. If you decide to upgrade to different levers or discs, you can w/o trouble. You could even switch to Grip Shift if you have seperate brake levers.

The absolute best upgrade to your shifting portion of your drive train is simply new cables and housing. I replace mine about twice a year. The housing gets all junked up and produces a lot of drag. New cables/housing brings back that crisp "click, click" you had when new!

BTW, I just buy the standard cables and housing. Yes, the teflon coated or Gore-tex sealed ones are smoother, but dern they're expensive. I'd rather replace mine using cheaper ones more often, than buy the $50 set and leave them for 2 or 3 years. I can buy a whole lotta housing and a bunch of stainless steel cables for $50.

L8R

I'd stick with the LX front derailleur (there's not much technology there and won't be any perceivable improvement other than the label) but go with the hig zoot cable housing set. I replace my housings every 2 or three years and cables every year. I like the Avid housings and the JagWire replacement strings.