Mountain Biking - upgrading drivetrain...

alright.. so im currently rockin a deore lx front, a deore rear, and deore shift/brake combo levers. the rear deore just isnt cutting it for me, and i want something a smoother. im looking at either an XT level rear or moving to SRAM. here's my question:

if i get a sram rear mech.. would i have to swap out the rest of the system for sram parts as well since its 1:1 ratio?

or

would it me better or more cost effective to just get an XT mech?

im just weighing my options here and was wondering if it would be worth it to move to sram. i dont want to start a huge sram vs. shimano debate so try and stay away from that if you would please.

You would have to swap the shifter to change the rear deraileur. The front deraileur doesn't matter.

PErsonally, sram x.7 is far superior than xt. Shifting is similar, but loosing that big nasty loop at the back, and during the rough stuff, sram really reigns. The deraileur does not move when going through rough stuff so less chain slap so less chain growth. The direct input cable also makes a difference as you use less housing = less friction ALSO no big hoop (which I hated)

I put X.0 on my stumpjumper and it kicks ass

IMO SRAM>>>>>Shimano


I plan on upgrading to full SRAM when I wear out/wreck the remaining simano parts on my bike.


It would be cheaper to just get the XT mech though, with SRAM you need to have their shifters in order to use the rear derailleur. So you would be buying shifters + rear derailleur.

Kisses my SRAM components. ;) Been very pleased with them. THey've taken alot of abuse and a fair amount of neglect- but still work smoothly.`

hmmm.. thanks for the replies. just as i suspected.. looks like SRAM is the way to go, but ill have to see if i can scrape up some cash

i think SRAM is far superior to shimano and MUCH more cost efficient. the x7 derailleur (which i am using with no complaints) is not very off cost wise from xt and works well. You will have to change the shifters though but SRAM maeks good shifters too :)

For what its worth I've used Shimano since I can remember and I haven't really broken anything or had any problems with anything I've owned, XT, Deore, Alivio, Acera X, XTR... I have an LX shifter that has the case cracked off, tons of sand in it from crashing, the display is gone, basically its a half a casing and two thumb shifters and it still works fine... so its been good to me, and my XTR and Ultegra 600 is like butter.

http://www.angryasian.com/images/Which_would_you_rather_ride_sm1.mov

I love this movie. Show what I mean about the difference n design. Now, both were built for different purposes so the movement of shimano doesn't really mean it is a bad thing. I just love how much quieter the sram deraileur is.

interesting video.. that guy has some time on his hands.

How about those new Shimano Hone components? Have they been released to the public? Looks sorta like a Deore/Saint mix...hmmm ..Saore anyone..?

yeah, they've been released.. its actually more of a cross between the Saint and XT lines. durable, smooth, little heavy, but cheaper than saint

I have been loving my Sram X.7's.