What's the difference between the Deore/LX/XT cranksets?
#1
W.W.DZ.D?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Arizona
Posts: 1,979
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
What's the difference between the Deore/LX/XT cranksets?
I test-rode a few bikes with these cranksets and truly could not tell any difference. I personally think it is impossible to tell the difference between a Deore and an XTR crankset in a blind test.
How do i decide which one i need?
How do i decide which one i need?
#3
Mad Furyan
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: 10-a-Sea
Posts: 697
Bikes: 02 Cannondale Jekyll,06 Santa Cruz Heckler, 06 Specialized Roubaix Pro, 09 Santa Cruz Blur LT2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
the difference is weight, less weight on each higher level crankset, and less weight in your pocket. That being said, I have XT cranks and rear cassette
#4
the sun never sets on me
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: the bAy
Posts: 581
Bikes: 853 Hardtail
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
ah, found it. off the trek website
someone needs to make this chart for sram too.
Component Comparison
Shimano
Best
XTR
Deore XT
Deore LX
Better
Deore
Alivio
Good
Acera
Altus
C-Series
T-Series
Bontrager
Best
Race XXX Lite
Race X Lite
King Earl
Better
Race Lite
Race
Big Earl
Good
Select
Superstock
Earl
RockShox
Best
Reba
SID
Better
Duke
Pilot
Good
Judy
someone needs to make this chart for sram too.
Component Comparison
Shimano
Best
XTR
Deore XT
Deore LX
Better
Deore
Alivio
Good
Acera
Altus
C-Series
T-Series
Bontrager
Best
Race XXX Lite
Race X Lite
King Earl
Better
Race Lite
Race
Big Earl
Good
Select
Superstock
Earl
RockShox
Best
Reba
SID
Better
Duke
Pilot
Good
Judy
#5
.
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: The Summit of Lee
Posts: 10,939
Bikes: Hecklah
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
It's more than just a weight diff...the higher end cranksets are stiffer so you don't have as much flex-to-front derailleur rub issues. If you're a lightweight, you won't notice this. The other difference is the improved shifting performance due to higher precision. Sure, a Deore can shift well on a brand new build, but what about when you get 1000 miles on it? Will it still shift crisply compared to the XT or even LX? Nope.
I think the Hollowtech II crankset is a good "blue collar" set. It's not as light as the XT, but it performs well and won't break you.
I think the Hollowtech II crankset is a good "blue collar" set. It's not as light as the XT, but it performs well and won't break you.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: chicago
Posts: 318
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i'd say the LX is one of the best/buck ratios around. lighter than allot of parts that cost more, and proven to be durable and reliable.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 7,481
Bikes: Too many to list!
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Yup, it really comes down to how much you want to spend. Certainly XT, and XTR are better than LX, but not by leaps and bounds. Therefore, your "bang for buck" ratio comes WAY down. All are good components for sure though.
... Brad
... Brad
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Southern California
Posts: 2,191
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 114 Post(s)
Liked 119 Times
in
92 Posts
In my experience, the cost differential between LX and XT is not that great, but the leap from XT to XTR is tremendous. I'm an XT kind of guy.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Betelgeuse 5 Massachusetts
Posts: 98
Bikes: '06 Rockhopper disc comp
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
So is there any gain in strength and durability in the higher end parts? Or is it only weight savings? I can already see durability is going to be a major issue for me, these things just don't seem to be built for my tonnage and leg strength. My rear sprockets were shifting all by themselves on a uphill today and making some very nasty noises doing it. The lbs already replaced my rear cassette under warranty with a supposedly stronger one after my first three rides.
Also when I raise the back wheel and turn the crank by hand to lube the chain it doen't exactly feel all that smoothe, I can definitely feel a lot of roughness in the bearings in the bb.
Also when I raise the back wheel and turn the crank by hand to lube the chain it doen't exactly feel all that smoothe, I can definitely feel a lot of roughness in the bearings in the bb.
#11
i can jump very high
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 153
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i have LX, shifts good enough for me, i can swap gears when i need to on steeps, im no vet but i dont really see why you need anything much better.