mjdwyer23

Hey Guys-
I'm looking to hit the trails on something other than my cross bike to keep it fresh between road sessions. I've been looking at a few mountain bikes and am leaning towards a hard tail. My question is, will I notice a big difference between an X7 and an X9 bike or an XT and an XTR bike? Not really worried about the weight, but I am more interested in crisp shifts and reliable performance. Thanks,

zeo_max

I'd say X9 over X7 is worth it. You don't need to consider X0 for an entry level bike. And if you go with Shimano XT is more than enough. A bike with XT is not an entry level bike, it is one hell of a bike. No need to look at XTR.

ed 

XTR = X.0
XT = X.9
SLX = X.7


X.7 will work pretty much as well as X.9...just won't work nice'n'perfect for as long.
SLX will work about the same as XT...just not nearly as long.

XT and X.9 are more durable.

I built my buddy's bike with X.7 shifters, derailleurs, and LX crankset. He doesn't ride like I do...but it still works excellent 2yrs later.

mjdwyer23

Awesome. Thanks for the info! I know this stuff like the back of my hand for road but mtb is foreign to me.

santiago

I find X9 to be reasonably priced from the various online discount sources and is worth the price difference over X7, IMHO.


Actually, today on JensonUSA the 2010 X.9 is actually cheaper than the X.7 ($60 vs $66)!

zeo_max

And why isn't XTR = XX ? What is XX equal to in Shimano ?

thirdgenbird

in my opinion nothing. i have not used it, but XX seems to stand alone at the top.

it was always

XTR = X.0
XT = X.9
SLX = X.7

before XX came out, so why would everything get "demoted" just because a new, better, group came out? nothing else changed.

ed 

Ghey=XX

Zephyr11

So that would make XX = Yumeya.

bikinfool

In Shimano raod terms, roughly:

X7/SLX/105
X9/XT/Ultegra
X0/XTR/DuraAce

Shimano's got their version of the XX style coming up all too soon. I wouldn't worry about X7 or SLX level performance, but depends on your needs.

zeo_max

C'mon get serious I really wanted to know

But I guess it's been answered now. XX = the Campy Super Record of MTB's

zeo_max

Do you guys think there are hills you couldn't climb using XX because of the lack of granny gear ?

dminor 

Yes.

bikinfool

I'd have to want to buy it before I'd worry about whether my slightly lower 22/34 low gear or knees get into the argument at all (but there are a few climbs around that even the 22/34 doesn't do it, but that's mostly me). I just don't need a new component group, and don't have any desire to run a 10 speed, I had/have no problem with 8 speed let alone wanting 10...I don't even have 10 on my road bikes.

zeo_max

I'm on the fence about it. Granny gear slips a lot when combined with the largest cogs in the back. I mean the crank spins out so fast while the tires barely grab the terrain and it kinda slips.

ed 

You could always go with the new 36t max cassette. It looks to be a good solution for the 1x9ers too.

sscyco

36?? when will it stop - does the cassette body need 6 arms to keep it rigid enough to shift.

cryptid01

Holy crap, 36T cog? That's wrong in multiple ways. I would go Hammerschmidt or even 2X front with chainguide before I strapped that behemoth to my wheel.

Maybe it just uses a bottom bracket with a crank spider for a rear hub?

bikinfool

Which front chainring are you using?

Rutnick

No. I don't use granny now.


If the money is the same, X.9 but if there is a sizeable difference in price, go with the X.7. some people still run the X.7 shifters because X.9 and above lack the optical gear viewer. Raced a whole season with X.7 shifters and rear derailer. It rarely needed adjustment. When i went X.9 rear derailer and shifter, I went MEH and really couldn't tell any difference in shifting.

My FSR MTB still has a left X.7 shifter because I'm too lazy to put the X.9 shifter on it. My FD shifting is perfect and I don't want to fiddle with it. It took long enough for it to get that way.

dminor 

^^ Multi-quote is your (and all of our) friend. Use it.

zeo_max

Well, since I've found my little ring to be inefficient and slip a lot like I mentioned, I climb steep hills on the middle ring and the large cog in the back.

thirdgenbird

sort of, but not quite. while i do feel super record is on its own at the top (without mixing electric shifting) from what i have read, record was stepped down a little when sr came out. i think it lost a little bit of titanium but i haven't dug to deep into it (im still waiting for my new 10spd cassette...)

when XX came out, i dont think anything changed with x9



back on topic, im not a huge xc rider, but i bought an ironhorse bike several years ago with x7 on it and so far its been great. ive updated several things on it, but all the sram is still there. it did have a lower spec shimano FD on it, but a tree branch did a number on it last year. its currently set up as a 1x9 and i dont see myself putting the front shifting back on it. ironically, after i made the change, ironhorse released a 26in 1x9 hardtail that is nearly identical to the one i built.

bikinfool

I thought you were talking XX crankset, so was wondering which small ring, the 26t or 28t, you were using. What's the tooth count on your middle ring?

zeo_max

22/32/42t