Originally Posted by
zambon
Rob thanks again.I really want to go off road and not to have just a "shiny" bike.I like also the upgrading procedure..
So,as for the branket am thinking XT M770,it's ok?
About the crankset i say Deore or SLX must be fine as you mentioned and for chain shimano HG73?.Last i'd like to change to xt shifters 9sp,do you think i should hurry buying them?(Chainreaction says it's discontinued).
You can skip the XT bottom bracket. Both the m590 Deore or m660 SLX cranks will have a BB included, along with any spacers you need. you'll just need a tool for the cups and the preload nut: the park BBT-9 is the one I got; I'm sure there are others.
Any 9speed chain will work, including the one you've got. Conventional wisdom is to change cassettes/chains/rings together. I tend to change only the chain frequently, but I do change the chain every time i install a new cassette. (I only change rings when they're very worn, for reasons of economy and conservation...but i tend to change the chain and cassette whenever I change the rings...) Long story short, if you have very few miles on the current chain, I'd suggest just leaving the stock chain with the new cranks. If there are quite a few miles on it already, grab a new chain and cassette.
9speed XT shifters are scarce already. If you feel absolutely certain you're going to want those, I guess now would be the time. Personally, I'd try the Alivio shifters to see how ya like em.
XT shifters are pricey, and that money might be better spent on good wheels. Between selling the stock wheels and saving on shifters, you've got a pretty nice wheel budget.