Originally Posted by
DorkDisk
The latest Shimano triples all use drilled steel middle rings with nylon (SLX) or carbon (XT) spiders. Deore IIRC is plain steel middle. Complete weight is low and durability is high. For stocking up on Shimano chainrings, my experience is that you have to keep an eye out for sales and not "when you need them".
Edit: Nice bike. I have an '06 as my "new MTB". Recently got a mid-life update from 9sp to 10. We have the same wheels
Cheers! I have an irrational (?) liking for 'old' 26er hardtails, circa 2000 to 2006 or so, with old-school xc race geometry. Probably because that's all I rode from '02 to '10, on road and off, after taking up cycling again. I'm pretty set on the drivetrain update, just a little unsure yet on the brakes. My Rainier unfortunately doesn't have proper guides for hydro hoses, and I'm not keen on stuff like zip ties. Might go with TRP Spike (I think that's the name), a dual-piston mechanical, to replace the Avids.