Hello fellow bikers.

I have a 2015 REDLINE D600 29er, It is an awesome MTB.

The only issue is i have with it is that it is outfitted with SRAM components.
needless to say I am partial to Shimano and I don't really like the SRAM parts.

I used to have an GT with all Shimano components and have loved that bike for 20 years with no issues, still runs great.

I am looking to change everything on my new REDLINE to Shimano, Looking at the costs of components I see that there is a wide range of different models.

I used to be much more in to mountain biking that i am these days, I have a lot of health issues i didn't have as a youngster, I have a bad back and neck.

So the last time i knew anything about shimano, Deore XT was the best thing out there, that was over 20 years ago.

So with all that said,

I will not be riding any single track trails any more or doing anything really gnarly. But still I do not want these SRAM parts on my bike.

so my question is..

What should I be looking for as far as model numbers go? I do not want the bottom of the line shimano components but I don't think i need the best either,

So what is the middle of the line Shimano components set up?

My bike already has a 8 speed shimano Hyper glide CS-HG31 rear cassette so i just need.

Front and Rear derailleurs and shifters, Shimano crank-set (M361 Hybrid I think) and I believe a new bottom bracket but I'm not sure.

can you please help me figure this out?

Currently the bike has, And I do not like at all.

SR Suntour XCT alloy arms, 42-32-22 Crank-set
Square tapered 68mm, 113L Bottom bracket
SRAM X4 w/ Tektro Auriga hydraulic levers Shifters
SRAM X4 long cage Rear
SRAM FD 3.0, 31. 8 Clamp Front

Thank you all for your help.

SRAM makes good stuff. Is there anything in particular that bothers you about the way the bike currently performs?

Bring it by the shop, Here.. I cannot turn wrenches, for you, over the internet .

Probably for only a little more than the cost of a new bike, you could upgrade yours to an all-Shimano component set. First 8-speed is really obsolete so you should plan on at least 10-speed and changing those hydraulic disc brakes to those compatible with Shimano shifters and calipers is going to be expensive. Think it over.

Budget? All of Shimano's current product line MTB offerings are 9-speed or higher. So you need a new everything. It's potentially more cost effective to sell the bike and buy one with Shimano components.

Since most Shimano stuff is 9-speed now, you need a new cassette. Deore is an excellent groupset that's reasonably priced. It shares ergonomics and functionality with the more expensive stuff, but is heavier and lacks a few bells and whistles.

Shimano's current line-up:
Claris (8-speed road) > Altus (9-spd) > Acera (9-spd) > Alivio (9-spd) > Deore (10-spd) > SLX (11-spd) > XT (11-spd) > XTR (11-spd)

8 speed is not obsolete. Neither is 7 or 6 speeds. Many mini velos and folding bikes, even Dahon come stock with 6 speed.

There are still plenty of 8 speed parts available in taobao even all the way to 2 or 3 speeds.

For Shimano components, you could look for these, from low to high: Altus, Acera, Alivio, Deore, Deore XT.

For me i find Altus sufficiently precise and i don't feel the need to go higher.

i have been able to price everything i need at around $200

I was just looking for some advice, not for you to turn wrenches for me. I am well capable of doing the work myself.
I am just not that familiar with the newer stuff, I have been out of the game for a long time.
I do not need nor do i want to replace my brakes, My shifters and break levers are separate.

I just like Shimano better, My old 1990 GT shifts better and smoother than this 2015 sram equipped bike.

if the 8 gear cassette (already shimano) that came with the bike is an issue for some of you a newer one is only around $50



this is what i was able to price online,
Shimano Deore 9-Speed Mountain Bicycle Rear Derailleur - RD-M51 $38.53
Shimano Deore 9 Speed Mountain Bicycle Front Derailleur - FD-M591 $27.45
Shimano CN-HG53 9-speed Bicycle Chain $16.72
Shimano Deore SL-M590 3x9 Speed Trigger Shifters Rapid Fire Gear Shifter with Inner Shift Cables $52.99
Shimano M361 Hybrid Crankset (Black) $35.78
Shimano BB-UN26 Square taper Bottom Bracket (68x113-mm) $42.20

Total $213.67


I was only looking for some advice, not doing this for the last 20- years i'm not sure if this is all compatible with each other.

I was not looking to defend myself when asking a normal question as a new member on a bike forum.

I am only looking for useful advice, I do not want to buy a new bike so that doesn't help either.


so if you have some useful advice for me please let me know, thanks.

Thank you for giving me some real advice.

You need a 9-speed cassette since you have 9-speed shifters. A 9-speed Rear Derailleur will shift an 8-speed cassette if used with 8-speed shifters.

Your existing crankset should be fine with the Shimano front derailleur, so that should save you more than enough to do everything for ~$200.

Do you mean M591 ? If so, it is a good RD.

The M361 works with a 122.5mm BB axle. Unless your frame is incredibly narrow, the inner cog will rub on your frame.

I'd not know your source for parts, but the pricing is a bit high.

As noted above, you also need a 9 speed cassette, or change the shifters to 8 speed. The shifters and the cassette have to match.

un-26 68x113 is $15. Saving you $27 has to be useful advice, right?

I Still like Freewheels... friction shifting, but my new bike stuff is internal gear hubs...

Shimano has a compatibility chart, 2017-2018 SHIMANO Product Information Web
It may be too strict; for example, the 9 speed rear deraiileur will work with otherwise 8 speed drivetrain.

I think the Deore front derailleur you mention is designed for 48-36-26 cranksets, and the M361 crankset is 48-38-28 (10T large to middle vs 12T large to middle difference). You can look at M391 or M591 crankset. M591 uses external bearings as opposed to square taper bottom bracket.

Since the parts you are looking at are all 9s I would also use 9s shifters and a 9s cassette.

You see that's just it,

I need this kind of information because i don't know what is compatible with what, And i don't want to just take it in to a random bike shop so they can over charge me.

The parts pricing is just from mainly AMAZON.

I really just need to find a good compatible set and then start pricing when i know what i am looking for.
I don't mind changing out my 8 speed cassette for a larger one ( 9 or 10 speed ) as long as its possible on my current wheel. It currently has a shimano 8 gear cassette.

Thank you for your advice, or knowledge.

I find that the kind of information that you need is very hard to impart remotely, let alone on the 'net where there are tonnes of different opinions, most of which are valid.

The BB axle length recommendation for the M361 crankset is right on the Amazon page for it. OLD is something that you should measure to verify.

You do need to read all of Sheldon's glossary. https://www.sheldonbrown.com/glossary.html It takes time and research to get a hang of things.

The component you are choosing are a strange mix of some low end and some middle range stuff. For example the UN26 BB, most of us would get a UN55 for a square taper BB.

Personally, I am moving away from Shimano for rear derailleurs, and going to MicroShift and SRAM. MicroShift is Shimano compatible.

A shop would probably try and save you money, as well as having the expertise to advise on compatibility.

well, I was hoping that some smart person on line would maybe put together a package that I would need, so then i could start pricing the correct parts,

Otherwise I'm only guessing and going by price alone.

I'm told i am choosing a weird mix of parts,

that is because i dont know what goes together.

That is what I am asking about. I need to know what the correct parts are that I should be pricing,

Thank you.

Yes, it's difficult to shop for what you want when you don't know what you want.

It's impossible for someone else to shop for what you want when you don't know what you want.

I could even go with just getting a new rear derailleur and new shimano rear shifter to start with,
I do not change my front gear very often, usually in the second position.

and possibly rear cassette to go along with the new gear,

SO maybe we can just start with a great pairing of rear derailleur, shifter and new cassette.

But I do know what I want, I just don't know what it is called,

I want shimano shifters, cassette, and crankset. and not SRAM,

I dont like the sram components on this bike,

and I want a middle of the road combination that will work on this bike.

Maybe I'm not asking the correct questions,

I have posted all the specs of the bike and I have explained what I am looking for.

Ok so how about just changing out the back components, If i just leave the front derailleur a 3X sram,
can i just change out my back components and shifter,

Like this?


Shimano SLX M7000 11 Speed Rear Derailleur $52.49
Shimano SLX M7000 11 Speed 11-42t Cassette $52.99
Shimano SLX M7000 11 Speed Rear Shifter $29.99
$135.43


And then I need to know if this cassette will fit on my back tire/hub without buying a new one. Is this possible?

Thank you.

Won't fit.

You are expecting someone to do all the work for you without compensation - which is not reasonable. Many of us have invested a great deal of time and effort in learning, and trying things. If you want to skip the work, you need to pay for consulting.

In my profession which is not related to bicycles, I get $300- per hour for consulting, billed in hourly increments.

Your choice, either spend the time and effort it takes to learn and master the skills and knowledge to do the job, or pay someone to do it for you. People here are willing to help you learn and point you to resources. Generally we are not interested in doing the job for you.

If it were my bike; I'd make the SRAM stuff work, because it is as good as Shimano.

Why not?
The larger Dyna-sys cassettes fit on standard 8/9/10 freehubs. The largest cog simply overhangs the freehub flange.

if you order from england you can get a complete deore 610 groupset for $260 Shimano Deore 610/615 Groupset - Mountain Bike Groupsets - Ribble Cycles

this way everything is matching and works together.

need to verify that the rotors and cassette would work with your wheelset

Another thing to think about...... the redline was a pretty entry level model, it might be more cost and anti-frustration effective to just buy a new bike.

Thank you kind sir,

No I quite like the REDLINE frame and bike, I just prefer shimano over sram is all.