ScareyH22A

I currently ride a HT w/all XT and dual controls. I have no complaints. But the FS bike I'm looking into (Santa Cruz Blur LT), has the option of mostly X9 or mostly XT at virtually the same price.

SRAM X9
REAR DER - SRAM X9 long cage
FRONT DER - Shimano M760 (XT)
SHIFTERS - SRAM X9 triggers
CRANKSET - TruVativ Stylo Team w/ Giga X Drive 22/32/44
BOTTOM BRACKET - Included w/ crankset
CASSETTE - SRAM PG 980, 11-34
CHAIN - SRAM PC 971
BRAKES - Avid Juicy 7's w/ 160mm rotors
BRAKE LEVERS - Avid Juicy 7's
BARS - Race Face Next low riser
STEM - Race Face Deus, 25.4mm
GRIPS - Lizard Skin Logo
HEADSET - Cane Creek S3
SEAT POST - Thomson
SADDLE - WTB Rocket V Stealth
WHEELS - DT XR 4.1d rims laced to DT 340 hubs w/ DT 14/15 spokes, alloy nipples
TIRES - Kenda Nevegal 2.1 folding
TUBES - Kenda Ultralight

SHIMANO XT
REAR DER - Shimano M760 SGS (XT)
FRONT DER - Shimano M760 (XT)
SHIFTERS - Shimano M765 Dual Control (XT)
CRANKSET - Shimano M760 22/32/44 (XT)
BOTTOM BRACKET - Included w/ crankset
CASSETTE - Shimano M760, 11-34 (XT)
CHAIN - Shimano HG 93 (XTR)
BRAKES - Shimano BR-M765 w/ 160mm rotors (XT)
BRAKE LEVERS - Shimano BR-M765
BARS - Race Face Next low riser
STEM - Race Face Deus, 25.4mm
GRIPS - Lizard Skin Logo
HEADSET - Cane Creek S3
SEAT POST - Thompson
SADDLE - WTB Rocket V Stealth
WHEELS - DT XR 4.1d rims laced to Shimano M765 hubs (XT) w/ DT 14/15 spokes, alloy nipples
TIRES - Kenda Nevegal 2.1 folding
TUBES - Kenda Ultralight

Add to that a Fox Talas RLC.

I hear that the X9 stays in adjustment much longer but I don't know if that's true or not. Any input will be appreciated.

jeremyp111

You can't go wrong with either. It's just a preference thing. My 97 Schwinn S30 full suspension has XT stuff and I love it, but I also just bought a 06 Specialized Hard Rock Pro with SRAM X7 stuff. I like them just as much as the XT components. The big difference I see is that I prefer the Avid brakes over the Shimano. That's the difference maker for me.

LowCel 

I much prefer SRAM and it is true that it stays in tune longer. It takes twice as much cable stretch to affect it.

My question for you is are you keeping your old bike or getting rid of it. If you are going to be constantly switching from one bike to another I would stick with the Shimano. It would be too confusing switching between two different types of shifters on a daily basis.

pinkrobe

+1 to sticking with Shimano. If you're used to it, it might be a little confusing to switch back and forth.

Blazinall91

i'm with LowCel, I switched to SRAM and my X.9 stays tuned much longer than my Shimano ever did, and I couldn't be happpier with the 1:1 ratio and how well it performs

vw addict

SRAM period

a2psyklnut

I'm currently running Shimano and really have no complaints about their quality, other than their chains. I think Sram chains are a bit more durable.

I've been thinking of switching back to Sram on my next build for the simple fact that I haven't owned a Sram grouppo in awhile and I'd like to do some long term analysis of my own.

As mentioned, I don't think you can go wrong with either.