are good components worth it?
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are good components worth it?
I have a fairly new XT drive train on my bike, avid mag break levers, RF cranks, you know, good components. Well I have bent my big ring on my cranks a little, I folded my right break lever in half (luckily it bent back without breaking), I smashed my left shifter pod, and yesterday I mangled my right one. Im starting to wonder why I bothered buying these components. Really what would be the difference if I just went with an all Deore setup, or posibly even lower than Deore? I mean it would still work fine right? and when I broke stuff it would be much cheaper to replace. What do you guys think? How much of a difference in performance is there really?
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Personally, I think there is a big difference between Deore and XT. However, I would NOT recommend XT to a newbie, or relative beginner. Why? Well, because you break stuff initially. As you become a better rider, you crash less often however, with the same severity.
Here's a tip that may prevent future destruction. Only tighten your shifters/levers/stem/handlebars/bar ends/etc. to the point where they are snug and won't move under medium pressure. But not soooooo tight that they won't move at all. That way, in the event of a crash, your shifters or levers will twist on the bar, but not break!
L8R
Here's a tip that may prevent future destruction. Only tighten your shifters/levers/stem/handlebars/bar ends/etc. to the point where they are snug and won't move under medium pressure. But not soooooo tight that they won't move at all. That way, in the event of a crash, your shifters or levers will twist on the bar, but not break!
L8R
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humm... thats worth a try. I have been biking for a few years now, but my crash frequency seems to be increasing and not decreasing. I figure its becasue I attempt stuff now that I used to just go around. Im also thinking a set of bar ends might help things, kind of like a roll cadge for the shifters and levers.
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Originally posted by a2psyklnut
Personally, I think there is a big difference between Deore and XT. However, I would NOT recommend XT to a newbie, or relative beginner. Why? Well, because you break stuff initially. As you become a better rider, you crash less often however, with the same severity.
L8R
Personally, I think there is a big difference between Deore and XT. However, I would NOT recommend XT to a newbie, or relative beginner. Why? Well, because you break stuff initially. As you become a better rider, you crash less often however, with the same severity.
L8R
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SRAM X-9.
And yes, good quality components are worth it, especially if you're a fickle rider that notices every little ticking sound coming from your ride.
And yes, good quality components are worth it, especially if you're a fickle rider that notices every little ticking sound coming from your ride.
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You pretty much get what you pay for. If you're breaking stuff constantly though, I certainly wouldn't go high end. But my crashes are few and far between since I've been riding for years. I know my skill levels and usually don't attempt anything that goes beyond them.
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What do I recommend? I recommend different things to different people and their style of riding and their bank account. My co-worker wanted a decent bike, that wouldn't give him troubles and wouldn't be constantly breaking and spending money on. He wasn't a racer and just a recreational cyclist, non-abusive type rider. A Deore and LX mix worked great for him.
I've also got a friend that has more money than sense, and isn't satisfied spending $5,000 on a bike if he finds out he could've spent $6,000.00. However, he rarely rides and when he does, hardly ever off-road. He insisted he get a Titanium Litespeed with Full XTR and CrossMax wheels.
So, as a beginner, Deore is fine. As parts break (and they will if you ride on a regular basis), upgrade as your budget allows. If you snap your rear derailleur and want an XT for $30 and you HAVE $30, get it. But you don't NEED to spend an extra $100 just so you can say, "Hey, I've got XTR on my bike!".
L8R
I've also got a friend that has more money than sense, and isn't satisfied spending $5,000 on a bike if he finds out he could've spent $6,000.00. However, he rarely rides and when he does, hardly ever off-road. He insisted he get a Titanium Litespeed with Full XTR and CrossMax wheels.
So, as a beginner, Deore is fine. As parts break (and they will if you ride on a regular basis), upgrade as your budget allows. If you snap your rear derailleur and want an XT for $30 and you HAVE $30, get it. But you don't NEED to spend an extra $100 just so you can say, "Hey, I've got XTR on my bike!".
L8R
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"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW, What a Ride!" - unknown
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Originally posted by RussellM
Well I have bent my big ring on my cranks a little, I folded my right break lever in half (luckily it bent back without breaking), I smashed my left shifter pod, and yesterday I mangled my right one.
Well I have bent my big ring on my cranks a little, I folded my right break lever in half (luckily it bent back without breaking), I smashed my left shifter pod, and yesterday I mangled my right one.
Did someone drive their car over your bike?
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Originally posted by Nic
Did someone drive their car over your bike?
Did someone drive their car over your bike?
If the lever was aluminum I would replace it. You don't want it braking at the wrong time (aka on a long dh section )
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nope, thats just me riding, if you care I can tell you how I did these things.
Bent big ring - riding up hill, I hoped the front wheel up a one foot hight rock ledge, but didnt pull my back wheel up in time and clocked the big ring on the rock.
Bent break lever - cominging into a steep drop off I was a bit off ballance and did a little superman style endo. Both the bike and I ended up laying in a pile 20 feet down the hill.
Left shifter pod - Riding really slowly waiting for the rest of the group to catch up I looked behind me and nosed into a rock and endoed, The handlebars came down hard on a rock and the left shifter was smashed. One of those very imbarasing sort of crashes.
Right shifter pod - Cranking hard up a hill I droped a chain and hit the thumb lever of my right shifter with my knee. It now just flops around.
I thought about replacing the break lever, but they were expensive, and I figure its just the back break, if it snaps I can make do with front only long enough to get a new one.
Bent big ring - riding up hill, I hoped the front wheel up a one foot hight rock ledge, but didnt pull my back wheel up in time and clocked the big ring on the rock.
Bent break lever - cominging into a steep drop off I was a bit off ballance and did a little superman style endo. Both the bike and I ended up laying in a pile 20 feet down the hill.
Left shifter pod - Riding really slowly waiting for the rest of the group to catch up I looked behind me and nosed into a rock and endoed, The handlebars came down hard on a rock and the left shifter was smashed. One of those very imbarasing sort of crashes.
Right shifter pod - Cranking hard up a hill I droped a chain and hit the thumb lever of my right shifter with my knee. It now just flops around.
I thought about replacing the break lever, but they were expensive, and I figure its just the back break, if it snaps I can make do with front only long enough to get a new one.