Med!c

So I have a cracked frame, and I bought one very similar to the GT from nashbar for 100 bucks. IT's sort of a carry over frame to keep my mtb needs fullfilled until I save for a good frame. Possibly a full suspension. I'm looking towards getting good parts that I can eventually carry over. I've been looking towards the shimano saint series 2x10 system. However, I cant simply find a group set. Do they not sell these as a group set or what? SAme thing goes with the shimano zee. What is the reason for this?

I've been looking into the shimano stuff for a while now, but out of the blue a friend wants to convert me to sram stuff. He said their stuff has really improved over the past couples years and that I should really consider them. But then he started talking about x5 and x7 parts which is not the level of quality I"m looking for. So I'm kind of doubtful now about his opinion. The shimano vs sram threads dont seem to be very helpful either. IT seems to be mostly filled with brand fans and there isnt much discussion over why one system is better than the other and technicalities. I currently have a mixed setup actually and it was good when all the parts were new, kinda eh now though. So I guess my second question is, when youre comparing sram and shimano sets that are on the same level, like the saint and x0 would I actually notice any difference? And is there any reason to go with one over the other?

Dannihilator

Saint and Zee are dh/freeride groups. Comparing them to xo with exception to the xo dh cranks is like comparing apples to oranges.

Ferrous Bueller

Confession: I have experience with neither.
But I'd build the frame up with the components from your last. On this side of the Atlantic, groupsets are unreasonably pricey. Investing in a groupset to go on an inexpensive, temporary frame doesn't make sense to me.
Bike companies get the best deals from component manufacturers. Your money will go furthest if you hang onto it for now, then buy your next bike complete.

Med!c

Just curious, but how can you differentiate between dh components and general mtb components? I mean both come as 2x10 with the front being a 22-34 and the rear a 11-36

Ferrous Bueller

DH components are more rugged and are designed to deal with greater forces. Rotors are bigger. Brake calipers are 4 piston to deal with higher energy.
XC are designed with rideability in mind. Brakes are smaller and lighter. The whole groupsets are lighter. If you plan to spend much time riding uphill, an XC group is better suited to your needs.

Elduderino2412

X0 is more comparable to XT in my opinion. I think saint is more for DH riders.
Shimano feels smoother. Personally i prefer SRAM, b/c i can feel my shifts better. Go test ride a couple of bikes to see which you like better. Not really much differnce, more of a personal preference thing. You will get fanboys opinions on both though, and why one sucks.

Zephyr11

Downhill components are overbuilt for durability, but are heavy. I've always compared X.0 to XTR, but I have dinosaur bikes from 2007 so I haven't ridden XX or XX1. The non-downhill progression is XTR, XT, SLX, then Deore. Any of those will work just fine, though obviously XTR will be lighter and stay adjusted longer than Deore. IMO, X.9/XT is the sweet spot for value/quality, but you'll get differing opinions no matter who you ask.

As for SRAM vs. Shimano...Ford vs. Chevy, Microsoft vs. Apple, ESP vs. Gibson, Coke vs. Pepsi (SRAM, Ford, Apple, ESP, and Coke FTW! But feel free to disagree). The only catch is they don't play nice with each other because the pull ratios for shifters and rear derailleurs are different. Front derailleurs are interchangeable though...I run an XT FD with X.0/X.9 shifter/RD on my main bike.

Dannihilator

Shimano, ford, microsoft, neither, not a guitar player, water FTW here.

Elduderino2412

That's probably more accurate, XT is probably closer to X9 than X0 the more i think about it.