Mountain Biking by 198 - Latest Comments in Are XTR and X.0 Mountain Bike Components Really Worth It?

Re: Are XTR and X.0 Mountain Bike Components Really Worth It?

Robb Sutton — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:22:58 -0000

Durability, engagement, stiffness largely depends on the builder - machine built vs. quality wheel builder, maintenance (again...quality built wheels need truing less often)

Re: Are XTR and X.0 Mountain Bike Components Really Worth It?

Michiel — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:27:03 -0000

and why would expensive wheels be better than average ones?
Stiffness only depends on the amount of steel in the spokes (and a bit on how well the wheel is spoked and tensioned, bu that's for free).
Weight differs hardly if you choose the right rims.

I believe in buying a lot of tires to finf the ones for your style, they make the difference in stability, light ride etc..

Re: Are XTR and X.0 Mountain Bike Components Really Worth It?

Eric — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:54:22 -0000

I agree with the above, although I often get sucked into trying the latest and greatest. As far as SRAM stuff goes - I bought a Rocky Mountain Element TSC in 2000. It came with SRAM 9.0 SL stuff on it. This is about a year or two before they came out with XO. I am still riding that bike and have done 8 Leadville 100s on that drivetrain and it still works beautifully. I just ordered an new Pivot Mach 429 and spec's it with XO. I found that it is about $200 cheaper if you run it with the Gripshift version instead of the triggers. I love the Gripshift setup, so I jumped on that. If you do not have a major need for triggers, it is a great way to get their top of the line stuff for a lot less $. It made the gap between X9 and XO a lot smaller. FWIW, the SRAM front derailleurs are not that great and I would recommend running an XT or even LX as not much has changed up front in 15 years.

Re: Are XTR and X.0 Mountain Bike Components Really Worth It?

Paddy D — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:24:19 -0000

Something I forgot to add to my previous query. I am running a 26 v-brake set up. Does the Hope II hubs come in a non-disc friendly set-up? Should've mentioned this before. Thanks guys...

Re: Are XTR and X.0 Mountain Bike Components Really Worth It?

Paddy D — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 21:33:07 -0000

Sweet thanks for the help...

Re: Are XTR and X.0 Mountain Bike Components Really Worth It?

198 — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 06:41:20 -0000

Paddy D

Take a look at the Hope Pro II hubs. The engagement is not at the level of the really high end (Chris King, I9, etc.) but they are high quality hubs that make for a great wheelset. If you want to drop a little bit more coin...check out the Hadleys. 72 point engagement.

Re: Are XTR and X.0 Mountain Bike Components Really Worth It?

Paddy D — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:09:49 -0000

So, I am trying to do a custom wheel set and am having a difficult time researching hubs. Can you please help me with the top end, my son dosen't REALLY need to go to college hub, the almost top end, we can eat ramen noodles for a couple of months and the middle of the road not xtr from shimano hub? I would really appreciate a little input from you guys. Thanks

Re: Are XTR and X.0 Mountain Bike Components Really Worth It?

djorzgul — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:34:27 -0000

my first post :)

I have x0 rear d. but older version with aluminum cage (not carbon) and I like it soo much. in fact complete sram's 1:1 ratio thing is in my opinion superb comparing to shimano's 1:2.
On the other hand I have x9 shifters since x0 are to pricey (more than double)... although I heard here and there that shifting is better with them, meaning that lever travel is a bit shorter, and by that shifting sensation is snappier... I'd like to try them anyway.

On the other hand everytime xtr/xt discussion is started I remember an article in some old national geographic bout several guys who rode across the alaska (or something like that), and they all had old-school black shimano lx components... so... you never know whats best until you test it really hard.

that's the reason why I still ride my cnc machined avid ultimate v-brakes... they work sooo good... and I don't feel like changing them soon...

bottom line... x0 is good, maybe just a bit better then x9. xt is better than xtr. slx is super good (my girl has it). only "bad" thing is heavy drive train...

huh... enough... I could write about bike all night long..

respect to all of you ;)

dj.

Re: Are XTR and X.0 Mountain Bike Components Really Worth It?

198 — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 22:25:13 -0000

Unless he is going to be a serious XC racer...steer him away from the SID. The Reba is a much better fork for regular riding. The SID is a purpose built component that is intended for primarily xc racing.

Re: Are XTR and X.0 Mountain Bike Components Really Worth It?

ajy129 — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:56:02 -0000

Interesting article.
Have just gone to X9 RDR with X9 shifters. Previous XT. Am looking forward to see how the sram works.

Now how about a comparison of forks..... what of the various shades between reba/sid/fox rl100 etc etc. (My son keeps drooling over sids...)

Re: Are XTR and X.0 Mountain Bike Components Really Worth It?

198 — Thu, 28 May 2009 14:13:26 -0000

I will agree that they have a better feel to them on the bike (the shifters). It also seems that the price gap on the shifters is not as high as the RD's. Maybe that is because they are out of eyesight in most cases.

Re: Are XTR and X.0 Mountain Bike Components Really Worth It?

198 — Thu, 28 May 2009 14:11:52 -0000

When it comes to stem and seatpost decisions...stiffness plays a huge factor for me. I find that the Thomson products are stiffer on the bike making them more predictable.

From an aesthetics standpoint...they look just like the day you bought them 8 years down the road. While I love the adjustment on the Race Face posts...they look old after one day on the trail because I move the seatpost all the way down on dh sections. This wears off the logo almost instantly.

Re: Are XTR and X.0 Mountain Bike Components Really Worth It?

brad gatewood — Thu, 28 May 2009 14:02:04 -0000

Thanks for the article.

Actually I have the same question about Thomson components. I don't get it. I mean they look nice, and I understand the strength issue, but we're talking about components with zero moving parts. And most people could ride the same seatpost or stem for their entire life without breaking it.

Enlighten me.

Re: Are XTR and X.0 Mountain Bike Components Really Worth It?

foxiu — Fri, 15 May 2009 08:21:30 -0000

if you want to have some 'pro' componets from top level groups in your bike buy... shifters. Rear derailleurs are expensive, and you can't FEEL if they works better. And shifters - you touch them many times, everytime you ride your bike, and you can feel the difference between "they works good" and "they works great"

sorry for my english, and greetings from poland ;)

Re: Are XTR and X.0 Mountain Bike Components Really Worth It?

198 — Fri, 15 May 2009 08:03:52 -0000

I have been saying that for awhile too. Add to that...the aluminum cage of the X.9 is a lot less prone to breaking. Why do you think they went to an aluminum backing with carbon outers on the '09's? Too many breaking on the trail...

Re: Are XTR and X.0 Mountain Bike Components Really Worth It?

198 — Fri, 15 May 2009 08:02:52 -0000

Ah! When you move off of XT hubs...you will never go back. It is one of those ignorance is bliss things...you don't know what you are truly missing out on until you switch.

Re: Are XTR and X.0 Mountain Bike Components Really Worth It?

198 — Fri, 15 May 2009 08:02:02 -0000

LOL...I have a rigid ss just for that reason! Keeps me honest.

Re: Are XTR and X.0 Mountain Bike Components Really Worth It?

198 — Fri, 15 May 2009 08:01:37 -0000

I have found SRAM to be more bullet proof on the trail requiring less need for adjustment over time.

I also like the design of the SRAM front paddle (closest to the front wheel) on the shifter over Shimano's. When Shimano went to the dual direction paddle...its not as hand placement friendly. The SRAM paddle is right where I want it.

Re: Are XTR and X.0 Mountain Bike Components Really Worth It?

198 — Fri, 15 May 2009 07:59:43 -0000

A high quality, hand-built wheelset can make all the difference in the world. Even some of the best frames out there perform poorly under bad wheels. People tend to forget that your wheels are your only contact with the ground.

Re: Are XTR and X.0 Mountain Bike Components Really Worth It?

198 — Fri, 15 May 2009 07:58:05 -0000

I completely agree. The SLX package is supposed to be pretty smooth...but more durable than XT. Let me know what you end up thinking about it.

Re: Are XTR and X.0 Mountain Bike Components Really Worth It?

HAROMAN — Fri, 15 May 2009 06:38:38 -0000

I'm a huge SRAM fan and I think the x9 performs like the xo minus the carbon cage, it's a matter of grams less weight but huge price difference better stick to x9 for the same performance and a bang for the buck! +1 for x9!!

Re: Are XTR and X.0 Mountain Bike Components Really Worth It?

benj.nazareno — Fri, 15 May 2009 03:08:56 -0000

i too am saving up for a good set of wheels. currently use XTs and have to frequently have the bearins greased and serviced. no complaints but am looking at a red metal 1 or hope pro2 + DT Swiss rim set-up.

recently purchased an X9 set but the shifters kept on getting stuck after only 2 mos. of riding. and we usually ride on light to moderate terrain. with a couple of my riding buddies sharing the same experience in the past, decided to return them and trade up to the X0. will wait and see how they perform...

Re: Are XTR and X.0 Mountain Bike Components Really Worth It?

Kiwirider — Fri, 15 May 2009 02:19:46 -0000

It's not an issue on single speeds
Get back to basics, Enough said,

Re: Are XTR and X.0 Mountain Bike Components Really Worth It?

D Hauck — Thu, 14 May 2009 20:25:43 -0000

Interesting article. I would agree that money on wheels is a better spend, but then again, if you have the wrong frame, none of it matters. What I do not like about the article is putting SRAM and Shimano in the same bucket. Yes, they do have versions based on price that mostly come with minor weight and blink improvements along the way. However, I think Shimano has goofed where I believe SRAM has proven the value. I have XO, X.9, XTR and XT. I have been through most of the versions of LX and XT during my 20 years of mtn biking. I have found that SRAM XO is not just bling. It is faster, lighter and rugged. XTR however is lighter, but is not much more than bling (even worse in some cases than XT). X.9 is good agreed, but XO is better. SRAM simply has more value in the RD and shifter arena than Shimano IMHO and the choice should be between XTR vs XO or XT vs X.9.

Re: Are XTR and X.0 Mountain Bike Components Really Worth It?

Luke S — Thu, 14 May 2009 15:17:07 -0000

Spot on in regard to where to spend the money. High end rear D doesn't hurt ya but $ into a better wheel set is a definite improvement. Same theory as a good fork upgrade. Money well spent.