I have read this and read your previous article when XT was 'relaunched' in 2004 and have to ask, what is the point of XT? I'm not being argumentative - I run full XT except mechs which are XTR, but given that Hone and Saint now exist, isn't XT just a cheaper version of XTR?

If the answer is yes, then surely XT should be tested under race conditions as it is unashamedly race focussed? Its for racers who cannot afford XTR (like me). If you want to ride, all mountain, riser bars and 6" suspension as MBR is only capable of doing, then perhaps one of the other groupsets should be the choice. I am not opposed to this all-day riding and as i cannot afford multiple bikes, my race bike does it all, but I am aware its a race bike and has been specced as such.

Its just a thought but perhaps XT on all day trail, heavily used bikes is no longer the answer, hence the introduction of other groups by the big S.

Marke.

I'm not sure I see the distinction between a race transmission and a ride-all-day transmission, particularly. Given that any issues exposed here are wear-related rather than strength or weight related, it's not going to make a great deal of difference. If anything, you could argue that we ought to be using Deore or LX because it's cheaper to replace ;-)

I have an entire LX groupset on my XC bikes transission and it behaves fine, and I can't really see any difference between it and XT which I ran on my FR bike before upgrading (through ebay!) to XTR, which really does outshine the other two.

But then at twice the price it should!

I use XT and LX bits on both of my bikes. They are both subject to the black ash that NE Derbys lay all over thre Peak District and all along the Pennine Trail, which is my commute to work. Wear rates on both are pretty much the same, although neither has an XT chainset. I have Tune for the Salsa and a Shimano 105 for the commuter. Is the underlying problem here that Shimano, so long a proponent of mix and match, is now guilty of the niche classification which has broken out everywhere else?

SRAM SRAM SRAM SRAM :)

Sorry


I have an XT front mech on one bike. Wears out in about 18months so I get a new one

no need to apologise to me Alan.

I've happily been using XT since september now and it's ace it just works theres been days here in durham where I've not seen the rear mech for clarts and it never misses a beat, the cranks are gorgoeusly stiff and happily by swapping chains every month and keeping the bike clean the rings are fine as well.

It's just good stuff that works flawlessly, having been a real trick component fan, I'm unlikely to use anything other than shimano for shifting or cranks for some time, totally convinced.

Nice write-up Jon. I've been running XT flippyshifters, mechs and brakes for about three months now, really impressed with them (though the resin pads seemed to disappear like a vampires in sunlight at the first sign of mud).

Good choice running the test in the Dark Peak, I have ridden in loads of places but nowhere has come close in component wrecking ability.

Marke, I get the impression that Saint is a genuine attempt at making a DH/ Freeride groupset that you can't break, while Hone is just dark grey LX with a bit of marketing spin apart from the mech/rear hub which is a "Saint-lite".

I don't think there is anything that says you shouldn't run XT on a "just riding" bike, and no reason why a racer would hammer it more than a hard trail rider like Mr D. Anyway, do you change your drivetrain for race days?

Hone is designed for 'all-mountain', in that it'll take a lot of knocking that will destroy a lighter gruppo that would be more suitable for racing XC. According to the Shimano trade cat.

You pays your money and takes your choice.

Nice write-up Jon! And how are you Mr. Nichols?

"Hone is designed for 'all-mountain', in that it'll take a lot of knocking that will destroy a lighter gruppo that would be more suitable for racing XC"

True, but all that that actually means in practise is a less readily-breakable rear mech design ;-)

Everything else in the Hone groupset is just LX in a different colour.

Interesting responses. I had not really thought about my argument until reading the article and just gave a gut response, but look at it this way - if you are a serious MTB racer (on a budget and so run XT not XTR), you spend 80% on the roads and 20% off road, and keep your bike in perfect condition ready for the next training session or race.

Under those conditions, how long would everything last? Probably a lot longer.

For all day, lots of dirt style riding, perhaps the hardier (but less pimpy) deore groupset would be ideal and perhaps designed for.

Its just a thought but with Hone and Saint, LX and Deore being so good, XT really has been refocussed into a race groupset, and under daily batterings, may not be up to it.

Stu - I don't change the drivetrain, but its cleaned very thoroughly after each outing in the hope it lasts!

"XT really has been refocussed into a race groupset, and under daily batterings, may not be up to it."

It clearly is. Jon used that stuff for a year in one of the most component-unfriendly areas of the country, possibly the world. And wore out some chainrings, some brake pads and a set of BB bearings. That looks pretty good to me.

I'm also very sceptical about your profile of the "serious MTB racer on a budget". I don't believe that there are very many people who have one XT-equipped bike that they use 80% on the road. Certainly not enough to target a groupset at. It's an MTB groupset, it's designed for use off-road. Use things more in worse conditions and they'll wear out quicker, there's no surprise there. This "cheaper stuff is more suitable for off-road" idea only holds water in as much as cheaper stuff is cheaper to replace. Aside from the steel chainrings, there's absolutely no reason why a Deore or LX transmission (chain/cassette) should last any longer than an XT one, and most people's experience is that other bits (hubs, BBs) last less long.

So will I be allowed to upgrade my 93 XT thumbies and levers to this? Will they work with XT V's, and Deore Moving mech thingys?

I looked in 'What Joint' to find the answers but no one was available.

They're 9spd only, so you'll have the wrong number of clicks. There's a V-brake version, though.

I think XT/XTR is overkill for us mear XC mortals Deore/LX is more than adequate for 99% of riders 99% of the time..

Who do I have to punch for this outrage?

Rapid Fire is pony.


I have to buy a 9 speed sprok and rear mech?

Nice article Jon. Most of my steed has LX kit, but my Rear hub is currently an XT. It's done pretty well but the non drive side bearings got pretty shagged (and almost destroyed the cup).

Numpty, you'll need a 9spd cassette. If you've got an 8spd freehub it'll be fine, if it's only a 7spd you'll need at least a new freehub body and some cunning spanner twiddling and wheel adjusting but it's probably easier to get a new rear hub. The mech should be fine, might need narrower jockey wheels in it.

SRAM