As i seem to have worn out my OE groupset on my Wolf Ridge (XT derailleur and LX shifter, although not sure what the chain and cassette are)

I've bent my XT derailleur too, and i think i'd like a better shifter than LX while i'm changing.

Question is, do i go for full XT or 2007 SRAM X9? The X9 is more expensive, but it does look good. Cant justify X.0 or XTR as i dont need to save the weight.

Not changing my left hand setup at all, that works fine.

EDIT:Um, dont know why i linked this to an eVent jacket....

if you're keeping your left hand setup, you're best off just getting a new rear mech (shimano)

you don't want mismatched shifters, i'd been running sram attack and some shimano's for ages, in the end i just went single ring up front...

I run a 22/40 double ring up front, with LX/LX, which is different, but works for me, i could change to X9 there later down the line, but its not a consideration at the mo. Just dont want to spend too much 'coz i'm after some lupines before the clocks change.

but if you went sram x9, you'd have to get a new sram shifter, then you'll have one lx, one sram, which would annoy me (again)

Forgot to mention, the XT on this bike never shifted right, jumped a lot, so its almost encouraging me to try X9, that said, the XT on the Reign was a bit better (still not a patch on 8 speed TBH).

The wear rate was really bad too, i've worn out a cassette and chain since july, and not done many miles (for me). The jumping and slipping may have caused some excessive wear though. Is SRAM stuff any better lasting?

XT over X9 so long as it's not low normal IMO. The latest XT offers a thumb or finger trigger so the only significant SRAM plus is the 2:1 ratio. Slightly crisper shifting doesn't make up for X9's easy-clog, fast-wearing jockey wheels.

I'm in the same boat as you Steve. My chainset is worn out and needs changing, but I've been running SRAM X9 and am considering switching back to Shimano.

I'd agree with JG that the X9 2:1 ratio makes for better shifting, but the X9 jockey wheels do seize up and wear out at an alarming rate. After one 100km Enduro the bottom one (with the bearing) needs stripping and cleaning straight away or it will be seized solid the next day.

Also, my SRAM shifters have worn out after about 8 months - with admittedly heavy use, but I'd expect twice that from Shimano.

So maybe you should switch to SRAM and I'll switch to Shimano and we'll compare notes in about a year ;)

sram use 1:1 btw, shimano are 2:1

My head says Shimano, my heart says try the new X9, coz it looks pretty... thanks for the input though guys. I'll decide by weekend i hope...

Oh, btw, long cage or medium?

long cage if you're running 2/3 chainrings at the front , medium cage if you're running one.

sram use 1:1 btw, shimano are 2:1 - D'oh - of course they do! :/

It's my fault Derek. :(

Just figured i can have 2007 XTR for little more than X9... hmmm, thats tempting...

decisions decisions....