I guess most of you have been aware of this for some time (although a quick search doesn't reveal any discussion), but I've discovered recently that the 9-speed 32t 104 BCD rings that are still available new do not fit onto XT and other cranks FC-M752 and earlier. i.e., the FC-M760 middle ring and later won't fit FC-M752 and earlier.
[M760 was the first XT with external bearings and integrated bb spindle, introduced in 2004/5]
Middleburn address this issue properly by offering 104 BCD 32t rings with either 90mm ID (which fits M752 and earlier) or 88mm ID (for M760 and later), but essentially Shimano don't. i.e., the only currently-available 90mm ID Shimano ring as far as I can see is the steel Deore FC-M510, which works fine but weighs a ton. The Middleburn is another option, but I find them prone to chainsuck and they're quite expensive.
I wonder what other RB members do? Should I try filing a mm off a modern 88mm ID ring to make it fit, or is there another non-Shimano option other than Middleburn?
[M760 was the first XT with external bearings and integrated bb spindle, introduced in 2004/5]
Middleburn address this issue properly by offering 104 BCD 32t rings with either 90mm ID (which fits M752 and earlier) or 88mm ID (for M760 and later), but essentially Shimano don't. i.e., the only currently-available 90mm ID Shimano ring as far as I can see is the steel Deore FC-M510, which works fine but weighs a ton. The Middleburn is another option, but I find them prone to chainsuck and they're quite expensive.
I wonder what other RB members do? Should I try filing a mm off a modern 88mm ID ring to make it fit, or is there another non-Shimano option other than Middleburn?
