so what groupsets do you avoid on your builds?

[JeRkY]

Not a lot from the LX upwards specs that I wouldn't touch.

I am not a fan of the GOLD M570 LX stuff though. XT M739/40 are pretty ugly as cranks go. M737 Was my favourite XT until the modern stuff.

I appreciate it isnt a groupset but I have no interest what so ever in any truvativ chainsets. They have just never interested me and always looked cheap compared to the competitors equivalent ranges.

All that said, I don't think I have a matching full group on any of my bikes, I like to mix things up with Middleburn stuff where possible.

 

[drcarlos]

All that said, I don't think I have a matching full group on any of my bikes

Mine are all like this XTR M900, XT735/730, Some DX, some LX 550. Suntour XC LTD/Comp/Pro mix. My wifes GT is a mix of 600 LX and 737 XT. My lads Kona has a mix of 560 LX and STX-RC.
The only one I have that will all eventually match with be the Kili-Flyer which will be all Deore I MT-60.

Carl.

 

[stumpjumper1990]

I'm a XT fan! Deerhead, 730, 735 and 739!

XTR M900 is lovely, but too expensive! I have one complete set of NOS/ mint M900 and it's really nice, works perfect and easy to set-up! But all my other bikes work with XT. It just never fails!

That said....... No XT on my '82 stumpy's....

 

[Takingabreak]

LX Black or XT Silver depending on frame colour.

There will be a lot of head shaking on here but I plan to build my Hei Hei up with black LX because I think it will really suit it.

 

[Skinwhistle]

I like the black LX stuff!!!!
Seems to work on my Cro Mega build!!??
Take a look at my pics on my thread, works smooth too

 

[We_are_Stevo]

I don't understand this 'thing' people have about XTR working 'better' or 'smoother' than the groups below it??

The component design is virtually identical, the only difference being the choice of materials in order to save microscopic amounts of weight over previous incarnations...

...I have XTR on my Explosif but it doesn't work any different to the XT it replaced. Yes, it looks nice but at the price it damn well better!

I'm willing to bet, in a 'blind' test, the majority of people would be unable to tell the difference between XTR and STX if they were operating off the same shifter... :roll:

 

[feetabix]

DX is still my favourite groupset.

Mine too! Polishes up nicely, works well, not expensive.... Maybe a bit heavier than XT (never compared though) but tough and good looking at the same time.

I never understand the XT thumshifter thing - the DX ones are miles better as the clamp can be easily resprayed and the XT clamp is very fragile IME.

i agree to a point rob, the clamps look clumsier on the dx shifters but do allow you to whack 'em on nice and tight with a screwdriver without the feeling of tightening a bolt into a block of cheese that the xt gives just as the threads strip!....the shifts feel more positive on an xt thumbie though, without the mushy feel the dx ones give as you select the 8th ghost position each time you try to select the largest rear gear.....or is that just me?... :roll:

 

[We_are_Stevo]

How could anyone not like this?

...though having said that, I'm not too keen on XTR chainsets!

 

[Chopper the ex Copper]

I don't understand this 'thing' people have about XTR working 'better' or 'smoother' than the groups below it??

The component design is virtually identical, the only difference being the choice of materials in order to save microscopic amounts of weight over previous incarnations...

...I have XTR on my Explosif but it doesn't work any different to the XT it replaced. Yes, it looks nice but at the price it damn well better!

I'm willing to bet, in a 'blind' test, the majority of people would be unable to tell the difference between XTR and STX if they were operating off the same shifter... :roll:

Agreed. I recently stepped and cleaned a modern Deore and a modern XT mech, both of the same pre shadow era. Apart from the coulour and markings there is only 1 difference - the outer parallelogram plate on the XT is alloy, and is steel on the Deore.

Until the last couple of years XTR was not the top group set above XT, but a specialist groupset for racing, a sideways placing in the range rather than a linear step up from XT. It trades some durability for lighter weight. It's only the last 2 years where it's been formally realigned as the flagship groupset above XT and marketed as such.

I got full XTR on my XTC950, had it from new, and it simply doesn't work any better than XT. It's just a wee but lighter, and thus potentially more fragile.

 

[Splatter Paint]

I've got a pair of black LX wheels for sale....

I only avoid the really low-end stuff for the awful brakes, moving from 300
LX to XT on the Dire Mountain was a revelation. Also the weight is a real issue, steel rings, derailleurs etc. isn't nice.

STX is amazing, my commuting bike had not had a hub service since October 2009 despite this, when I took the hubs apart this week the grease was still yellowy aside from the drive-side bearings. That's been ridden 5 days a week in all weathers. The rear mech was from the tip and also STX, despite being so worn I actually thought the pivot bolt was loose in the frame, the shifting was perfect.

SP