Chainset - Drive etc... Need some help

GT Destroyer

Hi - My chainset on my GT Avalanche is a shimano LX one. LX fr and rear deuraillers, with Truvativ cranks and a square tapered BB.

The teeth on the rear cassette are worn so the chain is slipping, so if needs fixing ASAP.

I want to upgrade the stuff on there. I've looked at XT and XTR stuff. I'm totally stuck now.

If I change the rear cassette I have to change the chain at the same time, is this right? Also I've been told I need to change the front 3 cogs at the same time, as the chain might still slip if I don't, is this right?

Raceface do some cranks and splined BB - Are these better than shimano hollowtech XT ones?

If I get a XT rear cassette with XT chain, will that work with a Raceface crank set up front?

I have 42 teeth on the biggest chainring up-front. Should I stick with that size or chane it for a bigger ratio one - Whats the benefit of a bigger ratio?

Thanks for reading - and answering if you can offer any advice. I've almost given up, theres that much to decide on!!

ddoogie

GT Destroyer wrote:

I want to upgrade the stuff on there. I've looked at XT and XTR stuff. I'm totally stuck now.

If you have the money I would go with an XTR rear mech and a set of XT shifters and front mech. XT is pretty good though and you wouldn't be disappointed with an XT rear mech as well.

If I change the rear cassette I have to change the chain at the same time, is this right? Also I've been told I need to change the front 3 cogs at the same time, as the chain might still slip if I don't, is this right?

Yes, the chain wears at the same rate as the cassette so its best to replace it at the same time if your cassette is worn as well. The chain rings on the cassette don't normally need replacing at the same time, though, if they are worn as well its always best to.

Raceface do some cranks and splined BB - Are these better than shimano hollowtech XT ones?

I'd always go with Shimano. Excellent quality.

If I get a XT rear cassette with XT chain, will that work with a Raceface crank set up front?

Yes

I have 42 teeth on the biggest chainring up-front. Should I stick with that size or chane it for a bigger ratio one - Whats the benefit of a bigger ratio?

Bigger ratio equals a greater top speed. Not really useful unless you have legs the size of tree trunks or a lot of road riding on your trails.

The Big Cheese

XTR rear mechs are wonderful, but don't be sucked in by getting full XTR - I have it on my XC race bike and have had nothing but aggro with it, I have tinkered with it and I have had it looked at by two different mechanics. I think it's overatted - especially with the reliability of LX and XT (obviously they are heavier!)

As DDOOGIE says, XTR rear mechs are a safe bet but to be honest LX front mech and shifters would be spot on.. if you really feel the need to upgrade just go XT and save your money...

After tooing-and froing on my new build (and getting folks input on here) I am just going LX front /rear mechs/shifters with XT crank (SRAM chain and cassette) - should provide a good reliable transmission

GT Destroyer

Thanks for taking the time to reply DDOOGIE - and CHEESY

So the list is

XTR rear mech - About £50 online
XT Rear cassette - £40
XT Chain - £20
XT Hollowtech front cogs and cranks with splined BB - £125??
XT Shifters - I have no idea how much these are.

So its going to be around the £250 mark, this biking lark is expensive!!

Say I go for the rear cassette and the chain this month - and wait for next month for the other bits - Do I need to hang on to get the whole lot fitted at the same time? Would it not ber adviseable to fit the new chain and rear cassette this month and the new cranks and front cogs next month?

GT Destroyer

Yeah - I am starting to think that just the XT stuff will be fine for what I need.

I'm getting the rear cassette and chain from Halfords - I'll buy the crankset on-line.

Are the rear cassettes compatible with the chainsets? A better way of asking would be - There are different teeth options for the rear cassette, do these different options work with the 44-33-22 teeth on the crankset?

And what are the different teeth options on the rear cassette for? Is it more teeth equals greater top speed like the front cogs?

I am well confused today - But need this fixing!!

The Big Cheese

XT cassettes usually are 11-32 and 11-34

I'd just go with the 11-32 tbh as that's always worked for me

It's can be a very complicated thing gearing, but once you know it ...... (I still don't really)

Theres not a major difference just the higher the ratio the faster top speed you'll have

The Big Cheese

... and yes, they are compatible...

I found that when sorting out my single speed set-up. although more simple, it clears things up a little more...

GT Destroyer

This has actually stressed me out today.

Not really knowing what I'm on about.
Thinking of the ride home when I know the frigging chain is going to be slipping about.
Stupid Halfords that don't stock the XT cassettes so they have to order them in.
Stupid Halfords who can't order something without you paying for it in full first.
I'm at work till 8PM tonight so can't do it today.
Can't go tomorrow.
Can't go on Friday.
Therefore can't go to Wharncliffe at weekend.
The wife has just rung me and we have a leak at home.

I've had better days let me tell you.

tompsk73

Best have a nice cup of tea by the sounds of it.

GT Destroyer

Will do my friend - Only after an 8 mile ride home, which I'm about 5 minutes away from starting. I'm not looking forward to that, but I bet I'll feel better when I'm home and having rode the whole way.

I see you are from France, we are moving to France from the UK. In about 18 months, we are hoping to move to the South West.

alfablue

GT Destroyer wrote:

If I change the rear cassette I have to change the chain at the same time, is this right? Also I've been told I need to change the front 3 cogs at the same time, as the chain might still slip if I don't, is this right?

Usually the chainrings will outlast the chain, I'm still on my original chainset from 7 years ago, had two cassettes and probably five chains.

Generally people seem to change three chains for each cassette change, but if you have left the chain too long then the cassette will not run properly on a new chain.

As I said, chainsets last longer, so I would suggest trying the new chain and cassette first, it may work fine. Also, if it is worn it will likely be just the inner or middle ring, which if you want to save money can be changed individually.

Almost every time I have been to an LBS for a chain I have had the speil about changing the chainset - it makes sense to suck it and see before splashing the cash.

Of course if you just want to upgrade anyway and can afford it, all well and good

Ciaran500

What makes the XTR better than the rest of the range other than weight difference?

The Spiderman

Bought my XT cassette on ebay via the woolly hat shop.£29 delivered.SRAM PC991 chain from ebay was £18,and works fine with an XT cassette.

Also try ww.merlinccyles.co.uk Good prices on cassettes and chains.

supersonic

XTR is made to higher tolerances and lasts longer, as well as performs better.

Consider an LX chainset rather than XT to save money.

tompsk73

I see you are from France, we are moving to France from the UK. In about 18 months, we are hoping to move to the South West.

[/quote]

Fine place, We're in the south west, south of bergerac ish, Mtb scene (or vtt as they say here) is pretty big. Look us up when you arrive! Youll be a bike afficionado by the time youre here.

GT Destroyer

tompsk73 wrote:

I see you are from France, we are moving to France from the UK. In about 18 months, we are hoping to move to the South West.

Fine place, We're in the south west, south of bergerac ish, Mtb scene (or vtt as they say here) is pretty big. Look us up when you arrive! Youll be a bike afficionado by the time youre here.[/quote]

Well I hope I'll be a bit further along the biking toad than I am now!

Again thanks for the replies - The advice is very good !!!!

Looks like I'm probably going for the full hog, cassette, chain, and crankset!! Will let you know which combo I go for.

GT Destroyer

What exactly is "chain suck"?

I have narrowed it down to a Shimano XT crankset its an 07 model, hollowtech and retails for £85 at merlin, and a similar price at CRC.

The reviews for the set are rubbish, the chainrings sound like they wear out really quickly.

Anyone here have this (or a similar crankset)?

GT Destroyer

Nevermind about chain suck. I have narrowed it down to Raceface Ride for £90 or Raceface Evolve XC for £120.

There are loads of buyer reviews on CrC saying that the Evolve is a great chainset etc etc... but there are none about the Ride version.

Anyone have the ride crankset, and can comment on it?

GT Destroyer

Bought the Evolve XC Raceface set - Managed to get it for £90 brand new on eBay.

jayson

Personally i dont think that XTR kit is worth the extra outlay over XT, the performance difference is negligable at most.

If u can, go for XT shifters with XT front and rear mech and cassette with a SRAM chain, an LX chainset is cheaper than XT but have u seen what it looks like , eeugh.

GT Destroyer

No to mention the weight - I compared the LX with the XT and was shocked that it could way that much less!!

Ordered the XT rear mech and chain from Halfords yesterday - Should be arriving on Friday. It'll be a miracle if they turn up and they are the right bits though. They aren't too hot on product knowledge!!

GT Destroyer

I know its a bit late but I did a full lap of Dalby on Sunday with the new crank set, cassette, and chain. The bits are so far so good, no slipping, no signs of wear etc... 10/10 so far.