Shimano XTR - Valid upgrade?

Skonk

Howdy.

I recently picked up a Specialized Stumpjumper Elite (which can be seen here: http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... e-09-34208 ).

I'm a bit skint at the mo as you can imagine after buying this but since I do like wasting my hard earned on sparkly new toys it's got me thinking about what I could upgrade over the comming months (for both performance and "bling" reasons if I'm honest).

So I'm thinking about adding more XTR components such as Pedals, Front Mech, Shifters and posibly Crank set (though the crank set is freakin expensive).

Question is, would I notice any real difference by replacing what the bike has currently in those areas with XTR (reduced weight etc) or would it just be a total waste of money?

EDIT: The current gear is a mix of SLX and custom Deore I think.

James.

nicklouse

mmm

I'm a bit skint at the mo

in that case dont replace any parts that are working fine.

wait till you have to replace something to keep riding.

supersonic

Ah, good old Spesh - fit the top end rear mech and a average crank.

I wouldn't change owt until it wears out.

Anonymous

i did swap the deore out on my stumpy but it was purely a relatively tarty thing to do. i would heed the advice already given and wait to replace stuf when bits wear out.

as it happens, its a pretty decent crank really, i couldnt tell any difference in feel compared to xt cranks i have and slx

batch78

Agreed, you'll notice approx. F all differance with pedals and front mech, shifters and cranks could possibly be noticeable but not worth the money.

New tyres would be top of my list for upgrades.

Follow that with personalising touches, saddle, handlebars, grips etc.

Skonk

I use a pair of Panaracer Cinders on the GT, which I was planning on moving onto the Stumpy; figured I'd give the Specialized tyres a try first though.

Had a couple of hours on it yesterday and I did feel a little slidey in places where I wouldn't have expected it so there is a good chance I'm gonna pop the Cinders on it.

James.

Salsa

XTR shifters are a worthwhile if expensive upgrade. The push/pull single/double downshift function is great & they do feel great.

Daz555

Your existing parts are all nice as it is. Save your money for wear and inevitable breakages.

Tank-slapper

Salsa wrote:

XTR shifters are a worthwhile if expensive upgrade. The push/pull single/double downshift function is great & they do feel great.

+1 and they look nice too.

Mickey Eye

Fix what breaks. My pedals broke so I replaced them with XTR. Everything else I've replaced has been for comfort/fit reasons. Oh and the tyres, I had the Fast Traks, they don't deal well with mud, the Captains are supposed to be better though.

Everything on your bike is as functionally good but heavier. The SLX is highly rated and if (when) my crankset goes I can't see any reason as a none racer to buy better than that other than for blingyness sake.

Darkmyst

Arrr. im so going to get flamed now...

But i upgraded all my Stumpjumper elite stuff to XT.

,, my excuse... i wanted the next bike up, but never liked the carbon frame idea.... :roll:

Cost.. alot, worth it, probaly not. looks nice with matching gear. :P

Will post a pic later..

knave

Whilst I agree with the comments about not replacing anything that works, theoretically speaking, what could be replaced on the 09 Stumpy Elite which would yield the biggest weight saving?

supersonic

The frame ;-)

Anonymous

supersonic wrote:

The frame ;-)

says the idrive fan!!

the wheels could be lighter but its a pricey thing to upgrade. whats the rear cassette? a decent lump of weight can often be saved here for fairly little outlay.

RealMan

Replace when they break.

So I'm thinking about adding more XTR components such as Pedals, Front Mech, Shifters and posibly Crank set (though the crank set is freakin expensive).

Pedals - not worth it.

Front mech - worth it.

Shifters - worth it.

Crank set - expensive, but meant to brilliant.

Mickey Eye

RealMan wrote:

Front mech - worth it.

Bollocks.

RealMan

Mickey Eye wrote:

RealMan wrote:

Front mech - worth it.

Bollocks.

Always much easier then actually giving an explanation to your point.

XTR front mech is much, much smoother then XT or lower, plus a bit lighter.

Tank-slapper

RealMan wrote:

Mickey Eye wrote:

RealMan wrote:

Front mech - worth it.

Bollocks.

Always much easier then actually giving an explanation to your point.

XTR front mech is much, much smoother then XT or lower, plus a bit lighter.

I would have to agree with bollocks man. There is very little difference.

ads4

Skonk wrote:

since I do like wasting my hard earned on sparkly new toys it's got me thinking about what I could upgrade (for both performance and "bling" reasons if I'm honest).

I know what you mean mate I love to mod things, my Audi has seen a ridiculous amount of money spent on it!
I have just 'dream shopped' at CRC and my final list of upgrades to get the bike where i want it are as follows....
Fulcrum Red Metal Zero wheelset - £569
Scwalbe UST Nobby Nic x2 - £87.98
FSA K-Force Light Carbon Seatpost 2009 - £86
FSA K-Force Light XC Chainset MegaExo 2009 - £449
Shimano XTR Cassette 9 Speed M970 - £129.99
KMC X9 SL Chain Ti & Gold 9 Speed - £49.99
Selle Italia SLR XC Gel Flow Saddle - £89.99
Total - £1462.94 and leaves my bike, for me, perfect

batch78

XTR front mech is much, much smoother then XT or lower, plus a bit lighter

.

Err bollox! Except for the light part.

You'd be better off changing the cables if a smooth front mech feel is your thing, ultimately though its bollox.

Chain, chainrings and cable is all that'll affect front shifts.

RealMan

batch78 wrote:

Chain, chainrings and cable is all that'll affect front shifts.

:roll:

supersonic

Given that the inner plates are virtually the same shape and profile on many Shimano mechs, and newer ones have the beefed up linkage too, in a blindfold test you wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

XTR is lighter though and the pivots made to a higher standard so will last longer.

The front mech weould be the last thing I upgrade on my bike.

nferrar

Yeah only worthwhile upgrade would be the XTR shifters (unless you already have XT). Just change other stuff as it wears out - you need to have a decent cash flow to make XTR worthwhile as it's scary expensive replacing stuff like chain rings and cassettes. Some people spend every last penny getting XTR initially then have to replace it with lower end stuff when it wears out as they can't afford XTR replacements...

crimsondynamo

I have the 2008 Elite and the badged parts are pretty much full XT. Is the 09 re-specced or did you buy it 2nd hand?

From my own experience, the first things to go were cassette, chain (both upgraded to XT) and middle chainring after only c.400 miles. Oh, and the custom smarties which the LBS already knew were a warranty issue (changed to SPD). My DT Swiss rear wheel has also been rebuilt under warranty. Everything else has been faultless.

The spesh carbon fibre bar ends were the only glam I added from new, but I now can't get adjustable seatposts out of my mind!

EDIT: Having cleared off the mud it appears that my shifters and front mech are LX! And I never noticed the difference!

Skonk

It was bought new.

The 09 comes with an XTR rear mech with carbon cage, SLX Shifters and Front Mech and the Crankset is a custom FC-M542 (is this some sort of Deore?).

Rear Hub is a custom Shimano M525 SL and the Front Hub is a Specialized Hi Lo.

Brakes are Avid Elixir R SL (if you look the bike up online you will see most sites list the brakes as Carbon which is wrong).

Cassette is a Shimano HG61.

Specialized do seem to have a thing for customising stuff and using their own brand of parts. Even the Fox Triad rear shock has the Specialized S logo on it.

The full spec list can be seen here: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... e-ec016443

But note the brakes are listed wrongly as mentioned above.

The Spiderman

The Crankset on these is basicallly the old model XT M760.
Only obvious upgrades to me would be wheels.Could add a lighter xt cassette too,when the existing one wears out.
Other than that carbon bars,seatpost?

Anonymous

that chainset is not the same as the older xt, it is the same as the new deore