Triple SLX Chainset Comment & What BB To Match It?

KonaKurt

Having suffered for long enough with my old RaceFace chainset and matching X Type BB, it is time to upgrade!!

The new 2010 triple SLX chainset (175mm cranks) interests me... any comments?? And is there much difference between this and the new XT in terms of durability and strength?

More importantly to me, what is the BOTTOM BRACKET like that comes with the triple SLX? Any good? Or am I better off investing in a better BB instead?? PAce and Hope are names that come to mind, but what do you guys think?

KK.

Shire

I've got SLX chainset and standard BB on my bike.....

Not a lot to say about it really, it's apparently pretty light, and reasonably hard wearing for the price.

The people in the know on here and other forums read seem to rate it above XT on wiegh vs value, and looking at the prices on line, I couldn't justify the additional cost of the XT if I were to replace it.

I'd also fit the standard BB, and only replace it if it failed.

The Northern Monkey

SLX/XT/Saint BB's are practically the same. All great.

SLX is a great crankset too... strong, light and durable.
A lot of reviews say the SLX is built too well... ie, it shadows the XT crankset very closely.

You can't go wrong with the SLX crankset!

nickfrog

Especially at around £90 with BB. Value.

Northwind

Definately fit the standard one, it's not amazing but it's good, decent enough lifespan. For the price of an upgraded (but heavier) Hope one that'll last longer, you can buy another 2 XT BBs pretty much, or about 3 Deore ones, and for most people that'll last years.

SDK2007

I've just got an SLX crankset for my XC bike. It's basically about 50grams heavier than an XT set so unless you're obsessed about weight then it's a no brainer.

KonaKurt

OK, thanks! Sounds like everyone has nothing but high praise for the SLX set!

Any more comments about the BB that comes with the SLX crankset? Sounds like it is superb vaule, but what about the durability and ease of maintainance?

KK.

nicklouse

fit forget and replace when dead.

either the whole cups or the bearings.

KonaKurt

OK Nick. Sounds good.

So would you say paying the extra cash for a Hope or Pace RC80, for example, is a waste of time? Or are they MUCH better performers than the SLX, for the money?

KK.

Surf-Matt

Just about to change mine for an XT - I have to say that although it's stiff and good VFM, I'm a little surprised and how quickly I wore the middle and outer chainrings and killed the BB. I'm certainly not a heavy (11.5-12 stone) rider but I do seem to wear stuff out pretty fast - I do pretty high mileage and think I push hard on the ascents.

You'll struggle to find a better VFM chainset but I think I'd be tempted to think about an upgraded BB pretty soon after getting one.

New XT appears (I hope) to have a better BB and hard wearing middle ring. Will report once it's fitted.

bails87

Surf-Matt wrote:

I think I'd be tempted to think about an upgraded BB pretty soon after getting one.

But there's no point spending £60 on a Hope on and throwing away a working SLX BB. As nick said, just wait til it stops working and then replace. A BB is a BB is a BB. You won't notice any difference between a working Shimano and a working Hope/Superstar/Pace.

Surf-Matt

Pretty soon - that's how long mine has lasted

bails87

Surf-Matt wrote:

Pretty soon - that's how long mine has lasted

I was just addressing this:

KonaKurt wrote:

So would you say paying the extra cash for a Hope or Pace RC80, for example, is a waste of time? Or are they MUCH better performers than the SLX, for the money?

KK.

As long as a BB spins, there's not much else for it to do, so longevity is the only real 'performance' increase that you get from a more expensive one, but there's no point buying something that lasts longer, and throwing away a working 'cheap' one. Because you;'ve lost the improved 'performance' (longevity) by throwing away the other one early.

Surf-Matt

Bails - agreed. What I meant was that the BB might not last that long and then it's worth replacing with a better one. Other than that, it's a good purchase.

I just hope my XT one is that little bit better!

Northwind

Mine lasted pretty well. Not sure exactly how long really but at least 12 times better than my powerspline Average of 2 rides a week for a year probably, lets call it 2500 miles in all conditions with no servicing or cleaning at all, which isn't great but acceptable I reckon.

(my last square taper lasted so long I have no clear idea of how long it lasted. Somewhere between 25000 and 50000 miles I reckon)

KonaKurt

Hmmm OK everyone, fair point about most BB's being pretty simular in function, etc etc.
Obviously, as and when any one BB wears out, you either replace the bearings or just get a new one altogether! I was just asking about the SLX to compare it with my terrible X-type RaceFace one, which has only lasted me about 1000 miles if that... which I find quite disssapointing!!

I am sure that Hope and Pace BB's are superbly built peices of kit, but this is my point exactly - if there is little difference in durability and longativity, then why are they priced higher than most other BB's?

I think I will be fine with the SLX and save the money for a spare pair of tyres!

KK.

supersonic

Because they are Hope and Pace...

KonaKurt

OK, fair enough!

If I rode 20 miles per week, every week (that's just over 1000 miles per year) and pedalled constantly, can anyone take a guess at how long an SLX BB would last before neding the bearings changed???

Just wondering.

KK (waiting for the postman!)

Surf-Matt

I don't think you can change the bearing - it's new BB time.

I reckon I've had around 2500 miles out of my SLX chainset and BB - not too bad I guess as I am heavy on my kit. You'd probably get at least two years unless you are heavy.

Hope and Chris King BBs do last longer. It's not just a name on either.

supersonic

The bearings can be pulled at and new ones retrofitted.

The Spiderman

For any of you wanting to know how to replace just the bearing....

http://www.smbbearings.com/BB_BRGS.htm

Northwind

Yup, not difficult to do. Not particularily worthwhile either tbh considering the price of good bearings vs the price of a Deore or XT BB but still, it's nice to not just throw stuff in the bin.

Surf-Matt

supersonic wrote:

The bearings can be pulled at and new ones retrofitted.

My mistake!