XT or SLX groupset?

miss notax

Hello

I know very little about technical stuff, so if I use the wrong terminology please don't flame me!!

I am buying all the bits to build up an Orange 5 frame - I have the frame and the forks and need to buy the rest! I have XT on my current bike and wanted a smiliar level of spec, but have read that SLX is a viable alternative - tougher and only a bit more weight, and cheaper, which is a very good thing!

Any thoughts? And any recommendations for the best place to buy them for as little as possible? I am happy to consider good second hand etc.

Thanks

ETA - I have seen a new SLX groupset inc brakes for about £360, which seemed very good. However i'm after Hope brakes, but could sell the SLX ones I guess?

supersonic

Are you buying the whole groupset in one go as a deal? If not I would probably mix and match ie:

XT shifters
SLX chainset
XT rear mech
Deore front mech
XT cassette
SRAM chain

miss notax

Don't know yet - need to get a good deal but will consider anything!!

MacAndCheese

If it was me I'd have a mix of both...Probably something like XT rear mech and cassette, everything else SLX (I prefer the look of SLX cranks, they're are cheaper and have little weight difference).

Also I run all XT on one bike and pretty much all SLX on the other and honestly can't tell the difference in terms of performance!

MacAndCheese

+1 for the use of SRAM chain.

supersonic

The Merlin deals are so good is hard not to go for all the lot in one go lol. Though if I were to price my list up seperately:

XT shifters - 50
SLX chainset - 90
XT rear mech - 50
Deore front mech - 20
XT cassette - 45
SRAM chain -15

We get 270 quid.

miss notax

Can I ask why people are suggesting XT rear mech and cassette? I don't doubt that this is a sensible option, I would just like to understand why!!

Horton

If you're after deals and don't mind things coming wrapped in bubblewrap rather than in nice boxes, Merlin often have some good deals and their wheelbuilds are top notch if you need wheels as well...

e.g: http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/mountain-bike-gear-levers-shimano-and-sram-gear-levers/shimano-xt-gear-kit.html

but plenty of groupset options as well. I've built a few bikes up and almost always used them for a substantial amount of parts.

EDIT: Supersonic, you evidently type faster than me!

nicklouse

best VFM cassette in most peoples eyes.

supersonic

SLX rear mech would be fine, or even deore - but the Cassette is a stunner.

nicklouse

Or if you want a change, Sram shifters and mechs and chain, SLX cranks with an XT cassette.

cgarossi

I recently upgraded the SLX shifters on my bike to XT. I felt the SLX were a bit plasticy. The shift mechanism in the XT pods seem a lot more sure than the SLX, which seemed to flex. I've also had better shifting performance from the XT pods.

I replaced my Juicy 5s for XT brakes and I can safely say they are awesome, if SLX are anything like XTs (which im sure they are) you wont be disapointed. Easy to bleed and maintain.

The XT Shadow rear mech is solid and reliable, but I have never run an SLX or other mech so can't really compare.

Also replaced the rear cassette for a SRAM PG990 which was half the weight of the original SRAM PG950.

miss notax

My current shifters (XT) on the superlight seem to jump a few gears at a time if I press them harder - this is a very good thing, but I don't know whether it's a feature or because they're knackered!!

If it's the latter then I'm ignoring it for the time being, but if it's the former do they all do that? What can I buy to make sure any new ones do?

And what are the rapid-fire shifters? What makes them special?

I know - blonde questions i'm sure..... :oops:

cgarossi

SRAM shifters and mech seem to work in the opposite direction to Shimano. Which is weird if you are used to shimano kit.

supersonic

The shifters are designed to move through several gears with a big thumb press.

miss notax

Aha! Do they all do that (regardless of make, XT or SLX etc)?

supersonic

Yep. Though the XT tends to feel smoother with less flex in the system hence my recommendation of them above SLX.

cgarossi

I think the stiffer feel of XT shifters lends itself to work with full sus bikes where the gear cable moves around with the suspension action. Because theres less flex in the shift it seems to translate into a solid shift at the back of the bike. In my experience. But there is definitely unwelcome flex in the SLX I have found. Personally I thought the Deore shifters worked better.

biff55

miss notax wrote:

Aha! Do they all do that (regardless of make, XT or SLX etc)?

pretty much , yes.

miss notax

Thanks - I appreciate everyones help

I'm also liking the sound of £270(ish) compared to at least £350..... More pennies to spend on wheels then

nicklouse

miss notax wrote:

Thanks - I appreciate everyones help

I'm also liking the sound of £270(ish) compared to at least £350..... More pennies to spend on wheels then

BUT Sonics 270 does not include brakes while your 350 does.

cgarossi

No problem.

Look at the brakes too. Best brakes i have ever owned.