Crankset advice and all that comes with it

underdog
underdog Posts: 292
edited June 2010 in MTB buying advice
So after reading a few posts on here this morning and having sold my hard tail last night I have some money for a few slight upgrades on the Trance X5.

SO looking at the spec of the bike one of the lowest specd parts is the crankset (Shimano Deore 442) if I upgraded t the SLX would there be a big difference? Also what else would need to be changed from what I currently have to make the new crankset work?

Worth the upgrade or spend more for the next level up again, or go the way the higher end Trance's have and go for raceface instead.

Thanks, this is all very new to me.

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    frame will need facing. tools to remove old cranks and BB tools to fit new BB and preload the bearings.

    thats it.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • underdog
    underdog Posts: 292
    nicklouse wrote:
    frame will need facing. tools to remove old cranks and BB tools to fit new BB and preload the bearings.

    thats it.

    Can I tell my wife I also need a new chain that red KMC one would look lovely on the bike if I HAD to have a new one :lol:
  • Clum84
    Clum84 Posts: 196
    I don't think you'll notice anything other than an aesthetic difference by going from Deore to SLX. Modern Deore components are great performers. SLX will just be a little lighter and prettier, but just as stiff and functional as the SLX.


    Looks/bragging rights are probably 90% of why we all upgrade anyway so just do it!
    This is a block of text that can be added to posts you make. There is a 255 character limit
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    Clum84 wrote:
    I don't think you'll notice anything other than an aesthetic difference by going from Deore to SLX. Modern Deore components are great performers. SLX will just be a little lighter and prettier, but just as stiff and functional as the SLX.


    Looks/bragging rights are probably 90% of why we all upgrade anyway so just do it!

    except that the FC-442 is a Square taper cranks so the improved stiffness should be easily noticed. if it is actually the FC-442-8 then not such a big jump as the octalink was quite stiff to start with.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • underdog
    underdog Posts: 292
    nicklouse wrote:
    Clum84 wrote:
    I don't think you'll notice anything other than an aesthetic difference by going from Deore to SLX. Modern Deore components are great performers. SLX will just be a little lighter and prettier, but just as stiff and functional as the SLX.


    Looks/bragging rights are probably 90% of why we all upgrade anyway so just do it!

    except that the FC-442 is a Square taper cranks so the improved stiffness should be easily noticed. if it is actually the FC-442-8 then not such a big jump as the octalink was quite stiff to start with.

    It's octalink (whatever the hell that means :oops: )

    I don't mind upgrading for looks at all but not a crank set, I can buy some nice flash seat post, bars, disks or a red chain that will make the bike much prettier :lol:
  • Pudseyp
    Pudseyp Posts: 3,514
    Why not upgrade to XT..£125.00 from Merlin
    Tomac Synper 140 Giant XTC Alliance 1
    If the world was flat, I wouldn't be riding !
  • underdog
    underdog Posts: 292
    Pudseyp wrote:
    Why not upgrade to XT..£125.00 from Merlin

    I guess that was part of the question, other than some slight weight saving would XT make that much of a difference to someone who has no care in the world how long a trail takes me to ride.

    If it's a good idea, then I will bite the bullet and spend the cash on it.
  • Pudseyp
    Pudseyp Posts: 3,514
    XT should be slightly lighter and a tad stiffer..they look great and perform even better..well worth the extra £30
    Tomac Synper 140 Giant XTC Alliance 1
    If the world was flat, I wouldn't be riding !
  • paul.skibum
    paul.skibum Posts: 4,068
    To be honest if you have spare cash to spend but dont have any worn parts then bling may be the better bet - drive train is such a functional thing and even the low spec deore stuff is good enough for most people - I would suggest that on an X5 the weak point is the wheels (though I dont know the spec and cant be bothered to look it up :oops: ).

    A good set of lighter, stiffer wheels will be the biggest possible impact on speed, ease of peddling, longevity and so on.

    That or better forks.
    Closet jockey wheel pimp whore.
  • underdog
    underdog Posts: 292
    paul.skibum wrote:
    To be honest if you have spare cash to spend but dont have any worn parts then bling may be the better bet - drive train is such a functional thing and even the low spec deore stuff is good enough for most people - I would suggest that on an X5 the weak point is the wheels (though I dont know the spec and cant be bothered to look it up :oops: ).

    A good set of lighter, stiffer wheels will be the biggest possible impact on speed, ease of peddling, longevity and so on.

    That or better forks.

    Thanks mate, that's my kind of answer :lol:

    If drive train isn't going to matter much then it can wait until it needs replacing, until then I will just tart it up and try and save some weight on the way. If I have new wheels, they have to have red rims :oops:
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    Pudseyp wrote:
    XT should be slightly lighter and a tad stiffer..they look great and perform even better..well worth the extra £30

    No difference in stiffness that I can tell, those with the magic sensitive feet say SLX is actually stiffer than XT... TBH I can't feel any difference between my SLX and my XTR cranks without a set of scales.
    Uncompromising extremist

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