What rear mech/grips?

Spazwangle

Hi there, I've just bought some X0 twisty shifty thingies but wanted a bit of advice on what rear mech I should get for it? It's for a hardtail, 9 speed, is it worth getting hold of an X0 9sp mech or is there little difference between that and the X7/X9?

Also, I need some smaller grips, don't really want to chop mine down as it'll look a right state, I thought ODI did some that were narrower but can't find them anywhere, are there any other alternatives.

Thanks.

Deputy Dawg

These what your looking for?

Or Cane Creek which come with the collars too.

jimexbox

Spazwangle wrote:

Hi there, I've just bought some X0 twisty shifty thingies but wanted a bit of advice on what rear mech I should get for it? It's for a hardtail, 9 speed, is it worth getting hold of an X0 9sp mech or is there little difference between that and the X7/X9?

Difference? Materials, therefore lighter. Bling and price.

Spazwangle

Deputy Dawg wrote:

These what your looking for?

Or Cane Creek which come with the collars too.

Perfick, thanks.

I also found some SRAM ones digging around on CRC, much prefer the Cane Creek ones though.

Spazwangle

jimexbox wrote:

Spazwangle wrote:

Hi there, I've just bought some X0 twisty shifty thingies but wanted a bit of advice on what rear mech I should get for it? It's for a hardtail, 9 speed, is it worth getting hold of an X0 9sp mech or is there little difference between that and the X7/X9?

Difference? Materials, therefore lighter. Bling and price.

Price being the biggest factor, the 9sp X0 mechs are around £170, X9's less than half that, I just don't know if X0 is actually worth the extra, the twist shifters certainly aren't much of an improvement over lower range stuff.

jimexbox

Spazwangle wrote:

Price being the biggest factor, the 9sp X0 mechs are around £170, X9's less than half that, I just don't know if X0 is actually worth the extra, the twist shifters certainly aren't much of an improvement over lower range stuff.

X0 are very expensive, too much for me. Saying that I've had nothing but bother with my X9 (2010) jockey wheels seizing up this winter. I've had to take them off numerous times to free them up after very muddy rides. While my brothers XT rear mech has been fine.

Spazwangle

jimexbox wrote:

Spazwangle wrote:

Price being the biggest factor, the 9sp X0 mechs are around £170, X9's less than half that, I just don't know if X0 is actually worth the extra, the twist shifters certainly aren't much of an improvement over lower range stuff.

X0 are very expensive, too much for me. Saying that I've had nothing but bother with my X9 (2010) jockey wheels seizing up this winter. I've had to take them off numerous times to free them up after very muddy rides. While my brothers XT rear mech has been fine.

Apart from the jockey wheels, how do you find the X9?

jimexbox

Spazwangle wrote:

Apart from the jockey wheels, how do you find the X9?

Fine as long as you avoid heavy mud, which is a weird caveat for a MTB dérailleur. The jockey wheels did change that year (2010), apparently using previous X0 wheels. Doesn't say much for X0 quality then. I'm not the only one to have problems with them, I'll be changing mine over to KCNC X0 Jockey Wheels soon.

d3matt

I can echo what jimexbox is saying. I've got two X9 derailleurs and the jockey wheel bearings are useless. However, everything else is great. I've upgraded to the KCNC wheels and it's now a perfect mech! See here for full details. From what I understand, the KCNC wheels will only fit the X9 on 2009 models upwards, as these were the previous X0.

I got a new 2011 X9 mech from CRC only 10 weeks ago for £47, but I see today they are £81.

As others have said above, the only real difference between the SRAM models is the materials and price - as long as your comparing equivalent model years. I've done a few SRAM upgrades myself and proved this. We're mugs! You pay hell of a lot of extra money to shave a few grams in weight and have some shiny aluminium or carbon fibre. Just look at these photos of the 2011 rear derailleurs:

X7 - CRC price £57


X9 - today's CRC price £81


X0 - today's CRC price £182


Can you really see any difference between these that would make them operate any differently? They all look the same design. I'm sure it's just weight and colour.

jimexbox

d3matt wrote:

Can you really see any difference between these that would make them operate any differently? They all look the same design. I'm sure it's just weight and colour.

You shouldn't buy a dérailleur then have to replace the jockey wheels so soon after. I'm very disappointed in the quality of the jockey wheels considering the cost of an X9. As I said previously my brothers XT has worked flawlessly after covering the same muddy terrain.

d3matt

jimexbox wrote:

You shouldn't buy a dérailleur then have to replace the jockey wheels so soon after.

I completely agree. And I think SRAM stuff is generally more expensive than the competition too.
My only positive is that I got my X9 derailleur at a reduced price which based on today's prices, the saving was enough to pay for some new KCNC jockey wheels.
I've only used SRAM, but from what I've read, the SRAM mech are far easier to setup than the Shimano. If changing to Shimano was just a case of buying the mech, then I may have changed, but you need to change the shifter as well.