Parts - Cheap versus fancy.

BigShot

My ageing Kona MuniMula is starting to act its age so I'm going to get some work done and parts replaced on it.
Before I splash out on fancy(ish) bits, or try to save money with slightly cheaper bits, I'd like to know what the real difference between them is.
Where the only difference is weight I'm not too bothered, but actual quality is an issue.

So:

Cassette:
Shimano HG50 vs Deore HG61 vs SLX (all 9 speed)

Bottom Bracket:
Shimano UN54 vs SLX m660

Chain:
Shimano Bog standard Shimano 9-speed chain vs a fancier one at double the price.

Chainset:
Deore M590 vs M660SLX vs Deore LX


On each of those things, what is gained by paying more? Is it purely weight loss or are the pricier bits (I'm thinking particularly about the chainrings and cogs ) made from sterner stuff or machined to tolerances which will have a noticeable effect on a ride?
I don't want something naff that's going to have me digging out chain-suck every 50 yards, but beyond weight it is proving really quite difficult to find information on these things... or maybe my Google-fu is just weak.

Cheers folks.

Chunkers1980

Cassette:
Shimano HG50 vs Deore HG61 vs SLX (all 9 speed) All functionpretty much the same.Mostly weight. Quite a lot relative to cost for the HG 50 vs 61

Bottom Bracket:
Shimano UN54 vs SLX m660

Completely different.

Chain:
Shimano Bog standard Shimano 9-speed chain vs a fancier one at double the price.

Not much.

Chainset:
Deore M590 vs M660SLX vs Deore LX

Deore good value. SLX a bit stronger. LX 570 is about the same as current Deore New LX is touring and completely different really.

BigShot

Cheers Chunkers.

I've seen weights listed for the HG50 and HG61 cassettes and the hg50 is 28g heavier. Not a huge amount (though it all adds up, I know). I've not been able to find a weight listed for the HG80/SLX cassette though.
So for durability and clean shifting they should all be much the same?


I know those two BBs are very different, one being the old style and the other sitting outside the BB shell. How do they compare functionally though? Do they accept completely different cranks or are the differences less stark?
I'm going to need to replace my chainrings, and if there's much to be gained from switching to the newer style of BB - this is the time I'd consider doing it, I think.


I think you make have lost me with your reply about the chainsets. Any chance you could idiot-proof it for me a bit?

cooldad

External BB's have different cranksets to internal, so not compatible. But if you are going to change rings you might as well look at getting a new Deore crankset, which comes witth a new BB as well.
You wouild need to have your frame faced but this is cheap (£20 or less at LBS)

.blitz

BigShot wrote:

...what is gained by paying more? Is it purely weight loss or are the pricier bits (I'm thinking particularly about the chainrings and cogs ) made from sterner stuff or machined to tolerances which will have a noticeable effect on a ride?

From new there's very little difference between say, Deore and XT. The price you pay has an effect futher down the trail when the XT bits are still working like new and the Deore stuff is all loose and rattly.