Groupset or seperate

ej2320

I was wondering, for a full shimano set of SLX or XT ect is it cheaper to buy a groupset or search round all the sites picking up each parts as cheap as possible?

Buying seperatly would also offer greater customisation

paulbox

The only way to find out would be to start searching for each component. You might bet lucky, you might not.

But I'd be surprised if you could beat the deals that Merlin currently have but may be possible one of the German sites...

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/m ... psets-mtb/

Chunkers1980

What Paul said.

What customisation do you want?

ej2320

Chunkers1980 wrote:

What Paul said.

What customisation do you want?

I could mix SLX and XT
Choice of crank arm length
Front mech mount type
Shadow +
Ect

paulbox

You would specify the arm length and mount type on any group set (subject to availability).

The other thing I would call money saving rather than customisation

ej2320

PaulBox wrote:

You would specify the arm length and mount type on any group set (subject to availability).

The other thing I would call money saving rather than customisation

A lot seem sold out and don't give the choice,
When the 2014 season hits will the price of groupsets rise greatly? I know merlin is clearance so it probably would

Chunkers1980

No. Groups don't go by season - M770 XT was out for 4 years without anything new apart from brakes. They don't go year on year like bikes.

THe latest gen SLX and XT will be around for a while longer.

Merlin is not clearence - they just get some grey market stuff from time to time and knock it out.

It'll prob work out best to buy a whole group and flog as new the bit you don't want.

Crnak lengths will be 175 and there is l;ittle reason to get anything different. Front mechs will work on both pull you just need to make sure it'll work top or bittom with your frame. Shadow plus or not, we've done alright upuntil now without, so you could sell if the group comes with a normal one and you do want a plus, but I just think there's more to go wrong with them.

ej2320

Chunkers1980 wrote:

No. Groups don't go by season - M770 XT was out for 4 years without anything new apart from brakes. They don't go year on year like bikes.

THe latest gen SLX and XT will be around for a while longer.

Merlin is not clearence - they just get some grey market stuff from time to time and knock it out.

It'll prob work out best to buy a whole group and flog as new the bit you don't want.

Crnak lengths will be 175 and there is l;ittle reason to get anything different. Front mechs will work on both pull you just need to make sure it'll work top or bittom with your frame. Shadow plus or not, we've done alright upuntil now without, so you could sell if the group comes with a normal one and you do want a plus, but I just think there's more to go wrong with them.

That's good to know, I know a new Deore is coming out for 2014 and a new chain but I think that's it

I wanted the shadow plus as I have a standard X9 mech and I can't use the 2nd chain ring or I WILL drop the chain

supersonic

If you do mix and match, go for XT shifters - the rest can be SLX, apart from the chain, where I'd go SRAM or KMC.

nicklouse

I would never buy a group set.

ej2320

supersonic wrote:

If you do mix and match, go for XT shifters - the rest can be SLX, apart from the chain, where I'd go SRAM or KMC.

I'd get the KMC gold chain for the hell of it

I've heard the XT shifters are slightly better

ej2320

nicklouse wrote:

I would never buy a group set.

Really? What's the reason for this?

nicklouse

dont like shimano shifters. dont like non shimano cranks (or the ones that come with other group sets). hate shimano chains.

ej2320

nicklouse wrote:

dont like shimano shifters. dont like non shimano cranks (or the ones that come with other group sets). hate shimano chains.

What shifters do you like?

Dawesy92

I picked my full x9 set up alot cheaper by buying everything separate!! Saved me about 150/200quid. Thats with type 2 mech cassette and chain aswell!

ej2320

Dawesy92 wrote:

I picked my full x9 set up alot cheaper by buying everything separate!! Saved me about 150/200quid. Thats with type 2 mech cassette and chain aswell!

Did you use German sites?

Dawesy92

Nope. Chain reactions and ebay. Everything was brand new!

But It is a case of stumbling across good deals!

nicklouse

ej2320 wrote:

nicklouse wrote:

dont like shimano shifters. dont like non shimano cranks (or the ones that come with other group sets). hate shimano chains.

What shifters do you like?

what does that matter for what YOU want?

ej2320

Dawesy92 wrote:

Nope. Chain reactions and ebay. Everything was brand new!

But It is a case of stumbling across good deals!

Ahh the wonders of EBay, I will try an get the parts cheap or buy a 2nd hand groupset with not too many miles on it. Otherwise I could get a full SLX for about £250

ej2320

nicklouse wrote:

ej2320 wrote:

nicklouse wrote:

dont like shimano shifters. dont like non shimano cranks (or the ones that come with other group sets). hate shimano chains.

What shifters do you like?

what does that matter for what YOU want?

Curiosity more than anything else

WindyG

I found Merlin to be the best for my SLX crankset, I got the XT rear Mech and SLX shifters off here second hand as they were nearly new and SLX front mech and rotor from Rose Bikes in Germany, in total it cost me £135