Is XTR really the bling danglies, or do you XT?

[neil_cardiff]

Having just been advised that I am now in danger of becoming Captain Bling by upgrading the Trek to the latest XTR stuff, it made me think about the age old argument over:

Is XTR worth it over XT?

I've just recently upgraded everything to XT 2006 kit, which is the McNizzle compared to the older kit I was using (1996/7 vintage LX/XT mix), and while I love it to bits, I can't quite help myself when it comes to buying the XTR bits when they come up cheaply on Ebay.

I've just replaced with XTR, my rear mech and shifters, rear brake and lever (have a disc on the front), and am bidding on a bling old XTR chainset.

Now I know I will be estatic when I finally get the bike I always dreamed of, however, (and I already know this answer) do the PH massive agree?

XTR blingness and sweetness, or XT cost and reliablilty?

Edited by neil_cardiff on Tuesday 12th September 10:50

[pdV6]

"BlingBoy" it is!

Personally, I've always taken the view that due to my weight and cack-handed riding style I'd rather have XT kit that can take the abuse and won't cost an utter fortune to replace when I inevitably trash it or wear it out.

IIRC in days gone by, XT was usually advertised as top spec "private" gear, with XTR reserved for racers who wanted the lightest possible and could afford to sacrifice strength for weight, replacing as necessary via sponsorship deals.

Having said that, XTR is fitted OE to many top spec models now, so I guess Shimano have engineered in a bit more longevity?

[rico]

Loads of people buy XTR expecting it to last longer and be lighter. In reality by making it lighter they take a huge amount of the durability away. A lot of XTR is sent back for warranty claims when its just worn out normally.

You'd be hard pushed to know the difference in weight anyway. To be honest, Deore, LX and XT are all very similar, its just the weight that reduces. I've got a full Deore setup on my Rocky Mountain and its been 100% fine. The Tomac has the XTR/bling

The ultimate setup would be XT chainrings and cassette, with XTR shifters, mechs etc as they're less likely to wear out. The durability of the XT rings would help a lot.

XTR looks sooooo nice though

Edited by rico on Tuesday 12th September 11:04

[neil_cardiff]

I wasn't so much concerned myself with the durability, just that XTR looks so sexy...

I agree with the sentiments about the XT chainset and cassette setup (I have the sweet 2006 XT stuff ) - indeed I'm not willing to go nuts on the price of a Ebay XTR chainset, but if it goes for a good price, then well, why not?

rico said:

XTR if pure race bike, otherwise XT for me personally. XTR is lovely though, 06 or the new 07?

I'm not digging the silver/black look of the 2007 range - mind you I didn't like the newer XTR colour when they were last released (I still pine for the original XTR)...

Edited by neil_cardiff on Tuesday 12th September 11:05

[rico]

What year cranks are you bidding on?

The newer Shimano cranks (not splined, the special BB setup ones) are far superior to the BB and cranks setup as the bearings are bigger. Think they introduced these in 05/06?

[neil_cardiff]

rico said:

What year cranks are you bidding on?

The newer Shimano cranks (not splined, the special BB setup ones) are far superior to the BB and cranks setup as the bearings are bigger. Think they introduced these in 05/06?

2006 - the new BB setup on XT and XTR is very much the daddies.

and I got to learn how to use a new tool - the Park BB facing tool - for all new Shimano Hollowtech II stuff need the frames faced before fitting...

Edited by neil_cardiff on Tuesday 12th September 11:09

[rico]

neil_cardiff said:

rico said:

What year cranks are you bidding on?

2006 - the new BB setup on XT and XTR is very much the daddies.

Oh sweet. They're fantastic cranks. If they're a fair price you can't go wrong.

Do make sure that the ad says they splines etc are mint, then if they're not you can get a refund. I bought a set of XTR cranks (oldschool spline ones) and didn't notice the splines were damaged and they're now useless.

[pdV6]

neil_cardiff said:

2006 - the new BB setup on XT and XTR is very much the daddies.

The XT cranks & bearing arrangement you're currently running just looks fantastic, never mind the performance!

[neil_cardiff]

Gotta admit, that while I'll undoubtably be wanting some (God only knows why when I already have the 2006 XTR pedals), why the hell did Shimano put the XTR decal/etching on the bit of their new 2007 pedal where it'll be rubbed off by the cleat in about ooh... two seconds?

Edited by neil_cardiff to say I just noticed they put the XTR on the side too. Bollocks - that means I definitly need to get some...

Edited by neil_cardiff on Tuesday 12th September 11:16

[pdV6]

neil_cardiff said:

Edited by neil_cardiff to say I just noticed they put the XTR on the side too. Bollocks - that means I definitly need to get some...

That'll go soon too! Or at least it would with me on board...

[rico]

Oh stop showing me XTR porn

Although these pedals take the prize imo. Brooklyn Shinburgers. Machined from a solid block and the side bits are bottle openers!

[racingsnake]

Sachs SL is better and lighter than both.

[PhillVR6]

Well, in the past I alway thought XTR was just a rip off and only mugs bought it, but I've just put some XTR V brakes on the Klein and they are rather nice. I've also got an XTR rear mech and when it comes to replacing it, I'll probably get another XTR even though I should get an XT.

[alfaman]

neil_cardiff said:

Having just been advised that I am now in danger of becoming Captain Bling by upgrading the Trek to the latest XTR stuff, it made me think about the age old argument over:

Is XTR worth it over XT?

certainly not for front and rear mechs. and cassettes ...... MUCH more expensive , not much lighter , and wears out twice as fast - I reckon either LX or XT is optimal in terms of the price/weight/longevity trade-off

[Locoblade]

Those XTR SPDs (that cost ~£60) look almost identical to my M520's which cost me about £20, apart from the tapered shaping of the spindle, and according to the Shimano website they weigh a whole 30g less too, woopie doo!

[rico]

Went riding with a mate tonight who works at Madison. He reckons 05/06 XTR chainrings last about 600 miles before they need replacing. Earlier ones (03/04) would last 2000+ miles but weighed a lot more.

07 ones are a LOT tougher, due to the titanium and carbon makeup.

XTR really is for racing, if those grams help you win then its worth it. For general riding, its less worthwhile.

But if its cheap, then go for it

[neil_cardiff]

Locoblade said:

Those XTR SPDs (that cost ~£60) look almost identical to my M520's which cost me about £20, apart from the tapered shaping of the spindle, and according to the Shimano website they weigh a whole 30g less too, woopie doo!

Ah, but its just not XTR is it.

Plus the axle and bearing quality is shite compared to the XTR - as I have a set to compare them with

[pdV6]

neil_cardiff said:

axle and bearing quality

That's what you pay the big bucks for, not necessarily the weight loss.

[rico]

pdV6 said:

neil_cardiff said:

axle and bearing quality

That's what you pay the big bucks for, not necessarily the weight loss.

Deffo. Also worth considering going to a proper bearings maker and getting replacements from there, not from a bike shop. For a few quid you can vastly improve anything with bearings

[beyond rational]

I guess if you can afford it then go for it, I have no doubt that it is "better" on the whole than XT, although the weight difference on some of the parts in negligable (Didn't deore weigh less than LX for most parts a few years ago?).