Which groupset?

[jimbop1]

Probably quite an open question but I'm not that clued up with the mechanics of bikes. (Pedal ones)

I'm trying to build a steel 29er hardtail. It's taken me months to choose the frame, I've chosen the forks, seat and seat post but I just need to finish the rest of it. Without spending too much money what is the best groupset to buy? SRAM or shimano? I can get a good price on SRAM x5's but should I spend more money on something better?

Even though I am very much a novice at cycling I want all the components to be top notch, but I don't want to spend stupid amounts.

To some up.... What is the best groupset?'!

[neenaw]

On a budget you won't get much better than an SLX group set. Just as good as XT but loads cheaper and only slightly heavier.

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/mtb-parts/tr...

[barker22]

+1 for the above link OP
I have the same, it has been flawless and still looks good. The crank arms are shaped as such that your feet wont rub off the finish and logo.

[nammynake]

The new Deore groupset looks excellent and very similar to SLX. Lots of great reviews online.

[Rolls]

Best group set - xtr, end of IMO. But it's expensive. The crispness of shift on xtr won't be matched by lesser shimano group sets....

[Rolls]

Oh... And meant to say; take the following, and pick whatever 2 you like...
Strong
Cheap
Lightweight!

You won't go far wrong when trying to work out what's best for you when it comes to spec ing a bike!

[okgo]

Rolls said:

Best group set - xtr, end of IMO. But it's expensive. The crispness of shift on xtr won't be matched by lesser shimano group sets....

Of course it will, providing you set it up right XT is nigh on identical shift wise. At that level all you're saying for is styling and weight reduction. Also the XT stuff will last longer and it hasn't been designed with minimum weight in mind. The same is true of road gruppos.

[Rolls]

Nope. Completely disagree.. Xtr is much nicer to use than xt ime.

[jimbop1]

So how do the xt compare to sram x5 and x9?

For the bike I want it's an extra £300 to have the x9 instead of the x5 groupset. Do you think it's worth it?

[nammynake]

Alternatively you could consider the 1x11 group sets from SRAM (XX1). Similar range of gears to a double/triple but without the need for a front mech.

[neenaw]

nammynake said:

Alternatively you could consider the 1x11 group sets from SRAM (XX1). Similar range of gears to a double/triple but without the need for a front mech.

Definitely worth considering, the XX1 is a fantastic groupset just a bit on the pricey side.
Saying that though, I think it's worth the extra £££

[Justin S]

XTR is nice but coming back to earth, agree on SLX. As for Sram, a mate built up a bike using it, was disappointed. Put XT on instead and is a much happier person for it. Get a clutched rear mech and banish chain slap too.

[Rolls]

Completely agree on six - bang for buck you won't go wrong with it! Never been a huge fan of SRAM set-ups to be honest, but when I rode a mates 2x10xx ( think it is anyhow) a year back I thought it was good -felt very direct!

[TheLemming]

I upgraded from an x4 triple, to x5, then finally to an x9 double.

I found 4\5 to be much of a muchness.
X9 on the other hand is smoother, changes without hesitation (sometimes x4 and 5 would decide they weren't shifting, mainly from middle ring to little up front).
I much prefer the double setup as well.

Personally I'd happily pay that premium to go from x5 to x9.

I'm sorry I don't have any experience with shimano xt or xtr setups for comparison.

[ndg]

When the OP asks about X5 why does anyone suggest XTR!

X5 is fine, X9 is better, but I've not used either extensively. Personally I've always preferred Shimano and have put XT on the latest bike. But if I were on a budget I would have no problem spec'ing SLX or even the latest Deore (2013 on). In fact my single speed will be getting a set of Deore brakes as soon as the rubbish Avids wear out their pads.

I get the feeling that XT/X9 and up are a similar level of performance, but SRAM stuff drops off faster as you move down the range?

As for where to buy, Merlin are normally very good on groupsets, or you can look to the Germans:
http://www.bike-discount.de/?lg=en

[Daveyraveygravey]

My current Boardman MTB has X5, my previous Hardrock had a basic Shimano group set. The X5 is ok but not as good as the Shimano one; the main issue (as another poster mentioned) the front quite often won't change down from mid to smallest ring and it just doesn't "feel" as reliable and able to take punishment the Shimano one wouldn't notice.

[shalmaneser]

Its worth mentioning that Shimano is roughly 100x better than SRAM.

I'd be going for SLX too.

[Raven Flyer]

shalmaneser said:

Its worth mentioning that Shimano is roughly 100x better than SRAM.

I'd be going for SLX too.

That's complete rubbish.

I'm running X0/X9 and it is so smooth with faultless changes every time. I've ridden XTR and it was pretty much the same, it's just a bit heavier.

SLX is a budget/mid range groupset, with a pretty serious dietary problem.

I would want to be riding something much better before I went around rubbishing other people's grousets.

[Rolls]

ndg said:

When the OP asks about X5 why does anyone suggest XTR!

X5 is fine, X9 is better, but I've not used either extensively. Personally I've always preferred Shimano and have put XT on the latest bike. But if I were on a budget I would have no problem spec'ing SLX or even the latest Deore (2013 on). In fact my single speed will be getting a set of Deore brakes as soon as the rubbish Avids wear out their pads.

I get the feeling that XT/X9 and up are a similar level of performance, but SRAM stuff drops off faster as you move down the range?

As for where to buy, Merlin are normally very good on groupsets, or you can look to the Germans:
http://www.bike-discount.de/?lg=en

Because initially he asked for xyz on a bugdet... then finishes saying he wants top notch kit!
Bang for buck, SLX (or xt) if you can stretch that far sounds as if it will be perfect. If budget isn't an issue, and you want the best, XTR - simples

[jimbop1]

Rolls said:

Because initially he asked for xyz on a bugdet... then finishes saying he wants top notch kit!
Bang for buck, SLX (or xt) if you can stretch that far sounds as if it will be perfect. If budget isn't an issue, and you want the best, XTR - simples

Fair one.. I didn't make much sense asking for both budget and the best. I think I'm going to look into the SLX as it seems to be the preferred choice over the x5.