Dose the xtr perform that much better to justify the price difference? The weight difference is not that great.
Hey IManIRONMAN1518 said:My experience has been very good with XTR. had one all XTR bike, '03 Klein palomino, crank chainrings lasteed almost 5 years; the middle chainrinwas worn @ 5 years, the other 2 were ok. Rear and frt der were perfect, cassette was perfect. I do baby/treat my bikes with care and don't abuse them. That's just me, I have a cleaning, greaseing/oiling, tightening, etc schedule. Had bikes with XT components prior to that and installed XTR reaer der and did feel the difference. Today's equipment I dunno. My experience.
I tend to think XT is a better value due the significant premium you pay for XTR (and I'd think a whole groupset difference is more likely in the $500-600 range but I didn't look too hard just now either). Where are you getting $300? That smaller difference would definitely help, but don't think the life on XT stuff is all that different on most of the components in a groupset. I've done it both ways, they both last a very long time (make that they are both lasting a very long time, really haven't worn either out except for usual consumables or damage on my part).2ndgen said:Hey IMan
I'm thinking it's a "budget" thing. If one could afford to get the best in the line, why not?
Wether or not they feel the same, doesn't the XTR line lasting longer make it the more economical choice since it wouldn't have to be replaced as soon as an XT product?
I guess, on a keeper bike (a bike one would keep for 5+ years), using XTR products would be the financially smarter move. While it would cost a bit more upfront, the fact that it lasts longer makes up for that and one would be riding with the best that Shimano has to offer as far as MTB drivetrains go.
Personally, when I put together my uber bike, it's going to at least be built with XTR.
I believe that the price difference on a complete kit is about $300., right?
Some MTB mag. I saw the XT set go as high as $700. and the XTR as low as $999.Bikinfoolferlife said:I tend to think XT is a better value due the significant premium you pay for XTR (and I'd think a whole groupset difference is more likely in the $500-600 range but I didn't look too hard just now either). Where are you getting $300? That smaller difference would definitely help, but don't think the life on XT stuff is all that different on most of the components in a groupset. I've done it both ways, they both last a very long time (make that they are both lasting a very long time, really haven't worn either out except for usual consumables or damage on my part).
Groups, I'd go XTR without a doubt.IRONMAN1518 said:AGREED! I only got the XTR groupo bike cause the dealer is one of my sponsors and gave me a smokin' deal on the bike. If it is just the cassette, nope it isn't worth the HUGE price difference.
I agree, invest for the long term - that's of course if xtr does last longer, which i think it does. I got an xtr shifter/lever, the m950, came out in late 90s, works good still, although i guess what happens is technology advances...2ndgen said:Hey IMan
I'm thinking it's a "budget" thing. If one could afford to get the best in the line, why not?
Wether or not they feel the same, doesn't the XTR line lasting longer make it the more economical choice since it wouldn't have to be replaced as soon as an XT product?
I guess, on a keeper bike (a bike one would keep for 5+ years), using XTR products would be the financially smarter move. While it would cost a bit more upfront, the fact that it lasts longer makes up for that and one would be riding with the best that Shimano has to offer as far as MTB drivetrains go.
Personally, when I put together my uber bike, it's going to at least be built with XTR.
I believe that the price difference on a complete kit is about $300., right?
I've still got some M950 stuff going too, but when it comes to wear items like chainrings or cassettes, it's not quite the same thing as having better quality bearings and parts inside a shifter...peternguyen said:I agree, invest for the long term - that's of course if xtr does last longer, which i think it does. I got an xtr shifter/lever, the m950, came out in late 90s, works good still, although i guess what happens is technology advances...
It depends on the grade of Ti uses on the cogs. The Ti use for this application is harder than the steel used on XT. Now if the XT cassete was made out of stainless steel then it would be different.Ausable said:An XTR cassette can't last longer than an XT.
It has titanium larger cogs, which are softer than steel.
Got any proof of your statement?sundowner said:It depends on the grade of Ti uses on the cogs. The Ti use for this application is harder than the steel used on XT. Now if the XT cassete was made out of stainless steel then it would be different.
My current XTR cassete has lasted over two years and it has gone through 3 chains in the process. Before that I use to had to change the cassete with the chain.
Here is a picture of my over two years old XTR960 cassette.Bikinfoolferlife said:Got any proof of your statement?