I have factory fit Shimano chainset with saint rear mech on my Orange Alpine 160, doesnt seem to run so smoothly. Thinking of changing it. any advice/recommendations? Anyone run the SRAM XO?

cheers

What do you mean not run smoothly?

Shimano csets run v smoothly ime.

Is there anything wrong with your current chain set?
If not, leave it be. The difference will be negligible.
If you need to swap it, SRAM, shimano, raceface will be fine.

not sure really, i seem to always have it in the shop being serviced (new cables and tuning etc) yet gears keep slipping and not falling in to place right, the rear mech cable has snapped twice and the chain gets caught up if i pedal too hard.

cheers

Sounds like chainsuck. New chain and chainrings? Maybe casette.

bought the bike new January, its been ridden every weekend since and ridden pretty hard – so it probably is time for new parts. LOL

cheers

+1 on chain suck. I have mixed Shimano and Sram and it has worked fine. get yourself a chain checker so you can keep an eye on chain wear.

Middleburn X-type Duo