Was going to run 1x11 Shimano XT shifter and mech with SRAM cassette on XD driver. Correct me if I'm wrong but cassettes are more expensive and there are fewer options.
SRAM seem to have made a deliberate business decision to limit the range of 11 speed cassettes to 10-42, with ridiculously expensive aftermarket cassettes and expander sprockets the only option for increased range.
As it stands I'm not going to buy an XD driver hub to be tied to SRAM's imposed range at 11 speed and a handful of expensive boutique suppliers.
er rant or question?
As it stands I’m not going to buy an XD driver hub to be tied to SRAM’s imposed range at 11 speed and a handful of expensive boutique suppliers.
They have 4 11sp and 4 12sp options at prices across the range. They are also made mostly of steel so last much better compared to the Alu options
10-42 is a very big range and similar to the 11-46 which is your best Shimano option.
I was using XD/SRAM GX 11 for over 2 years without even thinking about changing the cassette which outlasted the mates who were riding the XT equivalent - the cost of ownership was lower.
It's a question of persuasion.
I could go down to 30T on the chain ring to achieve the same low gear as 32 (chain ring) - 46 (cassette sprocket) I have now. Wouldn't of minded going a bit bigger range though! That would be a pretty spendy option at 11 speed or move on to 12 speed and ditch almost brand new XT components.
just get the GX it's a sensible price only about 10-15 more than XT, lighter and made from steel. One you have the XD your away on the new stuff, Shimano are about to deluge us with freehub standards for their new stuff before it gets down to XT level.
The GX cassettes last a long time for their cost. The XD driver seems a better design than the old Shimano freehub. Eagle has a huge range which I’m liking after years on 11-36 10-speed.
As it stands I’m not going to buy an XD driver hub to be tied to SRAM’s imposed range at 11 speed and a handful of expensive boutique suppliers.
I know of no bike shop that can’t get SRAM kit plus it’s usually heavily discounted on the usual websites/Ze Germans
Depends what you want. If you want rideable 1x11 at 420% ish, then SRAM is the best option whether you choose Shimano or SRAM mech and shifter to go with it
Conversely, after a quick experiment to see if the XT 11-42 cassette did what I thought it would you wouldn’t get me near a Shimano hubbed 1x11 MTB if I had to spend my own money on it. By the time you’ve got the silly 11-46 cassette and the bigger front to get the range back at the top, most of the weight advantage of 1x11 is shot and you’re left with a soon to be obsolete freehub standard and compromised drivetrain...
Agree on the GX11 cassette. It is the best option in performance/£/lifespan.
Cassette choice need not be a binary shimano vs SRAM thing any more, if you want range for a competitive price there's the Sunrace MX80 (11-50) cassette, which ze Germans will happily sell you for ~£60 ish. The only real way to beat that range at present is by going for Eagle...
Personally I think HG has been a very good standard and while it has a good few years left in it, it is going to start disappearing from the top down...
@ cookeaa - Yeah I run Sunrace cassettes and have been doing for the last two years. It's not an option with an XD driver hence my concerns about what SRAM in their benevolence will allow me to buy!
I know about SRAM's cheapest cassette. TBH eighty quid as the cheapest option is taking the piss as far as I'm concerned.
I know about SRAM’s cheapest cassette. TBH eighty quid as the cheapest option is taking the piss as far as I’m concerned.
Even if its better than the 60 quid shimano one, even if it out lasts it? It only needs to do 25% more to be better value. My gx setup was the longest lasting cassette I've had for a long time
GX is lighter than XT, has better range, the freehub design is better, the cassettes last much longer and if you shop around the cassette is only a few quid more. If you're buying a new wheel anyway then the sole disadvantage of getting the right freehub isn't an issue.
All my wheels are XD cassettes, run them with Shimano mechs and shifters. Wouldn't have anything else.
I have a hope XD driver I’d sell if you want a cheaper option ( and have hope hubs!)
If you're using a Shimano shifter and mech and are shocked by the expense or SRAM, just buy Shimano. Why the need to be convinced to buy something you think is the lesser option?
I know about SRAM’s cheapest cassette. TBH eighty quid as the cheapest option is taking the piss as far as I’m concerned.
I think you are already convinced that XD is not for you so I don't understand your thread/question.
I have a XT groupset on a GX11 casette and as others have said, the cassette works out cheaper, not more expensive, when longevity is considered.
And the XT cassette looks medieval in comparison. And doesn't shift as well.
Shimano are a few years behind, and as I say this as a big fan of their products.
As for SRAM "limiting" thir range to 10-42 - Shimano's first attemt at 11 speed was their XTR 11-40, which was well short of SRAM's 10-42 in range. They then produced 11-42 XT, before finally releasing 11-46.
All three Shimano options have less range than the 10-42 SRAM
More range. If you think that 10T doesn't make a difference, grab a gear calculator.
Cost? I just checked bike-discount.de
The XT 11-42 is 69,26 €, the XG1150 is 85,32 €. The XG1150 is fully steel, the aluminium 42T on the XT will wear out first. Also, the XG1150 is fully steel AND lighter but you shouldn't care about that. 🙂
Also, you can go 12spd 10-50 for not too much money with GX Eagle, same can't be said for Shimano...
The cost of the XD driver itself should be nothing, it's pretty standard now.
Steel Cassettes do make sense.
I like the way SRAM machine the fat off their cassettes.
Shimano are phasing out the old freehub.
Both Shimano and SRAM are pretty shitty in withholding features at certain group levels and only responding to the competition provided by each other.
Hmmm consider me persuaded. I shall be running Shimano shifters and mech with SRAM cassette for the pivotal 2018/2019 season 😀
Would of liked a 44t or 46t to go with the 10t at the bottom though.
Fortunately no one will witness my disgruntled little face. The resentment in my eyes every time I buy one of their overpriced cassettes. The inner anger at the thought of being spoon fed peas, when I wanted carrots, will haunt me for eternity though. Watch the aeroplane, open wide, in it goes, well done, who's a good little boy!
If you want more range than a 10-42 go with 12spd IMO. A GX Eagle upgrade kit is not too much money.