My Raceface Deus XC is just about to give up the ghost. I'm not convinced about a like for like replacement re issues with the bottom bracket logevity.
So the options are Shimano SLX or XT. What I really want to know is the extra c£60 worth it for XT? Whilst I think aesthetically the SLX is the better looking, what I'm really after is something with a bit of longevity.
I have lost count of the number of forum topics about HT2 bbs and the difference between SLX and XT chainsets lately!
To summarise about 1 million (yes, really!) other threads:
1) Some people make HT2 bbs last 2 weeks, some 2 years. There is no 'norm'.
2) There is seemingly no difference between the SLX and XT bb in terms of weight, performance and longevity.
3) The 50grm weight saving of XT is not worth the extra cash as there is seemingly no difference in performance or longevity and the weight saving alone is very small. SLX = Shimano own goal it would seem vs XT.
4) Some people prefer the look of XT, some the look of SLX.
5) Ultimately it comes down to whether you want a black (ish) chainset or a silver one, and which matches your bike.
6) And finally, before someone mentions it AGAIN, Ribble have some good deals at the moment, but they exclude bbs.
All a bit academic unless you absolutely need a new chainset right now, today, as it's the Sea Otter event in the US this weekend where the new XTR, XT and SLX will be unveiled. Should be available to Joe Public later in the year.
Even if you don't go full 10 speed and just want a new chainset, the 10 speed chainsets will all work happily with 9 speed when they come out. Who knows, the 10 speed chainsets might also come with a slightly improved bb. They have gradually improved the design and longevity over the last few years, so they might have improved it again for '11.
Apologies but I've not been on for a while as I've been busy, and only had quick 5 mins to post. Thanks for the info
Is it your cranks that are knackered or just your bb? If its just your bb then why not just get a hope bb for your rf cranks.
Def not much between slx and xt apart from a smidge of weight.
No need to apologise. Not everybody lives their second life on STW!
Seriously, well worth waiting for the 2011 stuff. After a few itterations with small changes, it looks like the 2011 stuff will really look and feel different.
Also, having seen the new XO, X9 and X7 stuff, it might be worth considering SRAM. The bbs aren't any better or worse than Shimano, but at least you can use a Hope when they do eventually fail with the Truvativ adapters.
The bbs aren't any better or worse than Shimano
no nut theres a lot more side loading going on! personally i owuldn't go truvative again (BBs lasting 2-3 months)
Rule number 1 of STW - For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction!
As I said in my first thread, some people can make a bb last 2 weeks, some 2 years. Some prefer Shimano, some prefer SRAM. Some prefer Campagnolo, some perefer Shimano. Some prefer Rock Shox, some prefer Fox etc etc etc!
Personally, I have had equally good life from a Truvative bb as I have out of a Shimano bb. Plus, if you run a Hope with SRAM cranks, there's absolutely no difference at all.
solarider speaks the most sense I have seen on this forum for a long, long time....
And to be honest it has scared me...
However if its just your BB thats borked, can you just put £5 bearings in it like I do on my Shimano BB?
Cranks dont really wear out, just sometimes if you need a BB and a couple of rings you might as well buy a new complete set.
It's the chain rings as well. To replace Raceface ones I was quoted £35 ea. So it seems to make sense to buy a new chainset.
I just bought an SLX crankset from Ribble Cycles and a cheap 2nd hand unused bottom bracket, have saved £20 compared to the cost of buying from Merlin.
XT just didn't seem worth the cost.
I'm sure this has been asked before but I have a similar issue with my Truvativ GXP chainset. I'm using a newish Hope BB with the adapter and was considering which new chainset to buy. So which ones fit a Hope BB? Sounds like the SLX and XT ones don't.
realised I was being thick. Brain in neutral today
dazh - Member
I'm sure this has been asked before but I have a similar issue with my Truvativ GXP chainset. I'm using a newish Hope BB with the adapter and was considering which new chainset to buy. So which ones fit a Hope BB? Sounds like the SLX and XT ones don'
Pretty sure they would have made their BB compatible with what probably the best selling cranksets in the UK..
The standard Hope BB is fine for all Shimano and RaceFace external bearing cranks, so for XT and SLX it is fine.
There is nothing wrong with raceface BB's. Its the person that puts the raceafce crank on that kanckers them. People load the bearings which when using a shimano crank is hard to do.
Anyway not sure how a 10 speed shcinset will work with a 9 speed set up unless you change all the rings. Unless you were just talking about the crank arms which will work as long as they are 104mm. Gievn that XX is not 104 then I'm guessing all the 2011 Sram stuff wont work with 9 speed, thats just a guess.
With regards to Truvativ BB's, I bought a Stylo chainset last year (bargainacious £60) not realising Truvativ BB's were not the same as "normal" EBB's. After reading up on them I thought I'd been a bit of a mug as everyone says the BB's don't last. Sure enought after about 2 months they started feeling a little gritty and lumpy. I bought myself a Hope BB and adaptors to replace the GXP but thought I'd just regrease the bearings and see how they got on. I really packed those mofos and a year and another regrease later they're still running fine (wee bit gritty if truth be told). So maybe GXP BB's aren't so bad after all and it's just really pss poor grease? Maybe I'm just lucky?