Discovered a section of missing teeth on my XTR 12 speed cassette. It's nearly 4 years old and has had a lot of use. Recently installed a new chain and shifting was still good so I've otherwise been happy with the durability and performance.
Read good things about garbaruk and they do a microspline one which I've found for the same price as the XTR. Anyone used both?
But I'm still tempted to just get an XT one for less than half the price. Shifting on the XTR is noticeably nicer though...
The xtr will shift better, garbaruk is more bling and slightly lighter...
I've run both back to back on different wheels and there is a minimal but noticeable difference In shifting between them. So if your racing I'd go xtr, if it's trail use garbaruk.
If you spend much time in the biggest cogs, the materials might be a consideration for how much life you get out of the cassette.
Garbaruk: alu, rest steel. The alu cog is replaceable.
XTR: alu, ti, ti, rest steel.
XT: alu, alu, rest steel.
Got a garbaruk cassette on my axs system and it will be coming up 3 years...still working. Shifting not quite as crisp as it was when new (which wasn't quite as crisp as a SRAM cassette - but I couldn't really notice any difference whilst riding the bike) and I've a creak, so I suspect the drivetrain may be due a replacement (and suspect my XD driver bearings may also need a refresh).
Doesn't help with the xtr or garbaruk but for trail riding, the garbaruk is a good alternative to the SRAM kit (so I'm guessing will be a good alternative to the Shimano kit as well).
Not ridden anything microspline or hyperglide plus but I do have a Garbaruk on an XD driver that I'm very happy with.
For me, the decider would be fewer aluminium cogs and the ability to replace a worn one.
(Unless you really value Hyperglide Plus)
Interesting, thanks both. I'm definitely not racing. Most riding is local in the peak and sheffield so lots of steep climbs spent in the lower gears. Which suggests garbaruk might be a good idea.
Now while this will be no help at all in relation to the cassette, the Garbaruk chain ring I've been using for the last three years has been flawless and apart from the anodising on the teeth, shows very little sign of wear.
1 x 11 XT set up on full suspension facing all year riding with regular trips to north wales as well as local trails for reference.
Got a Garbaruk cassette on my XC bike and can't fault it. Cheaper and lighter than Sram XX1 too. Not used XTR though.
Thanks all, gone for a garbaruk from biketart 👍
It's not the answer but, I put an E13 cassette on mine during the pandemic because the main brands were so expensive, and tbh it's been great. Fitting is a bit fiddly, I wouldn't want to do it in a car park but the performance has been as good as any other cassette I've used,and the longevity definitely good.
The RRP is way too high but nobody's ever bought one at RRP I think, they're always on sale. Good kit.
So if your racing I’d go xtr, if it’s trail use garbaruk.
Why?
XTR gear spread = 0-12-14-16-18-21-24-28-(5)-33-(6)-39-(6)-45-(6)-51T
Garbaruk gear spread = 10-12-14-16-18-21-24-28-(4)-32-(5)-37-(7)-44-(8)-52T
Personally I'd be sticking with the XTR as in the lower end the gaps are more even / not as big
XTR gear spread = 0-12-14-16-18-21-24-28-(18%)-33-(18%)-39-(15%)-45-(13%)-51T
Garbaruk gear spread = 10-12-14-16-18-21-24-28-(14%)-32-(16%)-37-(19%)-44-(18%)-52T
I think I'd prefer the Gabaruk spread, TBH - the "falling" rate of xtr seems a bit weird to me but then I'm a rider looking for a bailout gear rather than a racer
Garbaruks shifts way worse than XTR. I even noticed it when test riding customers bikes ... With brand new everything.
Would not put one on my own bikes. Even if it weighed nothing at all.
Haven't tried against a Shimano cassette, but I wouldn't say 'way worse', just not as smooth...compared to the Sram cassette, the Garbaruk still shifts immediately (I'm using AXS), but it isn't quite as silent...which doesn't make any odds to me as the shift works and is almost instant.
If you race, it might make a difference, but if you aren't racing, I'm not sure the slight increase in noise is anything to be too bothered about. Just my opinion though...