Deore/SLX/XT cassettes and chain rings

Deore/SLX/XT cassettes and chain rings are all interchangeable right?
It’s just the weight and materials that differ?

Pretty much, and look at Middleburn for chainrings – last far longer.

My problem is that I keep trying to change my chain early enough that it hasn’t killed the chain rings and cassette. I put a new chain on (at the point I think it will be OK) and get loads of slippage. So I put the old chain back on a run into the ground.

and repeat…

I’m thinking of just going Deore for all the cogs, running everything into the ground each time and not worrying about it any more as the cost is more acceptable.

I’m thinking of just going Deore for all the cogs, running everything into the ground each time and not worrying about it any more as the cost is more acceptable.

Thats my approach – can’t really tell the difference performance wise and if you keep looking around, many retailers have bargains – SRAM fits as well, and the same applies

Do you monitor chain wear or just guess? I run four or fives chains per cassette by monitoring it.

Are you using one of those Park Tools things?

I use a rohloff to get a rough idea as its quick and easy. Once that shows it’s getting close, I use a 600mm steel rule and look for 0.5%

Out of interest Onza, how many miles do you get out of a chain?

Sorry, I’ve not logged mileage. I imagine it would vary a lot with conditions. They die quicker in a peak district winter than anywhere else.

About a 1000km’s off-road, but that is changing chains at .75 and running 3 chains per cassette/chainrings.

running mix of SRAM/Shimano/Middleburn/Raceface (and probably a couple more) all seems to be fine

Sorry, I’ve not logged mileage. I imagine it would vary a lot with conditions. They die quicker in a peak district winter than anywhere else.

Well done, your not wasting your time. It wears when it wears, peak is an accelerant, mud doesn’t help, sometimes stuff just goes wrong. Check your chain length and replace earlier to keep the cassette going.