SLX chain set for the Fargo? Any need to pay double for XT?

I’m after a chain set for my Fargo, it’ll be used mostly for trail riding and on the road. Merlin are doing an M660 ten speed version which I assume would still work with my nine speed stuff for £76. Is there any reason I should pay nearly double for an XT chain set?

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/mtb-parts/transmission-gears/chainsets-mtb/shimano-slx-m660-10-speed-triple-chainset.html

No.

XT 771 170mm 26/36/48 at CRC, £97.99

Seems a better gear range for a Fargo, but I haven’t finished building mine either.

Edit: If you want Deore, they have same ratios available at CRC too for £55ish

Why not use a road chainset?

MLC I did see that and wondered if the gearing might be too tall for off road, those ratios would make a great road touring crank.

I plan to use the Fargo this summer on a couple of longish off road tours, carrying a little more than a bike packer might, so would appreciate the lower gears.

I’ve got a SLX triple 9 spd on mine, works very nicely!

I’ve gone for jack of all trades by putting that chainset with an 11-36 ten speed setup. Should be 26/36 ought to keep me out of trouble. If it turns out I’m wrong , I can swap the granny.

Do you think the 170mm cranks will make much of a difference over 175s?

I test fitted the front mech to the frame this morning and it sat close to the water bottle boss bolts, I wonder if with a 48T ring the mech will have enough room still to fit? Heve you fitted yours yet?

It has a lowish BB, so I’m looking at pedal clearance, but my bikes have a mix of 170/175 which doesn’t bother me so was happy with 170. I haven’t put a front mech on, might have to spacer out the water bottle! Mine is a mk1 frame, yours might be different anyway.

I went with a 26/46 with 170mm crank length. Works fine on my WTF monster cross. I think I might put a larger cassette on the back as I’m planning some light off road touring in the summer. Regarding crank length no problems for me.

I just got this on the classifieds, I just need to find a bottom bracket for it.
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/shimano-fcm-772-xt-chainset-10-speed

MC mine is a 2012 model I found on here too. I will have to space out the bottle cage mounts.

I run a 9sp Deore 26/36/48 on mine and it’s been fine for 3000 miles. Couldn’t be bothered to pay the extra for XT at the time and prefer the black deore on the bike compared to the silver xt.

I test fitted the front mech to the frame this morning and it sat close to the water bottle boss bolts, I wonder if with a 48T ring the mech will have enough room still to fit? Heve you fitted yours yet?

which front mech? Have had to switch to a low band type on some frames with bottle bosses in the way of the convention high clamp type.

Which front mech?

A Shimano M771, I didn’t offer a chainring up to it to check for clearance.

How you getting on with the wheels ? 😉
Have you started them yet…

Where are you planning to tour, just want a little inspiration.

A Shimano M771

If it’s a 9 speed one then you have to set it a little higher than normal for a 10 speed 42T outer so it doesn’t catch on the 32T middle. I found this out the hard way after replacing my 44T with a 42T and adjusting the height of a perfectly well set up FD only for it to then hit the middle ring and having to put it back. 10 speed one sits better on the 42-32-24 rings but for a 48T outer you may find a 9 speed better. They should have the ring sizes in the shimano instruction sheets.

I got a Tiagra 9sp front mech on mine running with 105 shifters.

It’s been faultless but we had to run the bb spacers on the other side to allow the mech to have the correct reach.

takisawa2 – Member
How you getting on with the wheels ?
Have you started them yet…

I had a change of plans with the rims from the A319s to disc specific TN317.

I had a go at trying to calculate the spoke lengths again, but the Mavic site didn’t list the eyelet thickness. Indeed it didn’t list the rim on their spoke length calculator.

If you fancy another bash at calculating the spoke length I’d be hugely grateful.

Hope XC disc hubs on TN317 rims crossing thrice. 36H front and rear.

1 shed – Member
Where are you planning to tour, just want a little inspiration.

I found a part on part off road loop starting from Pitlochry heading west to Loch Rannoch, over a LRT to Glen Lyon, then LRT to Bridge of Orchy, WHW to the Devils Staircase, probably following the road to Fort William, picking up the East Highland Way to Loch Laggan picking up the LRT to Culra Bothy LRT to Dalwhinnie and a mix of cycle path and trails back to Pitlochry.

A second ride would be from Elgin on the Speyside Way as far as Tomintoul, LRT from the Fords of Avon to Braemar – Ballater – Loch Muick – Cappelmounth road to Glen Clova. .

YGM McMoonter. 🙂