Group set, which should I go with...2x what?

[tripleDot]

Finally paid for my Chinese-carbon fibre frame... although this one's from Taiwan rather than China.  I've pretty much dialed in to a 2x setup.  I loved the simplicity of a 1x but I missed being able to go faster when I do my monthly 100km rides.

Am currently in the crossroad choosing between going 2x10 or 2x11 Shimano XT (38T/28T) groupset.  My current 29er is close to 32lbs and sporting a 1x10 (32T chainring and 11-42T sprocket... 42T expansion ring on the sprocket).  And for the steepest climb in town, in most cases, I can climb it without using the 42T.  The new bike which this group set will be installed on is (l'm hoping) in the 22-24lbs range.  So naturaly, logic says I can get by with a 2x10 setup.  And put the saving and get me a Fox 32 fork. 

But since I'm not exactly that well verse with bike parts I think it's better to ask what am I missing if I don't go 1x11?  Is it just the extra gear range?  Or the shifters, derailure, and/or hydraulic brakes have significant performance differences.

Help make a better decision.  Thanks a bunch.

[JohnnyNT]

I'd still go with 1x11, 34-36T up front together with SRAM 10T cassette will give you all the speed you need, while still having nice and tidy 1x system.

[dokken]

You can try LTWOO
http://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,938.0.html

[JohnSpeed]

I agree with Johnny, but there's nothing you'd really be missing if you go with a 2x system. I've just always hated front derailleurs bc they're so clunky in performance. That said nothing wrong with a good 2x system and if you're set on it I'd look into SLX.  Greattach performance at a good price with a slight weight penalty

Those LTWOO sets that do keen linked to are at a ridiculous price and I'm tempted to try one out, that's always an option. You'd be a bit of a guinea pig tho .

[tripleDot]

Hey Johnny, thanks for that SRAM reco.  I wasn't aware that their 11 speed had a 10T cassette.  All the while I thought 10T were only slapped on the newer 12 speed versions.  So that is something I will definitely consider.

JohnSpeed, I have to agree with you about the clunkiness of the FD.  I can't say I miss it since moving to the 1x10 setup... just the speed offered by bigger chainrings.

Dokken, I've actually been reading that LTWOO groupset since it was posted here in Chinertown.  Just not ready to jump into it yet.


Btw, what is SRAM's equivalent model for Shimano XT?

[JohnnyNT]

It's hard to directly compare shimano and SRAM groupsets to be honset, I'd say that XT would be somewhere between X01 and X1. Keep in mind that probably the biggest advantage of SRAM is 10-42 cassette. You can take it and mix with shimano derr+shifter and a crankset of choice with narrow wide chainring (I did it in my setup and it works great).

[RS VR6]

Keep in mind that in order to use the SRAM 10-42 cassette...you'll need an XD driver. The normal Shimano compatible cassettes will not work.

[voodoo320]

You can also try the Sunrace 11-40T or 42T cog. you can choose 10 or 11spd.

[tripleDot]

Just checked out SRAM's pricing.  Wow, it's actually cheaper for me to just go with Shimano 1x11 MT8000 groupset with an extra 3rd party 36T (or 38T) narrow wide chainring.  Gives me the option to switch out chainring size as I see fit.  I think I'll just go the Shimano 1x11 route.

Btw, is the Race Face narrow wide chainrings compatible with Shimano cranks?

[JohnnyNT]

Depends on the mount (Race Face has several varieties, Shimano mostly sticks 104 BCD but also not always, 1x11 XT is one of the exceptions if I remember correctly). You will get more info about all the possible NW chainrings on the sites of their manufacturers like:

Absolute Black http://absoluteblack.cc/
Garbaruk http://garbaruk.com/

[Carbon_Dude]

Just checked out SRAM's pricing.  Wow, it's actually cheaper for me to just go with Shimano 1x11 MT8000 groupset with an extra 3rd party 36T (or 38T) narrow wide chainring.  Gives me the option to switch out chainring size as I see fit.  I think I'll just go the Shimano 1x11 route.

I've seen SRAM 1x11 GX groupsets selling for around $400, are you saying XT 1x11 is cheaper?

[tripleDot]

@Carbon_Dude, sorry, I meant that with the LBS here.

Also, does the $400 Sram GX include the brake set?  The local bike shop I asked was charging me around $500 without brakeset.

The XT MT8000 was $450 for the ff:
32T chainring/crank/BB
11-40 cassette
RD w/ shifter
Front and rear hydro brakeset (levers, calipers, 180mm rotors)
chain and cables (shifter and brakes)

[Carbon_Dude]

Checking eBay, I'm seeing a SRAM GX groupset selling for $369 with a RaceFace crank but no brakes.  If you can get everything XT including brakes, then I'd say that's really cheap.  XT brakes with rotors alone are about $250.

[tripleDot]

Thanks to you guys.  This is a problem solved.

Went with the 1x11 suggestion.  But instead of SRAM, I found a better deal with the Shimano XT MT8000.  Just drained my wallet US$492, for the group set plus a 38T narrow-wide chain ring.  I wanted to try out the Doval (oval chain ring) but it was put of stock, so went with the regular round one.