Martin PJ

I think this is a small frame, so doesn't have the small GT triangle. I have the GT Zaskar carbon medium 2012 model, the rear hanger area looks the same as this one.

http://blog.artscyclery.com/science-behind-the-magic/science-behind-the-magic-drivetrain-compatibility/ Check this out, the SRAM 11 speed MTB shifter / derailleur combination is pretty close to the Shimano in cable pull and derailleur ratio. I swapped the SRAM 11 NX speed derailleur with an SLX 7000 on my wife's Merida and it works very well. Shifter is SRAM 11 speed.

I use this tool bag attached to a third bottle holder. I have pushed it quite hard and its not come off yet. I have everything but the kitchen sink in there, even a spare seat clamp. I used to ride with a small lunch box containing all the tools, until I wiped out and it gave me a back injury when I landed on the lunch box after going OTB, now I ride with as little as possible in the back pockets.

SRAM 11 speed MTB NX shifter works with Shimano 11 speed SLX MTB rear derailleur.

Something to consider, when combining a tar / MTB ride, carry a pump and deflate / re-inflate for the off road / tar sections. I had a bad wipe out earlier this year on some gravel roads trying to ride with hard pressures. Won't make that mistake again. I don't weigh much, so the 2 bar in the tubeless is far too much for off road. Fine for tar.

If you ask ten people recommendations on tires you get ten different opinions. I think Maxis and Vittoria are the top in tires for a while now. I don't think any opinions are wrong, different things work for different people. I know what I like and both brands work for me. My only recommendation is that the front should be a bit grippier if you worried about wash outs.

Have you tried to change the derailleur cable and outer cable sleeve, the outer looks a bit short.

You don't need a derailleur extender. I have an 40-11 and a 42-11 ten speed 1x on two bikes and both work fine. I am using an SLX 10 speed clutch derailleur for both and they are pretty much the same as your XT derailleur.

Derailleur looks tired, get a new one. With a chain as short as this, the chain should be very tight on the bottom cog.

Silly question, this looks like GXP crank, has 24 mm diameter on drive side and 22 mm non drive side. I use GXP with Shimano BB, but you need 1 mm ring spacer.

I had some problems on my son's 1x10, the chain was shifting up too easily, so it would try to shift up when it was not supposed to shift. Solved by going 11 speed chain. It seems that some of the big gaps in the rear cogs make the chain shift up when it is not supposed to.

Can you post a picture of the crank. I have a lot of experience in play in cranks, which is unfortunately not good. Usually results in replacing the crank.

How is this one from Aliexpress. Solid as a brick, just as heavy. This is a training bike my son uses.

Its almost like you could use an old front derailleur...

Just put a massive cassette on the back, ride in the big ring most of the time. Just like a 1x, but better.

Generally SRAM and Shimano don't mix, without testing it, I would say it won't work.

It is acceptable to ride with tekkies. When you ready to use clip-ins, take out a second bond on your house and buy the best.

9 speed derailleurs in MTB and Road Shimano are the same cable pull. So get some 9 speed Shimano MTB shifters, they should be pretty cheap. The front derailleur pull is slightly different, but should work OK if your setup is 2x.

Paraffin, toothbrush and hose pipe. I use Squirt lube and hardly every clean the MTB drive trains. I lube every time anyone rides, the lube builds up on the road bikes but sheds very well on the MTBs.

Please don't repair it.

I think you should try fix the front derailleur problems. 1x on MTB is genius, on road, not so much. Your chain falls off more and there are not enough gears. The front derailleur does a very good job as a chain guide on front. Only real benefit is that it looks cool.

The derailleur was medium cage, so had to use a derailleur extender link.

Did a bike 1×10 for my son. Used a 9 speed XT derailleur, 54 narrow wide in front and 36-11 in the back. Had to use a chain guide too, chain kept dropping despite narrow wide and MTB derailleur. Works perfect now, but was a lot of trial and error. I would think a clutch derailleur compatible for 11 or 12 road bike is a must for your project, maybe a chain guide.

I took my old fork to an Aluminium anodiser. Didn't work, new coatings wore off very easily. For some reason, the anodising didn't work.

I have a blue silver one. It's 27.2 mm.