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I took a big rock strike today, which unfortunately stripped one of my Sram XX1 cranks to such a degree that the pedal subsequently fell out after a bit of riding. Unfortunately a new Sram XX1 crankset is out of the question, even the Gx crankset at R3k is eye watering! I see Rapide sell a set of cranks without the chain-ring for a much more palatable R1k, is this a good option!? I'm not particularly concerned about the crank weight as I mainly ride Trail/Enduro trails! Are there any other brands that I should be looking at? Alternatively if its feasible, where would one go to have the stripped thread removed from the crank and a new thread installed?

So I've been running XX1 for 1000km's now. I've just replaced the front 30T chainring (with about 900k's on it), as well as the chain. Measuring the chain shows no unusual wear, but I figure I'd rather replace it prematurely than deal with other issues. With my previous XT and XTR I'd normally run a chain for between 1000-1500k's, and I'd need to replace the cassette after 3-4000 k's. So first ride out with my new chain, and its skipping on the 42 at the back. After only 1000k's of use!! And that cassette costs as much as a small car! Not impressed right now. I'll be visiting the LBS soon to get a complaint through to SRAM. My normal riding is most of the Tygerberg trails, so mostly loops that consist of a steep ascent followed by a nice downhill. I've been running a 30T up front, but still spend a lot of time in the bottom 3 gears on the ups, with not much pedalling on the downs. How's everyone else's experience of XX1 durability?

So I havent been cycling at all this year because of travelling and a new job and today it hit me big time I miss cycling Tooo much so I will have to get back in the saddle, but leaving behind my Silverback storm which I changed to 1x10 and loved I wondered what the feedback is on XX1 and if people do like it. (I may want to build a new bike with it) Also what is the life expectancy on regular use on a cassette. The wolft tooth I had was really good on lasted a long time. Also whats the thoughts on the Shimano 1X11 version? I am itching for a build.....

A few of my friends gote thinking. They all want 120mm carbon 29er hardtails at the moment, and most of them long for xx1 as well. If you could have anything, what would it be? A 650b with a 29er front wheel maybe, or 200mm double crown downhill bike? I would love a carbon hardtail with a 120mm upside down fork. One can dream right?

This is my version of a Poormans XX1. I would have loved to have gotten the real XX1 but 2 things are standing in my way, 1. Cost &2. My current hubs don’t have XX1 compatible freehub. Maybe when I’m bigger. Already have a Wolfs tooth chainring and Shadow + derailleur, so just needed to sort out the cassette. I had the idea (and obviously others too) that maybe one could put a bigger sprocket at the back. The other option is the General Lee conversion which is lighter and a lot neater. While looking online for somebody to cut me a sprocket I came across somebody already supplying a 41 tooth one. Ordered it and picked it up on Friday. The original idea is that you put the sprocket on the back and remove one of the smaller sprockets (i.e. 13 tooth), but this results is a jump from 11 to 15 teeth between the smallest and second sprocket. This can be fixed using a 12 or 13 tooth lockring sprocket, but you lose the top end ratios. I decided to use a HG-62 11-36 10 speed cassette as this makes it a reasonable jump from 36 to 41 Another way to get a past the 11-15 jump is to replace the 15 & 17 with a 16 tooth sprocket, while searching for this sprocket I realised I have a new HG-61 12-36 9 speed cassette on my other bike and if I mix the sprockets around I will end up with an 11-41 10 speed cassette and an 12-36 9 speed cassette both with acceptable gear spreads and an extra 17 tooth sprocket. 11-41 cassette: 11,13,15,18,21,24,28,32,36,41 12-36 cassette: 12,14,16,19,21,24,28,32,36

Good day MTB enthusiasts I have noticed an increase in interest among MTBers wanting to go the 1x9/10 route. Myself and a mate have taken the iniative to do some research into manufacturing our own Narrow Wide chain rings locally to try bring the price down and make a little money in the process. Initially, we will only manufacture 104BCD 32T chain rings. These seem to be the most popular. They will be annodized to increase the hardness. The chain rings will be cut out of 7075-T6 Al which is the same aircraft grade alu used for SRAM xx1 chainrings. If all goes well we will start to introduce more variations to the market. (30T, 34T, 36T and so on...). Hopefully some SRAM versions later on as well. If sufficient interest is shown, we will go ahead with an initial order. We are trying our best to get the chain rings onto the market at under R500. Please leave a comment on this thread if you have any questions or send me a PM if you are interested.

http://www.ninerbikes.com/Carbon_CX_Wheelset http://www.ninerbikes.com/Carbon_MTB_Wheelset_XX1 http://www.ninerbikes.com/Carbon_MTB_Wheelset and they solve the wheelsize debate http://www.ninerbikes.com/wheelsize

After much internal debate and tooing and froing, I decided to replace my trusty Mojo SL-R with it's bastard child, the Mojo HDR 650b http://www.ibiscycle...s/mojo_hdr650b/ http://www.ibiscycles.com/images/uploads/bikeGallery/mojo_HDR130b-Ibis7219.jpg For those who are not familiar with the bike it is the follow up to the Mojo HD with some tech borrowed from the SL-R. It is lighter and stiffer than the HD, has better clearance for tyres, XX1 / X01 drivetrains and new gen piggyback shocks. Ordered the frame in Reverse Vitamin-P and in 650b mode. 650b mode? Frame can be run 130mm 650b 147mm 650b (using different limbo chips and custom tuned Mazocchi) 160mm 26" Went with the 130mm 650b as I already have what I need to run it 160mm 26". Will use my RockShox Monarch RC3. This way I have a killer Enduro / Trail / All Mountain slayer in one bike. Perfect. Build kit: Size:.........Large Fork:.........RockShox Pike 150mm RT3 Shock:......Fox (Stock) Wheelset:..AM Classic Wide Lightning Headset:....Cane Creek Handlebar: Spank Bearclaw Spike 30mm rise (cut to 740mm ) Stem:........Spank Oozy 65mm Brakes:......Hope Stealth Tech Evo with 183mm rotors Grips:........ODI Ruffian Drivetrain:..SRAM X01 with 32T chainring running GripShift Seatpost:..RockShox Stealth 125mm drop Saddle:.....SDG Circuit Tires:........Schwalbe Hans Dampf Trailstar 2.35 front and 2.25 Rear Pedals:.....Spank Spike Frame arrived 2/3 weeks early (nice problem to have) so there has been a bit of a mad scramble to get the kit together. Local agents either don't have stock of what I want or just plain downright do not carry the model I want. Have gone through Race Face, Loaded, Spank and a couple others, but in the end turned to good ol' faithful CRC for some of it. If all goes well the bike will be build next week. Till then I will post some kit pics. A guide to what happened in here (of sorts) Page 11 PlastiDip pics Page 24 Build Pics Page 27 Complete bike and post first ride pics

An interesting read: Shimano’s Shifting Philosophy We were given a fresh explanation of Shimano’s drivetrain philosophy at the launch, which actually made sense. Shimano divides all available gear ratios into two groups: “Driving gears” and “Challenge gears.” Driving gears, in the case of a two-by or three-by transmission, are in the middle range of the cassette when the rider is in the big chainring. Challenge gears are for the steepest climbs, when the rider is forced to select the smaller chainrings and to use the larger three cogs of the cassette. In the case of a one-by drivetrain, Driving gears are the first eight cogs on the right-side of the cassette. Shimano professes that the smooth, 10-RPM jumps between shifts generated by its Rhythm Step, 11 by 40-tooth cassette, optimize the efficiency of the driving gears that we use most often for both climbing and pedaling on the flats. While the closer gear ratios of Shimano’s XTR cassette provide smaller steps between most of the gearing range, they cannot attain the higher top and bottom gears of SRAM’s XX1 10 by 42 cassette. To achieve a competitive spread, Shimano “strongly suggests” that XTR customers choose its two-chainring option. Before you whip out your calculators, the closest comparison that a Shimano XTR M9000 two-by drivetrain has to SRAM’s one-by is: Shimano 28 x 38-tooth chainrings, two-by drivetrain: Lowest gear 28/40 = 1.42:1 ratio. Highest gear 38/11 = 1:3.45 ratio. (22 gear selections) SRAM 30-tooth chainring, one-by drivetrain: Lowest gear 30/42 = 1.4:1 ratio. Highest gear 30/10 = 1:3 ratio. (11 gear selections) What the above chart demonstrates is how Shimano’s close-ratio two-by option provides a nearly identical gearing spread when compared to a SRAM XX1 one-by drivetrain. By switching to a 28-tooth chainring, the SRAM one-by drivetrain can also match Shimano’s 26 by 36 option, but Shimano also offers a third, 26 by 36 option for its two-by crankset that provides XTR customers a lower granny gear than SRAM can match (Shimano: Lowest gear 24/40 = 1.66:1 vs SRAM: Lowest gear 28/42 – 1.5:1). The bottom line is that Shimano’s choice for trail gearing is a two-by transmission, and it competes directly with SRAM’s one-by offerings. The customer’s choice is: “Do I want 22 shifts and a front derailleur, or do I want 11 shifts and no front derailleur?” What about Shimano’s One-By XTR Option? One-by customers can choose XTR chainrings between 30 and 36 teeth, but the narrower gearing spread of the 11 x 40, eleven-speed cassette means that riders may need to keep a couple of chainrings in their toolbox to match their gearing to the task at hand. Calculating out Shimano XTR’s lowest-available, 30-tooth-chainring option fetches a low gear of 1.33:1 and a high of 1: 2.73. Compare those figures with the options from SRAM and Shimano that we covered earlier in this segment, and they indicate that hills will be harder to climb, or you will probably be spun out on the flats. Shimano’s one-by gearing options are clearly intended for racers and stronger riders who will probably choose the biggest chainring that they can comfortably push and then suffer with whatever low gear is left when the big climbs arrive. What this says, and its from Shimano themselves, is that their "One-By XTR " option is not anywhere near what SRAM can offer. The 10 x 42 option with SRAM makes more sense vs 11 x 40 from Shimano....unless you like suffering!! this tells me that SRAM is the only option for a single chainring as their spread is better. Shimano still needs two up front or you buy extra Chain rings to swop out if the ride is challenging

An interesting read: Shimano’s Shifting Philosophy We were given a fresh explanation of Shimano’s drivetrain philosophy at the launch, which actually made sense. Shimano divides all available gear ratios into two groups: “Driving gears” and “Challenge gears.” Driving gears, in the case of a two-by or three-by transmission, are in the middle range of the cassette when the rider is in the big chainring. Challenge gears are for the steepest climbs, when the rider is forced to select the smaller chainrings and to use the larger three cogs of the cassette. In the case of a one-by drivetrain, Driving gears are the first eight cogs on the right-side of the cassette. Shimano professes that the smooth, 10-RPM jumps between shifts generated by its Rhythm Step, 11 by 40-tooth cassette, optimize the efficiency of the driving gears that we use most often for both climbing and pedaling on the flats. While the closer gear ratios of Shimano’s XTR cassette provide smaller steps between most of the gearing range, they cannot attain the higher top and bottom gears of SRAM’s XX1 10 by 42 cassette. To achieve a competitive spread, Shimano “strongly suggests” that XTR customers choose its two-chainring option. Before you whip out your calculators, the closest comparison that a Shimano XTR M9000 two-by drivetrain has to SRAM’s one-by is: Shimano 28 x 38-tooth chainrings, two-by drivetrain: Lowest gear 28/40 = 1.42:1 ratio. Highest gear 38/11 = 1:3.45 ratio. (22 gear selections) SRAM 30-tooth chainring, one-by drivetrain: Lowest gear 30/42 = 1.4:1 ratio. Highest gear 30/10 = 1:3 ratio. (11 gear selections) What the above chart demonstrates is how Shimano’s close-ratio two-by option provides a nearly identical gearing spread when compared to a SRAM XX1 one-by drivetrain. By switching to a 28-tooth chainring, the SRAM one-by drivetrain can also match Shimano’s 26 by 36 option, but Shimano also offers a third, 26 by 36 option for its two-by crankset that provides XTR customers a lower granny gear than SRAM can match (Shimano: Lowest gear 24/40 = 1.66:1 vs SRAM: Lowest gear 28/42 – 1.5:1). The bottom line is that Shimano’s choice for trail gearing is a two-by transmission, and it competes directly with SRAM’s one-by offerings. The customer’s choice is: “Do I want 22 shifts and a front derailleur, or do I want 11 shifts and no front derailleur?” What about Shimano’s One-By XTR Option? One-by customers can choose XTR chainrings between 30 and 36 teeth, but the narrower gearing spread of the 11 x 40, eleven-speed cassette means that riders may need to keep a couple of chainrings in their toolbox to match their gearing to the task at hand. Calculating out Shimano XTR’s lowest-available, 30-tooth-chainring option fetches a low gear of 1.33:1 and a high of 1: 2.73. Compare those figures with the options from SRAM and Shimano that we covered earlier in this segment, and they indicate that hills will be harder to climb, or you will probably be spun out on the flats. Shimano’s one-by gearing options are clearly intended for racers and stronger riders who will probably choose the biggest chainring that they can comfortably push and then suffer with whatever low gear is left when the big climbs arrive. What this says, and its from Shimano themselves, is that their "One-By XTR " option is not anywhere near what SRAM can offer. The 10 x 42 option with SRAM makes more sense vs 11 x 40 from Shimano....unless you like suffering!! this tells me that SRAM is the only option for a single chainring as their spread is better. Shimano still needs two up front or you buy extra Chain rings to swop out if the ride is challenging

An interesting read: Shimano’s Shifting Philosophy We were given a fresh explanation of Shimano’s drivetrain philosophy at the launch, which actually made sense. Shimano divides all available gear ratios into two groups: “Driving gears” and “Challenge gears.” Driving gears, in the case of a two-by or three-by transmission, are in the middle range of the cassette when the rider is in the big chainring. Challenge gears are for the steepest climbs, when the rider is forced to select the smaller chainrings and to use the larger three cogs of the cassette. In the case of a one-by drivetrain, Driving gears are the first eight cogs on the right-side of the cassette. Shimano professes that the smooth, 10-RPM jumps between shifts generated by its Rhythm Step, 11 by 40-tooth cassette, optimize the efficiency of the driving gears that we use most often for both climbing and pedaling on the flats. While the closer gear ratios of Shimano’s XTR cassette provide smaller steps between most of the gearing range, they cannot attain the higher top and bottom gears of SRAM’s XX1 10 by 42 cassette. To achieve a competitive spread, Shimano “strongly suggests” that XTR customers choose its two-chainring option. Before you whip out your calculators, the closest comparison that a Shimano XTR M9000 two-by drivetrain has to SRAM’s one-by is: Shimano 28 x 38-tooth chainrings, two-by drivetrain: Lowest gear 28/40 = 1.42:1 ratio. Highest gear 38/11 = 1:3.45 ratio. (22 gear selections) SRAM 30-tooth chainring, one-by drivetrain: Lowest gear 30/42 = 1.4:1 ratio. Highest gear 30/10 = 1:3 ratio. (11 gear selections) What the above chart demonstrates is how Shimano’s close-ratio two-by option provides a nearly identical gearing spread when compared to a SRAM XX1 one-by drivetrain. By switching to a 28-tooth chainring, the SRAM one-by drivetrain can also match Shimano’s 26 by 36 option, but Shimano also offers a third, 26 by 36 option for its two-by crankset that provides XTR customers a lower granny gear than SRAM can match (Shimano: Lowest gear 24/40 = 1.66:1 vs SRAM: Lowest gear 28/42 – 1.5:1). The bottom line is that Shimano’s choice for trail gearing is a two-by transmission, and it competes directly with SRAM’s one-by offerings. The customer’s choice is: “Do I want 22 shifts and a front derailleur, or do I want 11 shifts and no front derailleur?” What about Shimano’s One-By XTR Option? One-by customers can choose XTR chainrings between 30 and 36 teeth, but the narrower gearing spread of the 11 x 40, eleven-speed cassette means that riders may need to keep a couple of chainrings in their toolbox to match their gearing to the task at hand. Calculating out Shimano XTR’s lowest-available, 30-tooth-chainring option fetches a low gear of 1.33:1 and a high of 1: 2.73. Compare those figures with the options from SRAM and Shimano that we covered earlier in this segment, and they indicate that hills will be harder to climb, or you will probably be spun out on the flats. Shimano’s one-by gearing options are clearly intended for racers and stronger riders who will probably choose the biggest chainring that they can comfortably push and then suffer with whatever low gear is left when the big climbs arrive. What this says, and its from Shimano themselves, is that their "One-By XTR " option is not anywhere near what SRAM can offer. The 10 x 42 option with SRAM makes more sense vs 11 x 40 from Shimano....unless you like suffering!! this tells me that SRAM is the only option for a single chainring as their spread is better. Shimano still needs two up front or you buy extra Chain rings to swop out if the ride is challenging

A mate of mines bike was stolen please keep a look out!! See below mail from him! Can you please put the word out. I had a high end mtb that was stolen on Saturday (see details below) and I’m desperately trying to get it back. It’s a very unique bike and you won’t find many of them. Please can you help by forwarding to everyone you know. On Saturday 26th April someone stole my mtb off the back of a Thule bike rack that it was locked on to. It happened in the mall in Glena Marais shopping centre where Finish Line Cycles is and security miraculously never saw anything despite being less than 20 meters away. The bike is a Scott Scale SL 900. The entire bike is matt black with an XX1 groupset, Rockshox fork, carbon Syncross wheels and finishing kit. Non standard items are black ESI grips and Geax Sagaro tubeless tyres. It has a small white tipex marking on the seat pin where it goes into the frame and also on the saddle rails from when the bike was fitted for me. There are small scratches on the inside of the rear triangle caused by a piece of wire that got stuck in the wheel a while ago. Bike is a medium and 2013 model in excellent nick. Please look out for it cos it's very rare and worth about R80k and I’m not insured. Happy to pay a reward. Richard 0768133326

I have been invited to ride S2S in 2015. I currently Ride a 2 x 10 XT setup with a 38 / 24 front and 36 / 11 Rear. Bike is a BMC TE02 and Medium hard tail. I am upgrading my frame to a BMC TE01 and as my current drivetrain is worn I am looking to change to XTR 2x10 or XX1 1x11. I am 181 cm tall, 83 kg. 39 years old. I am a fit rider as confirmed by VO2 max testing done at the Prime institute in Durban. I race XC marathon and I am competitive in my age category. As far a technical ability I can ride the trails at Karkloof (the difficult options) with my XC Hard tail setup. I am very comfortable on the 2x 10 but the 1x 11 has undeniable advantages. I am going to be racing Sani and have never ridden it so would appreciate any info that you guys could give me. I am obviously concerned of not having a low enough gear for really steep climbs, I also don't want to spin the hell out of my legs to go any where. What can you tell me.... Thanks Ryan

I've read that the smaller xxi spider and chainrings are more expensive to produce, thus the larger bcd on x01. http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/news/article/sram-x01-groupset-first-look-38021/ The only negative of this larger bcd the mention, is that you will not be able to run a front chainring smaller than 30. Are there any other notable factors to take into account?

Hi All Newbie here. What are the major advantages of single upfront other than weight and one less thing that can break. How difficult is it to get use to for stage races and general trail riding. Long term effect on the knees? Regards Schoemie

I have tried my LBS and various other cycleshops around JHB, no spare jockey wheels for XX1 available. Cape Cycles say, 'Sorry, we are out of stock' Jammer om te hoor van jou k*k, so sad too bad. This is swak! Really, really pathetic! How can we support a local industry when they plan ahead like this? So what now? I will have to carry spares for all the wearable parts on my bike it seems.

Hi Guys, Anyone bought from here before, wanted to get your input on if you think this is legit or not? S-Works Stumpjumper with top spec selling for way below what it normally sells as a brand new bike??? 28K for a TOP spec bike with XX1..... http://collectiblesbicycles.wozaonline.co.za/products Looking forward to your feedback. Kind Regards, Tim

I walked into Finish Line Cycles in Edenvale recently, best bike shop in Johannesburg. To be greeted by a beauty, the new top spec Titan Carbon 29er Ultimate. It looked great and has some great components, full XX1, SRAM carbon wheels and RockShox SID XX. Then I saw the price...almost 60k. It looked a bit high, until I saw the beauty standing a few bikes away, a Momsen Vipa. Specs are almost the same, XX1 with front and rear suspension provided by Fox CTD and ZTR Crest wheels. And price...only 49k. Then I knew it, Titan lost the plot. I much rather have the Vipa. It just is a beter bike, not even mentioning the 10k you will save by buying one

So, after having been riding (and enjoying riding) a fairly "mass-market" Scott Scale since the beginning of 2013, I decided it was time for something special again. The Scale's an amazing climber, and because of it's sub-70deg HA, it actually handles a bit of tech quite respectably, but I've been missing railing into berms flat out and then bouncing off the gnarly stuff on the way out. So, I grabbed the opportunity to buy a well-cared-for Pyga OneTen29 last week and proceeded to rebuild it with a mixture of new and used parts. The spec list: Frame: Pyga OneTen29 2012, serial number "Cliff", Shock: Rockshox Monarch RT3 Fork: Mongrel Rockshox Relevation (2012 lowers, 2014 RCT3 upper assembly with FastBlack stanchions) Wheelset: Novatec Flowtrail 29 Tyres: Rocket Ron 2.25 rear, Hans Dampf 2.35 front Cranks: XX1 156q GXP Derailleur: X9 type 2 short-cage Shifter: X0 black Brakes: XT 785 Rotors: XT RT76, 180mm front, 160mmm rear Pedals: XT 785 Trail Stem: FSA SL-K Bar: Truvativ Noir T40 Seatpost: Easton EA70 Saddle: Fizik Tundra 2 Mg The raw finish of the frame was looking a bit dull and scratched in places, so I took everything apart and applied some TLC with steel wool and a scourier sponge in places. Cliff from Pyga was very helpful in supplying a new decal kit, which pimped things out again afterwards. I spent a few nights last week and some time over the weekend building stuff up (thanks to Marc at Crown Cycles for helping with a few bits and bobs during Argus mania). The end result since last night is this: I have yet to ride it any further than the road in front of the house, so will report back as soon as the first ride is over. So far, I've been mighty impressed with the build quality and overall feel of the beast. Hot damn!

So there is no way I can now afford R10k + for xx1 or xo1... Has anyone tried other options on a 29er such as 1x10? Any advice or comments would be appreciated! Currently I'm running xt 2x10, with a 11-36 at the back.

Hi, Does anybody know somebody who know's anybody who can get a XX1 freebody that will fit the Reynolds rear wheel that came with Cannondale Scalpel1 bike ? Trying to find one befoere start of Epic. Thanks

Hi, Does anybody know somebody who know's anybody who can get a XX1 frrebody that will fit the Reynolds rear wheel that came with Cannondale Scalpel1 bike ? Trying to find one befoere start of Epic. Thanks

holycow, how long did it take them? but boy, all those 'limitations' aka 'other stuff you must buy'...*facepalm* http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p5pb10662325/p5pb10662325.jpg A shorter cage and modified low-limit stop geometry are some of the differences between the X01 DH derailleur and a standard unit. http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p5pb10662310/p5pb10662310.jpg The 7 speed cassette sports an integrated spoke guard, and it mounts on a standard XD driver body. Pinksauce

do they make those for xx1 ?looking for a 34t? hope that is what you call them ,those oval rings,i used to know them as biopace

I am looking to upgrade my Santa Cruz LTc to 1x11. I do mostly ride marathon and and stage racing. Epic again this year. What size chainring would you recommend? I am thinking 32 or 34. Any suggestions?