XT groupset - Different types

[jarek.pski]

Good day forum,

 

I plan on buying a XT group set but it proves a little more difficult then expected as they come in different variations.

E.g:

Rear Derailleur: 43T(SGS), 35T(GS) (Long cage, short cage, shadow RD??)

Front Derailleur : TS / DS / E-Type (top swing, down swing, and e-type??)

 

For the obvious physical features why so many kinds?

Does the cage of the rear derailleur also come in carbonfibre? (I know XTR has carbofibre cage)

 

Ok so the crank comes in different lenghts, that's obvious why.

 

Come the breaks now:

-Disc Center Lock

-Disc 6-Hole

What is the main difference here? Benefits of both?

 

Shifters come in different kinds?

 

I may sound like a n00b but, I've tried looking for the differences on the interweb but it would take me centuries to separate the info.

[Weight Weenie]

If you run a 11-32/34/36 cassette get the SGS as otherwise it cant stretch enough (cage is too short) to use the biggest sprocket.

As I understand it the GS is for bigger hitting bikes and tends to hit the chainstay less as the cage is shorter.

The shadow sits more towards the bike so less chance of getting snagged or hit by a rock, but really I dont run one and have never had issues on xtr.

 

For the front, e-type is either a BB mount or mounts to the frame with a bolt ie. trek fuel I think or Scott scales.

You get bottom and top pull (ie, where the cable is coming from frame to FD and pulling to shift) and also dual pull, which is best as you can then carry the fd over to any frame.

 

Top and down swing depends on mounting - bottle cages for example I think can get in the way so one works better than another there, as M770 has a high cage where the m771 has a cage that sits below its mounting point if that makes sense.

 

Also look at shifters, rapid fire works best with certain deraillers and dual-control with others. ie. on my xtr the rapid fire and sgs go together

 

AFIK XT does not have a carbon cage RD

 

Think CL is supposed to be lighter, but 6-bolt is just more commanplace, more variety. there are adapters between the two.

[jarek.pski]

That answers quite alot of questions, I've been looking at sets and they give me options before purchase.

 

I just hope manufacturers / lbs / online cycleshops wouldn't let you combine 'wrong' components and screw up your entire groupset in the process...

 

THX for all your input

[LazyTrailRider]

Top and down swing depends on mounting - bottle cages for example I think can get in the way so one works better than another there, as M770 has a high cage where the m771 has a cage that sits below its mounting point if that makes sense.

 

As WW has said, top and down-swing is usually dependent on compability with your frame. Topswing derailleurs are more compact in terms of space taken up on the seattube, and thus more commonplace on FS bikes (because of all the linkages and pivots taking up space all over the place). They're also lighter. I've had a few of both types, and one thing to consider is that down-swing (conventional) derailleurs are much more durable, in my experience. Top-swings have the nasty tendency to wear through their pivots very quickly, resulting in very annoying rattling, as well as less precise shifts. If your frame is compatible with down-swing, go that route.

[Weight Weenie]

Jarek - can't you just replace your current parts with the XT equivalent then you know it will work ?

Or are you building bike from scratch ?

 

Also keep in mind Shimano has recently released a new 2012 XT group, among the changes is it now gives you a 2x10 gearing option if you're a racer type.

[jarek.pski]

At the moment I ride an Anthem X3 FS, there the rear shock sits quite close to the pivot and crank.

If my memory serves me correct (I'm far away from my bike at the moment) it has a top swing derailleur, I've only done about 500km on the current set up and haven't has problems (just yet)

 

How difficult is it to change it to DS? or buying the complete groupset will eliminate that problem?

[Weight Weenie]

AFIK if the downswing fits and can take top or bottom pull as needed it will work but I would rather put a TS XT on then you know its as it should be specced and it will work without issues.