SRAM vs SHIMANO upgrade options

[Scott2luvit]

Hi Guys, please help me with this one, I bought a entry level MTB, Scott aspect frame with 8 speed Accera groupset 2 years ago, since then bug has bitten me and want to upgrade the groupset now,

 

My options are:

 

Front Derailer : SRAM X 7 VS Shimano SLX 10 speed

Rear Derailer : SRAM X 9 10 speed VS Shimano SLX 10 speed

Crank : SRAM x1000 44-33-22 VS Shimano SLX 42-32-24

 

Should I just stick to Shimano and go the SLX route the price difference is about 2k more expensive for the Shimano?

 

please give your views and reasons, I am still a very average rider and mostly like to do trail riding with the odd road race and Argus and obviously the karoo2coast tipe of races

Edited May 18, 2012 by Mr.E

[Dicky DQ]

Shiman FD

SRAM XP RD

Shimano Crank but the 44 might be missed if you are on a 26"

[NotSoBigBen]

I assume you are gonna change shifters anyway?

[Scott2luvit]

I assume you are gonna change shifters anyway?

 

I was thinking of either SRAM x7 or the slx 10

[Iwan Kemp]

Stick with SRAM and bag the extra R2k. Nothing on that list will give you R2k's worth of upgrade. Upgrade money is better spend on wheels and fork

[MariusC]

I like to keep everything the same. Ive got 2011 SLX FD RD Shifters and crank. I think it rocks, cant comment on SRAM as I've never used it

[nigelhicks]

at that level i would only go with Shimano!

[Scott2luvit]

Stick with SRAM and bag the extra R2k. Nothing on that list will give you R2k's worth of upgrade. Upgrade money is better spend on wheels and fork

 

was also thinking that, would the extra 2k benefit me that much? could rather buy a nice magic shine for the transbaviaans

[kosmonooit]

Why not 9 Speed SRAM X0 RD? - you wont regret it, its an excellent piece of engineering and quite a few on special here and there. Even 2nd hand is good, and fit new Jockey Wheels.

 

ie CRC

9 Speed SRAM PG970 11-32 Cassette R312

SRAM X0 9 Speed Rear Mech R1575

Choose twister or trigger shifters

SRAM or Shimano FD

[divernick]

If you want to upgrade, take off the shifters, cassette and derailleurs. Buy a SLX crank and BB and go singlespeed.

 

You'll upgrade your bike by making it more reliable, lighter, quieter and more fun.

You'll upgrade your strength and fitness too.

 

Take the money you saved and buy a better fork and wheels.

 

#singlespeedrocks

[Iwan Kemp]

Ah, the cirle of upgrades...aka the bottomless pit.

 

Upgrading your groupset from Accera will have some noticeable benefits. It will be lighter and will shift easier, smoother and faster. But ask yourself if you're upgrading because up to now shifting has been noticeably slow or not precise. If yes, first have your set up looked at. If it still honestly bothers you when shifting then upgrade.

 

Any of those on your list will be an improvement. BUT. Upgrade money is best spend on wheels and fork. That's where you will feel the biggest difference and yield the biggest benefits. Lights are also a good option as MTB'ing at night is out of this world. Don't just upgrade cause that's what you feel you have or want to. Learn now that it's a bottomless pit and that the Jones' will ALWAYS be ahead.

 

A wise man once told me: Take only what you need, keep only what you use.

[Iwan Kemp]

If you want to upgrade, take off the shifters, cassette and derailleurs. Buy a SLX crank and BB and go singlespeed.

 

You'll upgrade your bike by making it more reliable, lighter, quieter and more fun.

You'll upgrade your strength and fitness too.

 

Take the money you saved and buy a better fork and wheels.

 

#singlespeedrocks

 

[divernick]

I totally agree with The Crow.

 

As long as your bike works properly, smoothly and reliably, keep it as is and ride the crap outta that thing.

 

As long as the drivetrain is smooth, brakes are strong and wheels spin true, just ride your damn bike!

 

As Eddy said: don't buy upgrades, ride up grades....

[divernick]

 

[MariusC]

If you want to upgrade, take off the shifters, cassette and derailleurs. Buy a SLX crank and BB and go singlespeed.

 

You'll upgrade your bike by making it more reliable, lighter, quieter and more fun.

You'll upgrade your strength and fitness too.

 

Take the money you saved and buy a better fork and wheels.

 

#singlespeedrocks

Our tandems STI is gepomp. Should i make that a SS? has anybody ever made a tandem SS?

[Scott2luvit]

Ah, the cirle of upgrades...aka the bottomless pit.

 

Upgrading your groupset from Accera will have some noticeable benefits. It will be lighter and will shift easier, smoother and faster. But ask yourself if you're upgrading because up to now shifting has been noticeably slow or not precise. If yes, first have your set up looked at. If it still honestly bothers you when shifting then upgrade.

 

Any of those on your list will be an improvement. BUT. Upgrade money is best spend on wheels and fork. That's where you will feel the biggest difference and yield the biggest benefits. Lights are also a good option as MTB'ing at night is out of this world. Don't just upgrade cause that's what you feel you have or want to. Learn now that it's a bottomless pit and that the Jones' will ALWAYS be ahead.

 

A wise man once told me: Take only what you need, keep only what you use.

 

Thanks, I've done a wheelset upgrade already and made a big difference in average times and effort level, the fork is next on the list as I still have a Suntour xcm with 100mm travel, the current setup of the bike is just to heavy as well