MTB Upgrade: Groupset vs Wheels

[HDW]

Hi Guys

 

I'm in need of some advice:

 

I want to upgrade my MTB, and have to choose between a new groupset, or some decent wheels.

 

I'm not too concerned about the weight difference, I'm more about smoothness, comfort level, control, etc.

 

At the moment I've got a (mostly) Shimano XT groupset, and some pretty solid Mavic Wheels, and I'm leaning more towards new wheels.

 

Any advice and/or recommendations will be appreciated!

 

Thanks

[Mr SingleTrack]

Nothing wrong with XT, I'd look at new wheels

[HDW]

Nothing wrong with XT, I'd look at new wheels

 

What I was also thinking! Any good wheels you could recommend? I was looking at Easton (as a brand in general), and see there are some decent specials on lines like the Easton EA90 XC MTB Wheelset 2011, Easton Haven MTB Wheelset 2011, etc

[scotty]

Ditto on upgrading the wheels before groupset

[Li Mu Bai]

The Haven wheelset is seriously bling, just got a set 56% off the regular price from CRC with free shipping. the 29" tire installation was effortless, the tubeless rims are really solid. And it also dropped some weight off my previous setup. Reviews on them are both excellent BUT some raising concerns over the rear hub, so issues on earlier models have been found.

 

I have always preferred Sram over Shimano, having used both, and currently run XO throughout.

really enjoying it so far.

[HDW]

The Haven wheelset is seriously bling, just got a set 56% off the regular price from CRC with free shipping. the 29" tire installation was effortless, the tubeless rims are really solid. And it also dropped some weight off my previous setup. Reviews on them are both excellent BUT some raising concerns over the rear hub, so issues on earlier models have been found.

 

I have always preferred Sram over Shimano, having used both, and currently run XO throughout.

really enjoying it so far.

 

Thanks a lot for the info!

 

I must admit, never had any SRAM component before. But I'm willing to give it a go. If I'm not bugging you too much, whats the biggest advantage SRAM has over Shimano in your opinion?

 

I'm really itching for those Havens, especially with the discount CRC offers

[rouxtjie]

Thanks a lot for the info!

 

I must admit, never had any SRAM component before. But I'm willing to give it a go. If I'm not bugging you too much, whats the biggest advantage SRAM has over Shimano in your opinion?

 

I'm really itching for those Havens, especially with the discount CRC offers

Stay with Shimano!, this is from someone that has full XO on his bike...I am in the process of getting rid of all my SRAM components. Get the wheels rather. That is unless you love replacing GXP BB's and noisy crappy brakes

[TheV]

You can only DOWNGRADE from XT...

[rouxtjie]

You can only DOWNGRADE from XT...

Go pour yourself a beer, tell the boss I said you deserve one.

[patches]

You can only DOWNGRADE from XT...

 

...if you stick with shimano

[TheV]

...if you stick with shimano

 

You can have my FULL SRAM XX Groupset in exchange for your "holiday"?

 

Just stripped it OFF my SB-66, don't know what I was thinking...

 

Replaced it with SHIMANO XT!!!!!

Edited July 20, 2012 by TheV

[TheV]

Hi Guys

 

I'm in need of some advice:

 

I want to upgrade my MTB, and have to choose between a new groupset, or some decent wheels.

 

I'm not too concerned about the weight difference, I'm more about smoothness, comfort level, control, etc.

 

At the moment I've got a (mostly) Shimano XT groupset, and some pretty solid Mavic Wheels, and I'm leaning more towards new wheels.

 

Any advice and/or recommendations will be appreciated!

 

Thanks

 

Don't know if I missed something, but did you say what bike you have?

 

Maybe a better suspension might be a good investment?

 

+1 for Easton Haven Wheels, and all the other components....

 

Easton Haven = XT = FOX .... all in the same class...

[HDW]

Haha, sounds good

 

Guess I'll be sticking to Shimano then.

 

Any wheel sets you guys can recommend? around the R4000 mark?

[Li Mu Bai]

It all comes down to personal preference borne out of trying each product. There will be those whos opinions on this differ, but here is my experience so far:

Road bike: I have moved from Dura Ace 7800 to Sram Red. Immediate differences which i enjoy so far is the definite click (clunk) between each gear shift rather than fishing especially on the front deraileur. The double tap system works very well, pushing 1 lever far for up, or short for down shifting. It certainly isnt a quiet system, so no sneaking past a fellow rider without him knowing i have just shifted down. so far its been very relaible (no schlecking), very smooth, crisp, definite, operation, and setup/maintainence is easy.

MTB: Started out with shimano XT and Deore, XT brakes spongy, perhaps hoses not stiff enough. Used Formula Oro brakes for last 3 years - excellent and simple (bleed, maintain, setup) Recently started using Avid Elixir 9R - so far no complaints, also very simple operation.

Drivetrain shifted from Shimano to Sram X9 and now using X0. Lightweight, easy to setup and maintain, reliable. Powerlinks in chains are superb (pity 10speed is not reusable) X0 Gripshifts are the business, used the 9sp version for 3 years, and now using the new 10sp Gripshifts. Excellent so far, no knees bumping trigger levers on steep climbs, or double downshifts as wobbly thumb presses on triggers on rocky descents. Being able to dump 9/10 gears in one quick twist or gain them is a great racing advantage, especially on blind corners when faced with a sudden steep climb. Shimano doesnt offer gripshift.

Sram 1:1 actuation is great, 1 shift, 1 click, 1 gear, once again no fishing around or half shifts. XO Rear and Front deraileurs setup is very simple.

Sram Carbon cranks are light and stiff, pity the GXP BB is specific to Sram/Truvative cranks. Shimano XTR BB is really bombproof and excellent long term value for money.

The only things I still use from Shimano are my MTB socks and MTB pedals.

 

@theV - yup, the extreme extra cost that XX comes with certainly doesnt justify it. XO works great, and XT too I suppose, so make your choices and stick with it.

Edited July 20, 2012 by Li Mu Bai

[HDW]

Don't know if I missed something, but did you say what bike you have?

 

Maybe a better suspension might be a good investment?

 

+1 for Easton Haven Wheels, and all the other components....

 

Easton Haven = XT = FOX .... all in the same class...

 

Sorry about that... I've got a BMC Team Elite 02... Lovely Frame, and a Rock Shox Recon fork. the shock is about a year old, so it's still good.

 

You think I need to look at a better shock perhaps?

[rouxtjie]

Haha, sounds good

 

Guess I'll be sticking to Shimano then.

 

Any wheel sets you guys can recommend? around the R4000 mark?

If you can stretch it a wee bit more you can get ye ol faitfulls....Hope Pro II on ZTR....