2 x 9 Drivetrain

[Madmac]

I need to replace my crankset and am also keen to convert my bike to 2 front rings as opposed to 3. I don't want to change to a 2 x 10 drivetrain because the cost of changing everything is costly. Anyone else faced the same dilenma?

 

What do my fellow hubbers recommend i consider for changing to a 2 x 9 drivetrain. There are 2 cranksets that standout to me so far taking reliablility and cost of changing chainrings in to account going forward. They are the X7 and the SLX M665 option but i'm not sure if they are suited to a 9-spd chain system.

 

Bearing in mind that i am running a 9-spd 11-36 cassette, what ratio should i be thinking about. The X7 comes with a 26-39 and the SLX comes with a 22-36 which is probably a bit small and i would look at changing that to a 26-38 if those rings are available.

 

Please let me know your thoughts and give advise if you have crossed this road. Thanks.

[Seadog]

I used my existing 9 speed crank (truvativ stylo) shimano will also be fine. Ordered these rings, and it works perfectly.

 

http://www.starbike....-64-mm-2800-en#

 

http://www.starbike....-mm-mid-2801-en

 

a 38/26 combo should be good if you have a 36 cassette, but if you want an extra climbing gear you could fit a 24.

Edited December 5, 2012 by Seadog

[brussel]

x7 2x10 crank is perfect I used one for a long time.

Only 8 grams heavier than the x9

[Jakkals.]

i run 2x9. 39/26 crank with 11 32 cassette without any issues.

[droo]

Depends on what and how you ride. I've got the SLX double with the bash guard, and it's brilliant. A little under geared for fire roads, but I'm not that type of guy. The bash ring shows evidence of abuse I wouldn't have wanted my chainring to take, and it also stops the chain dropping on the outside of the big blade.

 

If I had to replace mine, I'd probably go for a triple setup, and run 26/39/bash ring.

[Iwan Kemp]

Depends on what and how you ride. I've got the SLX double with the bash guard, and it's brilliant. A little under geared for fire roads, but I'm not that type of guy. The bash ring shows evidence of abuse I wouldn't have wanted my chainring to take, and it also stops the chain dropping on the outside of the big blade.

 

If I had to replace mine, I'd probably go for a triple setup, and run 26/39/bash ring.

Bought a SLX double with bash in 2009 to fit on my Mbuzi. That same crank is still doing duty on my buddy's 5.Spot. Brilliant piece of kit and excellent value for money.

 

But I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the X7 either. If it's very hilly where you live and you're more into AM than XC or trail go 22/36. Otherwise the 39/26 will do - especially with the 36 granny.