Micro spline or Xd drive

[Andy_P]

 

Why would you want to spend money on a freehub for SRAM or Shimano

 

SRAM 10-50: 10-12-14-16-18-21-24-28-32-36-42-50

SRAM 10-52: 10-12-14-16-18-21-24-28-32-36-42-52

Shimano 10-51: 10-12-14-16-18-21-24-28-33-39-45-51

Sunrace 11-51: 11-13-15-17-19-21-24-28-33-39-45-51

Gararuk 11-52: 11-13-15-17-19-21-24-28-32-37-44-52

For the 10! Definitely a big plus for me since doing the upgrade.

 

You can always do the budget upgrade at first, using Sunrace and your existing freehub. If you have to replace the cassette at a later stage you can then again choose if you want to spend the money on the freehub and get the 10-51/52 or stick with the existing freehub and Sunrace.

[Andy_P]

 

Why would you want to spend money on a freehub for SRAM or Shimano

 

SRAM 10-50: 10-12-14-16-18-21-24-28-32-36-42-50

SRAM 10-52: 10-12-14-16-18-21-24-28-32-36-42-52

Shimano 10-51: 10-12-14-16-18-21-24-28-33-39-45-51

Sunrace 11-51: 11-13-15-17-19-21-24-28-33-39-45-51

Gararuk 11-52: 11-13-15-17-19-21-24-28-32-37-44-52

For the 10! Definitely a big plus for me since doing the upgrade.

 

You can always do the budget upgrade at first, using Sunrace and your existing freehub. If you have to replace the cassette at a later stage you can then again choose if you want to spend the money on the freehub and get the 10-51/52 or stick with the existing freehub and Sunrace.

[Quagga]

For the 10! Definitely a big plus for me since doing the upgrade.

 

You can always do the budget upgrade at first, using Sunrace and your existing freehub. If you have to replace the cassette at a later stage you can then again choose if you want to spend the money on the freehub and get the 10-51/52 or stick with the existing freehub and Sunrace.

If the OP is in Gauteng = YES go 10 if you have money

If he is in WCape, here we look at how big the rear can be = 54 would be lekker

[MyproDoll]

What is the best affordable option between micro spline and Xd drive and what hubs would be recomended.

SLX 12 speed is the sweet spot.  First prize is if you current hub manufacturer has a micro spline freehub body for your existing hub.  Many hub manufacturers have been added since beginning of 2020, just not sure of availability in ZA (https://bikerumor.com/2020/04/20/a-comprehensive-list-of-micro-spline-compatible-hub-mfgs-for-12-spd-shimano-cassettes/)

 

Like many has said, depending on budget a good start would be Sunrace 11- 51 cassette with SLX 12 speed to start off and upgrade wheel/hub to micro spline at later stage.

 

If budget allows new hub/wheel also consider a Lyne Components micro spline wheelset or hub (https://www.on-lynecomponents.com/collections/wheels).  "Affordable" if budget allows  ... and lekker local bunch of guys with excellent support.  Then you can slap on SLX 12 speed cassette straight away.

 

Good luck figuring it out. It's half the fun and makes the ride so much more enjoyable when the plan comes together.

[PappaWatTrap]

Seems you might right on paper

 

32 x 50 @ 90 rpm = 8. kmph or 0.64 ratio

34 x 52 @ 90 rpm = 8.2 kmph or 0.65 ratio

 

32 x 10 @ 90 rpm = 40 kmph or 3.2 Ratio

34 x 11 @ 90 rpm = 38.6pmph or 3.09

 

Now for those numbers I would not drop 2K on a freebody.

You don't have to spend 2k on a new hub, you can get the deore Microspline hub for R700 Edited October 7, 2020 by JasperNel

[Quagga]

You don't have to spend 2k on a new hub, you can get the deore Microspline hub for R700

HMM Ok and then you need to rebuild the wheel, now spokes since the lenght might be different etc...Before you know it R2k

[Pikey]

Was told by a mechanic from a reputable bike shop that the 12 spd xt Shimano cassette is well made and pretty damn tough . It’s at least on a par with XO and better than GX. Not talking weight but longevity.

 

This is obviously subjective and he wasn’t selling me anything . Was actually removing xt cassette for my preferred set up.

[Andy_P]

If the OP is in Gauteng = YES go 10 if you have money

If he is in WCape, here we look at how big the rear can be = 54 would be lekker

Hit the nail on the head there!

 

PS if you have a 10 you can run a smaller chainring for the same top end and an even better climbing setup

[TheoG]

 

Why would you want to spend money on a freehub for SRAM or Shimano

 

SRAM 10-50:    10-12-14-16-18-21-24-28-32-36-42-50

SRAM 10-52:    10-12-14-16-18-21-24-28-32-36-42-52

Shimano 10-51: 10-12-14-16-18-21-24-28-33-39-45-51

Sunrace 11-51:  11-13-15-17-19-21-24-28-33-39-45-51

Gararuk 11-52:  11-13-15-17-19-21-24-28-32-37-44-52

 

 

Because Sunrace is very heavy, get a Garbaruk if you have money to blow.

[TheoG]

I did a fear bit of reading on this, what stick out is that XD was a "quick" solution by Sram while Shimano took their time with Micro Spline to design something (like the HG driver) that would be a preferred choice in future.

 

Personally I will stick to Shimano and pair it with a Garbaruk cassette, light and durable and a bit cheaper compared to XT/XTR and I would say on par with XTR.  I have a 11sp Garbaruk at the moment, simply a work of art.

Edited October 7, 2020 by Theog

[TheoG]

Garbaruk have 12sp: 10,12,14,16,18,21,24,28,32,37,44,52 for both MS and XD.

Edited October 7, 2020 by Theog

[Mtree]

I did a fear bit of reading on this, what stick out is that XD was a "quick" solution by Sram while Shimano took their time with Micro Spline to design something (like the HG driver) that would be a preferred choice in future.

 

Personally I will stick to Shimano and pair it with a Garbaruk cassette, light and durable and a bit cheaper compared to XT/XTR and I would say on par with XTR.  I have a 11sp Garbaruk at the moment, simply a work of art.

Out of interest, what makes you say SRAM made a quick fix, is the XD driver not compatible with 11sp as well? If it is and a quick search does turn up quite a lot of SRAM 11sp XD cassettes, what's the quick fix in that, they saw a way to make a system compatible between 2 different "speeds" and implemented it like that.

Am I missing something?  

 EDIT: No sarcasm intended, genuine question.

Where Shimano have something completely new for 12sp...

Edited October 7, 2020 by Mtree

[TheoG]

Sram wanted to win the 12sp race thats why they delivered the XD.  Older Sram (11sp and lower) cassette's still run on the Shimano HG driver.

 

XD was designed for 12sp, to be able to fit a 10T cog.  Yes you get 11sp retrofit for XD but its primary purpose was to offer 12sp.

 

I'm specifically referring to the detail design of the free-body, MS is simply better imho.

Edited October 7, 2020 by Theog

[Schnavel]

Sram wanted to win the 12sp race thats why they delivered the XD.  Older Sram (11sp) cassette's still run on the Shimano HG driver.

 

XD was design for 12sp.  Yes you get 11sp retrofit for XD but its primary purpose was to offer 12sp.

 

I'm specifically referring to the detail design of the free-body, MS is simply better imho.

 

That's not the case at all... Sram 11 speed XX1, X01 and GX all use the XD driver design. The XD driver is required for the 10T which is used on both 11 and 12 speed cassettes.

 

I also don't agree that it was a "quick fix" - SRAM were far ahead of Shimano and others when they introduced the 10T.

[TheoG]

[Christofison]

If the OP is in Gauteng = YES go 10 if you have money

If he is in WCape, here we look at how big the rear can be = 54 would be lekker

 

 

Hit the nail on the head there!

 

PS if you have a 10 you can run a smaller chainring for the same top end and an even better climbing setup

Am I the only one frothing for a 34T paired with Shimano's 12s 10-45 cassette? The easiest gear is close enough (a touch easier) than my 32T-42t 11 speed, which can be hard work at times but that only makes you stronger.