SRAM Groupset Advice

[wa88]

Hi all,

I've been running a full SRAM XO1 Eagle groupset (the original 10-50t version) on a bike I bought 2nd hand a couple of years ago. I'm not sure of the mileage on the groupset before I bought it, but it had seen some riding. After buying the bike, I have done about 4500km on this groupset. 

I started having issues with slips, skips, and chain breaks a few months ago. When I checked chain wear, the XO1 chain had wear of between 0.5 - 0.75, and was due for replacement. I bought a new XO1 chain from my LBS and, as can be expected, it has been slipping quite a bit, especially at higher power. The LBS told me this would be the case, but that it would improve after a few rides when the new chain has had a chance to bed in to the used cassette. I've now done about 200km with the new chain, and while there has been improvement on the larger gears, I still get regular slipping at power on the smaller gears, which is quite frustrating.

Considering this background, I'm looking for advice from the all-knowing bikehub members on the best way forward. As I see it, there are two options (open to more options as well):

1. Continue riding at lower power for a while longer in the hope that the chain beds in better with the existing groupset and that slipping will eventually stop. What is a normal distance to ride for this to happen? This would be first prize if it's temporary pain for long-term gain, but it's taking a lot of the fun out of riding at the moment.
2. Getting a new cassette if the current one has come to the end of its life. A new XO1 cassette currently costs around R 9500, with a GX cassette around R 4500. Is there a tangible benefit of paying more than double for XO1, apart from the +-80g weight saving? If it's only weight, I don't think I can justify it.

I'd appreciate any thoughts and advice on the matter. 

[DieselnDust]

Get a new cassette. Nothing is going to get better from here with the old one

[Shebeen]

4 minutes ago, wa88 said:

Hi all,

I've been running a full SRAM XO1 Eagle groupset (the original 10-50t version) on a bike I bought 2nd hand a couple of years ago. I'm not sure of the mileage on the groupset before I bought it, but it had seen some riding. After buying the bike, I have done about 4500km on this groupset. 

I started having issues with slips, skips, and chain breaks a few months ago. When I checked chain wear, the XO1 chain had wear of between 0.5 - 0.75, and was due for replacement. I bought a new XO1 chain from my LBS and, as can be expected, it has been slipping quite a bit, especially at higher power. The LBS told me this would be the case, but that it would improve after a few rides when the new chain has had a chance to bed in to the used cassette. I've now done about 200km with the new chain, and while there has been improvement on the larger gears, I still get regular slipping at power on the smaller gears, which is quite frustrating.

Considering this background, I'm looking for advice from the all-knowing bikehub members on the best way forward. As I see it, there are two options (open to more options as well):

1. Continue riding at lower power for a while longer in the hope that the chain beds in better with the existing groupset and that slipping will eventually stop. What is a normal distance to ride for this to happen? This would be first prize if it's temporary pain for long-term gain, but it's taking a lot of the fun out of riding at the moment.
2. Getting a new cassette if the current one has come to the end of its life. A new XO1 cassette currently costs around R 9500, with a GX cassette around R 4500. Is there a tangible benefit of paying more than double for XO1, apart from the +-80g weight saving? If it's only weight, I don't think I can justify it.

I'd appreciate any thoughts and advice on the matter. 

What was the actual chain wear? You might have worn the cassette out too, and are doing the same to your new chain and will be at the same point.

You can use a chain checker, but an inch tape measure is WAY more accurate!

 

11 to 13-speed chains should be replaced at 0.5 per cent on a chain checker. The chain and cassette should be replaced if it has stretched to 0.75 per cent.

[wa88]

5 minutes ago, Shebeen said:

What was the actual chain wear? You might have worn the cassette out too, and are doing the same to your new chain and will be at the same point.

You can use a chain checker, but an inch tape measure is WAY more accurate!

 

11 to 13-speed chains should be replaced at 0.5 per cent on a chain checker. The chain and cassette should be replaced if it has stretched to 0.75 per cent.

On my chain tool, it was beyond the 0.5 mark, but not as far as the 0.75, which was the rationale for replacing only the chain for now. Just not sure if 200km of bedding in is a reasonable amount of time.

If it's a case of changing the cassette, what are the major considerations between GX and XO1 to justify doubling the cost?

[DieselnDust]

XO1 will last considerably longer at 100gr weight saving 

however, if you run a chain to beyond 0,5% you will kill the cassette, but the X01 is more tolerant of this abuse than a GX cassette

[Jimmy 2.0]

with 11 and 12speed you must replace before 0.5 or you risk a chance of wearing out the small sprockets. depending on what gear you ride in most you might get to 0.6 before wearing out the small sprockets. reason why the small sprocket wears out 1st is because they have less teat to distribute out the forces

[wa88]

Sounds like it's going to be a new cassette then... Likely a GX cassette as I'm struggling to justify the XO1 cassette cost on an older bike.

On the other hand, I notice that a whole Shimano SLX kit with derailleur, chain and cassette is currently sold for roughly the same price as a GX cassette (R 4.5k), with XT around R 6.5k. I'll need to look into the viability of converting my current hub from XD to microspline, but this could be a cheaper option in the long run. Would I need to change the crankset and chainring as well, or will the current SRAM chainring work?

Is there much to choose from between SRAM and Shimano when assessing it objectively?

[DieselnDust]

11 minutes ago, wa88 said:

Sounds like it's going to be a new cassette then... Likely a GX cassette as I'm struggling to justify the XO1 cassette cost on an older bike.

On the other hand, I notice that a whole Shimano SLX kit with derailleur, chain and cassette is currently sold for roughly the same price as a GX cassette (R 4.5k), with XT around R 6.5k. I'll need to look into the viability of converting my current hub from XD to microspline, but this could be a cheaper option in the long run. Would I need to change the crankset and chainring as well, or will the current SRAM chainring work?

Is there much to choose from between SRAM and Shimano when assessing it objectively?

When assessing it at a GX level it’s much of a muchness. X01 and XX1 deliver fantastic durability in the long run. 
with the Shimano kit, just keep an eye on the chain wear and change it before 0.5% wear then the cassette will last quite long. 
The cassettes and chain are not as hard wearing as SRAM X01 and XX1 but much cheaper. I think over a rolling 3 yr period you end up at roughly the same place in terms of $ spent 

[JoeMerida]

1 hour ago, wa88 said:

Sounds like it's going to be a new cassette then... Likely a GX cassette as I'm struggling to justify the XO1 cassette cost on an older bike.

On the other hand, I notice that a whole Shimano SLX kit with derailleur, chain and cassette is currently sold for roughly the same price as a GX cassette (R 4.5k), with XT around R 6.5k. I'll need to look into the viability of converting my current hub from XD to microspline, but this could be a cheaper option in the long run. Would I need to change the crankset and chainring as well, or will the current SRAM chainring work?

Is there much to choose from between SRAM and Shimano when assessing it objectively?

Change The ChainRing as Well as the Cassette and Chain.

[RobynE 🚵‍♀️]

There really isn’t a tangible difference between Deore and SLX unless weight saving is a big factor for you. As such you can add Deore into the mix too.

But if you go Shimano you’ll need both hub and shifter. Your SRAM shifter won’t shift faultlessly on a Shimano cassette. 

Opinion: your simplest route will be sticking to SRAM in whatever variant you choose. I personally absolutely love the smooth shifting of Shimano, and find it less clunky than SRAM, but microspline is an irritation when HG and XD are so versatile. 

[DieselnDust]

1 hour ago, RobynE 🚵‍♀️ said:

There really isn’t a tangible difference between Deore and SLX unless weight saving is a big factor for you. As such you can add Deore into the mix too.

But if you go Shimano you’ll need both hub and shifter. Your SRAM shifter won’t shift faultlessly on a Shimano cassette. 

Opinion: your simplest route will be sticking to SRAM in whatever variant you choose. I personally absolutely love the smooth shifting of Shimano, and find it less clunky than SRAM, but microspline is an irritation when HG and XD are so versatile. 

The SRAM Eagle 12 speed shifter shifts a 12speed Shimano derailleur across a sram or shimano 12 speed cassette just fine. 
 

but having the same brand across all parts modes offer peace of mind and simplifies any troubleshooting and warranty

[Mook]

2 hours ago, RobynE 🚵‍♀️ said:

There really isn’t a tangible difference between Deore and SLX unless weight saving is a big factor for you. As such you can add Deore into the mix too.

But if you go Shimano you’ll need both hub and shifter. Your SRAM shifter won’t shift faultlessly on a Shimano cassette. 

Opinion: your simplest route will be sticking to SRAM in whatever variant you choose. I personally absolutely love the smooth shifting of Shimano, and find it less clunky than SRAM, but microspline is an irritation when HG and XD are so versatile. 

Another Shimano pro is the sprocket kit you can buy for R400 to replace the 2 smallest cogs on their 12 spd cassettes, seeing they are the ones that wear out quickest.

[Shebeen]

5 hours ago, wa88 said:

Sounds like it's going to be a new cassette then... Likely a GX cassette as I'm struggling to justify the XO1 cassette cost on an older bike.

On the other hand, I notice that a whole Shimano SLX kit with derailleur, chain and cassette is currently sold for roughly the same price as a GX cassette (R 4.5k), with XT around R 6.5k. I'll need to look into the viability of converting my current hub from XD to microspline, but this could be a cheaper option in the long run. Would I need to change the crankset and chainring as well, or will the current SRAM chainring work?

Is there much to choose from between SRAM and Shimano when assessing it objectively?

I really love the way 1x removed components from a mtb yet doubled the cost.  2x10 works just fine at a fraction of the cost

[wa88]

Thanks for the advice all. 

I think logically a new GX cassette would be the quickest and easiest solution. I don't think Shimano is on the cards now, as I'll likely need a new hub to fit microspline. Or maybe I should just get a new wheelset while I'm at it...

I've heard some people use two chains and alternate every 100km or so, think this is the way to go. 

[wa88]

54 minutes ago, Shebeen said:

I really love the way 1x removed components from a mtb yet doubled the cost.  2x10 works just fine at a fraction of the cost

It's called minimalism - you get half, but pay double.

[Mongoose!]

6 hours ago, Shebeen said:

I really love the way 1x removed components from a mtb yet doubled the cost.  2x10 works just fine at a fraction of the cost

cannot agree more 👍