Overkill for my bike? Opinions Please

[Skeeter]

Jenson has the XTR closeout ads on the site and i need a new crankset and cassette for my bike to finally get back out riding

They want $299 for the crankset and $109 for the cassette, is this a waste of money for my bike? Its a Gary Fisher Sugar 4+. The bikes only worth a couple hundred bucks and im going to spend $500 on the parts

Should i go with this or should i just go XT or similar? Or just not fix the bike and save for a new or "new to me" better bike?

Thnxs

[Von-Skipp]

You obvisouly do not need XTR components. But to get out riding quick I guess the best way is upgrade the drivetrain.

I would go with a XT crankset or the RF Dues. I went with the Dues instead of XT as its a bit lighter and black. For the cassette, I did not look up prices but if the XTR is not much more than the XT a mise will go with XTR.

So upgrade crankset, cassette and throw a new chain and youll be rolling with us bubbs.

As for rear deraillers and I just put X-9 on and it blows away my XT. Price Point has some package deals with X-9 rear deraillers and X-9 shifters for a good deal.

[ECOdork]

One school of thought is that you can always take it off your bike when you get that "killer frame".

Perhaps another is that you could see what you can find that is cheaper than that XTR but will still get the job done. Jenson has an LX set with bottom bracket bearing cups ??? for $160. Which brings up another point: Will that XTR crankset work with your BB?

Personally I think $100 for a cassette is too much. I'm pretty sure Shimano XT is ~$65 (and some SRAMS are comparable).

So with an LX crankset and XT cassette you're looking at $230 vs. $300...

banannaseat said he had that exact same frame and it gave him the exact same "chain suck" and "torqued chain" problem...he said it was so bad that he finally tried to return it to Fisher, who acknowledged the problem, but they monkeyed around with him, so he got the state attorney general involved to get his $$$ back. It worked...don't mess with banannaseat!

It's one thing to be saving up for a new bike while being able to ride, but it's a whole other story to not be able to ride for months while you're doing it....I know I couldn't do it....

[Von-Skipp]

Thats a good point. You should get what you want now cuz itll eventually go on your next frame. In other words dont go cheap, or too cheap.

All the new cranksets have external bearings. You can still find some w/o though. I would go with XT over LX. When I upgraded to external bearings, I was amazed at how much stiffer it was. Also be sure to get the correct arm length. Probably 175mm.

And XT cassettes should be around $65. The comprible Sram cassette should be the same price and the cassette is almost identical expect Sram has the red spiders inside.

[Skeeter]

Originally Posted by ECOdork

One school of thought is that you can always take it off your bike when you get that "killer frame".

That was my thinking behind the XTR upgrade. I just didn't want to put crappy parts back on and continue to have the same problems over and over.

Originally Posted by ECOdork

Will that XTR crankset work with your BB?

How can i tell what BB i have and what works??

Originally Posted by ECOdork

It's one thing to be saving up for a new bike while being able to ride, but it's a whole other story to not be able to ride for months while you're doing it....I know I couldn't do it....

Believe me its killing me not riding. I get pissed looking at all these rides posted and not being able to go. Ive been running all the trails to try and stay in riding shape, but man the trails are SSSSOOO much longer when your running then when your riding.

[Skeeter]

SHIMANO XT FC-M760 CRANKSET860gMTBMarket
$271.99 msrp
« Price Match This Item »
After assembling the huge, outboard bearing bottom bracket, the left crankarm is secured with a pinch bolt. The result is a crank/BB setup that is stronger, stiffer, and lighter than other designs. more info



SHIMANO XTR FC-M960 CRANKSET797gMTB
$299 msrp
Closeout! Limited quantities available!

« Price Match This Item »
The M960 XTR crankset from Shimano represents the pinnacle of crank/bottom bracket design. Shimano has taken years of knowledge about crankarm design and paired it with the ultimate in engineering to produce an integrated crank/bottom bracket design that is 70 grams lighter than conventional parts. more info

Isn't this worth the extra $27?? Or are these not comparable??

[CalEpic]

The XTR is lighter but I would still go with XT or Race Face Deus. The chainrings on XTR are butter and expensive to replace. Shop around and you can find Dues cranks ~$200

C

[Von-Skipp]

How can i tell what BB i have and what works??

If you go with external BB it will work with your frame. You dont use your old BB. XTR chainrings are super expensive to replace. Also I dont believe they make chain guides for them, not sure.

[FoShizzle]

Originally Posted by RSMLA

Jenson has the XTR closeout ads on the site and i need a new crankset and cassette for my bike to finally get back out riding

They want $299 for the crankset and $109 for the cassette, is this a waste of money for my bike? Its a Gary Fisher Sugar 4+. The bikes only worth a couple hundred bucks and im going to spend $500 on the parts

Should i go with this or should i just go XT or similar? Or just not fix the bike and save for a new or "new to me" better bike?

Thnxs

good price on the XTR cranks. sure the rings are overpriced when you have to replace em, but that aint too often hopefully. i think i would get the XTR cranks under one condition; you plan to get a frame and not another complete bike as your next bike in which case you are better off not upgrading and putting the money towards a new bike, in my opinion. Not that the XTR could not go on your next bike, just that if you have an inkling towards a new bike I would stick to that.

forget the XTR cassette....waste of money, in my opinion. not saying it is not worth it for some folks, but for most of us, the cost benefit is not there at all. XT cassettes are great.

[Skeeter]

Originally Posted by CalEpic

The XTR is lighter but I would still go with XT or Race Face Deus. The chainrings on XTR are butter and expensive to replace. Shop around and you can find Dues cranks ~$200

C

From Jenson's spec page for the
[SIZE=3]RACE FACE X-TYPE DEUS CRANKSET[/SIZE]

"Please note: this crankset is only compatible with X-Type bottom bracket cups from Race Face."

Will this work or do i have to buy something else?

[Von-Skipp]

The Dues includes the X-Type BB. So you dont need to buy any extras.

Go for the Dues!! Support Canada, ehhh

[bananaseat]

cut short the honeymoon and get a new bike...

[royta]

Originally Posted by Von-Skipp

XTR chainrings are super expensive to replace. Also I dont believe they make chain guides for them, not sure.

Yeah, I heard they were a proprietary BCD. So when they wear out faster than any other chain ring out there, you're stuck buying fast wearing XTR rings again. Wait, I think there is another outfit that makes rings in that BCD, but they might be Ti and more expensive than Shimano.

If somebody were to pry my Race Face Turbine LP square taper cranks and generic Shimano BB from my cold dead fingers, I'd be riding the XT M760 cranks.

[FoShizzle]

Originally Posted by royta

Yeah, I heard they were a proprietary BCD.

perhaps in the US, but Middleburn (awesome company) makes a bunch of stuff, XTR M960 compatible included.



http://www.middleburn.co.uk/chainrings_mtb.php

and yes, you can pay way too much in Boone Ti XTR rings as well.

get a heckler and be happy!

[RidetheRAAM4]

if you are a weight weenie then go for the XTR, but XTR and XT are basically the same except XTR is lighter, but XT is more durable.....I had a XTR rear derailler, but switched it out with an XT because I kept having problems with it

[ECOdork]

I've been hearing that for years RAAM! Unless you're really after the weight savings--in the world of Shimano at least--XT is probably a better bet.

Originally Posted by RidetheRAAM4

if you are a weight weenie then go for the XTR, but XTR and XT are basically the same except XTR is lighter, but XT is more durable.....I had a XTR rear derailler, but switched it out with an XT because I kept having problems with it

Don't be afraid to call Jenson's help line, they are give great advice on parts and compatibility.

Like Von-Skippidy-Doo-Da, I have been really happy with the RaceFace crankset that came stock on the Rocky. I'm sure they aren't the lightest, strongest, stiffest, etc. out there, but--knock on wood--they've given me zero problems in almost 2 years, they have held up, and worn (or is it not worn?) very well.

Not sure exactly what to tell you RSMLA. I felt that your mechanical problems to date weren't very serious...that stuff happens to all of us when our bikes get old (for those that keep bikes long enough) and are well ridden. All the moving parts will wear-out over time and will need to be replaced at some point. But it sounds like this chain suck thing may be pervasive in the frame design and might haunt you through all sorts of upgrades and tweaks.

As they say, a$$holes and opinions, we've all got them, so here's my opinion: Since you've already put some thought and cash into upgrades I'd consider getting a decent set of cranks/BB/cassette so I have something to ride, then I'd start shopping for frames...I know some shops around here (Adreneline at least) will work with you on a build kit, so you can take off the wheelset (and anything else you would want to salvage) since you already have a new one. To name two: Price Point has those 4" Sette Riddik frames for cheap and Wheelworld has Dawg Primos at a decent price.
Of course, I've already been severly bitten by the bug and cannot go X amount of time without a ride....

Alternatively, you can say F$%K-IT and just get a whole new complete bike and swap out or keep what you have for the inevitable second bike we all end up with.... I know the Path had a decently equipped Medium Turner 5-spot recently! Or see if Performance has anything on sale. I got my Rocky for like 50% off retail at SuperGo. I prefer to support the ma' and pop operation, but that price just couldn't be beat at the time.

[Chaos]

Originally Posted by ECOdork

Alternatively, you can say F$%K-IT and just get a whole new complete bike and swap out or keep what you have for the inevitable second bike we all end up with.... I know the Path had a decently equipped Medium Turner 5-spot recently! Or see if Performance has anything on sale. I got my Rocky for like 50% off retail at SuperGo. I prefer to support the ma' and pop operation, but that price just couldn't be beat at the time.

hmmmm... if you ride a med, I know of a Med Turner 5Spot that could be available sometime real soon RSMLA if you wanted to go that route... it would be a really good deal to

[soul rider]

in my opinion XTR is over rated and too expensive. i go with the beater durable parts, truvativ oe stuff from jenson or thee abouts

[Skeeter]

Originally Posted by Chaos

hmmmm... if you ride a med, I know of a Med Turner 5Spot that could be available sometime real soon RSMLA if you wanted to go that route... it would be a really good deal to

WOW, Yeah that i think will be my route.

My parents are in town for the wedding this Friday and my Dad asked about what bike he should get. So i think im going to replace the parts on the bike with whatever i can get for a good price, either XT or Dues, and sell*give* it to my dad for a family price.

Originally Posted by bananaseat

cut short the honeymoon and get a new bike...

Hopefully we will have money left over from the honeymoon fund and the new wifee will let me spend it on a new toy for me *med 5-spot*