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Eagle 12spd vs Shimano 11spd reliability

maxyedor

<b>TOOL PRO</b>
Oct 20, 2005
5,496
3,140
In the bathroom, fighting a battle
Just put a deposit on a Trail Pistol, and while I wait I need to figure out my drivetrain. GG is apperently out of Sram 11spd whcih was my first choice due to having a handful of spare parts already. That leaves either Xo or Gx Eagle or 11spd XT, 12sdp XTR is a bit out of my budget at the moment.

I give zero fucks about the 50t cog, their Shimano drivetrain comes with a 46t cog and 42t has served me just fine. Weight is somewhat important, but between XT and Xo there's only a 1/10 of a pound difference, likely due to the carbon cranks on the Eagle set-up. The $405 cost difference between the two is pretty significant, but either way I'm within budget.

Having never run either I don't have a particular preference, but hate fiddling with derailleurs constantly. My favorite part of my X01 11speed drive train has been the complete lack of maintenance.

What say the Monkey? Which one will likely annoy me the least?
 

slimshady

¡Mira, una ardilla!
The Shimano XT cassette has stupid jumps between the largest cogs. I know from experience. Mounted one, rode it for a few laps and after bitching like crazy sold it online and bought a SunRace 11-46.

EDIT: I just remembered, I bent the second largest cog when shifting under load.
 
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DaveW

Space Monkey
Jul 2, 2001
11,160
2,685
The bunker at parliament
We definitely see more driveline problems with Eagle at my shop.
Shimano XT seems more reliable to me, and replacement parts (in NZ) are way cheaper than Sram's.
 

OGRipper

back alley ripper
Feb 3, 2004
10,647
1,116
NORCAL is the hizzle
Either one is probably fine. My 12 spd XX-1 has been flawless for 2 (going on 3) seasons and I'd expect similar from XO. Like you I had good luck with the 11 spd version. Was worried that would change with 12, but so far the only difference (aside from cost) is another cog.
 

rideit

Bob the Builder
Aug 24, 2004
23,055
11,298
In the cleavage of the Tetons
This is a bit of an aside, but I like my XTR 12 better than my X01 Eagle. I think it shifts better, is less finicky, and I MUCH prefer the Shimano 41/46/51 to the Eagle 42/50 jump in the lowest cogs. Much easier to find the climbing sweet spot.
 

maxyedor

<b>TOOL PRO</b>
Oct 20, 2005
5,496
3,140
In the bathroom, fighting a battle
This is a bit of an aside, but I like my XTR 12 better than my X01 Eagle. I think it shifts better, is less finicky, and I MUCH prefer the Shimano 41/46/51 to the Eagle 42/50 jump in the lowest cogs. Much easier to find the climbing sweet spot.
Did you run 11spd prior to this, if so which one and how does the reliability/finicky-ness compare to the XTR & X01 Eagle?

Leaning toward XT 11 spd and then just jumping to XTR 12 if and when I have to because replacement 11spd parts disappeared
 
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maxyedor

<b>TOOL PRO</b>
Oct 20, 2005
5,496
3,140
In the bathroom, fighting a battle
I never ran Shimano 11 speed, so I can’t comment on that. Was that the question?
Just trying to get a comparison so something I'm familiar with in terms of reliability. XTR 12 being less finicky than Eagle is good to know, but hard for me to quantify having run neither. Have you run XO11? if so, how does it stack up compared to either of the 12spd drivetrains.

Admittedly it's entirely possible that I've overthinking this and they're all reliable enough that I won't have to worry about them. Absolutely hated 10spd because it was so finicky, worried that 12spd might be a step backwards in reliability.
 

Da Peach

Outwitted by a rodent
Jul 2, 2002
13,681
4,904
North Van
Doesn’t the 12speed Shimano require a new free hub compared to their 11 speed?

I’ve decided to go GX on my GG build.
 

OGRipper

back alley ripper
Feb 3, 2004
10,647
1,116
NORCAL is the hizzle
This is the first I've heard anyone describe SRAM 12 spd stuff as finicky. Just like the 11spd, it's been set and forget for me, and the derailleurs can take a beating.
 

Olly

Monkey
Oct 1, 2015
157
76
Admittedly it's entirely possible that I've overthinking this and they're all reliable enough
This. I've had no issues with XT or SLX 11 speed. Equally, I don't know anyone who's had issues with SRAM 12 speed. Reliability of modern Sramano drivetrains may be one of the few things right with the industry. I wish we could say the same for their brakes...
 

Nick

My name is Nick
Sep 21, 2001
23,926
14,438
where the trails are
Shimano.
Cheap 11-42 cassettes + big cog extra.
Still half the price of XAnything
If I can't climb it in 32/47 I don't want to.

I know. Nobody asked.

Carry on.
 

velocipedist

Lubrication Sensei
Jul 11, 2006
559
702
Rainbow City Alabama
I bent the fuck out of the largest cog on my e13 cassette on the maiden voyage of my shred dogg, with one melon-sized rock projectile.

Considered replacing it as the aluminum cluster alone can be purchased, yet when I realized that it was the same cost as an entire gx cassette it has languished on the silly 27.5+ wheelset (intended for winter use, but studz on proper widths are much better). XO or GX 11sp FTW when use and replacement costs are considered.
 

Kiwintas

Chimp
Oct 22, 2018
93
56
Shimano.
Cheap 11-42 cassettes + big cog extra.
Still half the price of XAnything
If I can't climb it in 32/47 I don't want to.

I know. Nobody asked.

Carry on.
I work on the idea of I can’t push 32-42 then I’m getting off and walking
 

Sandwich

Pig my fish!
Staff member
May 23, 2002
21,030
5,918
borcester rhymes
I've been happy with the XT 11-42 on my bike for a while now (I know, I know). The spacing between gears is nice and tight, and I don't need a dinner plate cassette where I am. I scored an XD 1195 10-42 for 185 sometime back in an effort to shave weight off my hub, but that was really the only reason for switching.

Can you go XT shifters with XD 11sp cassette? That's IMO the best of both worlds. Shimano shifting with XD/sram light weight cassette. Shimano simply cannot hold a candle to SRAM's cassette making prowess, and it's going to be years before microspline catches up to XD.

Plus, if mountains ever spring up out here on the east coast, I can easily swap in a megacassette and climb a vertical wall.
 

Sandwich

Pig my fish!
Staff member
May 23, 2002
21,030
5,918
borcester rhymes
not whether it's possible functionally, but whether he can order his bike that way. GG seems to be pretty good guys at least in terms of flexibility.
 

HAB

Chelsea from Seattle
Apr 28, 2007
11,580
2,005
Seattle
Yeah you can run a Sram 11 speed cassette on Shimano 11 speed stuff just fine.