I posted this - following is Doc Nolan's response... comments? XTR lovers say they shift better. I have XT cranks (square taper) that are two years old on my other bike, and they are rock solid.
So, XTR or XT?
4 arm or 5 arm?
XTR $225 vs. XT $90 (4 arm). As for 4 arm vs 5 arm... the 5 arm XTR is not be had on sale, best I've found is $325. Also, it's hard to find. And the rings are harder to find for the 5 arm.
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Posts: 86 | From: Houston, Texas | Registered: Apr 2001
Paul K. Nolan, MD
Member # 12
Member Rated:
posted 11-14-2001 11:01 AM
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JZ:
Unless your are a big gear masher, which I would not recommned for anyone over 30 who wants to stay friends with his or her knees, the XTR cranksets put you at a disadvantage for the higher gearing ratios you will be stuck with (24-36-46 or 24-34-46)and greater weight XTR 685 gm vs XT 647gm. (By the way, if you think you can just use the 11-34 nine speed XTR cassette to get decent granny gears, you best check your family jewels at the door because that alloy 34 tooth granny is going to blow on you at a very inopportune time; see previous post from Charlie as well as my frequent rants on this topic.) The XT hollow tech crank is a lighter, stiffer, and far more affordable crank with a pretty bullet proof bottom bracket. The XT BB is 42 grams heavier than the XTR bottom bracket but since the weight is in the shell, it is not rotating weight, so the lighter XT crank set wins out in less rotating weight. So unless you find yourself consistently spinning out the cranks on the compact drive set up (22-32-42) you gain no great advantage with the XTR cranks except showmanship. However, you do gain high marks for common sense and useful frugality with the XTs.
With that said, if you really have to succumb to the style mavens, you can get 5 arm chain rings for the XTR cranks (74/110 bolt circle diameter) without too much difficulty. Most decent bike shops have access to suppliers that stock 5 arm chain rings. I keep a good representation of them in my shop.
Thanks,
--------------------
Paul K. Nolan, MD
The Bike Doc
So, XTR or XT?
4 arm or 5 arm?
XTR $225 vs. XT $90 (4 arm). As for 4 arm vs 5 arm... the 5 arm XTR is not be had on sale, best I've found is $325. Also, it's hard to find. And the rings are harder to find for the 5 arm.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posts: 86 | From: Houston, Texas | Registered: Apr 2001
Paul K. Nolan, MD
Member # 12
Member Rated:
posted 11-14-2001 11:01 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JZ:
Unless your are a big gear masher, which I would not recommned for anyone over 30 who wants to stay friends with his or her knees, the XTR cranksets put you at a disadvantage for the higher gearing ratios you will be stuck with (24-36-46 or 24-34-46)and greater weight XTR 685 gm vs XT 647gm. (By the way, if you think you can just use the 11-34 nine speed XTR cassette to get decent granny gears, you best check your family jewels at the door because that alloy 34 tooth granny is going to blow on you at a very inopportune time; see previous post from Charlie as well as my frequent rants on this topic.) The XT hollow tech crank is a lighter, stiffer, and far more affordable crank with a pretty bullet proof bottom bracket. The XT BB is 42 grams heavier than the XTR bottom bracket but since the weight is in the shell, it is not rotating weight, so the lighter XT crank set wins out in less rotating weight. So unless you find yourself consistently spinning out the cranks on the compact drive set up (22-32-42) you gain no great advantage with the XTR cranks except showmanship. However, you do gain high marks for common sense and useful frugality with the XTs.
With that said, if you really have to succumb to the style mavens, you can get 5 arm chain rings for the XTR cranks (74/110 bolt circle diameter) without too much difficulty. Most decent bike shops have access to suppliers that stock 5 arm chain rings. I keep a good representation of them in my shop.
Thanks,
--------------------
Paul K. Nolan, MD
The Bike Doc