|   Who runs Full LX and is happy with it? | Xoc
Jun 16, 2002 7:54 AM | | Hey Everyone,
I was curious as to how many people run a full LX setup on their bikes and are happy with it.
I'm considering a new group for my bike, and am having a hard time between picking cheap but good LX, A bit more expensive but better XT or the expensive as hell and chi-chi XTR.
Are there a lot of difference in performance and weight with the three groups? |
| re: Who runs Full LX and is happy with it? | Charm
Jun 16, 2002 9:34 AM | | Difference between LX, XT, and XTR is weight which is just few grams lighter...but the performance is the same. I run full lx on my bike and I'm very satisfied with it. I'm using lx front and rear derailluers, shifters, cassete, crank arms, etc. You might wanna get xt from supergo.com or other web places since its just a little bit more than lx...same performance, just little lighter. |
| Go with XTR, not much more than LX if you buy on sale | JustinT
Jun 16, 2002 11:17 AM | | I hav LX on my first bike which was ok and reliable. I start building with XTR on my 2nd & 3rd MTB and with Dura Ace for road bikes. XTR or Dura Ace doesn't cost that much more than XT/LX or Ultegra/105 when on sale. XTR performs better and lighter. Your bike will have a higher resale value if you ever decide to sell it. You notice bikes with XTR ranges up to $5000. The LX bikes ranges upto $1000. The LBS store sell XTR part at rediculously high price which scare most people away from XTR or DA. Example of what you could find if you research for lowest price and have them price match.
All 9sp
XTR rear derailure $50 sale (retail XT $53, LX $40)
XTR Front derailure $21 sale * (retail XT $25, LX $20)
XTR shifters/brake lever $99* sale (retail XT $99, LX $80)
XTR Crankset $180 sale (retail XT $129, LX $69)
XTR BB $22 sale * (XT and LX $29)
XTR Brakes $35 sale* (retail XT $35, LX $27)
XTR Chain $17 sale * (retail XT/LX $20)
*=cost is the same or less than XT or LX
You could built a bike similar to Santa Cruz SL (SuprGo Weyless 5.5 $399 sale) with with Duke Race($200 sale with 10%), Hugi 240/517/DT-revo($298) wheelset with full XTR component for less than $1,600 and the bike will be about 23 pounds. If you want Santa Cruz SL frame, add $500 more which is still less than retail $3500-$4000 for a full XTR SantaCruz SuperLight. (If you want to save $150, go with LX Crankset for $45 sale price best crankset value) |
| Not a fair comparison | Applejuice
Jun 16, 2002 9:53 PM | | Interesting point, Justin, but you cannot compare LX (or XT) prices to XTR sale prices.
You really need to look at XTR sale vs. LX sale or XTR retail vs LX retail. Just as almost no one pays full retail for XTR, almost no one pays full retail for LX.
For example (from PricePoint):
2002 XTR group - $950 (with Mavic 517 rims built up on XTR hubs)
2002 LX group - $330 (with Mavic 517 rims built up on LX hubs)
All 9spd (SALE)
XTR fr drl $21, LX $10-12
XTR brakes $35, LX $20
XTR cassette $60, LX $25
XTR r dr $50, LX $28
XTR fr hub $50, LX $16
XTR r hub $90, LX $20
XTR shifter/brake set $99, LX $50
The cost of the XTR group is almost THREE TIMES that of the LX. From there a certain percentage can be taken off for sale or clearance. In general, the LX components are HALF the cost of the XTR. Everything else (fork, frame, etc.) can be calculated separately.
Some of the XTR prices (such as the fr dr) you quote seem a little too low - are they all from the same source or are you mixing across different e-tailers?
By the way, LBS sell always sell Shimano components at higher prices than the major e-tailers. The reason is that LBS must purchase the components through a wholesaler such as Quality Bicycle Products who add their margin. Consequently, the higher wholesale price is near or even higher than some advertised prices on-line. E-tailers leverage volume and OEM purchases to achieve margins far below that of any LBS.
Anyway, I just wanted to add my humble opinion. |
| Almost | Applejuice
Jun 16, 2002 9:55 PM | | Sorry, those prices on the LX and XTR groups, $330 and $950, respectively, are WITHOUT the wheelsets. With Mavic 517 rims on the respective hubs would $440 and $1050. |
| I'm not running full LX... | Kapusta
Jun 16, 2002 2:45 PM | | ... But I'm currently using LX brake levers and cranks on one bike, an LX rear der on another, and I've used LX v-brakes, and front der in the past. It has all worked beautifully. In some cases the price jump to XT is not that much more, and I think it would be worth it. I think the LX cranks ($50) are the best way to go unless you plan on spending over $150. I have a hard time justifying the price jump to XTR unless you find a very good deal, which does happen. But then again, good deals happen with LX as well (I don't think it is very useful to compare the "sale" price of one item to the retail price of another).
One big problem I have spending big money on MTB parts is that they get broken in wrecks or just wear out. In the past 3 years I've broken 2 rear derailieurs (shimano & ESP), 2 shifters (ESP), 2 seats (Koobi, WTB), 1 pedal (Frog, OUCH!), and ripped a tire (Fire XC). I've also worn out 1 set of rings (RACE FACE), stripped the bolts on a crank (old LX), probably 6 tires, many chains, a cassette (XTR ti), two rims, and a bottom bracket (shimano). I used to buy all XTR/ESP 9.0sl/Race Face level stuff, but as it has broken or worn out, I've been replacing with LX/XT/7.0/9.0 sort of stuff. My bike may weight 1/3 lb more, but it all works fine and I've got a whole bunch more $ left over. To me, that money is much better spent on a better frame and fork.
The one exception to that is I liked my old Race Face 8sp rings MUCH more than what came with this new 9sp LX crankset, and my old 8sp xtr cassette also seemed better than my current 9sp XT. However, I think the cassette issue is more of an 8 vs 9 situation.
Well that's my experience, anyway. But he11, if money is not an issue, get the top of the line stuff.
Kapusta. |
| re: Who runs Full LX and is happy with it? | Schtoo
Jun 17, 2002 2:23 AM | | Almost. Running XT hubs and cassette, but other than that all LX.
Doesn't miss a beat, is plenty of gear for me (not a weight weenie or Clydsdale) and it works really well together. Add in the $$$ factor and it's why I bought it to upgrade a 9spd Deore setup.
Sure, I'd like XT or XTR but my bike ain't worth it and I wont be using any advantage it might have over the LX.
Although them XTR cranks and BB for this years model might be nice. Might have to see if the factory has a second grade outlet. |
| Are you racing? | tlg
Jun 17, 2002 3:47 AM | | If so, then yea maybe you want the lighter weight and slightly better performance of XT or XTR.
If you're just riding for your own fun and enjoyment, then LX is just fine.
I've got LX and I'm happy with it. It shifts when I want it to. And doesn't shift when I don't want it to. |
| LX is Lighter... | xc-baby
Jun 17, 2002 4:06 AM | | http://weightweenies.starbike.com/listings/components.asp?type=gearshifters&sortby=weight
The pods are supposed to be lighter than either xt/xtr. |
| My '96 Karakoram was full LX. Still running on original parts | Rev Bubba
Jun 17, 2002 9:47 AM | | I sold it to a friend in '98 and he rides all the time and has never replaced a component. So, yes, between us, we are pretty happy with LX.
Where would I spend my money? XT/XTR but don't ask me to justify it because LX is pretty much the same although I find that LX shifters do not seem as smooth. |
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