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Not been on the bike (original Scandal v2) for a while but now looking at upgrading from 3x to 1x. Its an olde XT 22/34/46 and 11/34 (I think) & the whole setup is worn with the associated issues ie chain slipping and missed changes going both up & down.
After lots of reading on here I think 1x11 offers the most practicable setup for me at the moment (XC with occasional trail centres) so looking at affordable upgrade options.
Would the below work?
XT 11 speed XT M8000 shifter
XT 11 speed XT M8000 long cage mech
Deore 11-51 cassette (I like the idea of the increased range of the 11-51 cassette).
Or am I better off just getting an 11-46 SLX upgrade kit for cheaper & all one supplier ie https://www.bike24.com/p2178143.html ?
The XT option involves multiple sales offers so works out only slightly more expensive than the SLX setup.
Whichever option I'd be looking at either a 32 or 34 narrow wide chainring.
I think both setups are compatible with my existing Hollowtech II Crankset & 9sp XT Hubs so looking for any feedback really.
Do XT & Deore play nice together?
Is the XT long cage long enough for the 11-51?
Would the SLX throughout just be easier/nicer?
XT is a step up from SLX right? so XT shifter & mech with a wider range (albeit heavier) cassette is 1x11 nirvana right?!
Would I notice any difference between the two?
Any feedback/thoughts would be much appreciated
Cheers
The XT shifter has multi release that slx doesn't. The mechs are much the same except the clutch is adjustable without taking the cover off on the XT. It's also a bit lighter.
I can't tell the difference between one bike with xtr shifter and xt mech and the other with xtr shifter and slx mech.
11 speed XT is designed to handle up to a 46T large sprocket so 51T may not work very well / at all.
https://cyclingtips.com/2020/05/2021-shimano-deore-12-speed-m6100-m5100-m4100-news/ says "Shimano Deore M5100 (11-speed) offers both 11-51T and 11-42T cassettes, with the former designed for 1x use only. To use that 11-51T cassette, you’ll need the new M5100 11-speed-specific rear derailleur"
I think deore 5100 is the cheapest Shimano 11 speed mech that’ll guarantee you will work with a 51t lowest gear. I bought one to use with an older slx 11 speed shifter and Sunrace 11-46t cassette as the cheapest combo I could find for 11 speed. Was a fiddle to setup with the new style mech (as was my xt 12 speed mech), but got there I’m the end.
XT ‘multi release’ doesn’t strike me as a great thing. Think it just means you can shift up a couple of gears at a time - but it feels horrible lever wise when you do it so I don’t use that function at all in mine. Much prefer my GX 11 speed to Shimano 12 speed. Shame that GX setup didn’t have a 10-46 cassette from Sram. Sunrace do one so that might be on my shopping list at some point.
As above, XT has multi release on the shifter.
...
Chainstays and mech hangar will influence your biggest cog (not really cage length)
Cage length takes up slack (this is a bit over simplistic but close enough)
Your cranks should be 104 BCD so just get a NW
If you want to do it cheap a Deore will do the same and 11-46 is probably "sane"....(work simplest)
Sunrace 11-46 also a good option for a cassette.
BAR SHIFT... unless you are changing brakes and XT if you want double shift (cheapest bit anyway)
11 speed XT is designed to handle up to a 46T large sprocket so 51T may not work very well / at all.
When they released the 8000 mech they only did a 42T .... so weirdly (might have changed now) Max "official" was 42... then they brought out the 7000 (identical geo mech) that was 46T rated....
Obviously the XT always did 46T.... just said it didn't 😉
Thanks all
If the XT long cage won't work with the Deore 11-51 (thanks Alan & Scuttler) then unless I can find a bargain 11-46 cassette to complement the sale XT bits then it looks like the SLX package might be easier/cheaper & just as good (& as its all sold as an upgrade package shouldn't have any compatibility surprises)
Cheers
then they brought out the 7000 (identical geo mech)
The 7000 series slx mech has different length cages to the XT 8000 series.
I'm three years into the journey you're starting...
M8000 mech, SLX shifter (replaced XT, crash damage).
Current 11-46 Sunrace MX8, much better shifting than the MS8 11-46 it replaced (tooth profile? No plastic spacer?). 34t generic NW ring (26" wheels) on an old Deore 3x9 crank - I moved the chainring in with 2mm spacers but can't honestly say it made a massive difference to how drivetrain feels/performs.
All works fine.
I would go sunrace 11-46 over slx due to the smaller jump between biggest two sprockets.
If using 11-46 consider 30t chainring- I seem to remember the one I had that was 104bcd was offset to clear the tabs and threaded so super neat solution. XT shifter slx mech. Job jobbed
I would just go for the 11-42 slx upgrade kit to keep the ratio's tighter and use a 30T front ring ( https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264564525732) and accept the tiny reduction in top speed. That combo works perfectly well for me to slowly winch myself up hills and offers a very similar lowest gear to what you currently have.
If you want a real franken pick n mix, on my old hardtail I'm running a 10 speed deore m615 mech with the oneup rad cage, 11 speed sram gx shifter and a sunrace 11-46 cassette. All works well together.
To be fair most combos work as long as the pull ratio is correct and the mech can clear the range of the cassette.
What I bought was the cheapest option I could find for 11 speed with a decent range.
Deore m5100 11 speed mech - £40.49 - Tweeks
Slx 11 speed shifter - bar clamp version - £27.50 - Merlin
Sunrace 11-46 Cassette - £46.99 - Merlin
Sram PC1110 chain - £10 - Merlin
I donated a Sram direct mount dub crank and bb to the build - so I bought a steel x-Sync chainring. I think from High on Bikes and it was about a tenner.
There are loads of 11 speed NE rings out there. Superstar are about £30 and amongst the cheapest of the branded makes. If you don’t mind random then ‘Snail’ branded rings are exceptionally cheap on eBay.