[Closed] Chainset swap questions....

The rings are a straight swap.

The SLX you have on the bike should have steel pedal thread inserts if it is the double and bash (not sure on the OEM ones though so check).

This is one thing that makes it stronger. But if I remember rightly that strength quote was compared to an older XT chainset.

Personally when I had the choice I went for XT as it looks a lot nicer and it doesnt show up scratches as much. But I use SLX chainrings on mine. The XT granny is aluminium compared to steel, the middle ring looks identical but the plastic bits are carbon instead of glass (no difference really) and the outer XT is machined aliminium and a bit thicker where it mates to the crank instead of stamped aluminium.

There is pretty much sod all weight difference.

So if you want the extra security of steel pedal thread inserts go for SLX. If you prefer the look of XT then go for XT. I would go with the XT.

What bike is it? Looks nice.

edit: ah it's a spicy.

Thanks for the reply Andy, Spicy 516 yeah.

The SLX does have the steel inserts but as I say I've never heard of anyone breaking an XT chainset, you?

I do prefer the look of the XT chainset it has to be said, plus I've swapped over the XT casette and shifters from the old bike to the Spicy already too so it would sort of complete the full XT groupset.

Reckon I'll go for it then if it's a straight swap. I'll retain the two rings SLX and bung them on the XT arms, might go for a tartier bash ring as the SLX one looks a bit plasticy and cheap if im honest (yea im a bit of a bike tart too lol) 🙂

I have an M770 XT chainset and both flavours of SLX - double and triple so I'm qualified to answer!

The double SLX also has a thicker axle, which makes it feel slightly stiffer than normal SLX. Having said that, my XT cranks don't lack stiffness in any way, shape or form. There's a bit of weight difference between SLX double and XT (the double is around a kilo, including bash - or 90 heavier than the triple SLX), but the extra heft isn't noticable on the cranks.

XT with a bashguard looks nice, but the Shimano one is a pig to fit on anything other than double specific Shimano cranks. You'll need to either get a Dremel out, or fit a Gamut, E Thirteen, RaceFace etc bashguard instead.

If you've got the parts lying around the do it, but if you're thinking of buying extra drivetrain kit to save yourself a few grammes then I wouldn't bother. SLX cassettes and cranks run XT very close indeed. An SLX cassette with an XT lockring is pretty much the same weight as XT anyway.

Thanks again for that, very helpful.

It's important to me that the 3 ring setup from the XT chainset can go back to be fitted straight on to the SLX double as it will be sold with the bike... When you say the SLX is a double specific chainset does that mean the 3 rings from the XT wont fit?

Cheers!

I've never fitted triple chainrings to my SLX double, but there is an old thread [url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/fitting-of-bash-guard-to-slx-cranks-not-working-out-please-help ]here[/url].

The best advice I can give you is to try it and see - I did have problems with attempting to fit my SLX double guard onto a spare set of Deore triple cranks, so I suspect that the spider on the SLX double is a slightly different shape.

I shouldn't be insurmountable if you're willing to be brave with a Dremel, but I'd advise care.