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Morning all,
Looking at gearing options from cheap (just a bigger 10speed cassette and der. cage) to more expensive than I feel like paying for (full XT groupset)
I'v read the shimano 12 speed chain has new fancy chamfering which improves retention and reduces noise. I've been buying KMC chains for years. Is shimano the best option?
And how important is the chainring? I've got old 104 bcd XT cranks on the bike at the moment. I'm guessing I'd need a new chainring at least? Is there one that works well with the shimano chain (or other compatible chain if there's another decent option)
Cheers!
To get the best out of the Hyperglide+ you need the Shimano chain too. Others will work but not quite as well as the Shimano one.
I've got XT 12sp with a Snaggletooth chainring and all works very well.
This is something I've been mulling over for a while. Currently running 1x10 with a lowest gear of 30-42. Tbh the choice and advice is pretty confusing. I want to lower the gearing as I am the wrong side of 70yrs so feel it on the steep bits.
Heard some bad reports about GX, never mind the cheaper Sram sets and although the new Deore seems a bargain the freehub is an issue for me as I use Hope wheels and theirs would be expensive. Combine this with chainline, boost, non boost etc, and it makes me think the best option for me is to go 11sp with SLX mech, 11-46 cassette, shifter, 30t chainring and KMC chain. Hopefully this will give me a crawler gear, decent chainline. Just a matter if I can get the bits at the moment.
12sp SLX chain and XT cassette paired with existing Superstar Raptor ring here, works great and shifting is amazing.
BUT, in hindsight I would probably have preferred to stay on 11sp for parity with my other bikes and because I haven't needed all that range while I'm unable to ride in the mountains.
In your position, I'd be very interested in some of the new Deore 10sp bits.
The only 104 rings that are designed for shimano 12 speed chains that I’ve come across are made by Race Face or Wolf Tooth.
absolute black for the chainring, however, you could go for the Sunrace cassette, stick to the existing freehub, then SLX or XT shifter and rear mech. Then you don't need a special chainring to fit the hyper glide chain and you don't need the HG+ chain. All works beautifully though I daresay full shimano would be better. I have just done this cos I did not want/could not afford a new rear wheel with microspline!
My absolute black chainring didn't work well with Shimano 12 speed chain - esp the quick link...