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My cassette and chain on my 9spd XT setup are shot so I was about to replace, probably with a middle ring as well but I was wondering whether it was worth spending more money and going 10spd? I am fine with 9spd but I was just thinking of future proofing, remembering how shimano dropped the better quality group sets the last time they went up a speed. I know you can buy 8spd stuff but not even at Deore level.
mite aswell stick to 9 speed otherwise you have to buy 10 speed shifters & chain and all that money for preety much no difference
Largely depends whether you want to upgrade to 10 speed now or in 6 to 12 months when your transmission needs replacing - again.
Only reason I can see (and it's a good reason) is the clutch mechs - which are 10sp only. And possibly the 11-36 cassettes so you can run 1x more easily.
If that's worth it, go for it. I did, no regrets. But equally I can see why you might not bother.
Annoyingly, replacement cassettes/chains seem to be more expensive in 9 speed flavour than 10 speed.
i wouldnt class switching from 9 to 10 speed an upgrade , 9speed drives still come in some high parts and i cant see that changing, but totaly up to you what do you want 9 or 10
If the mechs and shifters are in working order, give them a clean, invest in new chain, cassette, rings and cables and keep your 9spd drive going for another year or so, then review the lie of the land if/when it's all properly shagged out.
There's no real advantage to"upgrading" right now, other than keeping up with the other audi drivers in the car park...
I definitely don't see 10spd as an upgrade more about availability of bits though the clutch rear mech might be an improvement.
Annoyingly, replacement cassettes/chains seem to be more expensive in 9 speed flavour than 10 speed.
Dunno using CRC as a guide:
XT M770 9 Speed cassette @ £39.99
XT M771 10 Speed cassette @ 53.99
Looks like a like for like cost saving to me...
I've just bought new 9sp slx rings, xt cassette and chain but also bought a new bike with 10sp. The clutch mech really is great, so quiet!
Stay with 9 for now, a KMC chain could save you a smidgen and it's from the same factory as Shimano. Move to 10 when this replacement dies. It may be worth doing getting 2 chains on rotation to get the most out of the cassette.
I went to 10. The whole drivetrain was knackered. The clutch mech was a big influence. By selling my 9spd XTR and going to 10spd XT, it wasn't too bad
XT M770 9 Speed cassette @ £39.99
XT M771 10 Speed cassette @ 53.99
Fair enough. When I made the switch a few months ago the 9 speed stuff was more expensive.
If you're single ring then 10-speed brings some chunky benefits. If you're not then not so much. I had a couple of clapped out mechs so it made sense to switch but if it's just the consumables I'd say keep using 'em.