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For the Revel Rascal: currently using an early SLX 12 mech and shifter. The mech has seen better days.
I have:
- a new XTR 12sp shifter (£48)
- a new XT 12sp SGS mech (£70)
- a new GX Eagle mech (£50)
The rest of the bike is GX chain, X01 cassette and XT cranks with Works Comp ring so all fully compatible.
I could probably sell the Shimano stuff without much loss or sell the GX mech without loss when Planet X have sold out or increased the price.
What would you do?
I have lost the HG+ shifting under load thing anyway (not bothered) and like the button on the SRAM mech but also like using different fingers on the Shimano shifter.
I could also keep the SLX shifter.
like the button on the SRAM mech but also like using different fingers on the Shimano shifter.
Can't help you as I also have that conflict
You have to decide which shifter (I'd go Shimano), but I will say I just got a used bike with SLX 12sp and the shifter was more impressive than I expected.
Shimano mech would be my choice. I just find them easier to work on and reliable enough.
in all honesty, I'd just stick a 29? quid Deore mech on and be happy, but probably stick with xt/xtr shifter
Shimano Deore M6100 12 Speed Shadow+ Rear Derailleur – Sport & Leisure
The SRAM mech should work well enough with the XTR shifter, but it'll not be quite as slick as with a shimano mech
^ thanks for that. Any particular reason? I thought they were 100% compatible without any loss of slickness? I need to be sure as I like my shifting optimised!
Although I probably shouldn't have started the mix and match thing then!
(I didn't really have a choice as my Roval wheels of choice didn't come with a realistic MS freehub option and I also really like the X01 cassette).
^ thanks for that. Any particular reason? I thought they were 100% compatible without any loss of slickness? I need to be sure as I like my shifting optimised!
I beleive Sram & Shimano are 'almost' identical pull ratios (for 12 speed). So they will work well enough, but not absolutely perfectly.
they are very very close, and will perform differently based on the cassette you use, though there's no real rule of thumb to that, it's a try it and see.
Thx for all the tips. In the end I bought a GX shifter (£32) to complement the GX rear mech.
Really impressed with the shifting on the X01 cassette so perhaps it does pay to stay on brand despite the almost perfect compatibility when mixing and matching.
I have to say the SRAM stuff does feel better made than Shimano at similar price points, less cheap pressings and more machining compared to the XT mech that does feel a little medieval by contrast.
And the shifter's ergonomics aren't that bad after a couple of rides.
Only Shimano bits left are the XT the crank arms on the £8.50 MT510 bottom bracket.
I considered the Deore option but that looked too working class for my standards 😂
Quick update. I needed the GX parts for my partner's bike so fitted XTR shifter and XT mech 😂.
The shifter is stiff and requires a little more effort. However the shifting is equally good and feels more positive and the set up was super easy, I didn't even need to index, just adjusting the limit screws prior to shifting the chain and ensuring cable tension got the indexing perfect out of the box.
Running is very silent, less noisy than GX, practically inaudible, which is nice.
Swinging back towards Shimano now with just the X01 cassette and GX chain from SRAM.