Been using SRAM & Shimano 11 speed for the last few seasons. Looking to try something different & came across Box. I can get an 11 speed Box 2 setup really cheap, Prime 9 would be quite a bit more. I can’t seem to find any reviews other than magazines and a few of these were about the older single lever style shifter. Anyone? Thanks.
Box components?
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keen
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Been using SRAM & Shimano 11 speed for the last few seasons. Looking to try something different & came across Box. I can get an 11 speed Box 2 setup really cheap, Prime 9 would be quite a bit more. I can’t seem to find any reviews other than magazines and a few of these were about the older single lever style shifter. Anyone? Thanks.
I have a box 2 11 speed group. I haven't installed it yet, but the quality seems good enough. The parts are interchangable with Shimano so you can use a shimano shifter and Box deraileur if you want. They also make their deraileurs in wide (46t) and x-wide (50t) ranges to better match the cassette.
Good to know about the interchangeably- I was wondering if I could use my SRAM cassette as my freehub is XD.
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FYI. Velo Mine is having a massive sale on Box groupsets. Box Two with derailleur, shifter, cassette and chain for $109, including free shipping.
I just ordered the Box One 11-50 groupset. Finally switching out my 3X Deore XT system on my Niner EMD. It's going to be an inexpensive build!
https://www.velomine.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=664&zenid=ga19moaeo7hnkubq1sc1sst0s4
Note: Not affiliated with Velo Mine. Just putting this out there as a PSA.
I just ordered the Box One 11-50 groupset. Finally switching out my 3X Deore XT system on my Niner EMD. It's going to be an inexpensive build!
https://www.velomine.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=664&zenid=ga19moaeo7hnkubq1sc1sst0s4
Note: Not affiliated with Velo Mine. Just putting this out there as a PSA.
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34 Posts
You and I were looking at the same time. This thread didn't exist, & I replied to a thread about Box One that had been dead for a year and a half, hoping to revive the discussion. My limited online research found that just about everybody who has reviewed the Box One put it on par with the SLX & GX lines, if not maybe a little better. That was pretty consistent. I picked up the Box One groupset for $129 with free shipping from Velomine with free shipping. You can't touch a comparable Shimano or SRAM setup for that price. The setup I purchased also comes with the Shimano style two lever shifter instead of the "push push" Box design. I'll know more when it shows up on Saturday 
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34 Posts
Thanks! I just read the article and it was very entertaining (by that I mean a bit of a mess) with all the comments.
It makes sense that Box Prime 9 (and MicroShift Advent for that matter) is not compatible with older 9-speed components. It's designed specifically for wide-ratio cassettes, rear derailleurs with very long shifter plates, and 1X operation and this would require a revised throw ratio for optimum performance.
For the 11-speed Box One and Box Two, mixing-and-matching with other brands shouldn't pose a problem.
That was pretty much my line of thinking. I'm not going to be able to find a new 11-speed SLX derailleur, shifter, chain and wide-ratio cassette for anywhere near Velo Mine's pricing.You and I were looking at the same time. This thread didn't exist, & I replied to a thread about Box One that had been dead for a year and a half, hoping to revive the discussion. My limited online research found that just about everybody who has reviewed the Box One put it on par with the SLX & GX lines, if not maybe a little better. That was pretty consistent. I picked up the Box One groupset for $129 with free shipping from Velomine with free shipping. You can't touch a comparable Shimano or SRAM setup for that price. The setup I purchased also comes with the Shimano style two lever shifter instead of the "push push" Box design. I'll know more when it shows up on Saturday
I was umming and ahing if I should get the 11-46 or 11-50 offering, but for an extra $30 (compared with your purchase) I figured it would be better to select the 11-50 Box One for $159. Not only do it get sealed pulley bearings and a little less weight, the "x-wide" set gives me the options of running a larger chain ring (to get a wider range) and being able to switch easily to an 11-46 cassette in the future.
If I was purchasing for my MTB, I would also likely go with the 11-50T setup. For me, this will be going on my fat bike which is dedicated to snow/winter riding. While the ability to spin through anything is a must for this type of riding, I think the 50T is a little overkill.
If I like the Box One, and the deal is still alive, I may consider upgrading the m6000 drivetrain on my MTB to the 11-50T setup.
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34 Posts
Box's Prime 9 9-speed components have yet to be released to the public, but you can pre-order it on Box's website, so the only information about shift quality has come from early reviews by MTB media and websites.
The folks at Pinkbike seem to be pretty positive about the shifting quality. They used the words 'solid' and 'smooth' to describe shifting quality. VitalMTB said downshifting was stiff.
Box's 11-speed shifter was redesigned a couple of years ago due to a patent issue. It was originally a 'push-push' shifter but now it's push-pull shifter a la Shimano and MicroShift. By most accounts, the shifters work well.
Remember, Box's 9-speed and 11-speed components are not compatible.
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26 Posts
I tried Box components 11 speed setup. I never could get it to shift right, would skip 3rd on the way down the cassette. 3 shifters later, 2 derailleurs later, I finaly bought the new Shimano 11-51t cassette. all problems went away. I wanted to like the upstart, but they're just not up to snuff. Now my RD doesn't sound like a meat grinder.
I just chatted to box about compatibility . this is what they said
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hi
Hello
How can I help you?
is the box two shifter / deraileur compatible with sram 9 speed cassette?
SRAM PG950 9spd
i think i have 11-34
Hi our products are not cross compatible with components outside of our ecosystem
does a box cassette fit on a shimano HG spline?
Yes that is correct
thanks
will the rear cassette, deraileur, box two, work with a front 2 speed sram deraileur?
or rather 9 speed, 2 cog, front deraileur
This won't work as our groups are designed to be 1x systems
but if i removed the front deraileur/cogs and placed a single front ring from sram/shimano, would it work? do the chain and front cog all need to be box?
The chainring does not need to be ours as we actually don't currently manufacturer a 9 speed chainring just our 8 speed.
Our chain however is unique, it has the external width of 9 speed to provide extra strength and durability but has the internal width of narrow wide 11 speed to improve chain retention.
ok, so box chain but front ring is ok to be other manufacturer
Correct it should be an 11 speed narrow wide chainring for the best results
Hey there!
Welcome to our store. What can we help you with today?
Please introduce yourself:
Sign up for our newsletter
hi
Hello
How can I help you?
is the box two shifter / deraileur compatible with sram 9 speed cassette?
SRAM PG950 9spd
i think i have 11-34
Hi our products are not cross compatible with components outside of our ecosystem
does a box cassette fit on a shimano HG spline?
Yes that is correct
thanks
will the rear cassette, deraileur, box two, work with a front 2 speed sram deraileur?
or rather 9 speed, 2 cog, front deraileur
This won't work as our groups are designed to be 1x systems
but if i removed the front deraileur/cogs and placed a single front ring from sram/shimano, would it work? do the chain and front cog all need to be box?
The chainring does not need to be ours as we actually don't currently manufacturer a 9 speed chainring just our 8 speed.
Our chain however is unique, it has the external width of 9 speed to provide extra strength and durability but has the internal width of narrow wide 11 speed to improve chain retention.
ok, so box chain but front ring is ok to be other manufacturer
Correct it should be an 11 speed narrow wide chainring for the best results
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484 Posts
I had the Box One 11 speed 11-50 on my Rockhopper Comp 1x. I was a BIG step up from the Microshift Advent 1x9. At first I couldn’t get I to shift reliablbly. Jumped gears, not shifting…took it to the bike shop and my hanger was bent. Odd because the Advent system was shifting perfectly. after that the shifting was VERY good! I liked the gear spacing and it never once dropped a chain. Sold the Rockhopper and got a Chisel with the Deore 1x12 drivetrain and it’s a step up from the Box On, but only because you get a 12th gear, and the shifter is a little nicer, but the performance difference isn’t huge, I’d buy a Box system again if I was in the market an they had a system that worked for me.
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