Due to the one block CNC processing, the durability of SRAM x01/xx1 cassette is much better than the GX's. I'm wondering whether the XTR cassette is also more durable than the XT's. It seems the main difference between them is the materials used, and I don't think titanium is as strong as steel.
Shimano XTR cassette durability?
stuart24
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Due to the one block CNC processing, the durability of SRAM x01/xx1 cassette is much better than the GX's. I'm wondering whether the XTR cassette is also more durable than the XT's. It seems the main difference between them is the materials used, and I don't think titanium is as strong as steel.
It's not (material). XTR[ace] is not meant to be more durable, but sometimes 'better performance' and 'durable' overlap.
That said, I've got over 2500 miles (4k km) on one with no particular wear. Cassette longevity is more a function of the attention the owner pays to the chain...you ignore the chain on an XX1 cassette, and it'll wear out prematurely, too.
That said, I've got over 2500 miles (4k km) on one with no particular wear. Cassette longevity is more a function of the attention the owner pays to the chain...you ignore the chain on an XX1 cassette, and it'll wear out prematurely, too.
I had to replace my XTR cassette after one and a half seasons (I ride a lot but not "Trans Rockies Endurance Racer" a lot ha ha).
But as said above this comes down to the chain - I used the same chain that entire time and when I replaced the chain, 1st and 2nd gear would skip.
This time around I am rotating between 3 chains, approximate once a month. I've been doing this for a full season so far so I can't really say how it will work out, but none of the chains have very much measurable stretch yet. Once I got a whiff off skipping for fhe first half of a ride after swapping the chain but so far its always gone away quickly. I'm hoping this will let me get 2 full seasons out of the cassette.
Also gives me a chance to clean and de-grease and properly re-lube each chain, when normally I just wipe down and re-lube each ride but no deep cleaning.
I don't really expect this to help you decide about XTR cassette durablity other than they are definitely not bullet proof they will wear. .
But as said above this comes down to the chain - I used the same chain that entire time and when I replaced the chain, 1st and 2nd gear would skip.
This time around I am rotating between 3 chains, approximate once a month. I've been doing this for a full season so far so I can't really say how it will work out, but none of the chains have very much measurable stretch yet. Once I got a whiff off skipping for fhe first half of a ride after swapping the chain but so far its always gone away quickly. I'm hoping this will let me get 2 full seasons out of the cassette.
Also gives me a chance to clean and de-grease and properly re-lube each chain, when normally I just wipe down and re-lube each ride but no deep cleaning.
I don't really expect this to help you decide about XTR cassette durablity other than they are definitely not bullet proof they will wear. .
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I had to replace my XTR at about the same interval, I should have replaced it a little earlier, but it seemed to be much closer to what I've experienced with XTs over the years, vs. my X01 cassettes, of which I have 3. I finally killed an X01, but it took years and years.
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585 Posts
I have seen 2 new XTR cassettes with a cog sheer off on the first ride.
Yes, I know the top-lever bike components always mean lighter but not more durable. SRAM does a very good job on their cassette since you can get both.
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I have 3800km on my current XT cassette and it still work fine even with a brand new chain. If anything the XT will be more durable than XTR as it doesn’t have any titanium cogs. I think if you run multiple chains ( I’m running 3) and keep the drivetrain clean the XT/XTR cassette should easily last ~6000km.
As much as I love the new Shimano 12 speed set up - the alloy cassettes rings are basically made of soft cheese. It took me half a season to wear down the shift ramps on the an XT cassette and 2 rides to taco the big ring on an SLX cassette. I'm now using an all steel Deore cassette now and its been solid so far; I have faith the steel will hold up for many miles.
Save yourself the headache and get a Deore cassette.
Save yourself the headache and get a Deore cassette.
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99 Posts
There is really nothing stronger about the x01 / xx1 cassettes.. The CNC process makes the cassette lighter, because they can skip the pins/rivets and the carrier that holds the stamped steel GX cogs together, but it does not make it stronger. If anything, it is well known that stamped and/or cold forging results in a stronger alloy. As far as wear goes, with CNC you are more likely to see 'breakage' (missing teeth), under high levels of torque, while stamped and cold forged alloys tend to bend and wear down, rather than break (e.g. shark-finned teeth).
In my experience, the aluminum cogs on my XTR cassette wore in pretty heavily after around 1000 miles, but the titanium and steel cogs held up like champs. Regardless, the aluminum low gears still shifted great, and I rode that cassette for another 1000 miles without any miss-shifts or noises. I'm with VTSession on this one, though. Just get an all steel cassette if you're worried about wear.
XX1 and X01 are CNCd from a block of forged steel.
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99 Posts
Says who? They are CNC'd from chromoly steel billets, which are typically extruded via a continuous casting process. This is not forging. Forging involves using pressure to compress metal into a mold without melting it.
Forging is for grain alignment and doesn't require a mold. Forging usually starts with a heated billet and incorporates a final heat treatment to attain proper mix of hardness and ductility basis the required material specification as dictated by intended use.
SRAM website says - "X-dome is made from one piece hardness steel". Bike radar says the following - "Both the XX1 and X01 cassette use SRAM's X-DOME technology. This means that, in a bid to keep them as light as possible, 11 of the 12 cogs are machined out of a single piece of case hardened steel."
I don't have a dog in the fight as I own both and am happy with aspects of each. That said, basis my experience, I have replaced two XT drivetrains on my Pivot while my Ibis with XO1 is going strong after 4000 miles. This may be due to virtually no stretch on the XO chain during a season, whereas the XT chain is worn out in the same time-frame. Regardless - experience will differ basis use and conditions, but for me the SRAM stuff has proven to be more durable.
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131 Posts
You taco'd the big ring! dang!
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