[grahamjtriggs]

Hi, I am in the process of an AM build with a kona coiler frame, and have decided to buy a groupset of the same components. Can you tell me which are good ones to get? I ride DH, so the riding on this bike will also probably be quite influenced by that. I was planning on using the shimano Hone groupset, which looks strong enough for some rough rock gardens etc, and is slightly beefier than the shimano XC groupsets like the XT or XTR.
Another question: if the hone set is the one I get, will the hollowtech 2 system fit in a normal mtb BB shell in my frame? I have no experience with hollotech systems.
I have been looking at sram, but I'd like to keep as many components the same as possible, and sram don't make hubs and brakes etc.
Thanks for help,
Graham

 

[TNC]

The Hone crankset is the same as the LX, so it's not stronger than XT...probably about the same strength. XT is fairly stout, and remember these are thru-axle style cranksets which aids in the strength.

The old style of buying a group has kinda gone out of favor, because there are just too many good products scattered among all the brands. You really can come up with a better overall bike by shopping the components across the board.

That said if I was forced to pick a Shimano component group for AM riding, I'd probably go with XT. It's about the best bang-for-the-buck. The Hone stuff is a little heavy to me, and I mean basically heavier without any real strength increase like the Saint group has. If you're building a real AM bike out of your Coiler, try to keep it decently light, and I think you'll enjoy it more. I take it that you already have a DH bike.

 

[grahamjtriggs]

Thanks,
yes I've already got a DH bike. I understand you completely about the added weight with the hone, and not much more strength, and am now debating between:
1. XT groupset.
2. Hone groupset.
3. Seperate components.
I will probably not go for option 3, even if I can save a couple $$ and get a slightly better setup, because I simply want everything together, with minimum hassle, from the same shop, and I want to try it, I've never built with a groupset before.
You seem confident enough that the hone is similar in strength to XT, so at the moment my first choice is XT, keeping weight down to a minimum.
Graham

 

[Call_me_Clyde]

Go with XT

AS TNC said, Hone is basically LX rebadged by Shimano for marketing purposes. If you want to stick with a single gruppo, then XT is probably the best way to go. Tried and true, relatively tough, and reasonably priced.

Bob

 

[mtb_biker]

unfortuantely TNC hit it on the head. Buy what works and not a "grouppo". In todays age there's no reason not to benefit from all the manufactuers.

 

[grahamjtriggs]

unfortuantely TNC hit it on the head. Buy what works and not a "grouppo". In todays age there's no reason not to benefit from all the manufactuers.

I agree, but I also say: what is wrong with staying with one maunfacturer? If you like a shimano product there is no reason you shouldn't go for anything other than shimano.

 

[ferday]

i run a full XTR group (except hubs) and love having it all the same, there's nothing wrong with a full gruppo.
i would recommend XT rather than XTR though just because of price, the XT stuff is some of the best. very durable and relatively cheap, not to mention so so easy to find parts.

 

[mtb_biker]

I agree, but I also say: what is wrong with staying with one maunfacturer? If you like a shimano product there is no reason you shouldn't go for anything other than shimano.

I agree if you like it then go for it. I'm just saying that i don't think there's any perfect grouppo out there that is made by one manufacturer. There are too many very nice hubs and differnt brakes to passup just to stay with one brand across a bike. If you're trying to build a light wheelset dont' expect to get that out of a shimano hub.

 

[Hardtails Are Better]

If you really want to stick to one group, then XT.
If not, Sram X.9 with Magura brakes in whichever flavor tickles your fancy, and a nice wheelset a-la Mavic CrossMax XL, or maybe a custom one from your shop of choice. And Sram does too make brakes, at least kind of. They own Avid.

 

[barelylegal]

i run a full XTR group (except hubs) and love having it all the same, there's nothing wrong with a full gruppo.
i would recommend XT rather than XTR though just because of price, the XT stuff is some of the best. very durable and relatively cheap, not to mention so so easy to find parts.

Totally agree with your post, I too ride full XTR group except for hubs. But my other buddies ride XT and they enjoy it very much, specially because of the price difference among the two.

 

[fw190]

The Hone crankset is the same as the LX, so it's not stronger than XT...probably about the same strength

AS TNC said, Hone is basically LX rebadged by Shimano for marketing purposes.

There are two Hone models:

What both of you say holds true for the M600 with three chain rings.

The M601, however, is not a rebadged LX. It has a bash guard, steel spindle, steel inner chain ring and steel pedal inserts, all of which have some relevance to AM riding IMO.

Apples and oranges may both be fruit, but the end user could find the distinction important.

 

[Jwiffle]

I vote XT if going with a gruppo. Personally, I run SRAM X-9 shifters and rear derailleur, but XT front derailleur, cranks, hubs, and brakes on my AM rig. (well, xt front hub was moved to my cx bike, because I needed a 20mm for my Fox 36, so I now have a WTB SuperDuty hub in front)

 

[Hardtails Are Better]

I vote XT if going with a gruppo. Personally, I run SRAM X-9 shifters and rear derailleur, but XT front derailleur, cranks, hubs, and brakes on my AM rig. (well, xt front hub was moved to my cx bike, because I needed a 20mm for my Fox 36, so I now have a WTB SuperDuty hub in front)

That's the way to go IMO, with the possible exception of the brakes and hubs. I prefer Magura Julies and I9 wheels.... Drool......

 

[Jwiffle]

That's the way to go IMO, with the possible exception of the brakes and hubs. I prefer Magura Julies and I9 wheels.... Drool......

So, in other words, you would only have an XT crankset. kinda far from a gruppo

 

[RobNC]

Best Bang for your $$$$

XT shifters, FD/RD, and crankset. SRAM 970 11-34 cassette and chain. Mag Julie brakes. Mavic wheelset(the best you can afford). You'll have to replace the middle chainring in about 6 mos, but the crank arms and BB are the best out there for price/reliability/stiffness. This is the build I'm using on my motolite, there's no reason to give one company all your $$$, and different brands make some parts better than others IMHO.

 

[Hardtails Are Better]

So, in other words, you would only have an XT crankset. kinda far from a gruppo

True, but I think that's the best setup for the money out there, even if it isn't all from one group.

 

[davec113]

I just got a new x9 drivetrain (shifters, derailleurs, casette, chain)... Awesome!!! I had xt/xtr stuff, and it wasn't long before it became a pita to tune, then tuning the derailleurs became impossible due to worn out springs and pivots. I Dunno if the x9 has the same issues, but the medium cage rear derailleur is sweet, it shifts better than the xtr ever did. I set it up once, it worked flawlessly right off the bat... and for '07 you can get a short cage x9. The x9 casette actually has crappy reviews, but I got it with a wheelset and tires taken off an new '04 bike. It has a composite spider and the 34t cog seems prone to bending if you powershift, but it works great so far.

 

[updownride]

hone crankset, lx everything else. not too expensive to replace broken parts.