[Jdub]

I bought a set of xtr 960 cranks from a buddy of mine who had barely used them. I got such a good deal on them I didn't do much research, but now I'm finding out that Shimano screwed the chainring spacing up so your chainring/bashguard alternatives are pretty few.

I thought I rememberred someone on here making custom bashguards here on the FR. Ringing any bells to anyone? Searching didn't yield what I was looking for. I think the spacing is a 4 bolt 146mm, and I can't find anything remotely close to fitting except the Boone Ti bashguard (nice but pricey).

Basically I'd like to get a bashguard for these cranks where I can take off the big ring and put on the bashguard. I'd be fine keeping the big ring if I could find a guard to bolt on the outside of it. Basically just don't want to chew up a very expensive XTR chainring if I can help it.

Anyone got any ideas?

 

[mtbdirteater]

Basically just don't want to chew up a very expensive XTR chainring if I can help it.

Anyone got any ideas?

Well, I could trade you for my worn out ground up 960 XTR big ring, then you wouldn't have to worry.

Yes, this proprietary Shimano bolt spacing BS is exactly why I will be replacing the crankset on that three year old bike next time rather than a third set of those chainrings. And I can buy a decent crankset for the price of just those XTR rings. I'll probably put RaceFace Deus cranks on it, as I'm happy with the similar Atlas cranks on my BLT, and same rings. And you know how fond I am of Shimano.

Dave

 

[preparation_h]

Well, I could trade you for my worn out ground up 960 XTR big ring, then you wouldn't have to worry.

Yes, this proprietary Shimano bolt spacing BS is exactly why I will be replacing the crankset on that three year old bike next time rather than a third set of those chainrings. And I can buy a decent crankset for the price of just those XTR rings. I'll probably put RaceFace Deus cranks on it, as I'm happy with the similar Atlas cranks on my BLT, and same rings. And you know how fond I am of Shimano.

Dave

I've noticed in the past that your always so anti-shimano....why is this? is it the prices? Because the high end (XO) stuff from sram is about as much as XTR is these days. Personally I've tried the SRAM x9 and don't feel they are superior to anything shimano makes and in fact I'd probably give an edge to the shimano stuff. Never tried the X0. The only thing I truly prefer of SRAM over shimano is the chains....and now that the prices have gone way up on chains I might reconsider this. You can't really blame shimano for becoming a monopoly on the mtn bike market. Back in the day suntour use to have a pretty good groupo, don't know whatever happened to them but i digress. So just curious as to the beef with shimano.

 

[bikeandski]

I think you're talking about Renegade. He has some custom made stuff on his ride, I remember a cool stem and bash maybe somthing else when I meet him at Keystone.

You might try giving him a pm.

Good luck.

 

[FrontRanger]

I bought a set of xtr 960 cranks from a buddy of mine who had barely used them. I got such a good deal on them I didn't do much research, but now I'm finding out that Shimano screwed the chainring spacing up so your chainring/bashguard alternatives are pretty few.

I thought I rememberred someone on here making custom bashguards here on the FR. Ringing any bells to anyone? Searching didn't yield what I was looking for. I think the spacing is a 4 bolt 146mm, and I can't find anything remotely close to fitting except the Boone Ti bashguard (nice but pricey).

Basically I'd like to get a bashguard for these cranks where I can take off the big ring and put on the bashguard. I'd be fine keeping the big ring if I could find a guard to bolt on the outside of it. Basically just don't want to chew up a very expensive XTR chainring if I can help it.

Anyone got any ideas?

You want to talk to IBMKID. I think Sdizzle made the bash ring for him. Other than that call up Boone of Boone Ti fame. Yes it will be expensive but it will be oh so pretty.

 

[bikeandski]

I've noticed in the past that your always so anti-shimano....why is this? is it the prices? Because the high end (XO) stuff from sram is about as much as XTR is these days. Personally I've tried the SRAM x9 and don't feel they are superior to anything shimano makes and in fact I'd probably give an edge to the shimano stuff. Never tried the X0. The only thing I truly prefer of SRAM over shimano is the chains....and now that the prices have gone way up on chains I might reconsider this. You can't really blame shimano for becoming a monopoly on the mtn bike market. Back in the day suntour use to have a pretty good groupo, don't know whatever happened to them but i digress. So just curious as to the beef with shimano.

Now you've done it, run for cover!

 

[singletrack]

I'm pretty sure MRP makes a ring that will fit. There are lots of XTR/MRP equiped DH bikes around. I just dont know how small you can get them, ie a 32t version.

 

[singletrack]

Personally I've tried the SRAM x9 and don't feel they are superior to anything shimano makes and in fact I'd probably give an edge to the shimano stuff.

Shimano makes a better constructed product than SRAM, just not a better performing one. I mean, I've broken 2 two X.7's in the last year, whereas I have 16-year-old Shimano deraillers that are going strong. However, aside from an 8-spd thumbshifter setup Shimano products just don't work when they get dirty. That's a a bad trait for a mountain bike!

The 1.1 cable pull on the SRAM is the most significant advantage, and it's why they shift so well whilst being shat upon. If Shimano adopted that, and abondoned Rapid-Demise, I would undoubtably start running their stuff again.

A Shimano derailler would have broken the spokes!

 

[mtbdirteater]

I've noticed in the past that your always so anti-shimano....why is this?

It's not just in the past, I avoid that company's products like the plauge today.

is it the prices?

Good question. No. I'm basing my opionion on my experiences with the products and customer and warranty service provided for those products in addition to what products and what product descisions that Shimano makes for me and dictates to me. Like Dual-Control. I cannot use it, even though I've riden 20 bikes with it, including an Intense demo all around Fruita. It's more the backward low-normal shifting than the actual Dual-Control levers which I constantly mis-shifted while braking. You can't get away from the backward shifting with rapid-rise rear deraillures. You can still find the old ones, or use a road shifter, but the choices are limited. Shimano will not manufacture sealed cartridge bearing hubs. Do I need to explain that one? They will not make a Saint front deraillure for a 50mm chainline. Centerlock... more proprietary brake system non-choice that doesn't help me. Shimano's chainline specs have changed from 48mm to 50mm, and the Q-factor on the last set of Shimano cranks that I bought, XT 760s, is 3/4" wider than any other cranks I ride on, and I am grinding my shoes all over them. Proprietary chainrings for XTR... you can have an argument about the 952 spider mount, but there is no valid reason for the 960 cranks chainring bolt spacing and reverse offset ring other than Shimano's wish to create a new proprietary standard, their's.

My customer service and warranty experience with Shimano has been one of difficulty, whereas SRAM is the industry's finest at this point. Call them. Then call Shimano and listen to them tell you that you abused it or installed it incorrectly and it's not covered before you even tell them why you called. Think I need to put up with all this when I have a choice? That company can eat my @ss.

Personally I've tried the SRAM x9 and don't feel they are superior to anything shimano makes and in fact I'd probably give an edge to the shimano stuff.

Gotta disagree with you on the SRAM 1:1 shifting. I've riden a lot on both... XTR every flavor, XO grip and the new thumb shifters, XT, X9, LX, X7, Deore, the old Shimano twist-shift... (and Ultegra, Campy...), shifter feel is not comparable, go ride on them both. And as far as chain performance (with anyone's chain) while shifting, they both work similar when new and clean, but the SRAM is more reliable and nearly service free in use. It's simply a better product by design. It took the competition of Shimano and years of deveopment to get there, but it is here today, and it is more than welcome.

Never tried the X0.

Well then I've got to ask, why have an opinion until you have experienced the crisp and exact XO 1:1 shifting? The XO gripshift are literally the only grip-shift I have ever used that I actually enjoy because they work perfectly, and the XO thumb shifters are just amazing. I have some on my Bullit. Ask me to ride it, you will be sold. There is no comparison to even XTR there. The XO is simply a better working product now. It's not even close in comparison when you do a hands-on with both.

The only thing I truly prefer of SRAM over shimano is the chains....and now that the prices have gone way up on chains I might reconsider this.

I guess we get what we pay for, but I still pay $29 for my PC-99 or PC-991 chains by price matching from Blue Sky. The Shimano repair pins suck, and SRAM PowerLinks are amazing. I've broken every Shimano chain I've ever riden on, that's why I don't use them. I'm reminded every time I look at the scar on my knee the stem ripped out from the last one.

You can't really blame shimano for becoming a monopoly on the mtn bike market.

Sure I can. I will have no company dictate to me what I should like and shouldn't like and therefore use or have no access to while I'm forced to my concecutively more proprietary replacement and sevice parts, or just replace the entire component. And as long as we are replacing components, we have a better choice now, free from that mentality, and a joy to deal with from a customer service perspective. Myself and everyone else running SRAM components now are de-monopolizing that now complacent and controlling company back into place.

Back in the day suntour use to have a pretty good groupo, don't know whatever happened to them but i digress.

Back in the day I think I bent and pretzeled every last lead-filled Suntour crankset into oblivion, but it was what I raced on for years and there was not much else. Crank technology has come a long way.

So just curious as to the beef with shimano.

Well, let me tell you what I don't like about Shimano...

Cheers,

Dave

 

[mtbdirteater]

Now you've done it, run for cover!

He didn't run fast enough...

 

[mtbdirteater]

Shimano makes a better constructed product than SRAM, just not a better performing one. I mean, I've broken 2 two X.7's in the last year, whereas I have 16-year-old Shimano deraillers that are going strong. However, aside from an 8-spd thumbshifter setup Shimano products just don't work when they get dirty. That's a a bad trait for a mountain bike!

I blew up a 2004 X9 rear derailure, which was the X7's current design. SRAM sent me a new 2005 in five days. Last Shimano deraillure that the spring broke in, Shimano said it wasn't covered, was not repairable, and I was paying the shipping if I wanted it back. Yeah, I'll run out and buy another ghost shifting Shimano deraillure tomorrow because of that awesome service.

Dave

 

[Jdub]

I'm pretty sure MRP makes a ring that will fit. There are lots of XTR/MRP equiped DH bikes around. I just dont know how small you can get them, ie a 32t version.

Do you mean latest XTR stuff or the older (952) types? I've seen lots of bashguards for the older cranks, but can't seem to find any for the new ext. bb 960s.

 

[mtbdirteater]

Do you mean latest XTR stuff or the older (952) types? I've seen lots of bashguards for the older cranks, but can't seem to find any for the new ext. bb 960s.

Unless I totally missed something, MRP doesn't make anything with that XTR 960 bolt hole pattern, I looked. I thought of putting the ones I have with the worn out rings on a singlespeed, but could locate no bash, and didn't want to pay Boone for custom, including a new non-ramped SS ring.

Cheers,

Dave

 

[singletrack]

Do you mean latest XTR stuff or the older (952) types? I've seen lots of bashguards for the older cranks, but can't seem to find any for the new ext. bb 960s.

Yeah, I was thinking of the old 5-bolt cranks. I'd still check with MRP though.

 

[dhpimp]

SRAM the corporate Giant

Myself and everyone else running SRAM components now are de-monopolizing that now complacent and controlling company back into place.

Hey Dave, not to start the whole SRAM vs. Shimano war - but this statement needs a response. Shimano has been around since 1921. They started to make MTB components in the 1970's. They have put in their time, and more importantly: R & D!. SRAM on the other hand purchased all the products they make:

1997: SRAM buys SACHS - enter their Rear Derailleur
2000: SRAM buys ROCK SHOX - enter Front Suspension Market
2004: SRAM buys AVID - enter the Brake market.
2004: SRAM buys TRUVATIV - enter Crank and hardgoods market.
2005: SRAM unveils it's 2007 Road Group --- FIRST EVER SRAM R&D

All that the beloved SRAM does is BUY other companies. Their Road group will be their first R & D unveiling - and I have no doubt it will work phenominally.

So who is the corperate giant? SRAM or SHIMANO ??

All your point are valid, they leave room for a difference of opinion, but their your opinions and we are all allowed to have our own opinions - especially when they are based on experience. However, SRAM is the corporate giant who is buying up all the little guys - you can't argue that. Shimano is at least innovative in their own right and I'm sure will not rest on their past achievements. Judging by what they have come out with recently, I'm sure 2007 will be a big year for them - i.e: new XTR.

my 2 cents from a guy who has been a mechanic for 15 years (and never broken a Shimano or SRAM chain).

 

[VAhardtail]

We can make one..

Joel,
I can probably make one for you here, we just need to take some measurements. How are you by the way? Have not talked to you in a while as I have been out of town for the past four weeks. BIke this saturday? John

 

[Jdub]

Joel,
I can probably make one for you here, we just need to take some measurements. How are you by the way? Have not talked to you in a while as I have been out of town for the past four weeks. BIke this saturday? John

Hey John,

I pseudo made one for myself, but it never made it to the bike. I've got a Boone ring on the way from the same guy I bought the cranks from. For some reason he didn't mention that he had a brand new Boone bash guard for the XTR cranks when I was buying the cranks.

Sent you an email about biking....New bike is wanting to get on the trails.