Trying my first 1x mountain bike build... Few questions

[4Rings6Stars]

Everybody else is doing it... So why not? 50 million Elvis fans can't be wrong...

I'm building up a new all mountain rig and trying to plan out the build. I have a nice xtr m985 double crankset I would like to use. Is it possible to use this crank for a 1x 10 or 11 ?

This crank has a unique 88 bcd but Wolf Tooth makes chain rings that fit. http://www.wolftoothcomponents.com/products/88-mm-bcd-for-shimano-m985

Will my chain line work? Do I just leave the inner position empty, toss on a 30t and some shorter bolts and ride away into the sunset?

Should I ditch the weird m985 cranks and get something better suited to a 1x drivetrain?

[patfl1]

Check this link out. I had this crankset in my parts box when planning my new build. Saved this link, but ended up with a deal on a m8000 single ring set I couldn't pass up.

Good luck!

http://forums.mtbr.com/drivetrain-shifters-derailleurs-cranks/xtr-m985-single-ring-conversion-945165.html


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[christian]

FWIW, 50m fans aren't wrong. I went from 2x9 on my old Cannondale to 1x11 X1 on my Reign and 1x11 XT on my 5010. I would never ever ever go back. 1x11 is just totally, wonderfully brainless - click one lever for easier, one lever for harder. And use your left hand for its god-intended purpose - dropper post!

[DRZRM]

I'm running the very setup you are talking about, the XTR m985 double 1x with the Wolftooth narrow-wide, and I highly recommend it. Chainline seems fine in all gears, maybe less ideal than a dedicated 1x crank, but I have no problems. Planning on getting a Praxis 11-40 10x cassette eventually, but short term, the 11-36 has served my needs fine (I have another bike set up 1x11 with the XT 11-42 for harder climbing days). Now, like christian said, I just need a 27.2 dropper post.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f302/drzrm/2016-02-25%2012.49.44_zpsldwscjz7.jpg

[4Rings6Stars]

Thanks for the info.

I think I will pick up either the blackspire: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/us/en/blackspire-snaggletooth-narrow-wide-chainring/rp-prod112084

Or the wolftooth: http://www.wolftoothcomponents.com/products/88-mm-bcd-for-shimano-m985

Am I reading it correctly that the difference is, with the blackspire I can mount in on the inside of the big chainring mounting points and this will give a better chainline? How hideous will that look and do I need special bolts?

Or if I can find a deal on a 1x11 XTM8000 groupset I might just get that rather than piecing together and keeping my M985 cranks.

[gdw]

Merlin has excellent prices on XT 1x11 groups.

https://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-xt-m8000-1-x-11-disc-brake-groupset-87447.html

[4Rings6Stars]

Merlin has excellent prices on XT 1x11 groups.

https://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-xt-m8000-1-x-11-disc-brake-groupset-87447.html

Thanks for the tip. Curious that a 32t v. 34t chainring causes the price to jump $25.

Is Ribble getting out of the mountain bike market? I used to buy stuff from them, but they don't seem to have much. Side note: their new website is TERRIBLE.

[tele]

I went with an XT 1x11 group last year as well but instead of the XT 1x crank went with a SRAM crank with direct mount so I can run a 28t up front. To me there is more flexibility on gearing with the direct mount cranks.

I also went with Merlin for the best price last year.

Zach, I see your Zank and raise you:https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5681/20929409311_191dcf9b50_c.jpg

[Tony]

[QUOTE=DRZRM;1931383]I'm running the very setup you are talking about, the XTR m985 double 1x with the Wolftooth narrow-wide, and I highly recommend it. Chainline seems fine in all gears, maybe less ideal than a dedicated 1x crank, but I have no problems. Planning on getting a Praxis 11-40 10x cassette eventually, but short term, the 11-36 has served my needs fine (I have another bike set up 1x11 with the XT 11-42 for harder climbing days). Now, like christian said, I just need a 27.2 dropper post.


Thomson makes a 27.2, getting one for my new build. I have a Thomson dropper 31.6 on my mojo, its built well, operates smoothly and has been very reliable!

[DRZRM]

Tele, I love that new big Z sticker on the seat tube, that bike looks awesome!! Looks like Mike finally came around to oversized headtubes huh?

Tony, I'm torn between breaking the bank on the Thomson, saving a few bucks on the KS Lev which can be found on sale for ~$100 less than the Thomson, or something cheap and mechanical like a RSP Plummet. I have a RS Reverb on my Ibis and it is great, but nothing near my required size coming from them.

That price for the XT 1x11 is pretty sick. That's what I have on my Ibis, and I'd certainly consider the upgrade on my Zanc at some point.

[gdw]

What kind of mileage are you folks getting from your 1x10 and 11 speed drivetrain components before they have to be replaced due to wear?

[ofcounsel]

What kind of mileage are you folks getting from your 1x10 and 11 speed drivetrain components before they have to be replaced due to wear?

On my 2015 Pivot Mach 429SL: I changed my chain out at about 600 miles (was still within tolerance, but was more of a preventative measure). I changed my 28T chainring at about 800 miles (It still had some miles left, but changed it out anyway). Still using the same cassette now at about 1000 miles. I'm not overly obsessive about cleaning the drivetrain after every ride, but I run a chain cleaner thingy on the bike every 50 miles or so.

[christian]

Merlin has excellent prices on XT 1x11 groups.

https://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-xt-m8000-1-x-11-disc-brake-groupset-87447.html

That is incredible. That is $90 less than I paid for "OEM-in-bags" from a Taiwan backdoor operation only 4 months ago.

[christian]

Tony, I'm torn between breaking the bank on the Thomson, saving a few bucks on the KS Lev which can be found on sale for ~$100 less than the Thomson, or something cheap and mechanical like a RSP Plummet. I have a RS Reverb on my Ibis and it is great, but nothing near my required size coming from them.

I got a T-MARS dropper for my 27.2 bike. It is fine, for $80. I certainly wouldn't spend $400 on a Thompson.

(I don't speak from ignorance - I have two Reverb Stealths on my other bikes)

[4Rings6Stars]

Thanks for the responses. I will likely get a new 1x XT group but still contemplating keeping the 10s XTR crank b/c I like it.

Anybody have thoughts on the questions I asked about the single chainring on the XTR 985 double crank?

Also - I asked this in my WTB thread for wheels...but seems we have some knowledgeable mountain bike folks commenting here. What would you think is a minimum internal width I should go on a wheelset if I want to run a 2.4" tire? I know I can make a 19mm rim work...but looking for more than just making it work.

Thanks for the info.

I think I will pick up either the blackspire: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/us/en/blackspire-snaggletooth-narrow-wide-chainring/rp-prod112084

Or the wolftooth: http://www.wolftoothcomponents.com/products/88-mm-bcd-for-shimano-m985

Am I reading it correctly that the difference is, with the blackspire I can mount in on the inside of the big chainring mounting points and this will give a better chainline? How hideous will that look and do I need special bolts?

Or if I can find a deal on a 1x11 XTM8000 groupset I might just get that rather than piecing together and keeping my M985 cranks.

[christian]

Also - I asked this in my WTB thread for wheels...but seems we have some knowledgeable mountain bike folks commenting here. What would you think is a minimum internal width I should go on a wheelset if I want to run a 2.4" tire? I know I can make a 19mm rim work...but looking for more than just making it work.
I think you should go for a 27-30mm inner width

[ofcounsel]

I think you should go for a 27-30mm inner width

I'd say that's about right.

Also, consider that if you get some wider internal width rims, you don't have to actually run 2.4's. And honestly, you'ed be surprised on how beefy 2.25-2.35 tires are when mounted on a 26 to 29mm internal width rim.

[4Rings6Stars]

Thanks for the info guys. I've gotten a couple good offers of DT Swiss M1700 Spline 2 wheelsets but they are only 22.5mm wide.

I'll continue my search... there is an Enve set on the local craigslist that have me tempted but I really can't spend that much right now. $900 with tires, low miles seems like a great deal. They're 24mm wide... but the Enve logo on the side is sure to add at least a few mm :D

[jimcav]

Anybody have thoughts on the questions I asked about the single chainring on the XTR 985 double crank?

.

I put a narrow-wide 32 tooth on my IF hard-tail and it is fine, I like it so much I plan to do my latest MTB (ibis ripley as a 1x11 as well)

[12snap]

Thanks for the info guys. I've gotten a couple good offers of DT Swiss M1700 Spline 2 wheelsets but they are only 22.5mm wide.


I've run 2.3 - 2.4 tires on the original Stan's Flow rims for years. The Flows are 23 mm internal width. If you can get a good deal on the DT Swiss wheels, I wouldn't discount them just because they're 22.5mm wide.

[gdw]

I'm running 2.35 tires on WTB Frequency Team i19 rims which have an internal width of 19mm without problems but would go with a wider rim now that they are more common. The Velocity Blunt SS is a pretty good option. Claimed weight is 395 grams and the internal width is 26.6mms.

[4Rings6Stars]

Yeah I'm reading a lot of people saying they use rims + / - 20mm wide and they are fine...but also reading a lot of people saying they switched to 25mm + rims and they are much better.

All else equal, I think I would choose to get something around 25mm but I won't rule out rims in the low 20s.

[christian]

Thanks for the info guys. I've gotten a couple good offers of DT Swiss M1700 Spline 2 wheelsets but they are only 22.5mm wide.As I said in the other thread, I run these for now on my Giant Reign with a 2.35 Magic Mary/Hans Dampf combo. For aluminum wheels, I think they're good. Light(ish), straight, seem sturdy, DT hubs, etc. I don't think straight pull spokes are so great, but that's the only odd thing about them. The tire profile is fine.

[4Rings6Stars]

As I said in the other thread, I run these for now on my Giant Reign with a 2.35 Magic Mary/Hans Dampf combo. For aluminum wheels, I think they're good. Light(ish), straight, seem sturdy, DT hubs, etc. I don't think straight pull spokes are so great, but that's the only odd thing about them. The tire profile is fine.

May be true, but the fact that I have three forum members trying to sell these exact wheels to me also might say something :eek:

[christian]

May be true, but the fact that I have three forum members trying to sell these exact wheels to me also might say something :eek:Considering mine have three rides on them and one other guy says his are new, it probably just says that many of us have upgrade fever. I certainly wouldn't swap them for something like a Velocity Blunt wheel!

[jh_on_the_cape]

Thanks for the info guys. I've gotten a couple good offers of DT Swiss M1700 Spline 2 wheelsets but they are only 22.5mm wide.

I'll continue my search... there is an Enve set on the local craigslist that have me tempted but I really can't spend that much right now. $900 with tires, low miles seems like a great deal. They're 24mm wide... but the Enve logo on the side is sure to add at least a few mm :D

get those and move on. buy the best and only cry once.

[ofcounsel]

Consider picking up some 27.5 Roval Traverse Fattie's.

I have the 29" versions on my Stumpjumper EVO.

29mm internal. DT Swiss hub internals, spokes and nipples. Good Value. NOTE If you consider buying Roval MTB wheels used, make sure you are getting the 142x12 version and NOT the "142+" proprietary Specialized versions.

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1938892/

[4Rings6Stars]

Consider picking up some 27.5 Roval Traverse Fattie's.

I have the 29" versions on my Stumpjumper EVO.

29mm internal. DT Swiss hub internals, spokes and nipples. Good Value. NOTE If you consider buying Roval MTB wheels used, make sure you are getting the 142x12 version and NOT the "142+" proprietary Specialized versions.

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1938892/

Funny, I was just looking at two different sets of these on pinkbike.

Seller says 24mm inner width so I think these are not the fatties...but this article suggests they went from 21mm to 29mm. Maybe the seller is confused? $290 with tires
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1936909/
http://www.pinkbike.com/news/first-ride-roval-traverse-fattie-wheels-2015.html

Second set are the fatties: $350 including tires seems pretty good, but I would need to convert to Shimano. http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1920775/

EDIT: I hadn't heard of 142+...thanks for tipping me off! I guess that rules both of these sets out...

[ofcounsel]

Funny, I was just looking at two different sets of these on pinkbike.

Seller says 24mm inner width so I think these are not the fatties...but this article suggests they went from 21mm to 29mm. Maybe the seller is confused? $290 with tires
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1936909/
http://www.pinkbike.com/news/first-ride-roval-traverse-fattie-wheels-2015.html

Second set are the fatties: $350 including tires seems pretty good, but I would need to convert to Shimano. http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1920775/

EDIT: I hadn't heard of 142+...thanks for tipping me off! I guess that rules both of these sets out...

Yeah, the 142+ is proprietary. The ones I linked seem to be standard 142's however. Here's a little cheatsheet that shows the difference between 142 and 142+. https://www.benscycle.com/pdf/0000010510.pdf

[ofcounsel]

NOTE: These are both 2.25 Schwalbe Nobby Nics. The tire on the left is mounted on my 29mm Traverse Fatties, the one on the right is mounted on my buddies 19mm Easton EA90XC. The difference is even more dramatic in person.
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s81/ofcounsel/IMG_1269_zpsousp2a2n.jpg

[mtb_frk]

I'll be upgrading(?) my 2007ish xtr 3x9 setup this spring. It has been flawless really but I feel like it's time for a change. I have a 1x10 setup on the fat bike and like and like it pretty well. I'll probably go XT as the prices are quite reasonable it seems.

[Tony]

I got a T-MARS dropper for my 27.2 bike. It is fine, for $80. I certainly wouldn't spend $400 on a Thompson.

(I don't speak from ignorance - I have two Reverb Stealths on my other bikes)

I think it may be wise to save up for a decent dropper. This is a ok starter post, maybe. Downside is the limited range of its position from fully extended to fully lowered. When I rode on one I had problems getting the middle position right.
My friend has one and after being on my Thompson is now looking into getting the same post for his 27.2 hardtail. He has had similar issues as this guy below. Also after several months of use the post is moving from side to side.

"I own one of these, the 2015 model and have never used a premium dropper. My initial thoughts were good, but after about 6 rides the cable has snapped at the actuation lever. It turns out this is not a normal gear cable, it has a thinner barrel on the end. I haven't managed to find out where to get another one yet, and even if I do, I can't see how it fits into the lever. Also it is sometimes hard to get the post to click into position and it will randomly smack me in the bits. My advice is, if you're a tinkerer with little cash, go for it, but I kind of wish I'd saved up for a 'proper' post"

A review of this post is on Pinkbikes
http://www.pinkbike.com/u/swayze88/blog/an-average-riders-review-of-the-tmars-dropper-post.html

[Tony]

Tony, I'm torn between breaking the bank on the Thomson, saving a few bucks on the KS Lev which can be found on sale for ~$100 less than the Thomson, or something cheap and mechanical like a RSP Plummet.

DRZRM, I'm in the same boat. I bought a Lynskey Ridgeline knowing it needs a 27.2 post. Waited several months for them to give me a deal on the frame which they did so I've been in the market for a 27.2 dropper these couple months as I wait for my frame.
I didn't care for the T-MARS, performance and looks, no experience with the RSP, tempted to give it a try, but 700 gram! Seriously considering the KS Lev 272. Friends like their KS Lev, two have had long warranty issues waiting for repairs.
The price of the Thompson sucks, I know. However, been on several droppers and the Thompson really stands out, very nice.

[mtb_frk]

I have been looking at the xtr crank vs. the xt. That thing looks awesome, oh well there goes my mostly xt build I am afraid.

[4Rings6Stars]

I have been looking at the xtr crank vs. the xt. That thing looks awesome, oh well there goes my mostly xt build I am afraid.

My 10s XTR crank is for sale... sort of testing the waters. If it sells, I'll buy a new XT group. If it doesn't, I'll piece stuff together and convert it to 1x.

http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=183510


Regarding wheels...

I decided I wanted those Roval Traverse Fatties from pinkbike, but somebody else snatched them before I committed to buy. Search continues!