Chainset options Mountainbike 9 Speed

[mattrosersv]

First time venturing off the TVR forum so hope you don't mind me appearing here for some help..

The cassette and Chainset on my P7 has had a hefty bit of badly maintained use and is well overdue a re-fresh (most of the rest of the bike has been replaced at some point recently).

So, having consulted the interweb Shimano SLX looks like a good bet as I don't have much cash to throw about at the moment. I can find the SLX 9 speed cassette at both Wiggle and Chain Reaction, but I can't find the 9 speed M660 chainset anywhere (Only the 10 speed) - The 9 speed is listed as unavailable at Chain Reaction. - I am guessing must have gone end of line??

So anyone got any suggestions for a half decent sub £100 chainset? - not real budget as it gets used loads and gets a lot of muddy abuse.

Cheers,

Matt

[Bobley]

An SLX M660-10 will work fine with 9 speed. You may just need to experiment with the tension on the front mech a little more than normal. I've got the SLX crank with Deore Mechs and shifters, XT 770 (9speed) cassette and XTR chain. Its on my sons bike which is built up from a pile of cast offs and special offer bits.

[helix402]

Merlin have an XT for £117, a Deore is around £50. I have the XT on one bike and the Deore on another. Apart from the weight difference there's not much difference. I'm sure powerfully built riders will detect extra flex or something with the cheaper option.

[Jimbo.]

mattrosersv said:

First time venturing off the TVR forum so hope you don't mind me appearing here for some help..

The cassette and Chainset on my P7 has had a hefty bit of badly maintained use and is well overdue a re-fresh (most of the rest of the bike has been replaced at some point recently).

So, having consulted the interweb Shimano SLX looks like a good bet as I don't have much cash to throw about at the moment. I can find the SLX 9 speed cassette at both Wiggle and Chain Reaction, but I can't find the 9 speed M660 chainset anywhere (Only the 10 speed) - The 9 speed is listed as unavailable at Chain Reaction. - I am guessing must have gone end of line??

So anyone got any suggestions for a half decent sub £100 chainset? - not real budget as it gets used loads and gets a lot of muddy abuse.

Cheers,

Matt

TBH, if it gets used loads, and gets a lot of muddy abuse...why change? If there's nothing functionally (?) wrong with your current chainset, why not stick with it and save cash? Maybe throw a new set of rings on if they're worn, but other than that...

[mattrosersv]

Thanks for the responses all.

It is currently running Race Face Chainset and every gear is bent, I looked at pricing up replacing the rings a while ago and it came to way more than a new Chainset. I can't stop it jumping gears and have recently changed everything else except the shifters, broke chain and derailleur. Gear cables, chain, bottom bracket replaced etc.

The cassette has also done mega miles (I was told by a bike shop that 800 miles was the life of the cassette) I must have done at least 4 times this is muddy/sandy conditions..

I can see a slight 'hooking' of the teeth on some of the gears on both chain set and cassette so figured it is time for a re-fresh.

In fairness I could do with a new bike. Forks have had it - won't adjust, broke the seat post, discs warped slightly, waiting on a new hanger.

Cheers,

Matt

[The Walrus]

How much are you spending ? for £300 you could get a whole XT groupset http://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-xt-triple-tran...

[P-Jay]

Deore chainsets are decent enough, tough as old boots and good and stiff - the only penalty being weight - the new ones even look pretty good.

Perhaps save some budget by getting a Deore Cassette rather than SLX, long lasting, but heavier.

[mattrosersv]

Thanks P-Jay. I just ordered the Deore Chainset and SLX cassette.

I decided the additional few grams could easily be countered by reducing weight of the pink flabby bit that sits on top of the bike

Matt