Mountain vs. road groupsets

[MajorMantra]

I've been idly casting an eye over what's on the MTB market (ahem ) and I'm trying to get a feel for how things compare quality wise between the MTB specific kit and the road stuff I'm familiar with.

There's seem to be a general consensus for example that 105 is race worthy but good value and I think it's fair to say that 105/Ultegra and Veloce/Centaur and Rival are all comparable although we can argue 'til we're blue in the face about which is better for whatever reason.

So what's the 105 of the MTB world? And what's the SRAM equivalent? And should I stop thinking silly lustful thoughts about ungainly large-tyred monstrosities?*

Cheers,
Matthew

*Yes. Yes I should. Especially having just remortgaged my soul to buy the Ribble.

 

[mickle]

SRAM X.X has no comprison
Dura-ace = XTR = SRAM X.0
Ultegra = XT = SRAM X.9
105 = LX = X.8 = SRAM X.8
Sora = Deore = SRAM X.7

Broadly speaking.

 

[Steve Austin]

You missed SLX mickle, which is the new LX, but it is rapidly becoming the choice for many as its cheapish, relaible and works really well.

I like XTR, but when a crankset costs near 400 over a slx at 100. its hard to see where the money is going to.

SLX is the workhorse but it is very tough and very reliable, and what i would buy today.

 

[MajorMantra]

SRAM X.X has no comprison
Dura-ace = XTR = SRAM X.0
Ultegra = XT = SRAM X.9
105 = LX = X.8 = SRAM X.8
Sora = Deore = SRAM X.7

Broadly speaking.

X.8 doesn't seem to exist on SRAM's site any more. Has X.7 been upgraded?

You missed SLX mickle, which is the new LX, but it is rapidly becoming the choice for many as its cheapish, relaible and works really well.

I like XTR, but when a crankset costs near 400 over a slx at 100. its hard to see where the money is going to.

SLX is the workhorse but it is very tough and very reliable, and what i would buy today.

I noticed this on the Shimano site:

Deore LX, has been functionally re-designed into two groups: New SLX for MTB and new Deore LX for Trekking.

...so I guess LX has been demoted (at least in theory) to non-mountain status.

Thanks for the replies! I already have a much better idea of what's what than I did before.

Cheers,
Matthew

 

[MajorMantra]

No one else? I somehow expected this to be more controversial.

Matthew

 

[Steve Austin]

Sram is rubbish!! Waste of time! Expensive overpriced tat!

Shimano Everytime

 

[MajorMantra]

Sram is rubbish!! Waste of time! Expensive overpriced tat!

Shimano Everytime

That's more like it.

Matthew

 

[mickle]

Bites tongue...

 

[Steve Austin]

is that because you can't get that silly sram powerlink apart?

 

[Young Un]

is that because you can't get that silly sram powerlink apart?

One of those took me half an hour last week next day it took me 15 seconds!!