At 170 lbs and riding mostly XC in dry conditions, I find XX1/11 the best drivetrain available. Still haven't burned through the X01 cassette in over 2500 miles. Derailleur, shifter, good as new. It never misses a shift and nothing ever needs adjustment, just new chains every 1000 miles or so. Eagle is a downgrade to me.
If I were heavier or riding in mud and rain all the time, I'd be all over the wide-range 9-speeds. Probably Advent over Box; it costs and weighs less for what I assume would be similar durability. Nine on a full-suspension means you can still sit and spin on the flats and hills, which is, to me, a big reason to bother with FS over HT. Going down to five or whatever would bring you closer to the SS experience: always out of the saddle to finesse a gear that's never quite right. Fun, but exhausting.
Oct. 23, 2019, 6:45 p.m. - Alex D
At 170 lbs and riding mostly XC in dry conditions, I find XX1/11 the best drivetrain available. Still haven't burned through the X01 cassette in over 2500 miles. Derailleur, shifter, good as new. It never misses a shift and nothing ever needs adjustment, just new chains every 1000 miles or so. Eagle is a downgrade to me. If I were heavier or riding in mud and rain all the time, I'd be all over the wide-range 9-speeds. Probably Advent over Box; it costs and weighs less for what I assume would be similar durability. Nine on a full-suspension means you can still sit and spin on the flats and hills, which is, to me, a big reason to bother with FS over HT. Going down to five or whatever would bring you closer to the SS experience: always out of the saddle to finesse a gear that's never quite right. Fun, but exhausting.