I’ve had very similar thoughts regarding AXS replacement parts and the ease of removing them from a bike…
I also go so far as to suspect that 12 speed is in part a scheme to get riders to switch to electronic drivetrains.
It just takes so little to knock a 12 speed drivetrain out of alignment. I ran 11 speed XT for years, and it was much more forgiving than 12 speed XT. (Which I admit is excellent when it’s setup correctly)
So I’d present 2 options for best value drivetrain - 12 speed) XT shifter and chain, SLX Cranks, Deore RD, SLX Cassette.
11 Speed) XT everything with 11-46 cassette. Yeah the jump into 46 is a little funny but it’s easy to live with.
(And for both, spring for the XT or XTR gear cable with SP41 housing)
__
I also gain a certain satisfaction out of keeping my mechanical drivetrain tuned.
I’m not sure I could learn to get that same joy from keeping my batteries charged / remembering them.
Sept. 24, 2021, 6:36 a.m. - Vincent Edwards
I’ve had very similar thoughts regarding AXS replacement parts and the ease of removing them from a bike… I also go so far as to suspect that 12 speed is in part a scheme to get riders to switch to electronic drivetrains. It just takes so little to knock a 12 speed drivetrain out of alignment. I ran 11 speed XT for years, and it was much more forgiving than 12 speed XT. (Which I admit is excellent when it’s setup correctly) So I’d present 2 options for best value drivetrain - 12 speed) XT shifter and chain, SLX Cranks, Deore RD, SLX Cassette. 11 Speed) XT everything with 11-46 cassette. Yeah the jump into 46 is a little funny but it’s easy to live with. (And for both, spring for the XT or XTR gear cable with SP41 housing) __ I also gain a certain satisfaction out of keeping my mechanical drivetrain tuned. I’m not sure I could learn to get that same joy from keeping my batteries charged / remembering them.