3 X 9 XTR to 1 X 11 XT = Heavier Bike

[wilberforce]

Just converted from all XTR 3 x 9 to M8000 1 X 11 XT.
Bike is now heavier!
The XT 11-42 Cassette weighs 445g seems to be the biggest problem.
Better choice would be SRAM XX1 but big money - plus £100 for the XD freehub adapter, albeit better range 10-42.
The loss of front shifter + derailleur is only about 260g weight saving, but the 11 speed XT derailleur with clutch mechanism is 100g heavier than the 9 speed XTR.
Loss of XTR Granny & Big rings are offset by adding steel 37T and aluminium 42T sprockets to cassette.

[LeDuke]

Are you surprised by this?

XT has always been a good amount heavier than XTR.

[wilberforce]

I was a bit surprised.
I assumed losing the Front Shifter, Front Derailleur + cable, 16 Gears and 2 Rings would save a bit of weight.

[LeDuke]

The XT cassette is what, 200g heavier than the XX1 or XTR?

[wilberforce]

M8000 XT 11-42 445g £65
M9000 XTR 11-40 331g £135
XG-1199 XX1 10-42 260g £204 [PLUS XD DRIVER approx. £100 EXTRA]

9-speed XTR CS-M970 11-32 222g

[Jaker]

Remember though that the XD driver is usually lighter as well ;p

[TheRookie]

I assumed losing the Front Shifter, Front Derailleur + cable, 16 Gears and 2 Rings would save a bit of weight.

You didn't lose 16 gears and 2 rings though, you gained 2 sprockets and lost 2 chainrings, you also upweighted a lot of parts by using XT not XTR.

For a weight weenie 1x9 rocks!

[CGT]

This is why instead of XT M8000 1x11 I went XTR M980 1x10, save for the cassette which is XT M771 11-36 for longevity. If the range will prove too narrow, I will add a Garbaruk ST 29-42 cassette extender.

As you're pointing out, the only real way of saving serious grams is by going Sram on the 11-speed cassette, and that costs a lot if you don't already have the hub body for it.

[wilberforce]

The thing I overlooked coming from 3 X 9 was the clutch rear derailleur adding weight. Needed when using single front chainwheel.
Front shifter and derailleur are very little saving really and then the 2 rings removed from the front are basically put on the back!
At first thought I'd be shedding weight, in fact I have shedded cash and gears to add weight!
The SRAM cassette is the game changer, saves weight and improves range, especially at the top (10T ring is big jump from 11T)
Looks like I'll be shedding twice as much cash to convert to XX1 or I'll never be happy!
Luckily SRAM XX1 Cassette is spaced identically to SHIMANO M8000 so is straight swap after converting hub to XD.

[TheRookie]

The thing I overlooked coming from 3 X 9 was the clutch rear derailleur adding weight. Needed when using single front chainwheel.
.

1x9, no clutch, no chain retention (other than narrow wide) never dropped a chain in use.

[the_marsbar]

I tried that for a couple of weeks on my old bike (also 1 x 9). Dropped the chain constantly, and switched to 2 x 9.

[hjb1000]

I was a bit surprised.
I assumed losing the Front Shifter, Front Derailleur + cable, 16 Gears and 2 Rings would save a bit of weight.

I can see what you're saying, and this is the issue I have with XT 1x11. The whole point of 1x10/1x11 is about loosing weight and complexity. With XT 11-42T the cassette is like 450g so it's a bit like 1 step forward, 2 steps back...

[wilberforce]

Well in the end I saved weight and gained simplicity, BUT at a large financial cost.
Went for SRAM Cassette (plus XD freehub).
Added a Wolf Tooth 44T expander cog and Goat Link, this only added 6g as original cog + Link are removed.
So with 36T N/W Wolf Tooth single Chainring and 10-44 SRAM Cassette I saved weight...PLUS..
Compared to my 3 X 9 (11-32) I have lost ONLY 1 Gear at Top and 1 Gear at Bottom.
Been riding and love the simplicity & QUIETNESS! No Chain rattle.
Added a "TRIGGER BELL" next to dropper post switch in place of Front Shifter Trigger.
Lot of Expense, but a weight saving and an improvement IMO.

[CGT]

The Goat Link doesn't replace your replaceable derailleur hanger, it replaces a part on Shimano's Shadow derailleurs (called B-pivot knuckle). That's why it doesn't work with Sram RDs.

[wilberforce]

I am using SHIMANO RD & Shifter.
Replaced Cassette only with SRAM.
Shifting with Goat Link is best I have ever had so far.
For fast XC am loving 36T Front and 10-44T rear, 26" Wheels.
Clicking up and down the gears with one finger RH shifter only.
Can go down 4 at a time, up 2 if required.