what is yr favourite speed cassette for xc race?

[Stylomilo]

trouble with short cages is they take up less chain when its bumpy so more chain slap. Dura ace works fine in mud, have used them on my CX bike for a couple of years

Yeap. Dun mine take the balance grip tape for roadbike and tape it on the chain stay. very light rite?

[elendil]

3*9 with DA 11-27 is lighter. My DA 11-27 (custommade) with Tune Edelzwicker weighs 178g, weight saving compared to 11-32 XTR: ca. 64g.

2*9 setup saves 20g (removed 22t) + 5g (29t instead of 32t) = 25g.

[Stylomilo]

Anyone self-made cassette rings here?

[soulman]

i use on my both bikes two different cassettes and cranksets.
on my trek stp400 - the xc racer - i use 44t (shimano) - 29 (coda) - 20 (tune) and a da-cassette 12-27t in combination with a sram 9.0sl (stars 'n' stripes anniversary model, very proud to own!) rear derailleur.

on the other bike - a gt lts thermoplast ('96) - i use the same rings as above but because the higher weight i use instead the 20t small ring a 22t ring and a xtr-cassette 12-34t with a xtr rear derailleur.

both combinations work very well with no problems under all conditions.