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Right, get ready to be confused... or not.

My Rocky Mountain Element has an SRAM X7 E Mount front mech as pictured here;


I am looking to replace the complete drive train to Shimano XTR 3 x 10 but can't see that any of the Shimano XTR or XT front mechs are right.

It wouldn't surprise me to find that Rocky Mountain have developed the frame with this mech in mind (they seem to be joint at the hip with SRAM).

So my thought was as I am changing everything over to XTR/XT can I simply use a normal XTR E Mount front mech;


OR am I being a complete cock and all I need to do is unbolt the bottom bit of the bracket off the mech?

Yes

Yes I am a cock or yes you just remove the lower bracket..?

Both

Well at least I'm there now...

Are you after a weight saving in replacing the X7 with XTR, or is it part of a groupset purchase? I wouldn't bother replacing it - front mechs are much the same across the board in my experience, but my first was an XT one so perhaps I'm missing something.

Agreed

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Coney, it's not part of a groupset it's more a freshen up. XTR is just because there is sooo little difference in cost between XT and XTR that it didn't make any real difference...

It's currently SRAM X9 rear, X7 front with X9 shifters. The crank is a X5 or equiv I think and needs a new 38t ring (no big shakes there).

I'm also changing the brakes from Avid 3's to XT as I do like the Deore that are on my other bike much more than the Avids - for one they don't squeal like they are being abused...

So proposed is;

XT Brakes
203mm Front rotor
180mm Rear rotor

XT 10 speed double crank
XTR Rear mech
XTR Front mech
XT 10 speed cassette
SRAM 1091 chain (as I don't like Shimano chains)

But to be honest I could save loads by going with an upgraded SRAM/Truvativ crankset, replace the X7 front mech with X9 for cosmetic purposes, change the brakes (a must) and then look to change the shock or something...

Until the money is spent I'll not really know - except I know I have a badly worn chainring and I want to change the front mech & brakes...

XTR rear mech! Wooooo
is that the the new type 2 version?
will be a good set up, i would consider changing your shock though to a RP23

The X9 is just the standard, not Type 2.

To be honest I did think about the shock but I'm not convinced spending money there will benefit me... 90mm of travel is 90mm of travel and the Rockshock seems fine.

I do like the idea of some bling on the group set and XTR kind of sorts that out...

Have you seen those new zee mechs? they look pretty sweet and get good reviews too - not sure the difference between saint/zee and xtr though - shorter cages on the zee maybe? I just like the idea of bombproofness for a rear mech.

are you going to run a chain device on your double, or just let the clutch do it's thing?

been toying with the idea myself - so many options now though 1/2/3 rings, 10 spd, clutch mechs, chain devices... seen those £45 raceface single rings that alternate between short and long teeth? heard they render chain devices redundant...