Does XT worht the money over LX?

Well, if you've got Acera now, you're probably fine with LX. It's Shimano's bread-and-butter, go-to, non-economy non-no-frills grouppo. Not as light or fancy or pretty as XT or the vaunted XTR, but it'll probably never let you down. If you're bigger and/or stronger (6'+, 185+), or a racer-wannabe, it'd be worthwhile to move up to XT. It's what I use, and I'm 6'1", 196#, almost 39.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by dje31
Well, if you've got Acera now, you're probably fine with LX. It's Shimano's bread-and-butter, go-to, non-economy non-no-frills grouppo. Not as light or fancy or pretty as XT or the vaunted XTR, but it'll probably never let you down. If you're bigger and/or stronger (6'+, 185+), or a racer-wannabe, it'd be worthwhile to move up to XT. It's what I use, and I'm 6'1", 196#, almost 39.

Parts that need replacing regulary with heavy use like cassettes are somewhat more expensive for XT than LX. I'm a big rider (6'2", 220) and have broken the spider arms on XT cassettes, so I use LX now - not as light but in my experience more durable and less expensive, though I use an XT rear derailleur because I reckon the shiftings a bit tighter. If you're riding a lot I probably woudn't suggest anything below LX. You might be better off putting the difference into a nice wheelset if you weant to go faster.

Well I'm 5' 10" and 195lbs, yesterday after putting a new chain I discovered, the hard way, that my cassette is gone, (it slips in certain gears)as was the old chain.
So following your advice I might get LX cassette and if the budget allows it a rear XT probably an LX to.
Now another question, seems like LX and XT are only available in 9 sp, now I have 8. I can still find cheap cassettes for 8, or should I do the upgrade to 9? The more expensive part seems to be the shifters. Or should I get the cheap 8s and wait for Shimano to sell 10sp (if they do it)and upgrade from 8 to 10?

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Solanog
Well I'm 5' 10" and 195lbs, yesterday after putting a new chain I discovered, the hard way, that my cassette is gone, (it slips in certain gears)as was the old chain.
So following your advice I might get LX cassette and if the budget allows it a rear XT probably an LX to.
Now another question, seems like LX and XT are only available in 9 sp, now I have 8. I can still find cheap cassettes for 8, or should I do the upgrade to 9? The more expensive part seems to be the shifters. Or should I get the cheap 8s and wait for Shimano to sell 10sp (if they do it)and upgrade from 8 to 10?

There are plenty of 8-speed Shimano components available on eBay if money is a concern. LX is solid and reliable for me and I'm 200+ pounds. While I appreciate 9-speed drivetrains, I don't feel they are always necessary if 8-speed suited your needs before. In fact my current off-road ride is still 7-speed because I'm too darn cheap to upgrade it.

I suggest replacing what is broken with LX and keep on riding!

I've just found Deore 8 speed cassette for a good price, so I'll stay with eight. Is a 11-32 which is better than my 12-30. So I'll be happy with it. What I need is to change the deraileur, I may get the Lx instead of the XT. Then when things mess up again I may think about the 9spd.
Now as you wrote, I'll fix what's broken and keep on riding!

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Solanog
I've just found Deore 8 speed cassette for a good price, so I'll stay with eight. Is a 11-32 which is better than my 12-30. So I'll be happy with it.

11-32 should make the bike climb well on hills, definitely better than the 12-30. Jump a stump for me when you're done!

O.K.

Thanks for all the advice.