replacing crankset - Alivio or Deore/LX? mail-order

Quoted message said:

Originally posted by Mike I need a new crankset for the mostly-road-us
MTB

I would've thought that postage costs would make this kind of purchas
prohibitive? Don't you have another bike shop you can go to nearby

I prefer Deore (I have LX now) for its looks and the lighter weight

hipp

-

"Mike" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I need a new crankset for the mostly-road-use MTB.
Currently has Deore 9 speed rear end, and Suntour crankset.
I guess the Alivio crankset would be an equivalent replacement,
but is it worth paying a bit more for the Deore?
LBS is expensive and no stock. Aussie mail order not much better.

- Alivio crankset US$43 from Nashbar.com (A$60) (post?)
- Deore cranksets for £34 (ex-vat, A$83) from chainreation.com .

The LX cranksets are a little more, but I see alloy rings as a liability
on a compact MTB set.
Anyone have experience with these shops? Maybe I should choose based
on the shop. I'll be ordering a cassette & chain too, reducing
the postage margin.
Is it still true that small orders via USPS or Royal Mail will not
be bothered by customs?
Any better mail-order vendors for MTB parts?

Also, is it true that the only difference between Deore and LX 9-speed
cassettes is the lock-ring colour?

Mike.

P.S. remember to change that chain before its too late! :-(

dunno about the cranks, but everytime i've tried ordering stuff from nashbar
the postage charge has nearly knocked me over..once i ordered a $35us
jersey, they emailed me saying the postage would be $45us.
It was a similar story when i tried ordering a set of ultegra hubs, postage
was about as expensive as the hubs themselves.

Both cases i cancelled the order

dejonica said:

"Mike" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I need a new crankset for the mostly-road-use MTB.
Currently has Deore 9 speed rear end, and Suntour crankset.
I guess the Alivio crankset would be an equivalent replacement,
but is it worth paying a bit more for the Deore?
LBS is expensive and no stock. Aussie mail order not much better.

- Alivio crankset US$43 from Nashbar.com (A$60) (post?)
- Deore cranksets for £34 (ex-vat, A$83) from chainreation.com .

The LX cranksets are a little more, but I see alloy rings as a liability
on a compact MTB set.
Anyone have experience with these shops? Maybe I should choose based
on the shop. I'll be ordering a cassette & chain too, reducing
the postage margin.
Is it still true that small orders via USPS or Royal Mail will not
be bothered by customs?
Any better mail-order vendors for MTB parts?

Also, is it true that the only difference between Deore and LX 9-speed
cassettes is the lock-ring colour?

Mike.

P.S. remember to change that chain before its too late! :-(

dunno about the cranks, but everytime i've tried ordering stuff from nashbar
the postage charge has nearly knocked me over..once i ordered a $35us
jersey, they emailed me saying the postage would be $45us.
It was a similar story when i tried ordering a set of ultegra hubs, postage
was about as expensive as the hubs themselves.

Both cases i cancelled the order

I got some gear from Harris Cyclery - it was $20 US postage for some
brifters - seemed about right. Also ordered a Generator hub earlier and
was about the same.

"Mike" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I need a new crankset for the mostly-road-use MTB.
Currently has Deore 9 speed rear end, and Suntour crankset.
I guess the Alivio crankset would be an equivalent replacement,
but is it worth paying a bit more for the Deore?
LBS is expensive and no stock. Aussie mail order not much better.

- Alivio crankset US$43 from Nashbar.com (A$60) (post?)
- Deore cranksets for £34 (ex-vat, A$83) from chainreation.com .

The LX cranksets are a little more, but I see alloy rings as a liability
on a compact MTB set.
Anyone have experience with these shops? Maybe I should choose based
on the shop. I'll be ordering a cassette & chain too, reducing
the postage margin.
Is it still true that small orders via USPS or Royal Mail will not
be bothered by customs?
Any better mail-order vendors for MTB parts?

Also, is it true that the only difference between Deore and LX 9-speed
cassettes is the lock-ring colour?

Mike.

P.S. remember to change that chain before its too late! :-(

Hi Mike,

I have used Nashbar but postage is expensive. In my case I had it locally
delivered to a brother in San Jose who either carried it out or posted via
USPS.

I suggest that you check out eBay Australia there are usually brand new
crank sets going on a regular basis and the price including postage is
usually good.

The question that comes to my mind is why can't you just replace the chain
ring that is worn. If you use the bike mostly on road I expect you need a
new large ring. I picked a 46T BBB from Cecil Walkers and it shifts fine,
they also do mail order and perhaps you can pick a new SRAM chain to boot.
Just a thought.

Kevin

"Mike" <[email hidden]> schreef in bericht
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I need a new crankset for the mostly-road-use MTB.
Currently has Deore 9 speed rear end, and Suntour crankset.
I guess the Alivio crankset would be an equivalent replacement,
but is it worth paying a bit more for the Deore?
LBS is expensive and no stock. Aussie mail order not much better.

- Alivio crankset US$43 from Nashbar.com (A$60) (post?)
- Deore cranksets for £34 (ex-vat, A$83) from chainreation.com .

The LX cranksets are a little more, but I see alloy rings as a liability
on a compact MTB set.
Anyone have experience with these shops? Maybe I should choose based
on the shop. I'll be ordering a cassette & chain too, reducing
the postage margin.
Is it still true that small orders via USPS or Royal Mail will not
be bothered by customs?
Any better mail-order vendors for MTB parts?

Also, is it true that the only difference between Deore and LX 9-speed
cassettes is the lock-ring colour?

Mike.

P.S. remember to change that chain before its too late! :-(

PRICING QUESTION
Alivio FC-MC 20-L 23 Euro (equiv. to 28 USD)
Deore LX 4-Arm Octalink FC-M 572 (round 70 Euro depending on model) (85
USD)

http://www.roseversand.de/rose_main.cfm?spr_id=2

It is a good shop, just accros the border in Germany, they ship worldwide.

WHICH EQUIPMENT QUESTION
Shimano discriminates between equipment type and rider type in the following
manner. Make sure you put yourself in the correct class. My repair,
maintenance and replacement bill went down when I upgraded from LX to XT
because I developed into a different type of rider and the LX equipment
couldn't catch up with me.
-Deore LX (MTB Enthusiast)
-Deore (MTB Adv. Recreational)
-Alivio (MTB Novice Recreational

CASSETTE QUESTION
Shimano CS-HG70-9 (LX Cassette)
Wide-Range Mega-9 Gearing
Close ratio 9-speed sprocket cluster with up to 32T low gear results in a
wider range of gear choices and a lower bottom end.
Lightweight Design
HG sprockets are strategically drilled out to reduce weight, and maintain
strength. 9-speed cluster actually weighs almost the same as previous
8-speed types.

HG Sprocket Design / Special 9-speed HG sprocket design insures fast and
positive shifting.

Alloy Sprocket Carrier No
Number of Sprockets 9-speed HG
Group Identification ar
Sprocket steel
Sprocket Finish pearl bright finish
Chain Compatibility Super Narrow HG
Weight 330g

Shimano CS-HG50-9 (Deore Cassette)
Wide-Range Mega-9 Gearing
Close ratio 9-speed sprocket cluster with up to 32T low gear results in a
wider range of gear choices and a lower bottom end.
HG Sprocket Design
Special 9-speed HG sprocket design insures fast and positive shifting.

Alloy Sprocket Carrier No
Number of Sprockets 9-speed HG
Group Identification ar
Sprocket steel
Sprocket Finish Ni-plated
Chain Compatibility Super Narrow HG
Weight 358g

cheers,

Bert

--
Posted by news://news.nb.nu

"hippy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Originally posted by Mike I need a new crankset for the
mostly-road-use MTB.

I would've thought that postage costs would make this kind of purchase
prohibitive? Don't you have another bike shop you can go to nearby?

You can sometimes get good deals from the States particularly as long as
they don't use couriers to freight the goods. The [censored] at Nashbar only
use FedEx for their international shipping, who are ridiculously expensive.
Sheldon Brown/Harris Cyclery uses US Post.

Quoted message said:

I prefer Deore (I have LX now) for its looks and the lighter weight.

Deore over Alivio every time.

--

A: Top-posters.
Q: What is the most annoying thing on Usenet?

"Mike" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]

Quoted message said:

I need a new crankset for the mostly-road-use MTB.
Currently has Deore 9 speed rear end, and Suntour crankset.
I guess the Alivio crankset would be an equivalent replacement,
but is it worth paying a bit more for the Deore?
LBS is expensive and no stock. Aussie mail order not much better.

- Alivio crankset US$43 from Nashbar.com (A$60) (post?)
- Deore cranksets for £34 (ex-vat, A$83) from chainreation.com .

The Deore is a tad lighter than the Alivio and also has a larger big ring
(44T versus 42T). There's not a big difference unless you go to the Deore
Octalink which uses a splined crank arm mount and therefore a different
bottom bracket.

Quoted message said:

The LX cranksets are a little more, but I see alloy rings as a
liability on a compact MTB set.

Why?

Quoted message said:

Anyone have experience with these shops? Maybe I should choose
based on the shop. I'll be ordering a cassette & chain too, reducing
the postage margin.

Nashbar only uses FedEx for international orders. FedEx are moronically
expensive. You will not be buying from Nashbar unless you've got a mate in
the States to reship it for you using US Post.

Quoted message said:

Is it still true that small orders via USPS or Royal Mail will not
be bothered by customs?

It's all on the Customs web site, under Import/Export > Importing Goods >
Buying over the Internet.

http://www.customs.gov.au/

--

A: Top-posters.
Q: What is the most annoying thing on Usenet?

Deore cranksets and models above use shimano's hollowtech spline setu
so you will have to replace the bottom bracket as well. I'm not sur
about the Alivio so check the compatibility with your current bb typ
before you buy

I've bought things online with Phantom Cycle
http://www.phantomcycles.com.au/ and can recommend them. I found it
best to check whether they have what you want in stock before orderin
to avoid any delay though

I know it might be expensive but you can get a XT model crank with a 4
tooth max chainring which would be better suited for road riding

-

"gescom" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]

[...]

Quoted message said:

I know it might be expensive but you can get a XT model crank with a
48 tooth max chainring which would be better suited for road riding.

There's also a 48-36-26 Deore crank but my understanding is it's ordinarily
only available in Europe (we get the 44-32-22). I have no idea why.

--

A: Top-posters.
Q: What is the most annoying thing on Usenet?

Bert L.am:

Quoted message said:

WHICH EQUIPMENT QUESTION
Shimano discriminates between equipment type and rider type in the following
manner. Make sure you put yourself in the correct class.
couldn't catch up with me.
-Deore LX (MTB Enthusiast)
-Deore (MTB Adv. Recreational)
-Alivio (MTB Novice Recreational

This is just marketing, no substance to this whatsoever so disregard.

Before the 9 speed drivetrains came out, Alivio was the top of the
8-speed class. Deore is the bottom of the 9-speed class.

Mike:

Quoted message said:

I need a new crankset for the mostly-road-use MTB.
Currently has Deore 9 speed rear end, and Suntour crankset.
I guess the Alivio crankset would be an equivalent replacement,
but is it worth paying a bit more for the Deore?
LBS is expensive and no stock. Aussie mail order not much better.

Why do you want to change the cranks? Why not just get new chainrings
in the sizes that you want?

Quoted message said:

The LX cranksets are a little more, but I see alloy rings as a liability
on a compact MTB set.

Alloy rings never match steel rings for durability, so if you keep your
Suntour cranks you may have more shop options for steel chainrings.

Quoted message said:

Anyone have experience with these shops? Maybe I should choose based
on the shop. I'll be ordering a cassette & chain too, reducing
the postage margin.

Choose according to your needs. Try some of the UK sites like SJS
Cycles.

Quoted message said:

Also, is it true that the only difference between Deore and LX 9-speed
cassettes is the lock-ring colour?

There certainly isn't any difference in durability between lower- and
upper-end models for cassettes and chains. Buy the cheapest cassette
and chain that you can, and replace as required.

Mike said:

I need a new crankset for the mostly-road-use MTB. Currently has Deore 9
speed rear end, and Suntour crankset. I guess the Alivio crankset would
be an equivalent replacement, but is it worth paying a bit more for the
Deore? LBS is expensive and no stock. Aussie mail order not much better.
- Alivio crankset US$43 from Nashbar.com (A$60) (post?)
- Deore cranksets for £34 (ex-vat, A$83) from chainreation.com .
The LX cranksets are a little more, but I see alloy rings as a liability
on a compact MTB set. Anyone have experience with these shops? Maybe I
should choose based on the shop. I'll be ordering a cassette & chain
too, reducing the postage margin. Is it still true that small orders via
USPS or Royal Mail will not be bothered by customs? Any better mail-
order vendors for MTB parts?
Also, is it true that the only difference between Deore and LX 9-speed
cassettes is the lock-ring colour?
Mike.
P.S. remember to change that chain before its too late! :-(

I just finished upgrading the drivetrain of my new bike from Deore t
XT. I bought the majority of parts new from e-bay. Savings of 25-40% of
current prices online (even more savings when compared to LBS prices)
So one option is e-bay

For online shopping (or mail order) from Aussie shops, Phantom Cycle
have been my first choice so far. I just bought a set of LX shifters o
special for $98

Came close to order stuff from Singapore, but hidden cost
changed my mind

For Deore performance, I was not happy with the shift operation in fron
at all. With the new 760 series cranks and derailleur, the difference i
very very visible. And with exterrnal bearing design of new 760, th
cranks look awesome. Happy to have done it

With changing cranks or chainrings need to be careful with derailleu
compatibility, bottom bracket compatibility and your chain length
Sometimes bright and simple ideas on upgrading could burn a whole in th
pocket due to unforeseen incompatibilities. Before you order anything
I'd suggest you take your bike to a good LBS and find out what you need

The gain with moving to Deore is access to hollowtech and octalin
technology which save weight and increases stiffness. If these are no
important, no need for them. XT is the reliable performance level i
this family while Deore is the bread and butter level. LX is in between
If the looks is important, LX is a winner since it's got XT's looks bu
not as pricy. The current LX FC M572 crankset looks different fro
current Deore FC M510. The shape of arms suggests stiffer operation
Haven't checked the rings closely, though

Good Luck

-

Bert L.am said:

PRICING QUESTION
Alivio FC-MC 20-L 23 Euro (equiv. to 28 USD)
Deore LX 4-Arm Octalink FC-M 572 (round 70 Euro depending on model) (85
USD)

http://www.roseversand.de/rose_main.cfm?spr_id=2

Thanks Bert.
But whats wrong with that website? I followed the menu to cranksets,
found 18 listed but no Alivio or Deore. Some other Shimano though.
Searching on "Alivio" and "deore" found more. I think they just have
octalink for the latter, no sq. taper. But maybe i just can't find it.

Quoted message said:

WHICH EQUIPMENT QUESTION
Shimano discriminates between equipment type and rider type in the following

"market segments", they mean. I hope this isn't _you_ talking.

Quoted message said:

manner. Make sure you put yourself in the correct class. My repair,
maintenance and replacement bill went down when I upgraded from LX to XT

Is this a real person? Or some hypothetical invention?
My marketing-[censored] detector is going way off the scale.

Quoted message said:

because I developed into a different type of rider and the LX equipment
couldn't catch up with me.

<beep>!!!!

Quoted message said:

-Deore LX (MTB Enthusiast)
-Deore (MTB Adv. Recreational)
-Alivio (MTB Novice Recreational

Yes, I've seen the glossy advertising, but whats the real difference? I
dont care about a few grams. Nor do I race off-road and hit rocks &
logs. I know Alivio is an 8-speed system. The marketing implies an
Alivio crankset won't work well with a narrow chain, but thats BS.
Does it wear faster?

Quoted message said:

CASSETTE QUESTION .....

All that tells me is the difference between a Deore and LX cassette is
28g (suspiciously exactly 1 Oz.) and the colour. Looks like its the
same steel (so same wear), same ratios, same ramps. Thanks.

Quoted message said:

cheers,

Bert

Jose Rizal said:

Why do you want to change the cranks? Why not just get new chainrings
in the sizes that you want?

Middle ring is gone, and riveted to the granny. Right crank slightly
bent. Big ring significanly worn.

Quoted message said:

Alloy rings never match steel rings for durability, so if you keep your
Suntour cranks you may have more shop options for steel chainrings.

Its a 4-arm 104mm crank, compatible with Shimano, I think. But no inner
bolts for granny. Cheaper than other components on the bike (Giant Iguana).

Quoted message said:

Choose according to your needs. Try some of the UK sites like SJS
Cycles.

Thanks. SJSC has a good webiste, but prices rather higher than
chainreactioncycles.com .

Quoted message said:

There certainly isn't any difference in durability between lower- and
upper-end models for cassettes and chains. Buy the cheapest cassette
and chain that you can, and replace as required.

Ta. I'll get the cheapest 9-speed models then.

Bert L.am said:

PRICING QUESTION
Alivio FC-MC 20-L 23 Euro (equiv. to 28 USD)
Deore LX 4-Arm Octalink FC-M 572 (round 70 Euro depending on model) (85
USD)
http://www.roseversand.de/rose_main.cfm?spr_id=2

further re roseversand.de, that Alivio price looks good until I saw the
12 euro "dispatch charge". No info in int'l shipping.
Their Deore is octalink only. I need square taper.
And the website sucks. Javascript doesnt work. Maybe its a microsoft
only site.

Re Alivio, that one says it needs an IG chain. More worries.
I guess I'll order the Deore from chainreactioncycles.com UK.
Its just a pity that so many of the goodies on their website
are "Out of Stock".

hippy said:

I would've thought that postage costs would make this kind of purchase
prohibitive?

Seems true for nashbar.
But Deore crankset from UK is £40 -vat + £7.50 post = ~A$102 delivered.
The LBS is almost as much for an Acera-X.

Quoted message said:

Don't you have another bike shop you can go to nearby?

Lots of smaller ones. Too many. But they won't have stock, and will be
expensive for parts. Why get them to order in, when I can DIY?

K&C Russell said:

I have used Nashbar but postage is expensive. In my case I had it locally
delivered to a brother in San Jose who either carried it out or posted via

Hi Kevin. OK, ta. Nashbar is out.

Quoted message said:

I suggest that you check out eBay Australia there are usually brand new

OK ... Nothing current. I had a look at past sales. Mostly high end.
Nothing I knew enough about to have ordered.

Quoted message said:

The question that comes to my mind is why can't you just replace the chain
ring that is worn.

Good Q. Its a cheapie with granny rivetted to worn middle ring. I could
have replaced the outer.

Quoted message said:

If you use the bike mostly on road I expect you need a
new large ring.

On road, but lots of hills, even mountains with panniers.

regards, Mike.

Mike:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Choose according to your needs. Try some of the UK sites like SJS
Cycles.

Quoted message said:

Thanks. SJSC has a good webiste, but prices rather higher than
chainreactioncycles.com .

aebike.com has a good selection of cranks and chainrings. Their
international shipping seems reasonable too (there's a shipping
estimator on their website). The downside is that they don't sell
Shimano components over the internet, but they do over the phone. If
you write down your order, you can place it within a few minutes' worth
of a call.

Quoted message said:

Originally posted by Mik

Quoted message said:

Seems true for nashbar. But Deore crankset from UK is £40 -vat + £7.5
post = ~A$102 delivered. The LBS is almost as much for an Acera-X

Cecil Walker (Melbourne) have Deore crankset for $134
http://www.cecilwalker.com.au/category158_1.ht

Personally I'd save the hassle rather than the $32 and buy locally. Yo
could probably find it cheaper too but it's up to you

hipp

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