Question about upgrading shifting

M

mintakax

New Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2019
Messages
69
Reaction score
31
Location
boulder, CO
I have a 2019 Levo comp and was wondering about upgrading the shifting. If I did this, how much difference would I notice ? I've been doing a lot of shifting under load and it sounds a bit clunky sometimes, but works. I'll confess that I am a serial upgrader of any kind of equipment, but wouldn't do it just for bling.
What might be some recommended upgrades ? A full groupset upgrade ? I've got a pretty decent budget if an upgrade would make shifting smoother and faster. I'm a novice and don't really have any experience with the performance difference between components.
Thanks !
 
⚡ EMTB Pro Go Pro — Living Intelligence Reports, exclusive discounts & ad-free Up to 25% off Peaty's, PEMBREE, Magicshine & more · Ad-free browsing · Pro badge See the deals →
mintakax said:
I have a 2019 Levo comp and was wondering about upgrading the shifting. If I did this, how much difference would I notice ? I've been doing a lot of shifting under load and it sounds a bit clunky sometimes, but works. I'll confess that I am a serial upgrader of any kind of equipment, but wouldn't do it just for bling.
What might be some recommended upgrades ? A full groupset upgrade ? I've got a pretty decent budget if an upgrade would make shifting smoother and faster. I'm a novice and don't really have any experience with the performance difference between components.
Thanks !
Click to expand...

SRAM XX1 Eagle Gold 1x12 with gripshift - butter smooth shifting even under load and definitely ticks the bling box ?not cheap though.... I had the stock XX1 actuator previously and the difference is very noticeable.
F8B60865-5209-436C-9914-33BD93A494E8.jpeg

12A76DF2-6505-41B4-9704-03F5A96FF8EC.jpeg
 
Jesus Dude that is niiiiiice..I saw it at the Surrey Hills ride but didn't fully clock it !!

@mintakax I would try get out of the habit of changing under load. As others have mentioned if you realise you are in the wrong gear bump the assistance level up in the gear your in. It does tend to chew your cassette and chain. Also, if your starting out riding and if your pushing it, you will be having a few 'stacks' you might break/damage a few de-raillers. I'm on my third at 80 a pop :) for a GX.
 
Last edited:
Jonny2 said:
Jesus Dude that is niiiiiice..I saw it at the Surrey Hills ride but didn't fully clock it !!

I would try get out of the habit of changing under load. As others have mentioned if you realise you are in the wrong gear bump the assistance level up in the gear your in. It does tend to chew your cassette and chain. Also, if your starting out riding and if your pushing it, you will be having a few 'stacks' you might break/damage a few de-raillers. I'm on my third at 80 a pop :) for a GX.
Click to expand...

Thank you. I've see this advice before and I am going to really be paying attention to not shifting under load. How does one "bump the assistance level up" ? That's some new terminology to me.
 
So I doubt your riding around in Turbo :) if so ignore..However, Just pop the assistance level of the motor up a notch say from Eco->Trail rather than crunch your gears..Gear selection prior to a climb etc is just practice!
 
Jonny2 said:
So I doubt your riding around in Turbo :) if so ignore..However, Just pop the assistance level of the motor up a notch say from Eco->Trail rather than crunch your gears..Gear selection prior to a climb etc is just practice!
Click to expand...

Ahhh ....assistance level of the motor ! I was thinking there was a rear mech adjustment I didn't know about ?. I'm usually in Trail, hardly ever use Turbo but will give your suggestion a try. I know now is the time to practice before the bad habits set in.
 
I upgraded from SRAM S700 to X1 - not noticed a massive difference but hoping the quality difference will show. I also upgraded the rear derailleur from NX to the new GX v3 which I think was definitely worth it
 
Stumpy said:
SRAM XX1 Eagle Gold 1x12 with gripshift - butter smooth shifting even under load and definitely ticks the bling box ?not cheap though.... I had the stock XX1 actuator previously and the difference is very noticeable.
View attachment 10862

View attachment 10861
Click to expand...
Was it easy to get used to the grip shifter ? Accidental shifts ?
Also, any fitting issues with the Eagle 12 speed stuff ?
I was just talking with the bike shop about these and they wondered about the cassette fitment.
 
mintakax said:
Was it easy to get used to the grip shifter ? Accidental shifts ?
Also, any fitting issues with the Eagle 12 speed stuff ?
I was just talking with the bike shop about these and they wondered about the cassette fitment.
Click to expand...

I LOVE gripshift, I've had it on previous bikes and just prefer it - I find it much more accurate and you can fly up and down the cassette much easier (if you need to). No fitting issues at all, it just bolts straight on. The cogs are narrower than 1x11 allowing the 1x12 cassette to fit into the same space without modification.
 
jimmyjam said:
I upgraded from SRAM S700 to X1 - not noticed a massive difference but hoping the quality difference will show. I also upgraded the rear derailleur from NX to the new GX v3 which I think was definitely worth it
Click to expand...

I’m also thinking to upgrade, coming from the base Levo with NX
 
XT 11-Speed is a nice inexpensive upgrade. It’s durable, cheap and pretty light
But take all recommendations with a grain of salt.
It all comes down to what works for your individual specific preferences.
While @Stumpy is my forum friend, I have never liked grip shift shifters and think 12-Speed on Emtbs is pointless.
I really like my 9-speed Box drivetrain but it’s not any less clunky than stock. It’s also pretty heavy.
But 9-speed chains are cheap and I go through them faster than a junior high school student goes through tissues
 
Al Boneta said:
While @Stumpy is my forum friend, I have never liked grip shift shifters and think 12-Speed on Emtbs is pointless.
Click to expand...

But it is GOLD Al ?

I always have and still do respect your wisdom, experience and undoubtable superior knowledge about all bike related things Al - although married up with my 36T up front I’m surprised how often I am using the top half of my cassette these days. You’re probably right that an 11 speed would be just as good but it’s got nice to know you’ve got that 50T if you ever need it ?
 
I changed the group set from nx to xx1 and it was night and day better. So much smoother. There was a dude on here selling xx1 kit, have a look in the for sale. If not, check out eBay etc. A lot of people upgrading to eagle so you'll get a bargain. Think I got my xx1 shifter for £45

If your technique and timing is wrong though, no fancy group set will stop it.
 
All Mountain Coaching said:
I changed the group set from nx to xx1 and it was night and day better. So much smoother. There was a dude on here selling xx1 kit, have a look in the for sale. If not, check out eBay etc. A lot of people upgrading to eagle so you'll get a bargain. Think I got my xx1 shifter for £45

If your technique and timing is wrong though, no fancy group set will stop it.
Click to expand...

Thanks
I really paid attention to shifting timing on my last rides and am improving somewhat.
 
i think I'll go for the XX1 11Spd. a 12speed is great on a normal MTB, but personal I don't need the 50 on the Levo.
 
I had XX1 on one bike and I put GX on the other. I really could not tell the difference on shifting performance. The weight was different obviously and one or two other minor things, but if all you are bothered about is shifting then the GX is fine.

But despite having mostly good experiences with Eagle 12-speed, I would not put it on my emtb. My current emtb came with 11-speed XT and I have zero complaints about shifting, or the range. Why pay more? :)
 
Is it necessary to have a single click shifter on EMTBs ? Is the idea that EMTBs don't need to shift up or down more than 1 cog at a time or is there an inherent danger of shifting more than one ?
 
steve_sordy said:
I had XX1 on one bike and I put GX on the other. I really could not tell the difference on shifting performance. The weight was different obviously and one or two other minor things, but if all you are bothered about is shifting then the GX is fine.

But despite having mostly good experiences with Eagle 12-speed, I would not put it on my emtb. My current emtb came with 11-speed XT and I have zero complaints about shifting, or the range. Why pay more? :)
Click to expand...

Actually I think the same way about the 11-12spd. Just saw this promotion.

One thing is sure, I’ll change the NX to...
 
I have XO1 eagle on my regular bike and it is wonderful... That said I am extremely happy with the stock GX on the ebike, it shifts fine and direct. The weight savings on an ebike are negligible so I don't feel it worth it. When it wears out I will find a lighter cassette.
 
Our mechanics would say anything by shimano. in their eye sram is not as good.
Myself i cant say as I dont really notice the difference between any gear systems ive ridden.
 
mintakax said:
Is it necessary to have a single click shifter on EMTBs ? Is the idea that EMTBs don't need to shift up or down more than 1 cog at a time or is there an inherent danger of shifting more than one ?
Click to expand...
My emtb has multiple shift capability, and I use it without a problem, but I have always had mechanical sympathy when it comes to shifting. I believe the idea behind single shifting is that the motor is so powerful that a clumsy rider may put power down while the chain is mid shift and snap the chain, bend teeth, whatever....
 
mintakax said:
Is it necessary to have a single click shifter on EMTBs ? Is the idea that EMTBs don't need to shift up or down more than 1 cog at a time or is there an inherent danger of shifting more than one ?
Click to expand...
I couldn't get on with it, and changed to the original multi shift. But like above I shift pretty well, just have to adjust slightly for an ebike. Timing should be the same regardless of bike.
 
I could barely tell the difference between NX / GX / X1

As long as they are set up correctly and indexed well there's barely any performance increase in them. It's all marginal gains and maximum cash loss in my opinion. Would much rather have NX / GX and sorted tyres than the other way round.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Keep reading
    Browse all

    Similar Threads

    Community Stats

    Since 2018
    676K
    Messages
    42,099
    Members
    Join 30,000+ Riders, it's free!
    Back
    Top