SRAM X9 MTB Kona Rebuild

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This isn't a detailed report on the replacement of the drivetrain on Rich Ries's 2006 Kona Dawg Primo. It's a summary. But if you're considering SRAM stuff for your MTB, it's a good place to start your research.

Executive Summary: Improved performance. What about durability and serviceability?

Since I bought the Kona in September 2006 I've done routine preventive maintenance (PM), including changing the chain, `rings, and cassette. It was time to do that again and I thought I'd swap out the whole drivetrain. Why? Three reasons: low prices on parts at the time (April 2009); a desire to try modern SRAM components (I bought 2008 X9 parts); and the opportunity to migrate the Kona kit down to my ol' reliable Caloi hardtail, which had 15-year old shifters and `rings with more teeth missing than a hillbilly's grandma.

I never had any complaints about the way the stock components worked on the Kona. Shifts were smooth and reliable. The crank seemed flex-free. The Caloi was another story. A gorilla's forearm would tire from shifting the rear, and the LX crank was noisy right out of the box.

As of this writing I've ridden the new kit only two times for a total of about 33 miles. Here are my initial impressions. Shifting is as intuitive as Shimano's setup; maybe more so. Front shift speed is at least as fast as with Shimano, as are rear upshifts (to a smaller cog). Rear downshifts (to a larger cog) are far faster, on par with Shimano's Rapid Rise design. Overall the shifts feel more solid and certain with none of the Shimano vagueness. The Stylo crank is as stiff as it needs to be.

When next year's PM schedule calls for changing the shifter cables I'll be able to share my personal experience regarding what is reputed to be an unpleasant task. Too bad if the reports are true; a monkey with ADHD could swap out cables on Shimano's MTB shifters and I'd hate to give up that ease-of-servicing.

The bike shed some weight. It started at 32 lbs., 2 oz. and ended at 31 lbs., 11.5 oz., a drop of 6.5 oz. Not a big change, but a nice bonus. Here's a summary of the weights of various pieces from the project.

	Condition	Grams
Crankset w/bb
Truvatic Stylo	New	629
Race Face Evolve XC	Used	739
Shimano LX w/BBES70	Used	724
Rear Derailleur
SRAM X9 long cage	New	226
Shimano XT long cage	Used	267
Front Derailleur
SRAM X9	New	167
Shimano LX	Used	140
Shifters, Pair
SRAM X9	New	257
Shimano LX	Used	257
Cassette, 11-34t
SRAM PG 980	New	301
SRAM PG 970	Used	401
SRAM PG 950	Used	449

The Caloi started out at 32 lbs., 6 oz. It's awaiting brake levers, which have been ordered. Once it's built up I'll report on its final weight.

I like the SRAM bits at least as well as I ever did the Shimano equivalents, and I think SRAM has a much more positive shifter feel. My final assessment will factor in reliability and serviceability. For now, I'm happy.