2019 Turbo Levo DT upgrade?

[Ddc6284]

I have the base 2019 model Levo

So far major upgrades...

Wheels- Enduro 305's love the hubs!
Fork- Fox Factory 36 2019
Shock- Fox Factory Dps
Brakes- Shimano Saints
Battery-700wh

Now want to upgrade the stock NX rear derailleur & shifter.

Currently have a 10-42 Sram GX cassette. Had to change because of Xd hubs.

Which rear derailleur and shifter should I get? Was thinking 1X0 11sd. Any opinions?

I have another bike that needs a derailleur... So was going to put the NX on that bike. Want better quality on my new Levo.

 

[scipy]

I'd just chime in with my $0.02 here.

Why would you want a "better quality" derailleur and/or shifter? I've driven the NX on a friend's bike for 2 weeks straight, then went back to my X01 and recently the XX1 on another friend's bike and latest I've tried was the XTR M9000.

All in all, my logic is as follows:

a) I'd go with the cheapest RD/shifter combination that functions well. For SRAM I really can't say I noticed a HUGE difference in shift quality or feel when moving from a 60 EUR NX to a 200 EUR X01 and subsequently to a 230+ XX1. Friend who has the XTR hasn't noticed an improvement of any sort between a M7000 SLX and the M9000 XTR. What he did notice though, is when the front wheel sent a rock flying into the rear derailleur that the carbon cage for the XTR costs like a new derailleur. If you don't want to have the NX, fine - upgrade to a GX. It's only 20-30 EUR more, there's a significant weight saving (322 g to 265 g), but moving to a X01 is just going to 252 g. Who even cares about grams on a 29er e-bike?
b) I'd personally go with the Shimano because of two things: 1. the "Shadow" patent - meaning the derailleur is much more tucked into the rear wheel when compared to any SRAM and 2. the adjustable clutch (all Type 2.1 and later SRAM derailleurs have a small pin holding the clutch in place and you can't tighten it unless you drill and extract this pin out).
c) E-bikes see so much more mileage under power (climbing) than acoustic bikes which means higher cost of spares and when you'll have to buy a set of pulleys for an X01 and see the price, you'll spit tea through your nose.

I'd go with the M8000 XT beause I quite like the double-upshift feature which only XT and XTR have and SLX doesn't. They all do 3-4 downshifts at a time (RapidFire). It's priced OK and provides all you need from a good derailleur.

 

[scipy]

Get a carbon handlebar or something more blingy.

Maybe a Renthal Apex 35 dia stem and a 35 mm Fatbar Carbon :O That's what I've been eyein' at least.

 

[All Mountain Coaching]

I changed from the nx to xx1 11sp and it's night and day different. So smooth, crisp and precise. Now when I updated from x01 to xx1, there's really not that much difference if any.

 

[R120]

Whatever you do I would move to shifter that can do multiple shifts, it would do my head in only being able to downshift 1 click one gear.

I too feel that you really don't need a top end drivetrain, I am very happy with XT 11 speed on mine, non of which is EMTB specific.

 

[ccrdave]

I think they added single click one gear at a time to relieve strain on the drive train (chain) if changing gear under load. I know you are not supposed to do that but we all do from time to time

 

[R120]

I get the logic of it, and don't per say think its a bad idea, I just find where I ride there are sudden steep uphills where you are banging down the gears, and one at a time would do my head in.

 

[Jeff McD]

Can't say enough good things about the GX rear on my 2018 levo comp. Wasn't happy about it at first but it shifts absolutely flawlessly. I demand a lot of it as well since I use a grip shift and frequently dump 4 or 5 gears up or down the cassette in a heartbeat. I have trained myself to let up on pedal pressure and my drivetrain is not wearing prematurely. But that GX shifter is a piece of quality gear in my opinion. Not as light but it's an electric bike so who cares. Used to have XX 1 on my stumpy and honestly couldn't tell any difference between the two.

 

[Ddc6284]

Get a carbon handlebar or something more blingy.

Maybe a Renthal Apex 35 dia stem and a 35 mm Fatbar Carbon :O That's what I've been eyein' at least.

I have a RaceFace Sixc carbon bars with Raceface Atlas stem.

 

[Ddc6284]

Reason for wanting to upgrade. Is that I have high end wheels and suspension etc... Just hate looking at the NX. It works don't get me wrong. Just don't want thier entry level derailleur...

I would also like to be able to shift multiple gears at a time.

Debating GX, X01, or Xtr....

I could use my GX 11-42 Cassette with Xtr? Right?

 

[Dirtnvert]

Generally I don’t like buying top drawer derailleurs that can die at any second. GX is a good der and stillfairly pricey. Even if I needed a der for my other bike I’d find it hard to buy anything more expensive but I’m not a dentist. I’d look ata garburuk cassette 10-46 or 48 and/or stem and bars. All those would save weight and gain more function. I always put a quality bar on every bike for piece of mind and I like short stems. I’m not big on carbon bars because of the catastrophic failure possibility. I run carbon bar on my trail bike and aluminium on bikes that see drops or jumps more. Syntace and renthal have a nice stem system for carbon bars that lessens the compression force to secure them . I like renthal bars for their quality and less sweep is more comfy on my wrists with wide shoulders. Lots of good bar options though(deity, race face, cromag etc)

 

[Orangie]

How you like those wheels ? Just ordered mine

 

[Ddc6284]

Love them!!!

Sadly had to switch to my spare wheelset, my rear bearings need to be replaced... I'm not complaining lasted approx 4k miles. I think they're great wheels for a emtb.