User Review

Bike Setup:
2013 Carbon Nomad
Truvative Decendent Crank with 36 teeth chainring and 34 Narrow Wide Chainring
SRAM 12-36 cassette and Shimano 11-34 Cassette
SRAM 1070 Chain
SRAM X9 type 2 Rear Deraillaur and Shimano Zee Clutch Deraillaur (Freeride version)
SRAM X9 10spd shifter, Shimano Zee 10 Speed Shifter




Goal
My goal was to build my bike to a 1X10 drive-train.

Results
I first ran the X9 type 2 deraillaur with a 36 chainring up front with a 12-36 cassatte.
Going 1X10 made the bike less complicated and function much better than a 2X9.
Climbs were a little harder, but I would still climb everything as I did with my 2X9.



Problem: The X9 type 2 deraillaur worked smoothly when the bike was on a bike stand, but out on the trail it started to drop the chain while on the smallest cog on the cassette, and when on the tallest cog on the cassette it started making grinding noises. After a few rides I check it and the deraillaur hanger was bent and I wasn't getting all of the 10 gears out of the deraillaur. A second type 2 was bought to test and the new deraillaur had the same problem.






Shimano Zee deraillaur was bought with Zee shifters and put on the same setup, and everything worked fine, but it started to drop the chain on the smallest cog. The chain was shortened to stop it from dropping, but then the deraillaur wouldn't shift to the tallest 36 cog without grinding.
While riding at Noble Canyon, the Zee deraillaur was shifted to the tallest cog on the cassette and it broke in half. Shimano is warrantying the deraillaur now.





After a lot of searching, it turns out that SRAM type 2 deraillaur is not compatible with a 36 cog cassette. The zee is supposed to work with a 36, but in my experience it did not.





final working setup:
The final setup now is a 34 chainring up front, narrow wide, and a 11-34 cassette in the rear and SRAM X9 type 2 deraillaur. The chain does not drop, all 10 gears work flawlessly.





Suggestions:
1] If you want to run a type 2 or clutch deraillaur, make sure to not get a taller than a 34 ring rear cassette.
2] Both SRAM type 2 and Shimano Clutch work really well to reduce chain slap and keep tension on the chain, but Shimano zee shifter is smoother than SRAM X9.
3] 1X10 drive-train works really well and I recommend it.

I have been running 1x10 for a couple years now. Last fall I switched over to Zee shadow+ rear D and shifter. Setup is a 11x36 cassette, 32T ring and MRP G2 chain guide. This setup has worked great since then. I know there is one model Zee that works with 36 cassette and the other does not - maybe you picked up the wrong one or it was mis labelled? I really like this setup. Will likely go with the 42T rear cassette upgrade next, though I may have to change to a medium cage rear D.

I picked up the XT shadow plus on chainlove this past summer and haven't looked back. Super quiet. Too bad you had so many troubles, but glad it worked out for you in the end!

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I want my Mtb!!!!

I have an 11-36, 10-speed X9 Type-2 short cage with a C-Guide.
Works great! No slappage!

Recently picked up a OneUp 42T super-granny cog.
No issues whatsoever. Happy camper!

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"My favorite part of riding a bike is when I get off the bike." - Jim Gaffigan

Hey man, try it with the short cage first before you go spend a Benjamin on a medium cage.
See my pix on the previous post. ^^^^^

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"My favorite part of riding a bike is when I get off the bike." - Jim Gaffigan

Dude, that doesn't seem right. My X9 type 2 worked great with the 11-36 cassette. Now I have a custom 42t cog in the rear. So did you get a new derailleur hanger or did you leave it? I have the derailleur hanger alignment tool. Bring the bike by, maybe the frame is bent where the hanger mounts. We can check alignment and make sure everything is lined up. The X9 type 2 is designed to work with a 11-36. how was the chain dropping on the smallest cog? in the rear or in the front?

He's Alive!!

I've been running a XTR Shadow + on the carbon Nomad since it was released a while back in 2X10. I had to adjust the clutch tension once about a year ago. It's ran perfect since I put it on m bike.

I have the XT shadow Plus on my aluminum Nomad since I got it a year ago in 2X10 with zero problems.

I plan to run Saint on the V10 though.

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So glad you posted this up.. I know it's been quite a journey to get a system that works- I've watched you buy and replace so many, what seemed to be very nice derailleurs.

Good pics- nice write up. Curious to see that others systems have been working great. Wonder if it might be some sort of frame alligent issue? If so, Santa Cruz does have a lifetime replacement- hint hint..

I have had the XTR version on my last bike and now the XX1 version on my current bike. They have worked flawlessly, especially the XX1 system as a whole.

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If you don't go this year, you'll only be a year older when you do - Warren Miller

Glad you found a setup that works and also glad that Shimano is taking care of you!

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Panoramic Places

at least your rear wheel has been spared. nomad shattered my rear der, took two spokes out the rim. bud with the same bike replaced two broken der in two weeks. make sure chain length and shock's sag are correct.

and your riding style, i pity your derailleur.

I've been running 1x10 with a Saint Shadow+ derailleur on my NomadC for quite some time and it works great. I've run both a 32 and 34 front ring with 11-36t cassette and Gamut P20s single ring chain guide.

As Endo mentioned, it's important to ensure you have enough chain. Shift to the largest cog in the rear, unbolt the shock and cycle the suspension through to full bottom-out and make sure it's not going to pull the derailleur into the spokes.