Which Groupset?

Every so often the moons align and with a cashback and promo code £400 (or very close to) is possible if you've got time to wait and save £50

Yeah maybe I should just bite the bullet, I've already got it on another bike and £470 is still value on a really good groupset. I'm worried that if I hold out too long for the bargain I'll end up with 175mm cranks, 32 cassette and a giant rear mech.

175mm cranks, 32 cassette and a giant rear mech.

i feel attacked

Sorry nothing personal, I just don't need the low gears to get my short-ass legs up the hills

So been hanging out in the Any Questions thread about parts for my new build (Tourer with flat bar), got most of the parts decided but I am having a hard time completing my groupset.

Can someone find me a 40-42T single chainring that will work with the Shimano XT M8000 1X crankset?

The M8000 chainring only goes up to 34t, XTR only goes up to 36T. All the aftermarket brands only seem to do up to 36T or I have found a brand that does up to 38T but it's forever out of stock.

40T is the ideal number. Something that looks like is a plus.

Failing that, I'd need a M8000 compatible crankset and I know there are plenty brands out there, but the issue is, the arm length must be 165mm.

Pretty please, I'll throw in an Easter egg and a beer for you, viturally or actually.

Is the chainline for 8000 different than for other cranksets? If not, couldn't you just get any 1x 104mm bcd crankset as there are 40T chainrings for those?
This looks promising, their 8000-compatible rings only go up to 38, but they have 104mm rings in all possible sizes, prices seem decent too (no personal experience though)

Does it have to be that chainset?

I am not sure about the chainline, havent looked that far yet as I struggle to find a crankset that is 165mm... maybe I am missing the obvious...

hmm found this but they are for Oval (could give it a try!) and only gunmetal in stock in 40t.
https://www.superstarcomponents.com/en/raptor-oval-chainring-96bcd-asymetric-narrow-wide.htm

Maybe I'm missing something myself but SRAM Apex/Rival/Force 1 chainsets come in 165mm.

Not particularly, in fact, it could be an entirely different groupset as long as it's got a 165mm crank arm, 40-42T 1x chainring with disc brake, to a point...

I like Shimano and the M8000 seems to be a good balance between price and performance.

I was looking at SRAM last night and it seems they have more options and with a flarbar, but like I said, I like Shimano better.

They do indeed, SRAM is my current back up plan... Just brand perference really.

Seems like at least some of the german stores (bike-components, https://www.bike24.de/p1124069.html) have the M8000 cranks in 165mm, together with the superstar rings @spinnnout posted this should work out nicely.

there are pleny M8000 cranks in 165mm in the UK, my local LBS can get them in no problem. Thanks though.

ah sorry, didn't read properly. Seems like superstar might be your best bet for rings, their round ones only go up to 38 though.

@edscoble, do you know much about the M8000 crankset? My frame builder told me the M8000 doens't run a clean chainline? I don't fully understand what that means and was a little shy to ask why...

He's suggested to get a different crankset altogether, no issue with the rest of the groupset though. I would gladly get myselfsome Middleburn and live on beans on toast for the next few months, but they seem to be very hard to get hold of and 165mm, again, is the issue here.

Superstar popped up on my searches too. Get the XT groupset for the great brakes, shifters/mech etc. but some different cranks with an easy to get 40/42t ring, Sram apex do 42t in 165mm and I'm sure there are more too.

Can SRAM and Shimano be mixed though?

By the way, it was you who suggested ditching the Internet and make a LBS happy few weeks back, wasn't it? I have done just that and they are going to get me a sweet middle spot for me and them, and have no objection for me to bring in a few Internet bits if their profit margins don't allow a bargin for me. Win win I think. Thanks.

Can SRAM and Shimano be mixed though?

Yes since you’re running a single chainring, as long it’s a narrow/wide chainring, you be fine.

Support your local LBS, or me.
It's a chainset/ring, the bike won't explode, you can't mix shifters/mechs (well, sometimes) but apart from people objecting to everything not being matchy matchy it'll be fine.

Go completely square taper ... for marginal Q factor gains in 1x setups.

#onebanana

I did want to make you happy, but you said you are miss the 'L'... so... but it does make sense for fine adjustments after the build is completed etc etc...

You see I might have an issue with not matchy matchy... my finishing kit is the same brand and I have even bagged myself a custom set of BB / headset / hubs... That said, I wouldn't mind have a different brand crankset to a Shimano or SRAM everything, but mixing SRAM and Shimano seems a bit odd on the matching front... it's probably just me...

Can you or any LBS get Middleburn? Or do I have to get it direct?

Thanks @edscoble

We are going T47 for internal everything...

Can you or any LBS get Middleburn? Or do I have to get it direct?

Middleburn went bust a while back and were bought-up by BETD.

When I spoke to them towards the end of last year, they were just selling-off existing stock but ultimately plan to start manufacturing again.

It's worth giving them a call to see what they have knocking about, you might snag a bargain.

LBS is good.
If you're cool with a different crankset then to me SRAM on there is no more or less of a problem than anyone else's and is definitely the easiest and most not over the top expensive way of getting a 40t 1x. Or you could look at rotors or Easton do 40 and 42t rings for cinch direct mount cranks from them or raceface. Or get any old cranks with a symmetrical bcd and more ring options, even older XTs.