LX vs. XT vs. XTR & Non-Shimano Options

rtsy

I have a stock Giant NRS3 used mostly on the road, not too smooth roads, e.g., potholes, lots of badly made humps, though where I am and I'm trying to understand the benefits of upgrading the group set. Specifically, my objectives are to lighten my bike and smoothen it's operation.

Three questions:

1--What are the tangible benefits of moving up from an LX to and XT to an XTR? I'm a newbie so please spare me the heavy technical stuff. I'm interested in how the upgrades improved your ride.

2--Aside from Shimano, what other MTB group sets can I consider?

3--For roughly the same money, would you go for an XT group set and a lighter fork (e.g., Rockshox SID or similar offerings from the other fork makers) or an XTR group set (keep the stock Rockshox Judy on the NRS3...for now).

Thanks!

psycho-

1-Smoother, faster action. Lighter components.
2- SRAM components. They make gripshift, but their higher end stuff is supposed to be good. I personally still use XT stuff
3-XT is good, XTR is too little return for the amount of extra money spent.

BTW, if the stuff is smooth and fast already, use it until it gets sorta crappy, and then change it.

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victor
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