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IB15: Wolf Tooth Components X Lindarets Goat Link 11, Plus New WTC Softgoods, SS DM Chainrings, Guides, Tools, and More!

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wolf tooth components bags pogies chain guides goat link 11 (20)

There were a lot of surprises this year at the Wolf Tooth Components booth, one of which was a variation on a continuing theme. WTC first teamed up with Lindarets for the original Goatlink. The replacement link for the derailleur offered better shifting performance when used with a cassette adapter. The Roadlink then took the technology to the road offering an easy conversion for a 1x wide range drivetrain with a Shimano rear derailleur.

Now the duo has put forth their Goatlink 11 which is meant for 11 speed drivetrains. Now you are probably thinking, why would you need a Goatlink for an 11 speed drivetrain when wide range derailleurs already exist? The answer comes when you want to mix and match…

wolf tooth components bags pogies chain guides goat link 11 (19)

wolf tooth components bags pogies chain guides goat link 11 (23) wolf tooth components bags pogies chain guides goat link 11 (37)

It just so happens that the owner of Linderets, Marc Basiliere, happens to like Shimano XTR shifters and derailleurs. He also happens to like the range that is provided by a 10-42 or even 10-44 (with the WTC GC 44 adapter) cassette. The Goatlink 11 was created to make the two play nice together, and allow the Shimano derailleur to clear the big gears. If you want to run SRAM gearing on a Shimano drivetrain, the Goatlink 11 will cost you $28. Other than the need for the Goatlink 11, the combination is said to work quite well.

wolf tooth components bags pogies chain guides goat link 11 (28) wolf tooth components bags pogies chain guides goat link 11 (26)

WTC has been slowly rolling out various chainrings in stainless steel, and the SRAM direct mount rings are up next. Available in 24, 26, 28, and 30 tooth configurations, the direct mount rings will have threaded fittings for WTC’s stainless bash rings as well. The bash rings will be sold in two versions, one that will fit 24 to 26 tooth rings, and the other to fit 28 to 30. All direct mount chain rings are currently based on a 50 mm chainline. Pricing for the stainless Direct mount rings will run from $99-$110, with the bash ring an additional $45. WTC says BB30 rings are next, followed by RaceFace Cinch for their stainless collection.

wolf tooth components bags pogies chain guides goat link 11 (36) wolf tooth components bags pogies chain guides goat link 11 (33)

wolf tooth components bags pogies chain guides goat link 11 (35) wolf tooth components bags pogies chain guides goat link 11 (34)wolf tooth components bags pogies chain guides goat link 11 (1)

In the pipeline, WTC is working on a minimalist chain guide that will provide an optional bash guard. The upper guide will mount to the front two ISCG 05 mounting holes and will provide a simple guide as added security against dropped chains. The guide will swing out of the way by removing one bolt for easy access to the crank. It will also have an optional aluminum lower bash guard which integrates into the lower mounting hole of the guide. Expect to see these sometime around January.

wolf tooth components bags pogies chain guides goat link 11 (16) wolf tooth components bags pogies chain guides goat link 11 (22)

In the tool department, WTC has added a lightweight chain whip and also updated their bottom bracket socket to include the driver for Hollowtech II preload bolts.

wolf tooth components bags pogies chain guides goat link 11 (12) wolf tooth components bags pogies chain guides goat link 11 (11)

wolf tooth components bags pogies chain guides goat link 11 (13)

To better organize those tools, WTC decided one of their first softgood products should be a tool roll. Why? Simply because they couldn’t find something that offered what they wanted. The travel tool wrap has enough pockets for all of the essentials and is designed to either hang from your car door, or rest on the ground, in which case it doubles as a changing mat. The travel tool wrap will sell for $79.

wolf tooth components bags pogies chain guides goat link 11 (10)

wolf tooth components bags pogies chain guides goat link 11 (4)

Another one we didn’t see coming is the new Singletrack pogies. Basically, WTC felt that the pogies on the market were either no good, or offered way too much protection for riding single track. Like the rest of the softgoods, the pogies are made in the US which WTC said was a major challenge but one worth doing. Meant to be a lighter weight option for trail use, the ends of the pogies roll up to allow easier entry and exit in case you have to bail. Pogies will sell for $119.

wolf tooth components bags pogies chain guides goat link 11 (2)

wolf tooth components bags pogies chain guides goat link 11 (3) wolf tooth components bags pogies chain guides goat link 11 (7)

wolf tooth components bags pogies chain guides goat link 11 (8) wolf tooth components bags pogies chain guides goat link 11 (5)

The final softgood offering is one that is uniquely positioned for endurance mountain bike racers. Again born out of WTC’s want for something better, the Barbag uses a Velcro and magnetic closure system along with a clear lid to make accessing your nutrition while riding easier than ever. Available in left or right, the bags also include a stem spacer in case you were using a Garmin. The Barbag will run $39 per side, with a road version available in the near future.

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Mike
Mike
9 years ago

Still nothing for the shimano 4×110 bolt pattern eh? That’s too bad, WTC said they were trying to have them ready for interbike.

rp
rp
9 years ago

Pretty sure Shimano rates the XTR M900 derailleur for a 42t cog. Maybe the GoatLink is only needed for the bigger 45t aftermarket cogs? Can’t see why it would be necessary for a 10-42 cassette.

Randy
Randy
9 years ago

I already run Shimano Xtr 9000 with a Sram 10-42 Cassette with no issues in standard form. May need this for a 44 tooth rear but it works fine in standard form mixing and matching.

Marc Lindarets
9 years ago

Randy,

I hear you- but the GoatLink 11 is more about refinement. As we (and a number of folks on another site’s forums) noted, XXTR shifting isn’t quite what we have come to expect from Shimano, especially at the bottom of the cassette. The GoatLink was engineered such that free chain numbers are stock at the top cog and within 1% of stock at the bottom. You can run a SRAM 10-42 without one, but we felt like if we were going to spend XT or XTR money, we really wanted XT/XTR performance.

Marc

Marc Lindarets
9 years ago

RP,

After it was designed, Shimano did open their spec up to include 11-42t (XT) cassettes- but shifting isn’t quite as good as with the 11-40 for which the derailleur was designed (and it’s not an application for which we’re recommending the GoatLink 11).

The issue isn’t so much clearing the largest cog (though it certainly helps when we’re talking 44s and 45s)- it’s keeping the top derailleur pulley close to the cassette in every gear. SRAM’s XD models are 10-42, so when used with an XT or XTR rear derailleur the top pulley is 10mm (30%) further from the cassette than it was designed to be. Because the chain is -intentionally- flexible, this makes shifting noticeably less precise. It won’t make as much a difference as, say, replacing old cables and housing- but once you’re there it’s worth considering.

Marc

Colin
Colin
9 years ago

2 power links on one chain…

JBikes
JBikes
9 years ago

More power Colin. More power.
Did I MissingLink anything?

Chsad
Chsad
9 years ago

So if I want to run the xt 11speed 42 with the m9000 rear derailleur is this reccomended?

JBikes
JBikes
9 years ago

WTC – 64 BCD SS 30t nominal oval ring? Or maybe just a 28t round SS ring for 64 BCD.

meh
meh
9 years ago

2037 – electronically controlled frame geometry/brakes/suspension/seatpost/tire pressure, drivetrain internal gears 1,052% gear ratio … Tell me that you use all of those 11 speeds and I’ll stop …

Will
Will
9 years ago

Wait, so the biggest bash rin they offer will only fit a 30 tooth ring? I’m weak as hell and even I’m pretty happy running a 32 up front.

Chasejj
Chasejj
9 years ago

FYI- I am running a OneUp 45T XTR9000 setup now and it works pretty good except the downshift from 45-41 is a little clunky. Not horrible by any means and the B-tension screw is not anywhere near maxed out.

Brendan @ Wolf Tooth
9 years ago

@JBikes – not out of the question in the future

@Meh – BC, Colorado high mountains, Pisgah, etc…all 11 needed even under top pros!

@Will – We will do 32t stainless. The wear rate is not linear with tooth count and greatly increases (i.e shorter life) with smaller tooth counts. Somewhere around 32t to 34t the rings last “long enough” in aluminum based on our customers feedback.

NDE
NDE
9 years ago

What about CX/Road direct mount rings up to 50t? Force direct mount in 50t please.

JBikes
JBikes
9 years ago

meh – i use all 10 and 11 of my cogs on both 2x and 1x. CO frontrange

Eric Hansen
Eric Hansen
9 years ago

M9000 and M8000 derailers are OK for 42t cogs…

Marc Lindarets
9 years ago

Eric,

…but we wanted better than just OK 😀

Seriously, though- they’re designed for 11-40t cassettes and approved for 11-42. By the time you get down to a 10t, the top pulley is a good deal further from the cassette than it was designed to be. Because chains are flexible by design, this extra distance makes shifting less precise. So while you can run it stock, it seemed a shame to pay for XTR (or even XT) and not get the most from it.

Marc

Marc Lindarets
9 years ago

Chasd,

We don’t feel that the GoatLink 11 makes enough of a difference on an 11-42 (XT) to justify itself. It’s on an XX1/X01/X1 10-42 or wider that it comes into its own.

Marc

rupert3k
rupert3k
9 years ago

I second the request for direct mount 50t for SRAM, Race Face etc.
How about 32t steel Cinch mount for Next SL & Turbine?

Bazz
Bazz
9 years ago

48t Direct Mount for me (please).

Jo
Jo
9 years ago

Marc, what’s the story behind Lindarets / goat village in the Alps and your company, assuming there is one?

benzo
benzo
9 years ago

Both mid and along cage Shimano XT M8000 work perfectly well with 45 cog (One-Up).

benzo
benzo
9 years ago

Ops … meaning a 1145 cassette has almost identical range to a 1042, and XT M8000 works perfectly with it, no need to mix and match. Get a One-up 45/18 combo and a XT cassette 1140 and you get a nice 11-13-15-18-21-24-27-31-35-40-45

meh
meh
9 years ago

Brendan, I also ride in area with strong denivelation and what do you know – I’m using only 42t as front and maximum 8 rear cogs from 10sp cassette …

ACMI
ACMI
9 years ago

I’m also using a 45 tooth One-up cog on my XT 11-40 cassette. No shifting problems so far with the XT derailleur/shifter.

Brendan @ Wolf Tooth
9 years ago

We hear you on the big direct mounts and are watching the road market carefully. We had the 110 x 50t out a year ago well ahead of the SRAM road 1x groups. Even with SRAMs 1x road group launch, the 1x road thing seem to be more popular with TT, flatter areas, and gravel/adventrure.
Out of curiousity, what cassettes do you all want to run with say a 46-50t direct mount ring?

@Meh – smile, and I guess you are just tougher than the rest of us 😉

Much of the interest in our booth at Ibike was around the soft goods, chain guide, and Stainless direct mount but this crew seems to like to debate the GL 11!

Marc Lindarets
9 years ago

Jo,

The Lindarets name came from my post-university time as a bike bum, driving airport shuttles, building wheels, running a rental fleet, and occasionally guiding in the Haute Savoie. The idea of alpine riding, a village full of mountain goats, and domain name availability all came together organically- and stumbling on a graphic designer who could create such a cool logo sealed the deal. In short, the brand was from the start inspired by big days in the mountains- and Lindarets was a great fit on many levels.

Marc

Tom
Tom
9 years ago

I installed the Roadlink on my wife’s bike to which I’d fitted an 11-36 cassette and it works great. So much better than an extra long b-screw fully bottomed out.

When my new race bike shows up I’ll swap the 11-40 cassette for a 10-42 and definitely install this new link on the XTR derailleur. Why not have perfect shifting for a few extra bucks? I’ll have already spent several thousand on the bike iteself.

CXHans
CXHans
9 years ago

Second the request for the Shimano 4×110 bolt pattern rings. Big gap in the market right now – lots of potential for CX and no one else producing anything.

rob
rob
9 years ago

Looking forward to the 32 and 34 104 bcd rings, UK winters eat the chainrings long before the rest of the chainset.

chsad
chsad
9 years ago

Can I say it is excellent that lindarets and wolf tooth actually take the time to answer questions on this site. Thanks!

Brendan @ Wolf Tooth
9 years ago

@Tom – the point of the GoatLink 11…exactly!

@CXHans – won’t be a gap much longer. I would guess someone will fill that void in roughly 3.5-4 weeks =)

– stainless is for you. Won’t be doing the 34t for now, but the 32t are just coming off the mill…on to heat treat, then electropolish, then on your bike!

Chris
Chris
9 years ago

Brenden, any plans for a stainless 28t for the short spindle BB30? Got less than 500 miles out of my existing one.

Thanks,
Chris

meh
meh
9 years ago

Brendan, well I’m not so tough. Have a ‘Prolapsus valvulae mitralis’ and proper gear ratio usage or knowing when&where to cycle or push is a must.

Brendan @ Wolf Tooth
9 years ago

@Chris – yep, 6-8 weeks on those. They will use the same bash ring too=)
We are doing both BB30 and Race Face in these smaller sizes.

DC
DC
9 years ago

I can’t believe nobody is producing 1x Shimano 4bolt 110 road chainrings yet. $$$

NDE
NDE
9 years ago

Brendan,

I’m currently running a 50t Force 1 crank with an XT 11-40t cassette. This gives me the same high and low as I had with my compact crank (50t-34t) and an 11-28t cassette. I’m loving it but would ditch the spider if a direct mount was made.

Morecore
Morecore
9 years ago

As for MTB 1X set-up, if the largest cog on your cassette is bigger than your chainring, you need to check up on rule V.

Drollin
Drollin
9 years ago

I am one of the first consumers to try out the new Goatlink 11 and it is nothing short of amazing. I am running XX1 cassette for low weight and the best range at 10-42. I have a SRAM XX1 chain, and SRAM 28t chain ring. I wanted to try out a di2 XTR rear derailleur on my existing setup to help eliminate some of the maintenance of the RD. Just came in the mail yesterday. I was able to install it on my derailleur in about 5 minutes of time by simply screwing and unscrewing two threaded bolts. I quickly adjusted the b tension and then electronic limits and voila. I now have shifting that is quiet, indistinguishable from a full XTR di2 kit.

For $30 this is the best upgrade you can do to make XX1 work with di2.

Dan
Dan
9 years ago

Drollin – my XTR Di2/XX1 cassette works fine with no mods

Chris
Chris
9 years ago

I’ll be using R785 Di2 brake/shift levers with an XTR derailleur and XX1 cassette on my adventure road bike. This shifting setup gets a grade of 95% as is. That’s pretty good. For the small cost of the Goatlink 11 I think it makes sense to add it to get a grade of 99%.

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