In the above photo, you may notice the cockpit looks especially clean. Thanks for a complete drivetrain redo, we're down to three cables. But the improvements go much deeper than that. We replaced the stock Deore derailleur with the latest 11-speed Shimano XT, featuring a clutch for vastly improved chain retention. We eliminated the front derailleur and shifter altogether, and replaced the stock stamped steel chainrings with a single machined aluminum Raceface narrow-wide chainring. These rings feature a special tooth profile that eliminates the need for a chain guide. Out back, we replaced the Deore-level cassette with a SRAM X01 driver, which saves weight and increases range.
A nice side effect of the single chainring conversion and the clutch derailleur is a silent drivetrain: The chain no longer bounces around and hits the frame, and there is no front derailleur to rub on, no matter the gear.