Originally Posted by
TheDutchBiker
Hi Georges!
Thanks for your elaborate reply. Reassuring to know any square taper can be replaced by a HT II.
I have no doubt the XT set will be superior to the Deore, but it almost doubles the price. Coming from Acera/Altus/Alivio, a full Deore set should already be a huge step – and I have doubts spending so much on a new gearset.
Regarding the question about the chain case mount: will it also fit with a HT II ring?
Thanks!
There's more to it than "ANY". You have to know your BB shell specifications i.e.width, threading. Given what it sounds like you have it's likely 68mm or 72mm English (BSA) threaded so the variations of Italian, Swiss, French, 70mm etc won't be a factor.
Learn to read the Shimano tech docs if you plan on doing the work yourself and make sure you understand Shimano compatibility before you order anything, especially if ordering by individual part rather than a groupset. While Shimano is often "plug & play" if you're not trying to combine older/newer, road/mountain you still have to understand what is what.
EDIT - Also the special tools required to remove your old stuff and install the new using a different tool
https://si.shimano.com/en/pdfs/dm/FC...002-17-ENG.pdf
https://productinfo.shimano.com/#/
https://productinfo.shimano.com/#/com