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I currently have a 3x9 Shimano drivetrain, and I'd like to replace the current Shimano 9-speed rear derailleur/shifter/cassette and front derailleur/3 chainrings with the SRAM PG-1170 11-32T cassette, NX rear derailleur, GX shifter, and a narrow wide chainring.

As I understand, 11-speed SRAM cassettes that use an 11 tooth small cog do not require the XD driver body. Additionally, SRAM 11T and Shimano MTB 11-speed cassettes are cross-compatible with Shimano and SRAM derailleurs/shifters. And Shimano 11-speed MTB cassettes fit onto 8/9/10 speed hubs, but Shimano 11-speed road cassettes do not.

The SRAM PG-1170 cassette is listed as a 'road cassette.' The REI description for the PG-1170 lists 'Shimano HG/SRAM PG' Freehub compatibility.

Is my understanding correct, and would this 1x11 upgrade be as straightforward as replacing the existing Shimano components with the SRAM components described above?

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11-speed SRAM cassettes that use an 11 tooth small cog do not require the XD driver body ... Shimano 11-speed MTB cassettes fit onto 8/9/10 speed hubs, but Shimano 11-speed road cassettes do not.

Basically correct. MTB cassettes with large low-gear sprockets can be made with the spider overhanging the drive side of the hub a little, so the longer freehub isn't required. I've been told on this site that some larger 11 speed road cassettes also do this and will fit on a 10 speed freehub.

I'm not sure this is a totally hard a and fast rule, so I think what you'll need to do is ensure that whichever cassette you buy will fit in a 10 speed freehub body

SRAM 11T and Shimano MTB 11-speed cassettes are cross-compatible with Shimano and SRAM derailleurs/shifters.

Yes.

would this 1x11 upgrade be as straightforward as replacing the existing Shimano components with the SRAM components.

The conversion should be straightforward. One difficulty may be finding a narrow-wide chainring that fits properly on your triple crank. Shorter chainring bolts are typically required to attach a single middle ring rather than middle and large.

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    I'm not sure this is a totally hard a and fast rule, so I think what you'll need to do is ensure that whichever cassette you buy will fit in a 10 speed freehub body I've dealt with this a lot and you've summed up the situation well. Shimano road 11spd cassettes need an 11spd freehub, except for the hubs that max out with a 34T cog. Non-XD driver MTB cassettes that one would use in a 1x setup will work with a 10spd freehub or an 11spd freehub with a spacer.
    – Paul H
    Commented Jul 9, 2019 at 14:16
  • I believe crank bolt spacers can be purchased which will take up the extra length of the crank bolt. I bought some on-line to convert a Shimano SLX 3x9 crank to single-ring and was able to reuse the original crank bolts (from the middle ring). Additionally, it looks great (you don't notice the missing big ring)
    – GLNN.LRSN
    Commented Jul 10, 2019 at 18:00

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