gear levers (what do they improve) etc?

projectsome

Ok, I want to justify getting new gear levers, but what do they actually imrpove in terms of riding?

I'm thinking of going for the Sram X.0 or Shimano XT.

Specification: 
Size 19" 
Frame Genesis Platinum Series (2071U0*5) 
Swingarm/Stays 
Fork FOX F100RL 
Headset VP-A56AC AHS/ 11/8" Cartridge 
Crank FC-M580 44/32/22 DEORE LX 
Bottom Bracket Integrated with Crank 
Front Mech Shimano XT 
Rear Mech Shimano M772 XT 
Shifters Shimano M580 LX Triggers 
Cassette HG9 
Chain Shimano HG73 
Wheels Mavic 717 
Hubs Shimano Deore 
Rim Mavic 717 
Tyre R Panaracer Fire XC Pro 
Tyre F Panaracer Fire XC Pro 
Brake F Avid Juicy 5 hydraulic 160mm 
Brake R Avid Juicy 5 hydraulic 160mm 
Brake Levers Avid Juicy 5 hydraulic 
Pedals N/A 
Handlebar Bontrager Select Big Sweep 620mm / 12degree bend 
Stem Bontarger Race OS 
Barend 
Saddle Bontrager Race, Hollow Cromoly Rails 
Seat Post Bontrager Select, 27.2mm, 5mm Offset

Tim.s

XT or X0? Bear in mind you cant use Shimano rear mechs with Sram shifters.

This years XT are excellent, coupled with the XT shadow mech is all you ever need in my humble opinion.

projectsome

Tim.s wrote:

XT or X0? Bear in mind you cant use Shimano rear mechs with Sram shifters.

This years XT are excellent, coupled with the XT shadow mech is all you ever need in my humble opinion.

So the Sram X.0 are out of the question then

I've got XT Shadow Rear Mech (Only found out recently) and XT M770-771 (or similar) front mech (recent upgrade) and LX shifters.