Buying XTR rear mech but which one?

Da Mighty Chicken

Hi all,

I'm looking to get a rear mech for my custom build (Orange P7) and its going to be an XTR but just want some advice on a couple of things from you experts

1) I am going to have a 11-34T rear cassette & 3 rings up front, so I take it I need a long cage (SGS)?

2) As you know there are 2 main types or rear mech for this range, the standard style mech & the newer 'Shadow' mech, now its alot of £'s more for the shadow, is it really worth the extra? Personally, prefer the look of the standard mech, so apart from price and looks, do they function any differently?

The two mechs I'm looking at are

Standard Mech here

'Shadow' mech here

Thanks guys

BlackSpur

The Shadow mech is newer and prsumably lighter. It has a much lower profile so is less likely to get caught on rocks etc, definitely a good thing if you're spending this much on a mech!

GHill

The cable routing seems preferable on the shadow to me, but it looks like you lose the barrel adjuster.

Personally I wouldn't pay that premium for shadow, not massively convinced it's any better.

Dirtydog11

Da Mighty Chicken wrote:

Hi all,

I'm looking to get a rear mech for my custom build (Orange P7) and its going to be an XTR but just want some advice on a couple of things from you experts

1) I am going to have a 11-34T rear cassette & 3 rings up front, so I take it I need a long cage (SGS)?

2) As you know there are 2 main types or rear mech for this range, the standard style mech & the newer 'Shadow' mech, now its alot of £'s more for the shadow, is it really worth the extra? Personally, prefer the look of the standard mech, so apart from price and looks, do they function any differently?

The two mechs I'm looking at are

Standard Mech here

'Shadow' mech here

Thanks guys

Yeah Long cage (SGS) wil be required. I've got an XT shadow on my ride but I'm not convinced there are any performance benefits over the standard XT Mech.

The XTR Shadow is slightly lighter than the standard XTR mech it comes in at 178 grams IIRC. It has slightly better cable routing and no barrel adjuster. You make adjustments via the shifter barrel adjusters.

If your on a budget then the standard XTR Mech will work just as well.

Da Mighty Chicken

Thanks for the repsonses guys

When you guys say about the 'better' cable routing, what does this mean in reality, will it affect anything?

Sorry for the mech noob questions, just want to make sure I get the correct one, afterall its £45 difference between the 2!

BlackSpur

It doesn't stick out so much so is less likely to get snagged on rocks etc. The only real world advantage of the shadow design is the lower profile - it sticks out less so smashing it across the trail is less likely!

Da Mighty Chicken

BlackSpur wrote:

It doesn't stick out so much so is less likely to get snagged on rocks etc. The only real world advantage of the shadow design is the lower profile - it sticks out less so smashing it across the trail is less likely!

Ah, thankyou, thought for a minute, better meant functionally better! :roll:

Well, it looks like I'll just get the standard style mech, cant really justify the extra £45, especially as its not any better in use, and besides, if I ever did break the other mech then its £45 i've saved towards it!

Thanks again guys 8)

Dirtydog11

Da Mighty Chicken wrote:

BlackSpur wrote:

It doesn't stick out so much so is less likely to get snagged on rocks etc. The only real world advantage of the shadow design is the lower profile - it sticks out less so smashing it across the trail is less likely!

Ah, thankyou, thought for a minute, better meant functionally better! :roll:

Well, it looks like I'll just get the standard style mech, cant really justify the extra £45, especially as its not any better in use, and besides, if I ever did break the other mech then its £45 i've saved towards it!

Thanks again guys 8)

Good Choice!

bradders1979

Hi,
I have just bought a shadow xt rear mech (m772). it shifts much more crisply than the 'traditional' style shimano rear mech that it replaced. have you looked at the XT? represents much better value to me. the new shadow design is a really clean look (cleaner than SRAM even), the cable routing is minimalist too.

Brad

chorscroft

The better cable routing on the shadow mech will mean a smoother cable run, therefore less friction = smoother shifting.

Anonymous

i would go second hand if i was you, you'd be amazed at whats available.

mhuk

£70 from Merlin for the M971 SGS

Da Mighty Chicken

sheepsteeth wrote:

i would go second hand if i was you, you'd be amazed at whats available.

Shameless plug!

mhuk wrote:

£70 from Merlin for the M971 SGS

Thanks mhuk, its £70 at CRC too, so same price but retail version.

As to comments ref: XT mechs, I was originally going for an all over XT spec and I do like the XT 'Shadow' mech better than the norm but I've decided to got the XTR route (already have the shifters) but the XTR 'Shadow' mech is very expensive, if it dropped hugely in price I'd reconsider but not at £115 for little or no gain.

Thanks again guys, much appreciated