Shimano Ranges

Levi_501

I am currently sourcing parts for a new bike build.

I have only ever used Shimano components and have to say they have never realy let me down, therefore unless I hear differenlty I was goign to stick with it.

However, are the more expensive components like XT and XTR noticably different/better over the like of Deore and LX.

For example, do the gear levers and mechs change better and say the crank arms, are they noticably stiffer/stronger, or is a lot of is pose and shiny ?

Thanks in advance.

supersonic

Yes and no. Deore is the lower level 9 speed kit. SLX is lighter weight, but functionally not much different. XT is lighter still, but a lot more expensive: however the shifters are slicker with a shorter throw and the cassette runs the big 6 cogs on an alloy spider. XTR is a refined XT.

You'd be hard pushed to tell any difference in shifting from the rear and front mechs. Shadow mechs are lower profile and don't clank about as much.

Some good deals on groupsets, but mixing and matching can be the way forward.

Danlube

Better all round, except for the price tag. The XT/XTR groupsets are lighter, stronger, better build quality and alot smoother. The new 'Saint' (which i'm currently in love with) groupset is now the best groupset Shimano have to offer, which again is better in the areas I mentioned earlier over XTR. Gear shifting will be better/crisper the higher up you go in Shimano's range. Same goes for the brakes aswell as the drive train. It all depends on what style of riding you wish to do, different groupsets suit different styles of riding better than others.

EDIT: +1 for mix n matching.

supersonic

Saint the best? For DH and FR sure, but not XC and general trail riding.

SCARFACExxx08

LX are very good for the price in my opinion, Deore is a bit clunky and weigh quite a bit more! XTR maybe very light but it comes at a cost, plus because its light it wears quicker. I personally have XT groupset on all my bikes the new shifters combined with the XT shadow rear mech shifts so well. Not really a fan on SRAM shifters but their chans and cassette is good.

Danlube

supersonic wrote:

Saint the best? For DH and FR sure, but not XC and general trail riding.

Yeah that's why I said it all depends on what style of riding you intend to do.

Danlube

SCARFACExxx08 wrote:

XTR maybe very light but it comes at a cost, plus because its light it wears quicker.

Eh??

supersonic

Danlube wrote:

supersonic wrote:

Saint the best? For DH and FR sure, but not XC and general trail riding.

Yeah that's why I said it all depends on what style of riding you intend to do.

Ah right, it comes across as is the best best lol.

llamafarmer

Danlube wrote:

Yeah that's why I said it all depends on what style of riding you intend to do.

Danlube wrote:

The XT/XTR groupsets are lighter, stronger, better build quality and alot smoother. The new 'Saint' (which i'm currently in love with) groupset is now the best groupset Shimano have to offer, which again is better in the areas I mentioned earlier over XTR.

I thought the same as supersonic when I read your post tbh mate

Danlube

Yea does it a bit reading back at it. But then if you put each groupset on seperate bikes and compared them on a flat surface, the Saint would come out top...test those same bikes out on every single terrain in the mtb world each groupset will shine through in it's own right and would be the best for the job. Example Saint will out perform the rest on a DH run but will be out performed on a xc loop by Deore, for example. So my post is right n wrong, depends how you look at it

GHill

Danlube wrote:

But then if you put each groupset on seperate bikes and compared them on a flat surface, the Saint would come out top...

Not sure I get this. At all.

Danlube

GHill wrote:

Danlube wrote:

But then if you put each groupset on seperate bikes and compared them on a flat surface, the Saint would come out top...

Not sure I get this. At all.

How can you not get this??!!

Put a Deore brake on a bike and Saint brake on the other (same model bikes) The Saint will stop you faster when riding the flat down a street. Do the same test on a xc loop the Deore will work better than the saint. Do the same test on a DH run and the Saint will work better than the Deore

The point is the Saint is a better brake when compared to other groupset brakes when riding down the road, but other groupset brakes will be better on different styles of riding...

Each groupset will outperform others depending what you ride, but on paper...the Saint out performs all.

supersonic

Saint out performs all... in what way? You have mentioned the brakes. What about weight? Cost?

delcol

The Saint will stop you faster when riding the flat down a street. Do the same test on a xc loop the Deore will work better than the saint. Do the same test on a DH run and the Saint will work better than the Deore

now i'm confused.... is it just me or does this contradict it's self.

GHill

Danlube wrote:

Each groupset will outperform others depending what you ride, but on paper...the Saint out performs all.

So the Saint brake is more powerful, but you've given not justification for the rest of the sweeping statement. On paper XTR looks like the best groupset for pretty much everything (bar brake strength), unless the paper includes price.

stumpyjon

Yes

no wait maybe no

eh?

Bling Bling what ho.

+3 for mix and match, XT shifters, Deore front mech, XT / XTR rear mech (for the bling).

Different groupsets for different disciplines shocker :shock:

Splee

Personally (in my head anyhoo) deore front mech will be as good in operation as any from the above ranges but suffers on the weight side.
Shifters and rear mech probably stick with SLX or XT esp the shadow for a price Vs performance as I think they are smoother in operation than the lower groups.
XTR for blingyness but I couldn't justify the price being nowt but a yorkshire lad.
Obviously I have just made all the above up and is based on information I was given from my whippet!!

themanfromdelmonte

Alivio is the lowest set I'd be willing to put on a bike that's going to get regular off road use. Manufacturers who spec Altus and Acera X, to allow budget for a Deore or LX rear mech, need a slap.

Deore functions well, but is a bit on the hefty side.

LX, SLX and XT all seem quite close in relation to each other, none will disappoint for funtion, reliability, durability or weight. You pay your money and take your pick, all good kit for the serious enthusiast market.

XTR, the R (I believe) stands for Race, I don't race, so this is none of my business, buying this groupset. I tend to wonder what kind of ratio of XTR gets sold where the performance is required and how much is total overkill. But I do appreciate anyone who buys it is paying for new technology R&D, which will eventually trickle down to me.

Just from my experience.

supersonic

Alivio is the lowest set I'd be willing to put on a bike that's going to get regular off road use. Manufacturers who spec Altus and Acera X, to allow budget for a Deore or LX rear mech, need a slap.

Couldn't agree more. The Acera mechs are very tough mind, all that steel!

Danlube

I'm in a deep hole here with this one, I'm withdrawing from this discussion :?

cavegiant

WOW just WOW.

repeating a bit of the sense from above, different parts of the group-set are worth spending more on, some aren't.

Deore cranks are great (can't tell the diff in any, so go cheap).
I would not get lower than an XT cassette due to the spider (though have heard SLX now has a spider too).
The newest deore brakes are supposed to be great.
I am happy with any shifter, but like the feel of XT.
Chain KMC x9 silver or gold is better than shimano.

hope that helps

Levi_501

Blimey :shock:

Thanks for your posts. I did forget to say I am a XC'er !

From reading, I think I will mix and match where funds permit and put the better parts in the more important places. I may post a few draft setus in due course.

Role on the frame !

The Spiderman

I reckon Cave giant has it about right,in terms of the mix and match approach,though I reckon the SLX shifters are vitually indistinguishable from XT now.

For cost v performance,I`d go SLX chainset,SLX shifters,XT cassette,XT shadow mech,595 or SLX brakes.

(Only going for the XT mech and cassette for the weight saving for the minimal extra cost.)


I do think,the new latest external Deore 590 chainset looks really good as do the 595 brakes.

You could build up a very nice budget bike using the latest Deore stuff.

XT and XTR proably not at their best,as the Deore and SLX are more recentl.I`m sure the next XT and imminent XTR are going to be a big leap,forward.