Best mid-range Shimano 10 speed shifter - Zee v. SLX

codfather

Morning all,

I'm starting to miss the silence and simplicity of a 1x10 setup now that I have 1x9 with a tensioner on my trail bike, so I'm weighing up options for a new drivetrain. I'd like to go with a Zee mech, as I hear nothing but good things about them and I'm not too fond of the way my SLX has worn through use. My current dilemma is which shifter to pair it with. I'm not massively flush for cash, so XTR and Saint are out of contention, so I'm currently assessing the pros and cons of SLX, Zee and XT. The way I see it

Zee

Designed for DH>designed to be tougher>more reliable

Relatively inexpensive

Available as a single unit

Reviews and opinions of friends suggest the movement is quite wooden and the plastic a bit cheap

SLX/XT

Low maintenance

Very agreeable shifting

Usually only available in pairs (already have 2 unused front shifters, don't really want another)

Indicator window limits mounting options, blanking plate not included with SLX, not sure about XT?

What's everyone's opinion on Zee and how do you rate it by comparison with SLX?

Antm81

Not used zee but my SLX shifter has been faultless. If you're using shimano I spec brakes then the I spec SLX shifter has no window.

poah

boy has Zee, I have SLX can't tell the difference between them. if you want an optical display get SLX, if not get the cheapest

RevellRider

I'm going to go outside of the box here and suggest XT. With XT you can make multiple down shifts in one go, unlike Zee and SLX

codfather

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19649787#p19649787]Antm81[/url] wrote:

If you're using shimano I spec brakes then the I spec SLX shifter has no window.

Cracking suggestion there. No shift window, cleaner bars and the rail to adjust positioning. To cap it all off it's available in rear only as well. New front runner there. I shall go and inspect my brakes when it stops p***ing it down.

RevellRider wrote:

I'm going to go outside of the box here and suggest XT. With XT you can make multiple down shifts in one go, unlike Zee and SLX

XT would be very nice, it's just the price that puts me off. I don't know about Zee, but you can definitely multiple downshift with SLX.

Antm81

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19649944#p19649944]Codfather[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19649787#p19649787]Antm81[/url] wrote:

If you're using shimano I spec brakes then the I spec SLX shifter has no window.

Cracking suggestion there. No shift window, cleaner bars and the rail to adjust positioning. To cap it all off it's available in rear only as well. New front runner there. I shall go and inspect my brakes when it stops p***ing it down.

They're currently under £20 at wiggle, I struggled to find them when searching on their site but googling SLX rear shifter seems to bring it up in the shopping section. They also state I spec B yet mine came with extra parts that I presume are for I spec A (shimano tech docs seems to back it up with too)

swod1

XT would be very nice, it's just the price that puts me off. I don't know about Zee, but you can definitely multiple downshift with SLX.

I'm sure you can buy xt shifters separately which would lower the cost, that german bike discount place might have the rear shifter for a good price?

supersonic

XT worth the extra for me, less slop in the levers, less plasticky, smoother feel.

codfather

Hmmm plenty of convincing arguments here for the XT too. XT is the one groupset I have never used, so those who've used SLX and XT, would you say the performance justifies a 40% increase in price? (£28 vs £20)

oodboo

If it's only £8 more then I'd go for the XT. I've got an ispec XT shifter on the right for my rear mech and a deore shifter on the left for my front mech. One clamp looks much better than the three (also got a lockout for the forks) on the other side.

supersonic

For £8, a great upgrade over the SLX. Much more difference than the rear mech makes.

codfather

Thanks for all the advice chaps, placed an order for a Zee mech and I Spec B XT shifter