What Shimano Shifters SLX / XT / XTR?

[P-Jay]

After the collective opinion of the PP fraternity...

I've just got a new bike, which I'm VERY happy with, but it came with Deore shifters (3 grand and deore shifters!! I ask you) anyway, they're actually very good, but because of the indicator window I can't get them where I want them with the Formula brake leavers.

I've used SRAM for the past 5 years or so, so I'm not up-to-speed on the Shimano stuff.

I'm not interested in spending £x on another SRAM set-up, or £x on 10 speed, I pretty much spunked my entire bike money pile on the bike.

The choice I have is -

SLX Shifters, removable gear window, plastic leavers some adjustment. - £47

XT Shifters, again removable window, metal 'big' leaver, a little more adjustment - £68


Or... I'm friendly with my LBS. I called in Saturday to see some SLX shifters. "Sorry mate, we rarely sell shifters, have a play about with any you see on the bikes, but I'd have to order you some unless...." He checked their stock list and it showed a set of current model XTR shifters, they'd bought them in right when they first came out and had never sold them - found the box in a pile of stuff covered in dust.

"Well, I don't suspect we'll be selling them anytime soon, we bought them for £96, you can have them for that if you want."

[anonymous-user]

Have a look here

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/MTB++Parts...

Firstly unless you want the best of the best SLX is good enough for anyone, if you want a bit more bling then it's XT with a tiny bit more strength and a tiny bit less weight.

They are basically 90% the same with some material differences and so tend operate exactly the same. The XTR range are really bling of bling and unless your a weight-weenie world class xc racer or just want to spend the money are way beyond what you will actually need from a performance or bragging perspective.

[itsnotarace]

XTR shifting is really slick! Shifters are an area where spending more money is a worthwhile exercise, far more noticeable results than changing dérailleurs alone for example.

[rhinochopig]

itsnotarace said:

XTR shifting is really slick! Shifters are an area where spending more money is a worthwhile exercise, far more noticeable results than changing dérailleurs alone for example.

I disagree. It's the shifter cables that make the biggest difference IME. The mechs are a bit better, but fit XTR cables (or other top end kit) and the shift is night and day better.

That's based on Running LX, XT, and XTR shifters and mech combinations on various bikes. Personally I would fit XT or LX mechs and XTR cables and save the money.

[anonymous-user]

rhinochopig said:

I disagree. It's the shifter cables that make the biggest difference IME. The mechs are a bit better, but fit XTR cables (or other top end kit) and the shift is night and day better.

That's based on Running LX, XT, and XTR shifters and mech combinations on various bikes. Personally I would fit XT or LX mechs and XTR cables and save the money.

+1 XTR/Dura Ace Cables all day long (although with Di2 & Ui2 I'm not sure how long they'll be around). On my boggo Deore mega 9 shifters it made a world of difference on crispness and speed.

[Jimbo.]

SLX. Same internals as last years XTs, just minus some aluminium tartiness.

[anonymous-user]

Jimbo. said:

SLX. Same internals as last years XTs, just minus some aluminium tartiness.

/\ this plus Gore cables unless you plan to bimble around tow paths on it.

XTR is great for people with big pockets or a mechanic on standby but SLX/XT is bombproof and at no real weight penalty. I would rather take the reliability and have 100% confidence in my kit through the winter gloop than a trivial weight saving and some bling. I would always have doubts with XTR, particualrly with my ham-fisted pedalling/shifting technique.

[P-Jay]

Thanks for all the info, I'll punt for some SLX's then, not sure on the current cabling, but intented to swtich to XTR when they started to show some wear.

I'll fit them up, if it doesn't all fit nicely I'll send them back and get the XTRS

[trashbat]

I've had XTR shifters for maybe three years, ISTR I paid £80. They're the only XTR thing I ever bought, everything else is XT or Hope. Worth the premium in my opinion. They don't go wrong - can get water ingress and freeze in winter, but easily fixed - and they're so much nicer to use.

[neil_bolton]

itsnotarace said:

XTR shifting is really slick! Shifters are an area where spending more money is a worthwhile exercise, far more noticeable results than changing dérailleurs alone for example.

Agreed, they do work better.

However, the latest XTR isnt as slick as XTR of old.

I'd go XT, it's very very good.

ps have some 10spd SLXs for sale if interested

[dubbs]

neil_bolton said:

Agreed, they do work better.

However, the latest XTR isnt as slick as XTR of old.

I'd go XT, it's very very good.

ps have some 10spd SLXs for sale if interested

I completely agree on XTR - I have a full XTR setup on my bike from 2009 and it's like a swiss watch and FAR better than the XT kit of similar vintage. I find it superior in feel to the SRAM Force/Red setup on my road bike.

[Beyond Rational]

Deore and hacksaw = free?

[P-Jay]

Beyond Rational said:

Deore and hacksaw = free?

Thought about it, I'd have to fill the hole with something and the bodies are quite bulky too, so I wouldn't see much gain.

Plus the GF has got a Alvio 8sp set-up on her HT, and I've got a spare 9 speed casset laying about and I'll treat her to a 9sp deore derailer for a cheap and easy upgrade.

[paultownsend]

my slx shifters had that window and i took it off. if you look under the plastic that housed the selector window, there #should# be a blanking plate

[shalmaneser]

P-Jay said:

Thanks for all the info, I'll punt for some SLX's then, not sure on the current cabling, but intented to swtich to XTR when they started to show some wear.

I'll fit them up, if it doesn't all fit nicely I'll send them back and get the XTRS

No no no no!

Get the XTRs, they're worth it for the double tap downshift alone at that price!!!!

just use well lubed standard cables and you'll be fine.

[snowdude2910]

does this better cables apply to road bikes aswell?? I'm always looking for an upgrade

[P-Jay]

paultownsend said:

my slx shifters had that window and i took it off. if you look under the plastic that housed the selector window, there #should# be a blanking plate

That's what I'm banking on.

[P-Jay]

shalmaneser said:

No no no no!

Get the XTRs, they're worth it for the double tap downshift alone at that price!!!!

just use well lubed standard cables and you'll be fine.

Double-tap? Sounds cool, but what is it?

[rhinochopig]

snowdude2910 said:

does this better cables apply to road bikes aswell?? I'm always looking for an upgrade

Yes, they have less friction so the shifts take less finger pressure and are more accurate. That said on a road bike more of the cable runs sheath-less so the effect is less pronounced.

[shalmaneser]

P-Jay said:

Double-tap? Sounds cool, but what is it?

The first finger shift down (to a smaller cog) can be one shift (as per normal) or you if you push a little harder you can block shift two, which is really really neat!