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Shimano XT-XTR Mixing Shifter & Derailleur

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Darryl Licht

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I started mountain biking a long time ago, took time off to raise a family and am back in 100%!

Back in the day 1980s and 90's, the hot setup was running XTR shifters with an XT rear derailleur. I believe it was because the derailleurs were nearly identical except in finish and the XTR shifter was more crisp and precise. However, its been a long time and I could have it backwards.

Anyway, I'm well into my list of upgrades to my base 2020 Kona Honzo AL 29er, and I'm looking to go to Shimano drivetrain. It is what I know, love, and trust. My shifter & rear derailleur are next on my list, and they'll be XT or XTR. Any attempt to talk me into any other brand/model is futile.

So, with that said...

What is the "hot" setup mix wise between XT & XTR shifter/derailleurs these days? Is it still XTR shifter and XT rear D? Pros? Cons? Reasons? Bring it on!

Note - I actually prefer the finish on the XT D over the XTR D. And, I already know that you can add the XTR cover with tongue (Teflon cable ferrule thing) to the XT D for $2. ...and if the XT pulley wheels wear out you can upgrade to the XTR pulley wheels that have larger bearings.
 
#2 ·
Not sure what you mean by hot setup. No XTR in the 80s by the way.
If you mean less expensive than shelling out for full XTR, then go XT.
If you mean the best of the best, money no object, go with full XTR.
The XT shifter has all the functionality of XTR, just slightly heavier (maybe, depending on mount).
The XT derailleur has the same functionality as XTR. There is a 47g weight difference in the derailleurs. Double the cost if you want to do it.
The SLX derailleur is also functionally the same as XT and XTR. It's a bit heavier than XT and less expensive. The SLX shifter does not, however, have the multi-release for double shifting to smaller cogs.
So if you want the full functionality with a big cost savings and not worried about 75 or so grams, go with an XT shifter and SLX derailleur.
 
#3 ·
There's one absolute certainty you can get with XTR derailleurs that's simply not available on any other groups right now. That's a GS cage RD. I'm actually disappointed that didn't make it at least to XT level. For that reason, I'll probably stick with XTR for my RD as well as shifter for awhile. Will probably drop down to an XT cassette when I need to replace mine, though. Staying with XTR chain, though. There have been some excellent studies done showing that for both SRAM and Shimano, the top end chains last the longest, and have the least cost of ownership overall. You have to get REALLY cheap chains (that don't last nearly as long, but at least they're dirt cheap) to beat them in $/mi (of one chain, at least). Since worn chains wear cassettes faster, it probably means you'll burn through cassettes faster on those cheap chains, too.

For a LONG time, I've run a better shifter and a less expensive RD (at least when I was choosing my own parts, and not using whatever the manufacturer bolted on). Part of that was because RD's used to be pretty delicate and died easily. It was done primarily because of replacement cost of the top stuff (shifters rarely die outright). Even with as much as you'll hear about SRAM Eagle derailleurs blowing up because they ate sticks, they're still more durable than derailleurs used to be pre-shadow. I haven't blown up a derailleur in a really long time. I think I'm going on 20yrs since blowing up my last derailleur. I've certainly worn a number out in those 20yrs.
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
brex17 said:
Not sure what you mean by hot setup. No XTR in the 80s by the way.
If you mean less expensive than shelling out for full XTR, then go XT.
If you mean the best of the best, money no object, go with full XTR.
The XT shifter has all the functionality of XTR, just slightly heavier (maybe, depending on mount).
The XT derailleur has the same functionality as XTR. There is a 47g weight difference in the derailleurs. Double the cost if you want to do it.
The SLX derailleur is also functionally the same as XT and XTR. It's a bit heavier than XT and less expensive. The SLX shifter does not, however, have the multi-release for double shifting to smaller cogs.
So if you want the full functionality with a big cost savings and not worried about 75 or so grams, go with an XT shifter and SLX derailleur.
Click to expand...
Best bang for the buck = hot setup

In the 90s I believe I had XTR shifters with XT D's... Maybe the 80s was just XT. I went through several builds and upgrades back in the day.

As I understand it the current XT M8100 and XTR M9100 are identical pieces of metal with different finish. And the XTR does have the cable end cover with tongue (Teflon cable ferrule thing) and larger bearings in the pulley wheels, and a few graphite bits I believe. I dont see the XTR ($260) being worth 2+ times the cost of the XT ($115).

The difference in the price of the shifters is also slightly more than double too. At $60 for the XT 12 speed ISpec EV vs $130 for the XTR model. Is the XTR shifter that much better, or is it just the lighter weight that drives the higher price?
 
#6 ·
The RD's aren't just the same pieces of metal with a different finish. Function wise, they're near identical, but the XTR DOES get different pieces of metal to cut the weight. And like I said, there's a GS cage as an option for a tighter 1x on the 10-45 cassette.

There's real functional difference in the shifters. Yes, lighter materials are part of it, but there's actual additional shift functions in XTR that you don't get from XT, which has additional shift functions that you don't get from SLX. These additional shift functions are the number of upshifts and the number of downshifts possible with one, deep press of each lever (with your thumb). These differences have existed between Shimano shifters for quite some time now. I think the 10spd era is when they started showing up.

If you want the best bang for your buck now, a full SLX drivetrain (with an XTR chain for longevity) is probably the way to go. You'll spend a good bit more for smaller improvements if you want lighter weight or extra shift functions. The SLX stuff is going to be nicer than your 1990's XTR already.
 
#7 ·
I just upgraded to XT shift, SLX D and cassette and XT chain. I've always found that the higher end shifters work better and in this case I believe with XT vs SLX there are less plastic parts. I was trying to get Shimano 12 sp on a budget. I love the set up and not really worried about the weight difference in cassettes XT vs SLX, only about 2.2 ounces but $60 more expensive.
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
Harold said:
The RD's aren't just the same pieces of metal with a different finish. Function wise, they're near identical, but the XTR DOES get different pieces of metal to cut the weight. And like I said, there's a GS cage as an option for a tighter 1x on the 10-45 cassette.

There's real functional difference in the shifters. Yes, lighter materials are part of it, but there's actual additional shift functions in XTR that you don't get from XT, which has additional shift functions that you don't get from SLX. These additional shift functions are the number of upshifts and the number of downshifts possible with one, deep press of each lever (with your thumb). These differences have existed between Shimano shifters for quite some time now. I think the 10spd era is when they started showing up.

If you want the best bang for your buck now, a full SLX drivetrain (with an XTR chain for longevity) is probably the way to go. You'll spend a good bit more for smaller improvements if you want lighter weight or extra shift functions. The SLX stuff is going to be nicer than your 1990's XTR already.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your insight. I will most likely go the XT RD with an XTR shifter, as I like the added shift functions. Not a fan of the blued look of SLX.
 
#9 ·
The 12 speed XT and XTR shifters have zero difference in function. The difference happens at SLX with no multi-release. I have both XT and XTR. They both can shift up to two gears at once to smaller cogs and up to four at once to larger cogs, no difference in feel or function.

Actually, I take that back. You can switch the XTR to 11 speed mode, not sure you can do that with XT. I'll double check that.

Confirmed, XTR has 11 speed function, XT does not. Other than that, same.
 
#10 ·
brex17 said:
The 12 speed XT and XTR shifters have zero difference in function. The difference happens at SLX with no multi-release. I have both XT and XTR. They both can shift up to two gears at once to smaller cogs and up to four at once to larger cogs, no difference in feel or function.

Actually, I take that back. You can switch the XTR to 11 speed mode, not sure you can do that with XT. I'll double check that.

Confirmed, XTR has 11 speed function, XT does not. Other than that, same.
Click to expand...
I stand corrected. I thought Shimano reduced the numbers of "shifts" per level push. Maybe it used to. But, Shimano does specify that the XTR shifter has more bearings in it. I'm sure you'd have to disassemble the shifters to say where XT and XTR differ there.
 
#12 ·
I found this thread funny/interesting as back in those days I ran the following. XT above the bar to start (XT below the bar after the above the bar were not able to do higher numbers). With a short cage Ultergra RD. The cassette was whatever I could get that was not stupid price. I do remember taking all of the screws holding the cassettes together out and just mounting them without. (you know all of that weight savings :))

Steve
 
#13 ·
brex17 said:
The 12 speed XT and XTR shifters have zero difference in function. The difference happens at SLX with no multi-release. I have both XT and XTR. They both can shift up to two gears at once to smaller cogs and up to four at once to larger cogs, no difference in feel or function.

Actually, I take that back. You can switch the XTR to 11 speed mode, not sure you can do that with XT. I'll double check that.

Confirmed, XTR has 11 speed function, XT does not. Other than that, same.
Click to expand...
Do you notice any difference in feel between the XT and XTR shifters? I have XT now and wouldn't upgrade for weight or finish, but would consider it if the shifting was noticeably better with XTR.
 
#15 ·
I just went to an xtr shifter, already have an xt DR. Noticed a little difference, however the shop that installed it said they had a hard time with the IN frame threading of the shifter cable, so not sure if that has something to do with it. Was expecting more of a difference ,so again not sure if the install has anything to do with it.
 
#16 ·
I'm running an XTR shifter, XT derailleur and chain, and a SLX cassette. I've always liked the feel of the XTR shifter and cause my local shop had the XTR in stock. The XT derailleur is best bang for buck in my opinion. The SLX cassette has only the one aluminum gear in the back, so me it was about longer life sense I use that 45 tooth more than 51. Weight never came in the equation

Sent from my SM-T867U using Tapatalk
 
#17 ·
Darryl Licht said:
Best bang for the buck = hot setup

The difference in the price of the shifters is also slightly more than double too. At $60 for the XT 12 speed ISpec EV vs $130 for the XTR model. Is the XTR shifter that much better, or is it just the lighter weight that drives the higher price?
Click to expand...
I had always heard from XTR users that the shifting feel was better due to the shifter, not the derailleur. As I don't really bash my shifters like I do derailleurs, I'm inclined to pay the $60 extra for the better bearings of the 1x shifter in XTR over XT, and then get an XT RD. I realize the jockey pulleys get bearings in the XTR and not in XT, but I don't see the performance gains.

I went 45t cassette from XTR on the basis of weight savings. In the rear of the bike, I just don't like extra weight in that location. I watch my chain stretch carefully and have had good luck with cassettes not wearing out.
 
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#19 ·
Checking again, please, seeking your expert advice.

I have an option to by an XTR9100-1 crankset for a good price. Two questions:
1. Would it be compatible with XT8100 chain and derailleur?
2. Would the weight savings/durability be worth the extra $50 I’d pay?

Thanks so much!
 
#20 ·
Just did similar parts upgrade to one bike although still @11 spd. XTR shifter/XT der/XTR cableset & chain. Awesome.
I'd say get the XTR cranks and go for the bling/semi bling parts. Even all bling as it's a minimal investment now since you've been ~20 years out of the bike spending scene!đź‘Ť
 
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