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Building a bike for the first time in a while, and trying to decide which parts to spend the extra for XT, and which to run SLX

3699 Views 37 Replies 21 Participants Last post by FlaMtnBkr, Oct 29, 2021

Tainight1985

Discussion Starter · Oct 20, 2021

Building up a flat bar gravel / light single track bike. Trying to keep my build affordable, but willing to splurge on a few items if the XT is markedly better. Building 1x12 with clutch rear derailleur. Main decision points are:

Rear derailleur SLX vs XT
Crankset SLX vs XT (looks like 15 grams lighter for XT, but would cost twice as much. I have XT-8000-B1, but the frame isn't boost. I also have XTR-9000, but thinking I'll sell those and get some cash back to help pay for other things)
Shifter (Probably going XT, as not much more and they last me forever)
Cassette (SLX or XT?)
Chain (SLX, XT, XTR)
Brakes (SLX is sub $200, XT is around $330+, other options are random eBay buys like XO-Trail or something. I've only used Shimano brakes from 965/765 era, and have found them absolutely brilliant from performance and maintenance)

I have bottom brackets, so would use what I have (XT, XTR and Chris King sitting in the parts box). I'm not needing wheels, as I've got some used wheels with decent rims and DT 350 hubs.

I appreciate weight savings, but more looking at lifespan of parts and quality feel of braking/shifting/pedalling. I understand everything is pretty awesome these days. The 150 gram savings over a full XT vs SLX group is not sufficient motivation for me to spend hundreds more.

I used to be very up to date on all this stuff, but kids have taken over my spare time, so not fully up to date on things.

Thanks,

1 - 20 of 38 Posts

OneTrustMan

· #2 · Oct 20, 2021

I would go with

Rear derailleur XT ( a bit more durable than SLX, talking about the soft thin cages )
Crankset SLX
Shifter SLX since it has the lightes click and the double release XT, XTR shifter have a history of breaking.
Cassette XT cuz SLX is just too heavy
Chain XT ( should last longer )
Brakes SLX, or even Deore. I have the 6100 4-pots. After switching to full metal pads their power is great.

Reactions: 3

meschenbruch

· #3 · Oct 20, 2021 (Edited)

With experience with only some of the components

1. SLX has been fine for me, however if XT is a bit more durable as above then maybe lean towards that.
2. I would use either of your existing cranks if you're not too worried about miss-matched looks. You could put a washer/spacers in the chainring bolts to move the chainline slightly inwards for boost cranks on non-boost frame/chainline.
3. Interesting one. I prefer the function of XT however the SLX is a lot smoother/lighter in it's operation and personally I prefer the SLX feel. If you don't care for the double release function then go with SLX
4. SLX, I would also go with 10-45
5. XTR if it's within budget, otherwise XT
6. SLX. What you miss out on is ~~the bolt instead of split pin holding the brake pads, tool free lever reach adjust (need to use an allen key rather than fingers) and~~ the freestroke adjust which seem to stump most people.

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Tainight1985

Discussion Starter · #4 · Oct 20, 2021

Thank you, thats great info. I just needed a little confirmation/push.

I'll do XT cassette and derailleur (I need to confirm, but there's an XT 1x12 derailleur, which I believe is the one I want. The XT 2x12 won't take the big 51 if I get one at some point), SLX cranks or XT with spacers. (I can get $75+tax for SLX 1x with 32t ring, although I have to make sure they're 12spd, and not older 11sp .... or are they compatible?.

I'll look for XT brakes, but unless I find a smoking deal, I'll get SLX for about 40% less.

Shifter will be SLX. I didn't want to find out that SLX is cheaper inside and maybe lasts 20,000 miles, whereas XT would last indefinitely. But if SLX is lighter and built well, that's a great place to save $30 or $40.

As much as I'd love a full 8100 setup, that would just make me want to have the frame repainted (as it's pretty scratched up), but a factor repaint on the frame would literally double the cost of this project (albeit giving me a stunning looking bike, but then I'd be too careful with it ... ).

Thank you for your answers though, I really do appreciate it. Back in the early 2000's, I worked in a large company with dozens of cyclists, and we worked in person, so I could have hashed this out with my colleagues over a few lunch times. But working remote now and everyone having kids (who are still young, so take up our spare time), I've become old and out of date (on so many things).

eBay and google search time. Thanks.

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NWA_Tre

· #5 · Oct 20, 2021

honestly I would get the SLX derailleur, too. The cassette is the big weight saver for XT, and the shifter with double upshift is nice with XT. As mentioned, even Deore brakes are great...I would base it on savings per item. Saving $20-$30 each adds up to what, $100? That's really nothing in the end. However XT can sometimes cost $100 more for a single part. SLX cassettes are usually WAY cheaper than XT, but some argue the steel big rings last longer. Shifters you can usually find a deal, a takeoff, or barely used one for close to the same price as SLX. You can't really go wrong. It's your bike

dundundata

· #6 · Oct 20, 2021

OneTrustMan said:
I would go with

Rear derailleur XT ( a bit more durable than SLX, talking about the soft thin cages )

Crankset SLX

Shifter SLX since it has the lightest click and the double release XT, XTR shifter have a history of breaking.

Cassette XT cuz SLX is just too heavy

Chain XT ( should last longer )

Brakes SLX, or even Deore. I have the 6100 4-pots. After switching to full metal pads their power is great.

Agreed with all though I like XT shifter but it's preference. Also prefer SLX brakes vs Deore, nicer calipers but power is same.

tom tom

· #7 · Oct 20, 2021

8100 and 9100 shifters have a history of early failures.....

Reactions: 2

NWA_Tre

· #8 · Oct 20, 2021

tom tom said:
8100 and 9100 shifters have a history of early failures.....

and honestly, for double upshift...which sounds nice but I've never used...my SLX have always treated me well

Reactions: 1

tom tom

· #9 · Oct 20, 2021

dundundata said:
Agreed with all though I like XT shifter but it's preference. Also prefer SLX brakes vs Deore, nicer calipers but power is same.

I just built 7 bikes with Deore brakes, SLX are well worth the extra money over Deores....

mtnbkrmike

· #10 · Oct 20, 2021

Looks like most of the advice above is largely consistent.

I would generally go SLX across the board except (possibly) for shifter (XT if you want multi shifting) and (definitely) chain (XT or XTR). Not sure of the cost and weight differences on the cassette but if good weight savings for negligible or moderate outlay, I would go XT there as well.

SLX stuff, including the 4 pot brakes, is crazy nice. My daughter’s SJ is SLX front to back. It is all very very nice stuff indeed. And this coming from a gear whore...

Reactions: 2

WHALENARD

· #11 · Oct 20, 2021 (Edited)

meschenbruch said:
6. SLX. What you miss out on is the bolt instead of split pin holding the brake pads, tool free lever reach adjust (need to use an allen key rather than fingers) and the freestroke adjust which seem to stump most people.

You mean vs Deore?
SLX 4-pot brakes have all those. The only thing you gain with XT is dimples on the brake lever, and free stroke adjust (I think)
SLX 4 pot brakes are fantastic

Sent from my Pixel 4a (5G) using Tapatalk

Reactions: 2

meschenbruch

· #12 · Oct 20, 2021

WHALENARD said:
You mean vs Deore?
SLX 4-pot brakes have all those. The only thing you gain with XT is dimples on the brake lever, and free stroke adjust (I think)
SLX 4 pot brakes are fantastic

Sent from my Pixel 4a (5G) using Tapatalk

I was thinking XT vs SLX but you're right. This was for 11 speed at least but not with 12 speed, whoops. It is just the different lever and free stroke adjust. Even more reason to go with SLX.

Reactions: 1

NWA_Tre

· #13 · Oct 20, 2021

Re: weight differences

Font Science Number Circle Slope

SLX Cranks, then decide if you want to save 56g on the cassette and 18g on the derailleur...Might be cost prohibitive for such a small savings.

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Zguitar71

· #14 · Oct 20, 2021

The cost probably isn’t worth the under 100 gram weight savings for the entire group set. You can run an alloy chainring and get the weight down on the slx cranks below the xt. Use the money saved for a light weight wheel set and be much farther ahead. I did that with my bike (‘21 Epic Evo Comp) and I’m very happy with it. I have ridden the SLX group for a year now and have about 1500 miles on it. The only thing I’ve changed is the chain, I use the bike to commute too and the deicer on the road destroys chains.

Sparticus

· #15 · Oct 20, 2021

Lots of good advice above. As for the shifter, I'm surprised so many people who've weighed in so far feel that Shimano's Multi-Release feature (aka multi shift / whatever) is insignificant. To me, multi-release is a HUGE benefit that I'm unwilling to ride without. It's one of the key reasons I prefer Shimano's drivetrains over SRAM's. On the terrain I ride, I find myself double shifting all the time, probably more often than single shifting. I love being able to push that lever one time and getting a 2x shift.

As for brakes, I've owned all of Shimano's offerings from Deore to XTR and frankly they all feel the same to me. I'm enough of a perfectionist that I fiddle with the lever throw adjusters frequently so personally I'd definitely spring for the lowest level 4-pot brakeset that includes the adjusters on the lever. (Sorry, can't remember which that is.)

Disclaimers: I'm the opposite of a weight weenie. In my experience most of Shimano's components perform similarly from one group level to the next, the differences being weight, appearance, price and bling factor. IMO typically SLX is the compromise sweet spot -- this is primarily because I no longer kneel at the Alter Of Bling.
=sParty

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Reactions: 4

DeeCount

· #16 · Oct 20, 2021

The only thing I'd be snobby about is the XT cassette and maybe the crankset. Everything else is absolutely fine at SLX. The lightest cassette you can afford is advisable as it's both unsprung mass and rotational mass, so lightening up here is a double win. And crankset is a good place to save weight when possible, there's a lot to lose with this component. 👍
Durability is outstanding with the current generation of Shimano, so I would be happy even with deore.

Reactions: 1

parkmeister

· #17 · Oct 21, 2021

mostly slx except:
xt cassette
kmc chain

LewisQC

· #18 · Oct 21, 2021

On my hardtail I have:
XT shifter for double upshift
XT chain, supposedly more durable.
SLX cassette because it will wear and weight around the hub doesn't matter that much
SLX derailler to match the color of the brakes
SLX 4 piston brakes (though with galfer pads and rotors).

Brakes are amazing after getting use to that on/off feeling. I was more of a SRAM fanboy (still like the feel a little bit more) but I find I use that double upshift more and more... For cranks I went with race face Turbine cause I had good luck in the past with them and they are really light...

Going for one bike to another is tricky for 3 or 4 minutes then it's ok (brake feel mainly and the way power engage...)

Bicycle Bicycles--Equipment and supplies Tire Wheel Crankset

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Reactions: 2

Sparticus

· #19 · Oct 21, 2021

LewisQC said:
On my hardtail I have:
XT shifter for double upshift
XT chain, supposedly more durable.
SLX cassette because it will wear and weight around the hub doesn't matter that much
SLX derailler to match the color of the brakes
SLX 4 piston brakes (though with galfer pads and rotors).

Brakes are amazing after getting use to that on/off feeling. I was more of a SRAM fanboy (still like the feel a little bit more) but I find I use that double upshift more and more... For cranks I went with race face Turbine cause I had good luck in the past with them and they are really light...

Going for one bike to another is tricky for 3 or 4 minutes then it's ok (brake feel mainly and the way power engage...)

View attachment 1953254

That's what I call a sexy bike right there.

=sParty

P.S. I have a red Canfield as well.
P.P.S. Red is the fastest color.

Reactions: 1

mtnbkrmike

· #20 · Oct 21, 2021

Sparticus said:
That's what I call a sexy bike right there.
=sParty

P.S. I have a red Canfield as well.
P.P.S. Red is the fastest color.

Agreed. That’s killer.

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