[Captain_America1976]

Drivetrain is XT 1 x 11. It's a few years old, but not too beat up.
Shifting from 1 > 2 is fine. 3 > 4 you need to press the shifter pretty hard. 4 > 5 through 7 > 8 you need to press really hard to get to go. The rest of the gears shift easily. From 11 it won't downshift unless I hit the downshift lever multiple times.
Chain is clean and lubed.
The upper pulley wheel is clear of the largest cog on the cassette.
If I remove the wheel it cycles through gears easily.
The shift cable isn't frayed or damaged. Same for the housing. We have two wheels with the same 11 speed cassette, and the result is the same on both.
I am out of ideas. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[nonameguy]

Check your barrel adjustment and derailleur hanger

 

[dirtwolf]

Sounds like hanger alignment.

 

[CrozCountry]

When is the last time you replaced the cable and housing?

 

[Captain_America1976]

When is the last time you replaced the cable and housing?

Cable was replaced in the fall, and housing was replaced when the bike was built in early summer. I am going to replace both today to see if it helps.

 

[cwoodffr]

I was amazed how shifting effort creeps up with cables and housing age. You don't realize it till you feel a new one.

 

[Cleared2land]

The housing is what wears and causes drag. I always replace them together.

 

[Jayem]

Sounds like hanger alignment.

How would that impact the "force" to shift? If the bike is shifting to the gears and not skipping, I don't see how that could be related to the hangar.

 

[jimPacNW]

Hanger alignment is a good place to start. I would also try to use a cable that is relatively smooth: some brands have a 'flatter' smoother wire wind than others.

 

[gocat]

Drivetrain is XT 1 x 11. It's a few years old, but not too beat up.
Shifting from 1 > 2 is fine. 3 > 4 you need to press the shifter pretty hard. 4 > 5 through 7 > 8 you need to press really hard to get to go. The rest of the gears shift easily. From 11 it won't downshift unless I hit the downshift lever multiple times.
Chain is clean and lubed.
The upper pulley wheel is clear of the largest cog on the cassette.
If I remove the wheel it cycles through gears easily.
The shift cable isn't frayed or damaged. Same for the housing. We have two wheels with the same 11 speed cassette, and the result is the same on both.
I am out of ideas. Any help would be appreciated.

I had Issues with my 12s XT before. Had to multi shift from 51t to go down 45t. First, replaced cable and housing. Didn't work. Then clean hinges to the derailleur. Applied drip lube. Worked the gears a few times. Gone. This is actually the first time it happened. And I ride Shimano.
Other thing, is the clutch too tight?

 

[Cleared2land]

Clutch tension is an easy check

 

[Cerberus75]

Is the cable pulled tight in the shifter? Even a few millimeters will cause a lot of drag in the shifter.

 

[Captain_America1976]

It was the clutch. Serviced, and it was all good.