Xt vs slx cassette

wishiwasbiking said:

Given the parts shortage I am thinking of picking up a backup shimano 12sp cassette. I currently have an XT cassette with 3500miles, but am having trouble locating a backup cassette. The SLX cassette looks to be more available, other than a 50g weight difference are there any functional differences that would impact shifting?

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No difference other than the weight.

fmendes said:

No difference other than the weight.

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the steel largest two gears will also last longer.

visually, those two gears are silver and not black

you will have money left over to buy something else for the bike, like another chain to rotate through.

AFAIK, the only difference between Deore, SLX and XT is that Deore is all steel, SLX has the biggest cog in aluminium, and XT has the 2 biggest cogs in aluminium.

In theory the cheaper steel versions should last longer, but I'm not sure it has a meaningful effect on such a big cog.

wishiwasbiking said:

Given the parts shortage I am thinking of picking up a backup shimano 12sp cassette. I currently have an XT cassette with 3500miles, but am having trouble locating a backup cassette. The SLX cassette looks to be more available, other than a 50g weight difference are there any functional differences that would impact shifting?

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Nope, weight and visual look are different, shifting quality is the same.

Also parts shortage - one of the reasons is exactly this - because of people panicking that there will be parts shortage and stocking everything (fellow rider ie. has 3 cassetes, 6 chains, 5 sets of brake pads all on stock )

Thanks all, good to hear that the slx will work.

I hear you regarding the parts shortage and parts hoarding, that said it’s been difficult to find parts. Right now the bike is running with sram chain, tuckerco pads, in an effort to keep it going. Shimano seems to have more issues than anyone else.

Anyone know how long these cassettes are supposed to last? I’m at 3500 miles with no skipping so far.

The answer to that question starts with another question. Throughout those 3500 miles, have you been replacing your chain regularly as it stretches beyond tolerance?
=sParty

Yes, on third or fourth chain now.

Good. Then personally I'd keep doing that until shifting began to deteriorate or until I could see evidence or excessive tooth wear.

As for specific number of miles, I don't think there is a specific number. Depends on conditions you ride in. Here in the PNW (very wet & gritty in winter) and riding 52 weeks a year as I do, I doubt I could get to 3500 miles with mine. But I don't log my miles so can't say.
=sParty

I've seen XT cassettes for sale, XTR is another story. When you swap out chains do you rotate them back in?

I thought XT had additional coating but maybe not.

I'm not partial. Buy the SLX. The rivets won't creak either.

I've got a new set of wheels on order and was hoping to pick up an XT 10-51 to mount when they get here. After spending a bit of time looking I haven't be able to locate an XT so I guess for now I'll just move my current cassette to the new wheels. I put my name on the email notification forms at several sites so as soon as they get stock I'll try to jump on it. It is tempting to just get the SLX since it is $60 less but 64g heavier.

I ordered one here

I'm on XTR right now because I found a new/take off build kit for $500, but I plan to replace it with no better than XT parts as they wear out, except for the shifter, but I replaced the XTR chain with an XT chain and noticed no difference in performance

No difference other than the weight. As SLX uses more steel, the life span will even be longer than XT

Then why not get the all steel Deore?

I figured I’d get the XT for weight savings when I build my HT, but now I’m curious the lifespan difference vs the SLX…

I typically buy SLX everything because it’s often very close to XT for way less. But the cassette is considerably heavier for SLX (understanding it’s steel).

I went ahead and ordered the SLX cassette and used the money saved over the XT to get new brake pads to go with it. It seems the SLX 10-51 is also in short supply but did manage to find one.

TheOtherOne said:

I went ahead and ordered the SLX cassette and used the money saved over the XT to get new brake pads to go with it. It seems the SLX 10-51 is also in short supply but did manage to find one.

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Yea, you gotta get what you can these days. Just ride it until it dies then go looking again.