Why I Love Deore XT | Doddy's Love Letter To Shimano
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- Опубліковано 12 лют 2022
- Doddy's journey in Mountain Biking began over three decades ago, and over that time there’s been an enormous offering of amazing & innovative MTB tech, with the history clock shaping the latest & greatest pieces of equipment of today, but for Doddy, there's one bit of tech that in his eyes has stood out the most, and truly found a place in his heart - Shimano Deore XT!
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A few weeks ago I turned 70, and I'm silly enough to still be out mountain biking several times each week. So I've lived through ALL of the changes in your video and have grown to appreciate ALL of the innovation along the way. There's an old 1987 bike hanging in my garage which has some of the componentry of its day. It still works perfectly, because I've kept it clean and properly lubricated and adjusted. I love how excited you sometimes get in your videos, Doddy. I too get immense pleasure from the evolution of bike parts, and the tech involved. Thanks man.
Big respect, man!
Good on you sir.
Well done. Your videos are way up there.
70 😱 respect 💪💪💪
@@mclalasky7210 I'm 72 now. Still riding, together with my son. With the aim of MTB riding into my '80s. I'm afraid to stop.
Always impressed with Doddy's knowledge and enthusiasm for cycling history
@Andrew Dodd he's such a bike Nerd we could all listen to all day 😀👍
Agreed, he's a true enthusiast. I'm amazed by his knowledge and experience. Doddy is the man
He’s full of shit. I’m probably about the same age and when we were kids XT was the bee knees but not so much anymore. It’s fallen behind the competition and he’s refusing to call Shimano out on all the issues we’ve had to put up with for the last 5-10 years like leaky pistons, random bite point, cheap clutches that just rot away just to get the money from making this bullshit promotional video.
Great tribute to Shimano and XT. Gotta add that their competition with SRAM makes our MTB world an exiting place to be 👊👊
We 100% agree! It's great how competitive the market is. It means we get some awesome products as company's try new and interesting ways to develop the common drivetrain. 👍
I can't put my finger on why, but for me this is one the best GMBN Tech videos in a long long time. It's so easy to get lost in the latest specs, shiny £10K+ bike builds (which are cool AF usually), but when someone is as passionate about tech/history/biking as Doddy it just works.
My dad still has XTR M900 1992 on his bike, still works flawlessly, along with their first SPD pedals - which he still uses. My childhood bike has 1993 XT, still works beautifully. Shimano is an example in fit, finish and exemplary build quality. The new SLX is so good, you don't even need the higher tier range
Who else wants to hang out with Doddy for a beer and endless MTB gear conversations?
Still running old XT gears on my old (but still my dream bike) S-Works HT (26” wheels Hope Pro 2 hubs. Nuke Proof Carbon Forks. Carbon bars)... Still running sweet after all these years
Me too! On my Gary Fisher X-Caliber steel hardtail. The frame is pretty much the only original part but its XT except for the Mavic wheelset and Magura brakes. Can’t ever part with it. It now shares trail duty with a Rocky Mountain Vertex.
Badass little documentary about one of the best components in the world!!! Hats off doddy
That history lesson brings back some memories! I used to work in a bike shop between '97 and '05 and remember the first V-brakes arriving, everyone went OTB on the first pull in the car park! The Hollowtech cranks were a revelation when they arrived, so easy to work with when assembling bikes.
There is a definite 'thing' about how Shimano has gone about their groupsets and XT in particular. Deore is great for budget/winter bikes, SLX is a decent upgrade for the midrange bikes but XT is definitely the sweetspot for the vast majority. I'd rather have XT over XTR purely from the replacement cost as we do damage stuff from time to time. The extra bonus of the groupset hierarchy though is you can get 90% of the XT experience on SLX or Deore just by upgrading the shifter! You won't get the extra longevity or weight savings but the shift quality and ability to double shift gears makes a massive difference. It's why all of my bikes get XT shifters regardless (current shortage excepted!). £400 hardtail with Deore? XT shifter. £2000 trail bike with SLX? XT shifter. £4500 enduro bike? Full XT. It all just works.
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Can you "over shift" a 10 speed Deore derailleur with a 12 speed XT shifter? What makes a deore shifter worse than an XT shifter?
Yeah. I’ve fitted XT shifters on all my three of my bikes. You can find second hand M8000 (11sp) shifters at a reasonable price.
on the m7000 slx shifter there is double shift, they sadly removed that in the next gen, I got it and its brilliant
Doddy, We raced and rode through the same era. I was so happy when XT came out because I didn't have to replace crank spindles every six months. Octalink and Hollowtech made it even better.
Being around the same age as Doddy I can truly relate and appreciate XT another brilliant video in the bag what's not to like.
Hi Paul, Glad you loved the video. Thanks for the support and safe riding! 👍
@@gmbntech those photos: eastway… or maybe the Essex series?
Riding MTBs in the UK myself since the late 80s alot of this brings back so many memories including your muddy fox courier and exage 400, remember my Al Carter too. At a time when roadies loved campag, MTB was all about Shimano. Never needed more than XT. Loved this vid.
Totally agree. Cool seeing the early 90s stuff! I started with Deore LX in 91, upgraded some things to DX (Rapidfire Plus shifters were sweeeeeet), but finally just got to do my hardtail dream build with full XT. The tech is awesome, and every piece has been flawless.
You’re an amazing storyteller Doddy, love it!
Have ridden on my current bike (FUEL EX 8 XT 2021) for 18 months now and I have not had to adjust it one bit. It is still running perfect since day one. 👌🏽
Daddy, another great video. Always impressed with your knowledge on the subject of mountain biking, especially the old school stuff. I’ve been riding seriously since 1997 so I have seen and use many of these components. I have tried various other brands but the kit made by Shimano is my favorite, it’s has just always performed and lasted longer than any other. Currently running SLX on my Ibis Ripmo but plan to upgrade to XT when it wears out. I am one of the few that I know of that really like the dual control hydraulic levers. These are honestly some of the most trouble free brakes/shifters I have ever had. I have a set still going strong on my 2005 Titus Racer X. I have never had an issue and have only ever replaced cables, pads and adjusted them. They were worth every penny. I also used that original four piston caliper on my old Trek hardtail, the stopping power moving from V-brakes to that hydraulic brake was insane. I went over the bars more than once because I just got on the brake just a bit too much. Definitely good times all around with Shimano products, all the places they have taken me that many others will never see. Shimano is worth every penny, top notch kit for sure!
Thanks Doddy for your XT loveletter. I couldn’t afford XT in the 90s and was happy with Deore LX. But now I am riding XT Di2 for the last two years and absolutely love it. Best mountain bike transmission on the market for a reasonable price.
I love that shimano chose the deer, its place in japanese culture is special and its meaning for the group set is perfect.
Ayy that video took me down memory lane. I remember when the vbreaks came out. I was into BMX at the time as a kid. Game changer. Getting into mountain biking now that I'm a lot older has a big learning curve. I love it though. Brings me back to my bike roots. There is so much new stuff and it's not cheap. You and this channel have taught me a lot in a short period of time. It's always the base jump off point when im looking things up. I appreciate all the help.
XT (and Intense) for life! Great video, Doddy. XT is the shit...couldn't agree with you more!
Doddy, you speak from my heart. I am riding XT since '94 and I have never regretted. Now, on my new Nukeproof Scout there is the M8100 and it's so wonderful.
Great video! After a bit of a shaky start on lesser Shimano kit, I came to XT with the M750, and what a revelation it was. Been with it ever since. I love the engineering simplicity of the XT crankset especially, it’s just so right. But the main thing is as Doddy says, it gets the job done, just gets on with it!
Hey Andy. Great piece there, mate. Thoroughly enjoyed that. There was even one or two little nuggets that I didn't know! Your enthusiasm is evident. Keep it rubber side down!
That was a class video. Cheers Dodster and the team.
I still have an early 2000's XTR rear derailleur and the rest of the drivetrain is XT including shifters. They still work perfectly to this day. They were expensive at the time but have proven well worth it.
AWESOME!!! I REALLY LOVE MY XTs too!!! Old and New 💯
XT has always been the one of the most reliable group sets out there. 👍
I would watch 2 hours of this, my fav video so far, great job!
Made me cry rememboring my past!!!! Thank you!
Very well put together video brings up good souvenirs for me too as I'm a 45 y.o. man. A full XT mtb always deserve another ride so as my self.
One of my favourite videos you’ve done, Doddy, I love your ‘opinion’ vids as I remember reading your reviews in MBUK. My first full XT bike was an Orange P7 pro and I had so much fun on that. I’m riding a Deore Trek Fuel EX5 now but it is my first full suspension. I probably will upgrade parts to XT eventually because I love the frame and ride. Great video!
XT is last year’s XTR. And that’s a good thing. When I got my XT grouped bike as a grown up a few years back, I thought back to reading MBUK in 1997 and thought yeah I’ve made it.
I had Deore XT II on my 89 full ridge Stumpjumper comp and I loved it.
Beautiful video. Well done guys
What a piece of art have you created with this video thanks
Doody you are my favorite GMBN Influencer, I follow you and see all your videos, I have learned so much with your experience, I am a 48 year old guy that just discovered Mountain biking 4 months ago, after riding a Trek Xcaliber 8 for 1 month, I changed everything to Deore XT, all the groupset and the brakes, a month ago I sold the XCaliber and bought a Fuel Ex 8 and I have never been so happy!. I actually have two wheel set with deore XT components, one with Maxxis Torch Tires for paved Roads, and another with the original Bontrager Team XR4, which I just used last week on a trail for noobs. I will keep watching and learning from your videos. I appreciate all your content! Greetings from Mexico!
I only run XT. I've tried SRAM, but I always go back to Shimano
Best video to date! Your videos make me fall in love with mountain biking all over again!
"It's just for me" I feel that is lost in todays world of capturing everything on camera. It is not the same as being in the moment.
Hahahaha I had an XTR rear derailer from around 2000, only XTR part. I just really wanted it! I had it on my bike for 20 years. It worked flawlessly.
I currently run XT.
Love it Doddy! Great work on the video!
I loved dual control! Had the LX version on my 2004 Mongoose Teocali and they never missed a beat, look really neat and I wish they continued working on this. My mates son rides that bike now, same shifter/breaks and still going strong!
This video has a great vibe. Additionally, I enjoyed learning about the history of the XT groupset 👍
You earned some old school respect for this one! Ride on!
This is passion. This is WHY we watch your videos!
Hearing you mention those old components brought back some serious flashbacks of my early riding years!
I always build up a groupset with SLX & XT - never had any of the components let me down, Shimano all the way 👍🏻
I started riding in the early 2000s as a broke teenager and remember fondly lusting after the XT and XTR kits in the Shimano catalog lol. Though I mainly used LX and Deore level stuff.
Fast forward 20 years and my Commencal Meta TR 29 Essential came spec’d with SLX 12spd from the factory and I was planning on swapping it right away for XT. I gotta say I’m super impressed with the SLX stuff. Once I set it up I’ve had no issues whatsoever and get crisp shifts every time. I still plan to go to XT but only as stuff breaks or wears out.
This was so good and interesting to watch! I personally have a similar love letter to Shimano.
I've never been fortunate enough to have a bike equipped with XT/XTR derailleur. Deore and SLX at best.
However I've been so thoroughly impressed with those 2 derailleurs, that after Doddy's video I must give XT a try as soon as parts become available.
Everything Shimano just makes the MTB'er in me happy. My first brand new bike, a Cannondale Catalyst, is still equipped with the same 7 year old Shimano Tourney derailleur. Sure by most standards it not that good at all, and has required some maintenance and a couple rebuilds, but I keep running it as a testament to Shimano quality at all levels.
It's not about how much money you spend on bicycle parts, it's about how far those parts take you and the memories you make.
Cheers to Shimano!
Thank you for the valuable information. I installed the two jockey wheels of my old Deore XT on my ProFlex 856 again today. The Deore XT is designed and manufactured very elegantly, and seem to be working forever.!
When it comes to durability, much of this View is nostalgia. These days M6100, 7100, and 8100 are incredibly similar. For instance: :why would an SLX cassette be less durable than XT if the sole difference is the second largest cog being aluminum instead of steel? If anything steel is more durable.
@Andrew Dodd that plus the external adjustment to the clutch, and the cage being aluminum on both sides are the only differences. And again, the steel in the SLX jockey cage is going to increase durability. And if those dodgy bushings fail (def more of a wet weather and mud issue) you can replace the jockey wheels with the xt versions. Really the best upgrade reserved for XT is the shifter.
BTW, conspicuously no mention of XT hubs 😜. Cheers Doddy!
Awesome video Doddy!
Nice history lesson, one day I'll have XT on my bike but for now I have regular deore on my nukeproof scout and it works great, I'll only upgrade it when it wears out or breaks.
My quick release skewers, disc brake set, and cassette are from XT. I love them to bits!
I remember working in a bike shop in the early 2000s, eyeing up all the new XT gear when it came in... brought back some great memories!
I just bought an XT M8100 group set to upgrade my bike because of Doddy and how he talks about the XT in this video. Doddy is a library of knowledge. #GMBNTech #GMBN #MountainBiking #MountainBike #MTB #BikeLife #Cycling #ShimanoXT #ShimanoDeore #DeoreXT
Beautiful video Doddy!
you're absolutely right! Deore XT is the work horse and always gets job done! I've ran many bikes with deore xt, I still have my childhood XC bike with the silly shift / brake levers.
Last year I bought a pretty high end Carbon XC MTB from LaPierre. It came spec’s with SRAM XO eagle drive train. I’ve just swapped out the entire drive to M8100 and am blown away by the difference in feel and quality. 1000% better in every way!
I love XT too. Just so smooth and precise.
I love the way Doddy explains ❤
Enjoyed the history lesson..thanks
This was an amazing video, very akin to Jeff Grosso’s love letters to skateboarding. Just the knowledge, care and passion that went in translates very well.
Next video, Doddy's list of essential components! Great video!
Doddy I love the fact that you are unashamed to talk about the fact that you will/have purchase parts because they look good.
Have always been a fan of XT and have never had anything XTR. Just too expensive and I just couldn't see it being that much better than XT. Great video!!
Another fantastic video from the hardest working member of GMBN
I might also be obsessed with fishing…. It is impressive how Shimano stays so on point with innovation and dependability within various price ranges regardless of the department
XT: Best drivetrain out there, and affordable as well.
XTR: Built for racing only, not to last. And it's super expensive as well.
SLX and Deore: More budget friendly versions of XT. I'd always recommend pairing them with an XT shifter tho so you can shift into 2 harder gears at a time rather than 1. Sacrifice weight and quality for price.
Similar thing with SRAM's GX, X01, and XX1 drivetrain. Just that XX1 is for XC only.
If I had to have a Shimano drivetrain with 1 part of each series, I'd have XTR derailleur, XT shifter, SLX cranks, Deore chain, and Deore or SLX cassette.
Nice tribute, Doddy. Great AV educational tool.. I bet this video will get shared to specific times ( xx:xx ) more than most- you've left a mark on history.
My memory of this history includes a couple chapters that are missing here... Those rancid push-push shifters which originally displaced thumb shifters. The original point of "STI" was to make the brake levers part of the shifter. This wasn't because "genius" it was a ploy to force you to run Shimano brake levers if you wanted hyperglide. Then introduce indexed front shifting, which didn't really work, but it did force you to run Shimano cranks and chainrings. Then a non-standard cable pull on the brakes, all meant if you needed hyperglide, which of course you do, then you run an entire Shimano groupset. In the 7-speed days, I ran Suntour XC-Pro shifters and derailleurs, with hyperglide, and Dia-Compe brakes. That was the best performing setup, with rear hub and cassette the only thing Shimano. As XC-Pro stuff became harder and harder to find, a little company called Sram introduced Grip Shift and filled the gap for those of us who just wouldn't run those crappy STI shifters. Sometime around '93 Shimano finally ditched the push-push and introduced that very nice trigger shifter. Shimano also at that point introduced the "feature" of an extra light rear derailleur return spring. This hurt performance and maintainability, but it hurt Grip Shift more than it hurt the Shimano shifter. This forced Sram to introduce their own rear derailleur, and we are all better off for what followed, especially those who still run Shimano.
@Andrew Dodd Yeah those original grip shifts weren't great, but it's mind boggling to think of what they accomplished. And Hyperglide is the one huge innovation that we all benefit from so much, it can't be understated.
Cannot agree more. XT never let me down, always reliable and precise, no BS. Just get out and ride!
Always been an XT fanatic. Now, even more!
From a fellow Shimano lover and user, this was a fantastic and brilliant video. I have XT on my current Specialized Stumpjumper and absolutely love it. Every once in a while I think of switching to the SRAM equivalent but every time I ride, I just can’t justify a switch from my XT setup this is just so great.
Really liking your new whip there.
I'm watching this video right now on my TV, it's been great hearing how XT was/is the workhorse, and how it continues to be. I'm using M770 V-Brakes, Crank and Shifters, and all are still working great🤘🤘
Nicely said I've that XT hollow tech on my 2001 f700 cannondale. It still works.
I've had a pile of those historical parts you covered on my bike over the years and o gotta say: yes to XT. I've got a new build on order for this spring and yet again it'll be XT! 12 speed this time, and I can't wait. I also started on that 400lx, and had a 950 at one point: ran that for years!!
I currently use Deore XT as well and i can attest to its durability and performance.
Great review
Agreed always been a Shimano drivetrain guy since the early 90’s it just works! Did not know Deore meant Deer 🦌 thats awesome.
I love the story about when he had the XTR rear d! I think a few of us can relate to that "have to have that part even though it's crazy money" part of cycling!
Best set up I’ve had so far is 2 x 11 XT Di2. It’s a shame that it didn’t catch on and for the most part is completely unsupported for newer frames. I’m hoping Shimano comes out with a new di2 system soon 🤞🏻
Yep. I remember mountain biking in the 90s. XT was a given. You didn’t question the need for it or whether you should consider any other options. I came back to mountain biking in 2021 and bought a bike with a sram eagle SX drivetrain. Now I’m sure the GX is perfectly acceptable, but it didn’t take long at all for that cheap SX derailleur to fail so I just reached for XT. Of course now, because of all the 12 speed innovations, that meant new cassette, chain, derailleur, shifter, and even new rear hub. It was a bit more costly but it was ultimately worth it for that tried, true, and reliable performance.
I’m in the middle of this process on my current bike! So far have an xtr shifter and xt derailleur. Will probably go for a Deore cassette with an xt chain next.
Every bike Ive had with Sram eventually gets upgraded to Shimano.
Love M732 & M735! Bombproof stuff!
My old giant ac3 2005 with shimano mega9 deorext..still smooth shifting every time I go cycling..still loving it
Gorgeous video doddy
I’ve ridden many other group sets, but XT has always done me well. It’s all I use anymore. That’s for the fun video!
Really good video Doddy! It's neat to see how xt has progressed over the years. A side note: I run xt and or sram xo on my three bikes. They both just work!
Great video as Always.
this is a love story...and one i loved watching
I didnt knew much bout mtb when i got my Scout. After seeing your videos.. and much of research.. i decided to upgrade on XT drivetrain and brake set. Never look back and money well spend.. i even keep 1 spare for each part. Almost a year, still doing great..
Doddy gave me goosebumps there
Beautiful video. 100% agree about XT
I bought my first real MTB in '98 with the full XT build. What a difference from department store level bikes.
Brilliant video. I have it on my Scott Spark 910.
We may disagree on many things, but one subject we can all agree on, is our love for Doddy!
So do I Doddy, have had XT shifters and mech for years.
I have an old Gary fisher big Sur with xt on the rear. It has never had an issue. Brilliant quality. I now have a "modern" Trek hard tail with SRAM gx. It's good but I still miss the deore xt. A great video Sir
Good history lesson, thanks for this.
Thanks! Doddy did a great job on this one!
Great video. I would love to see more "Why I Love..." series. One about the RockShox was nice too.
Love this. I am also a big XT fan, because it just works.
Another brilliant piece from the doddy don, 💥👏👏👏👍👌🤟
Thanks for the support, Ross! It was such a great video to make! 👊
Good video on the Shimano Deore XT rear derailleur Doddy, mines on a 2010 Scott Spark and thanks to your tips it's even smoother than it was before, might change those horrible cross head screw for Allen key type though makes things easier. I'm still riding gravel trails at 80 yrs old. Keep them coming. Cheers Robbie😀
Please do more of these 😀
Brilliant Doddy !