Great video! My bike came with the SLX shifter and XT derailleur. Your previous shifter video convinced me to change to the XT shifter. I like the instant shift feature from the XT shifter
Same, bike came with XT derailleur and brakes but Deore shifter. Your video convinced me to get the XT shifter, and it’s much better, even before the sealed bearings give it a longer life. I actually find the ergonomics different and I am starting to thumb-push up shifts instead of finger-pull. Overall just a bit tighter and punchier. Thanks for your great vids, good work!
Good to know, not covered anywhere else that I have found. Makes wonder how many of the large number of reviews I have that attribute “crisp shifting to the derailleurs and or cassette are really due to this shifter characteristic?
That’s a neat thing to see - like SLX is still just the most quality version of Shimano shifter from tourney and up, but XT is completely different technology and engineering, with bearings, different lever actions even!
11 speed owner here. After breaking two SLX shifters in crashes, I decided to upgrade to the XT shifter mainly due to the attachment deign difference. At least on the ispec 2 models, the attachment on the SLX models is a one-piece aluminium design, where as the XT model allows more adjustment which has a secondary benefit of being able to un-adjust itself in a crash, instead of snapping straight in half. This design change has now saved my ass on multiple occasions and prevented me from needing to continue buying new shifters. Instead I just had to readjust the position of the shifter and re-torque it. Also the actuation of the XT shifter is far better than the SLX, even though it's heavier. I'm sure this difference is the exact same on the newer 12 speed models. Good job on these videos by the way.
Having upgraded from SLX to XT shifter based on this and other reviews, I can see people's point. The SLX does feel smoother simply because it's gradual... I don't need the instant release but I have to admit the double upshift is hard to give up now that I've done it. Will keep the SLX shifter around though, it's still good. And I'm not sure I'd bother to upgrade it again, if a bike came with SLX.
I have multiple bikes.. One has XT, The rest have Deore. I have very little experience with SLX but I can tell you that I would instantly change all my bikes to XT if I cared to spend the money. I did just upgrade one of them to XT. It will be my shifter of choice going forward if anything happens to the others. It's just so smooth and precise. Reliable. I always seem to have shifting issues with Deore at some point.. My XT bike has been solid the entire time.
XT is so much better in terms of speed-when-you-need-it. If you want to change 4 gears towards smaller cogs, in SLX you have to make 8 motions, in XT you only need 3 ! That's a WIN in my book.
Got a new bike with xt shifter not convinced feels cheap hard chrunchy and brittle plus really annoyed double up shift is a poxy thumb push the whole reason i like shimano is index finger up i think deore feels premium way smoother and probly more durable great thing is having the choice to mix and match like the videos thanks
Slx shifters are spongy, i think shimano shouldve made the upgrade the other way around. XT has that instant click action riders expect to find in an upgrade. Its my opinion though.
Thanks! And yeah, bottom brackets, wheelsets, SRAM stuff… the bike industry is not very transparent with what the differences are for any of these things so I’m trying to do the research and clear things up one part at a time.
I have both slx and xt on different bikes. Have never noticed the up shift difference between them. I do notice the difference in shift effort. Arthritis in my thumbs. To much cell phone texting. I use a 2 speed grip shift on my 2x bike, front shifter. 69 years old MTB rider since 1985 roadie before that.
Good video. I found the same thing that the XT requires a greater force than Deore. I know it's a lot more expensive, but does anybody know whether the XTR shifter requires the same force as the XT shifter ?
A few weeks ago I switched from XT HG to XT LG and there is a huge difference in shifting feel. I honestly don't like the way the LG XT shifter feels. I loved how the HG XT shifter felt. I don't know why there is such a difference in shifting feel if it's the same shifter. Have you tried the Linkglide version of the XT shifter and noticed a difference? My old setup was an HG XT shifter with an SLX derailleur and my new setup is an LG XT shifter with a Shimano Cues U8000 derailleur.
I have not used the LinkGlide version of any of Shimano's components yet, but looking at the exploded views for those two shifters they look very similar. The only thing that I can see from the spec sheets is that the LG version doesn't have the Multi-Release feature that allows you to upshift two gears at once. I've reached out to Shimano to see if they can give us any more information and I'll let you know if I hear back.
Any chance of doing the same comparison with SRAM components? I'm running GX and would like to see if I can perhaps get a cheaper cassette when I upgrade (though I might be limited on the sx and nx cassette hub compatibility)
So, I don’t think so, but it is possible and I can tell you what you’d need to research to find out. All modern shifters are “indexed” shifters. This means that each press of the shifter lever pulls the cable a very specific distance. The distance the cable is pulled moves the derailleur exactly the distance of the spacing between cogs on the cassette. So, if 10 speed and 12 speed cassettes have the same spacing between cogs then you could use a 12 speed shifter on a 10 speed drivetrain. However, the tight spacings that make a 12 speed drivetrain possible are likely not used on 10 speed drivetrains because the tighter spacings make the shifting more finicky and require more advanced manufacturing processes to make. Instincts are telling me it will not work, but please let me know if you look more into it and get a concrete answer!
I have full slx on my mtb and I wanted to upgrade to xt but I’ve read that xt and xtr shifters have a design problem where a spring system fails and the downshift lever moves freely without engaging the ratchet therefore a lot of people made a mix between xt derrailleur and deore/slx shifters wich have less features but are more reliable. Did shimano fix this issue?
No idea where this "problem" was written about. Had SLX for about a year, have been running XT for the last year. They both work perfectly, and exactly how this video describes. SLX is "easier" to push/pull and a bit smoother, XT is "snappier" and can shift more gears with each full push/pull. Both have been 100% reliable to me. Thumb lever ergonomics are better on XT, pull trigger is better on SLX. I'm still torn on which I prefer.
Typically I’ll use a bike degreaser and a rough bristle brush. The bike in the video happens to be brand new with only one ride on the cassette so it’s just clean from not being ridden enough yet!
Great video! My bike came with the SLX shifter and XT derailleur. Your previous shifter video convinced me to change to the XT shifter. I like the instant shift feature from the XT shifter
I’m glad you like it!
Same, bike came with XT derailleur and brakes but Deore shifter. Your video convinced me to get the XT shifter, and it’s much better, even before the sealed bearings give it a longer life. I actually find the ergonomics different and I am starting to thumb-push up shifts instead of finger-pull. Overall just a bit tighter and punchier. Thanks for your great vids, good work!
Good to know, not covered anywhere else that I have found. Makes wonder how many of the large number of reviews I have that attribute “crisp shifting to the derailleurs and or cassette are really due to this shifter characteristic?
That’s a neat thing to see - like SLX is still just the most quality version of Shimano shifter from tourney and up, but XT is completely different technology and engineering, with bearings, different lever actions even!
11 speed owner here. After breaking two SLX shifters in crashes, I decided to upgrade to the XT shifter mainly due to the attachment deign difference. At least on the ispec 2 models, the attachment on the SLX models is a one-piece aluminium design, where as the XT model allows more adjustment which has a secondary benefit of being able to un-adjust itself in a crash, instead of snapping straight in half. This design change has now saved my ass on multiple occasions and prevented me from needing to continue buying new shifters. Instead I just had to readjust the position of the shifter and re-torque it. Also the actuation of the XT shifter is far better than the SLX, even though it's heavier. I'm sure this difference is the exact same on the newer 12 speed models. Good job on these videos by the way.
Having upgraded from SLX to XT shifter based on this and other reviews, I can see people's point. The SLX does feel smoother simply because it's gradual... I don't need the instant release but I have to admit the double upshift is hard to give up now that I've done it.
Will keep the SLX shifter around though, it's still good. And I'm not sure I'd bother to upgrade it again, if a bike came with SLX.
This is the best explanation and comparison on the web thank you for making these videos really have helped me.
I appreciate your Videos. They help me get ideas on which parts to mix and match. Super thanks!
I have multiple bikes.. One has XT, The rest have Deore. I have very little experience with SLX but I can tell you that I would instantly change all my bikes to XT if I cared to spend the money. I did just upgrade one of them to XT. It will be my shifter of choice going forward if anything happens to the others. It's just so smooth and precise. Reliable. I always seem to have shifting issues with Deore at some point.. My XT bike has been solid the entire time.
This reminds me of trigger comparisons on gun channels. Very similar mechanisms and sounds.
I can see that. I know my bike is an absolute 'weapon'. 😄
If by weapon you mean inflicting much pain and suffering on my body, then yeah I guess you could say my bike is a weapon.
I noticed this when I changed from Deore to XT shifter,. Was much more difficult, but still worked fine and got used to it quickly.
XT is so much better in terms of speed-when-you-need-it. If you want to change 4 gears towards smaller cogs, in SLX you have to make 8 motions, in XT you only need 3 ! That's a WIN in my book.
Bottom brackets next please.
Letss goooo I've been waiting for this video
Got a new bike with xt shifter not convinced feels cheap hard chrunchy and brittle plus really annoyed double up shift is a poxy thumb push the whole reason i like shimano is index finger up i think deore feels premium way smoother and probly more durable great thing is having the choice to mix and match like the videos thanks
Slx shifters are spongy, i think shimano shouldve made the upgrade the other way around. XT has that instant click action riders expect to find in an upgrade. Its my opinion though.
I may be misreading your comment, but the XT is the upgrade over the SLX as far as Shimano lines go.
Your series of videos are very useful !! Thanks for that insight
What are your plan for the future ? Are you going to tackle the wheels ?
Thanks! And yeah, bottom brackets, wheelsets, SRAM stuff… the bike industry is not very transparent with what the differences are for any of these things so I’m trying to do the research and clear things up one part at a time.
I have both slx and xt on different bikes. Have never noticed the up shift difference between them. I do notice the difference in shift effort. Arthritis in my thumbs. To much cell phone texting. I use a 2 speed grip shift on my 2x bike, front shifter. 69 years old MTB rider since 1985 roadie before that.
Nice!
Good video. I found the same thing that the XT requires a greater force than Deore. I know it's a lot more expensive, but does anybody know whether the XTR shifter requires the same force as the XT shifter ?
i want tourney vs XT lol :)
A few weeks ago I switched from XT HG to XT LG and there is a huge difference in shifting feel. I honestly don't like the way the LG XT shifter feels. I loved how the HG XT shifter felt. I don't know why there is such a difference in shifting feel if it's the same shifter. Have you tried the Linkglide version of the XT shifter and noticed a difference? My old setup was an HG XT shifter with an SLX derailleur and my new setup is an LG XT shifter with a Shimano Cues U8000 derailleur.
I have not used the LinkGlide version of any of Shimano's components yet, but looking at the exploded views for those two shifters they look very similar. The only thing that I can see from the spec sheets is that the LG version doesn't have the Multi-Release feature that allows you to upshift two gears at once. I've reached out to Shimano to see if they can give us any more information and I'll let you know if I hear back.
Any chance of doing the same comparison with SRAM components? I'm running GX and would like to see if I can perhaps get a cheaper cassette when I upgrade (though I might be limited on the sx and nx cassette hub compatibility)
Yep! It’s coming!
Looking forward to it!
Me too
We need wireless XT. My thumbs are a little worn after 34 years on Shimano.
Probably a dumb question, but would a 12 speed shifter work on a 10 speed drivetrain?
So, I don’t think so, but it is possible and I can tell you what you’d need to research to find out. All modern shifters are “indexed” shifters. This means that each press of the shifter lever pulls the cable a very specific distance. The distance the cable is pulled moves the derailleur exactly the distance of the spacing between cogs on the cassette. So, if 10 speed and 12 speed cassettes have the same spacing between cogs then you could use a 12 speed shifter on a 10 speed drivetrain. However, the tight spacings that make a 12 speed drivetrain possible are likely not used on 10 speed drivetrains because the tighter spacings make the shifting more finicky and require more advanced manufacturing processes to make. Instincts are telling me it will not work, but please let me know if you look more into it and get a concrete answer!
I have full slx on my mtb and I wanted to upgrade to xt but I’ve read that xt and xtr shifters have a design problem where a spring system fails and the downshift lever moves freely without engaging the ratchet therefore a lot of people made a mix between xt derrailleur and deore/slx shifters wich have less features but are more reliable. Did shimano fix this issue?
No idea where this "problem" was written about. Had SLX for about a year, have been running XT for the last year. They both work perfectly, and exactly how this video describes. SLX is "easier" to push/pull and a bit smoother, XT is "snappier" and can shift more gears with each full push/pull. Both have been 100% reliable to me. Thumb lever ergonomics are better on XT, pull trigger is better on SLX. I'm still torn on which I prefer.
How do you clean your cassette ?
Typically I’ll use a bike degreaser and a rough bristle brush. The bike in the video happens to be brand new with only one ride on the cassette so it’s just clean from not being ridden enough yet!
the XT also have 2 speed quick shift up feature as I don't see you demo this feature in the vid. Otherwise, great video.
Yep! I show it off at the beginning around the 1:00 minute mark.
bravoooo
Very turbo