Shimano SHIFTERS 12 Speed How-To - Deore vs SLX vs XT vs XTR - M6100, M7100, M8100 and M9100

How-To chose12 speed shifters from #Shimano. Features, differences, details of the 12 speed XTR/ XT/ SLX and Deore shifters #shifter #12speed

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⭐Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:24 Construction Details
2:13 Conversion Kits
2:50 2-Way Release
3:23 RapidFire Plus
3:50 Multi Release
4:32 Instant Release
5:26 XT vs Deore Shifters
5:46 Weight
6:02 Conclusions

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[jlech]

Adding an XT shifter to a deore drivetrain is fire. The quad downshift feature is insane.

[Mr_RichardH]

Dude, I LOVE your deep dives into Shimano groupsets. Thanks!

[MrKeefy]

Using SLX shifter with XT derailleur and SLX 12 speed sprocket
I was well impressed when I figured out I could pull the shifter and it shifted upwards.
May upgrade to an XT shifter one day, but after watching this video it's not really high on my list of upgrades.

[RideAlongside]

I’ll take XT shifter, Deore everything else.

[coolmuthapea]

Im running xt and slx 12 speed shifters. The xt has some great features, however I find the slx much easier-lighter to shift, resulting in much faster shifting up and down the range. I can go up gears faster than the xt, which feels stiff in comparison. I can barely reach the 4th click on the down shift of the xt, so that wipes that bonus out.
My choice now would be slx shifter, xt derailleur its better than the slx, deore cassette! I prefer to have all steel cogs, I go through alloy cogs way too quick, I also change chains every 250- 300 miles so thats not to blame. I currently use sunrace 11-51t all steel cog cassette, it's wearing well and even throughout the set. Kmc x12 chains 👌

[christeschke]

My 11 speed Hardtail is using a XT shifter for the rear and SLX for the front. Switched from riding my other X9 9 speed bike, and the XT shifting is a dream. good review, love seeing all the differences, helps make an informed buying decision.

[Photosbydrew]

Thank you so much for these videos! Really helps when trying to configure a new cockpit

[jonathanv]

Appreciate the video. Just bought a new bike with a Deore shifter but didn’t see a manual included for it with the bike. Appreciate the video showing it’s features and how the different shifters differ.

[BMH]

The instant action of the XT makes the difference.

[MaplePanda]

I’ve used all three 11s shifters before, and I didn’t like the XT. It was far too stiff, making my thumb hurt after just a short ride. The SLX is the best “soft and mushy” shifter. The XTR is awesome: same crisp instant release of the XT, but with the easy lever force of the SLX.

TLDR: If you can’t afford the XTR shifter, go with SLX instead.

[martinmbae]

Hi again, I followed your setup and I now run full SLX but with an XT shifter. The difference I find with this shifter is that it feels more rigid than the deore on my other bike. The deore is super smooth for both actuations but the XT needs some effort to work it especially on the upshifts

[TeamCykelhold]

Hey LoveMTB, nice detailed tech content as always. I have a bike with the 12sp XT shifter and one with a 12sp SLX shifter, and call me crazy but I like the softer SLX shifting. The only thing I sometimes miss a tiny but if multirelease, but it's a tiny feature that is easy to look past compared to the (for me) nicer feel of the SLX shifting. The XT just seems to require a bit more force because it shifts right away before the release. I'm very happy with SLX crankset, Deore/SLX derailleur and SLX cassette. I feel no difference between SLX derailleur and Deore, but big difference from SLX to XT shifter (although a negative one for me, going more expensive).

[jmoney]

My bike came w/SLX and so I was thinking of upgrading to XT or XTR for features/build quality but after watching this, I'm not sure that I need to. The instant release feature is mildly intriguing but not enough to make me want to switch. Happy enough w/SLX. Maybe when it wears out or I crash and break it, will probably go XT. Nice video. Thanks.

[mattjns]

Great video man.
I’m new to this scene and have been slowly building and upgrading my mtb.
I’ve been so confused about Shimano shifters, there’s SO many!
You answered all of my questions !!

[FreerideQuebec]

Complete drivetrain for 2021: XT Shifter, X01 derailleur 10-52, GX cassette 10-52, XX1 gold chain. Thanks for the specs!

[flaviojunior]

The components are incredible. And the inspiration of those who named them, was in Nirvana.

[achiltsompanos]

I run a 3x9 Deore, 14yrs old, it shifts like a dream.

[----.__]

Deore: derailleur, cassette
XT: crank, chainring, shifter
XTR: chain

Works well, and with the cheaper consumables (derailleur and cassette) I'm not forking out hundreds upon hundreds of pounds when I spear them in to an obstacle!

[kinch]

i appreciate the hell out of these videos!

[joshuaisraelmararang]

Im still rocking my 11 speed xt shifter and RD, with 11speed KMC chain, sunrace 11-46t cogs, and an slx 34t crankset. I dont get the people who doesnt like the xt shifter...i think it feels fantastic! It gives you that firm yet satisfactory feel when you shift. When it comes to the 4 shift rapid fire feature, I dont use it...3 is more than enough. And the 2 rapid upshift (from low to hi) is really helpful.