Why I Love Deore XT | Doddy's Love Letter To Shimano

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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[bruce.KAY-bike-drifter]

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.

[lelev]

Always impressed with Doddy's knowledge and enthusiasm for cycling history

[redbomberr]

Great tribute to Shimano and XT. Gotta add that their competition with SRAM makes our MTB world an exiting place to be 👊👊

[oliverbrunt]

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.

[danbuckman]

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

[socas_nic]

Who else wants to hang out with Doddy for a beer and endless MTB gear conversations?

[neildaniel]

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.

[msagoo]

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

[Willstang]

Badass little documentary about one of the best components in the world!!! Hats off doddy

[michaelgorman]

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.

[paulbarnett]

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.

[kisilvan]

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.

[jemez_mtn]

Totally agree. Cool seeing the early 90s stuff! I started with Deore LX in 91, upgraded some things to DX (Rapidfire Plus shifters were but finally just got to do my hardtail dream build with full XT. The tech is awesome, and every piece has been flawless.

[ZRMTB]

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. 👌🏽

[artfulstationer]

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!

[frozencanuck]

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.

[robhughes]

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!

[cliffsangelsphotography]

I only run XT. I've tried SRAM, but I always go back to Shimano

[Lestat]

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.

[slick-riq]

You’re an amazing storyteller Doddy, love it!