Shimano XTR vs XT vs SLX vs Deore | MTB Drivetrains Explained!

Are you thinking of upgrading your mountain bike? Choosing which drivetrain to pick can be quite confusing! Following the release of the Deore 12 speed groupset in 2020, there are now more choices than ever when it comes to 1x12 drivetrain setups with a nice variety of price ranges to suit everybody! In this video, Doddy talks you through the difference between XTR, XT, SLX and Deore 12 From their respective weights, shifting characteristics and the overall design, Doddy will help you decide which Shimano groupset is right for your Mountain bike!

⏱ Timestamps ⏱
0:00 - Intro
0:18 - Shimano groupset
3:00 - MTB crank comparison
5:28 - MTB chain comparison
8:20 - MTB Cassette comparison
10:11 - MTB shifter comparison
11:59 - MTB rear mech comparison

Useful Links:

Which Shimano groupset do you run? Let us know down below! 👇

Watch more on GMBN...

🎵 Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound 🎵
KOLOSS - ELFL

#gmbntech #gmbn #mtb #mountainbiking #GroupsetComparison #XTVsXTR #DeoreVsSlx #ShimanoComponents #Shimano

The Global Mountain Bike Network (GMBN) is the world’s largest and fastest-growing online mountain bike channel and community – and your destination for the best mountain bike content in the world.

GMBN is dedicated to inspiring and unlocking your riding potential. Our videos cater to fans of every mountain bike discipline: from mile-munching cross-country (XC) riders, through adrenaline-fuelled dirt jumpers, gravity-hungry downhillers or aspiring enduro racers, and beyond.

Every day of every month, our ex-pro presenting team are on hand to entertain and inspire you while also providing a uniquely qualified insight into the world of mountain biking. Every week we deliver original daily videos that include:

Adventurous and entertaining features
Mountain bike skills coaching
Technical advice and guidance
Mechanical know-how to keep you rolling
A place for the riding community with our weekly Dirt Shed Show

Thanks to our sponsors:

Watch our sister channels:

[gmbntech]

Do you ride a Shimano groupset, if so which do you use? Do you mix and match components? Let us know down below! 👇

[dad]

I've never understood the obsession with a few grams of weight in cycling and bike components. If you have a decent dump or a pee before you get on your bike, that will save much more weight than lashing out hundreds of pounds for a very slightly lighter cassette for instance.

[janchris]

I can only afford a Tourney but the joy in mountain biking is priceless 😎

[The_One-Eyed_Undertaker]

The SWEET SPOT is SLX chainring, derailleur and chain (best price to weight/performance), Deore cassette (steel durability) and XT shifters (functionality) PLUS SLX 4-piston brakes.

[Banshee]

My bike came with a Deore level 12 speed drivetrain. I added an XT shifter and it’s an incredible combination for the money.

[abdullah__]

When the groupset costs more than your bike, you know they ain't playin.

[GreenLifeOne]

Thanks for the video, it comes at just the right time. I am in the process of building a new MTB and first wanted to go XT but then SLX to save a little money. But I couldn't make much sense of some of the technical differences, the explanation in the video helped me a lot. I will stay with XT and try to save a little money in another place.

[nicholkid]

I've got the 1x10 deore from 2020 and it has been flawless. Never mis-shifts and the cranks are super stiff. If you are budget conscious there's barely any downsides to sticking with plain deore.

[ElevationEveryWeekend]

After using a couple 1x11 Deore drivetrains (and finding them solid), the newer 1x12 Deore is a nice improvement, shifts noticeably better than the 1x11. I have a 1x12 SLX on another bike and it is the sweet spot IMO.

[dash]

super awesome. my life pretty much revolves around bikes, i work on bikes for a living right now(not for much longer though, thankfully) and i ride mtbs multiple times a week. i'm getting a little sick of seeing the same issues on bikes come through the shop but I never get sick of explaining what the differences are in products like these. I almost like selling bikes and talking about them more than i like working on them at this point. I've been doing it for years and years and I am quite comfortable and confident in doing 95% of all services but when it comes to talking to people about the really tiny details on different suspension products, drivetrains, saddles etc etc, it 's a never ending learning game and its nice because it keeps me stimulated vs just cranking away on bike repairs all day. videos like these really help me a lot

[mickchaganis]

Brilliant, well explained, nice to know about SRAM also. People say they are all the same, just different materials, partly true but you have explained the other differences in a really easy to understand way. 😁

[OwlCMedicine]

simply the best breakdown of this ever. Thank you. This answered all my questions at once. You rock.

[gray_wolverine]

I have to admit I am a Shimano fan boy from XT XTR, it's all I run on all my bike, I'm a firm believer you get what you pay for. Awesome insight 👏🏼

[sophiebryant]

Good reviews, like the technical breakdowns.

[jeskli]

My ideal setup:
Crankset: Shimano SLX (maybe XT just for the looks)
Chain: Shimano SLX
Cassette: Garbaruk 12-speed
Shifter: Shimano XT
Derailleur: either Shimano XT or SLX with replaced pulley wheels

[derekneumann]

I have been rolling a full SLX drivetrain on my 2021 Specialized Stumpjumper Comp Carbon 29 for about a year now.... awesome!! I really haven't cleaned it or messed with it worth a damn, and still shifting great!

[konradchristen]

Very informative thank you! Looking at bike trim levels and trying to understand why it’s worth/not worth the upgrade fees is greatly helped by breakdowns like this. Thank you!

[gariepyf]

I got the full SLX groupset and brakes a coupe years ago (2x11 speeds). No issues ever. Everything has been perfectly functional and reliable. I've only had good experiences with Shimano stuff. The guy at the bike shop said that's what he bought for his personal bike.

[NorthernSkiAndCycle]

Also, XT and XTR derailleurs have a port to adjust the clutch without removing the cover.

[ScottTeuber]

Excellent! Thanks for helping me understand drive trains better.