Shimano Cranks XT M8100 vs SLX M7100 - Worth it??? Side-by-side Crankset Review

XT and SLX 12 Speed cranksets from #Shimano, side-by-side. Surprising differences between the #XT M8100 #crankset and the SLX M7100 that I called best value in my comprehensive review.

Videos I referred to

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⌚Chapters
0:00 Intro
00:26 SLX and XT 3 step comparison
00:50 Weight of XT vs SLX
01:47 Good relative weight!
02:25 Better finish on XT?
03:55 Design details, differences
05:16 Saving 60 grams?
05:30 Conclusions, XT vs SLX

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[Highballooning]

SLX is my sweetspot in quality, weight and budget. And it came stock on my bike. As an average and older rider the weight of an good alloy fully with SLX and very decent Rockshox suspension is more than sufficient to keep myself fit an having fun.

[hendrikvh]

I’ll choose whatever is in stock these days!
Thanks for the great comparison as always.

[heyg]

I had my SLX 175mm with Absolute Black 32 at 574 grams versus the Deore and original chainring at 797 grams. After selling the Deore, a $25 upgrade saved 8oz of weight. Not bad!

[benjaminschuldt]

My 2022 Trek Fuel EX8 came with an XT drivetrain except for the cranks which were SLX. At first I was a little annoyed but after your video am actually quite pleased they made that choice. The extra cost of the XT cranks wouldn't have gotten me anything worthwhile - especially once its all covered in mud!

[Jacob]

Certainly SLX crankset over XT.
Only XT upgrade from SLX groupo would be the shifter, and possibly derailleur

[alexli]

I'll go for SLX, again, looks better to me, and save a lot budget! Might installed a XTR chainring later.

[xtianva]

Same dilemma before. Went with 7100 slx set for my giant talon2. I dont really race so cant say im missing out so much with the shifter difference. But that is me. Btw i used your guide on installing shimano 12s. Keep em nice videos coming sir.

[anthonyhum]

I stripped my Ripmo AF Deore and replaced it with SLX cranks, XT shifter, XT derailuer, XT chain and cassette and blackspire chain ring. Saved atleast a pound overall

[iffy_too]

I went with XT cranks for three reasons. The first was that it was in stock at 165mm, the second was because of colour and finish. My previous Deore and Raceface cranks got rubbed away and look kinda jank after a while where the protective film keeps my XT's looking awesome, and the really dark colour totally fits my bike colourway. And third was because they were only AU10$ more than the SLX.

I LOVE THEM!

[kevinclark]

I converted my old bike to 1x10 about 5 years ago. I chose the SLX M7000 crank set over the XT. For decently less money it weighed the same and IMO looked better. Plus XT was known to rub away and look even worse. Couldn’t see a reason to go XT other than to brag it’s XT.

[MkeBLR]

Nice vid! Shimano composite chainring lasts around 8-9k kilometers with wax chain lube (Smoove) or 6k km on oil lube. So it's mostly like SRAM XX1 chainring but with lower price.

[ThunderStruckMTB]

Awesome comparison! I'm betting the 15g comes mainly from the protective film and the balance from normal deviations. I'm a DUB guy, but if I were still on Shimano it would be the XTs simply because I like the finish that sounds so shallow! lol

[bathg]

For anyone who is considering buying those cranks.. me and my friends have 3 bikes with same problem
Chainring for them ... if you're buying shimano chainrings
The bolts that hold the spider "i dont know how it is called but there is i guess 8 bolt that hold the chainring together as shown in 4:44 "
They snapped
If you have weird sounds coming from your bike while pedeling hard go cheak and see if all the bolts are healthy ..
I couldnt find replacement bolts you will probably have to buy yourself a new chainring

I know this video is about cranks but i just wanted to share my experience
I bought the xt crank set with xt chainring and after 4 months i heared weird noise which i couldnt know where it came from until a friend found out it was from the chainrings

[TeamCykelhold]

I have both types. Both are great. If you have the option to choose between them, go for SLX unless you are bothered by the looks - but these days just get whatever you can get your hands on.

[dimimtb]

My Optic came with a Deore 6100 crank and to be honest, other than changing the ring to an AB oval, cranks are the set and forget things unless it breaks somehow. The only crank I would consider upgrading too, and purely for looks are the CC eeWing.

I feel the Shimano has done such a good job from a functionality perspective that you can't go wrong from XTR down to SLX/Deore and weight is usually the major difference between ranges.

[frailgrande]

My bike has a full XT M8100 groupset, absolutely perfect 👌🏻🔝

[lambo]

thx for the comparison! I got the m71xx a few months back... glad to know the slx is lighter, wow...

[pioroon]

From my very own experience: XT 32t chainring is a bit lighter than SLX 30t chainring (there would be propably even bigger difference in same teeth count). So best budget Shimano combo IMO is SLX cranks + XT chainring. If you like the SLX look, I do.

[rickschock]

I upgraded from a Shimano MT510-1 crankset to the SLX M7100 over the winter. Keen to get out and ride it soon.
During my research, I used another of your videos to help me choose.

One thing I did notice, is the XT allows for a greater chainring choice; 28, 30, 32, 34 & 36. SLX only allows 30, 32, & 34, according to my Shimano catalogue.
That same catalogue states the weight difference between XT and SLX is 11 grams, in favour of the XT crankset.

[froggy]

I went full Deore everything except for an XT shifter for the double down shift. It’s awesome, and on an Orange Five Evo enduro/trail bike ridden by a middle aged fairly broken me, I’m not concerned with being a weight weenie :)

It’s a great system.