XT/XTR Is there really any differance ?

[the great roberto]

Apart from the cost, is there really any performance differance between these two either as retro XT/XTR or todays XT/XTR.

For example take M765 and M965 front hubs. 180g Vs 150g.

My M961 front mech weighs more than than my M738 front mech.

So, there must be more to Shimano's top of the range off road kit than just weight (and cost)......................

 

[cannondale king]

with the latest model xt m770 and xtr m970 it brakes down to

1. a little lighter
2. a little sharper
3. a little stiffer (chainset)
4. looks spankingly good
5. shifts are a little smoother and quicker under stress

its not a lot at first glance but for the pro's when racing every little can add up and with xtr your paying for the latest development's and R&D :shock:

 

[feetabix]

all the above is true but a well maintained xt setup will do just as good a job......the xtr kit has a little extra bling appeal and fans the desire we all had in our youth but couldnt stretch to on a paper round.......

 

[lucifer]

I just built up a modern bike and did the xt vs xtr full on comparison. On the modern kit it comes down to 1/2-3/4 of a pound lighter and loads more money for XTR drivetrain.

The XTR stuff is also much more highly "finished". Which is to say that it has more machining and a nicer more durable finish on the components. Having said that none of the modern stuff is half as well finished as m900 was.

On the wheelsets for instance the move to xtr gets you a ti freehub body and a scandium instead of an aluminum rim. Everything else is the same.

I ended up going with an xtr drivetrain minus the cranks, and xtr wheels. The XTR cranks are 100g lighter but the chainrings cost 2.5x as much. I ended up going with race face cranks. The deus weigh the same as xt, cost less and should have cheaper replacement rings as well.

 

[the great roberto]

Ummmmmmmmmm.

You see I'd love to believe that everything that Shimano give the XTR badge is worthy of it.

Take their range of SPD pedals.
I have the a set of 520,540 and 970 ( the 970's are on the Zaskar). Yes they look nice and weigh a little less than the 770's with the 540 and 520 just adding a few more grammes.
When I'm riding I can't tell the diference between the 970's and the 520's.Yet, one is 4 times the cost of the other. The smart man would just buy the 540's or the 770's if a bit more cash was available.
So, when it comes to spd pedals, I think that XTR has little to offer (apart from a few grammes) over the 540's (LX ?)

Check out the cost of XTR cranks vs XT or even SLX. Again a few grammes.They may be stiffer ( would I notice ?). And the cost of replacement rings is astronomical.

Rear mechs look nice, but I still run my M739 on my 9 speed set-up.The M770 shifters do a great job of telling the M739 what to do. Would a 972 rear mech do any better ????
To be fair I rode my mates X9 shifted ,X0 mech set up the other night.If XTR gave me that level of shifting I'd be tempted. The up and down shifting was instant.Despite all being covered in thick mud. :x

Yet, with all the above my M739 STi's,a M739 rear mech and an 8 speed M737 cassette on my Karakoram shifts better that my 9 speed set up.Progress ?

So, perhaps XTR is a step too far, only for those with too much money and who want bling over adequate performance.

Any examples of where XTR really does score ? Cassettes,chain ,front mech

 

[Anthony]

XTR is by far the nicest colour.

 

[the great roberto]

XTR is by far the nicest colour.

Agree.And nicer finish.

 

[lucifer]

In all honesty my 8 speed xtr cassette and rear derailleur (with grip shift attacks) on my nuke proof is by far the most precise and reliable mtb shifting I have ever used. All of the 9 speed systems are worse.

I do really like my new xtr dual controls though. They give such a clean uncluttered feel to the cockpit. If only they were 8 speed they would be perfect.

 

[FairfaxPat]

The XTR parts are lighter and have a nicer finish, but what stands out for me is that they last longer before wearing out-kinda like a commercial grade tool as opposed to the home model. In some cases, they use bearings instead of bushings, and more exotic materials, such as titanium. This all adds up to greater cost, but in the long run I think the extra life and performance is well worth it.

 

[the great roberto]

I can go with better quality and that they last longer.
But just that they are 3/5's of a gramme lighter and look nicer doesn't justify the extra/silly cost differance.

BTW, the 7speed set-up on my Mrs's Spech Hardrock shifts even better than my XT set up on the Karakoram.
Maybe 7 speed is the way forward