I started with SLX cassette, derailleur and shifter and migrated the derailluer and shifter to XT when the SLX clutch got sticky. The XT derailleur has noticeably less drag than the SLX and is a worthwhile upgrade IMO. I think the best budget setup would be SLX Cassette and Shifter with the XT Derailleur. I do also much prefer the ratios of the Shimano cassettes vs SRAM.
Aug. 26, 2020, 10:01 a.m. - Sean McDermott
I started with SLX cassette, derailleur and shifter and migrated the derailluer and shifter to XT when the SLX clutch got sticky. The XT derailleur has noticeably less drag than the SLX and is a worthwhile upgrade IMO. I think the best budget setup would be SLX Cassette and Shifter with the XT Derailleur. I do also much prefer the ratios of the Shimano cassettes vs SRAM.