XT M8000 vs XTR M9000 Shifter & Derailleur

I'm ready to make the jump to 11 speed Shimano and I'm curious, in your collective opinion NSMB, is the jump to XTR worthwhile?

It's a $100 premium with the recently announced Shimano price rejig.

I'm going to pair either set with an XT 11-42 cassette.

Thanks!

XT

XTR

If we're spending your money I say go for it.

When spending my own money I'll save the $100.

Go XT, knowing that this years XT is last years XTR.

Go XT, knowing that this years XT is last years XTR.

That's a bit like saying "Go Camaro, knowing that this years Camaro is last years Corvette." I mean, they both do the ~ same thing and there is definitely a lot of trickle down but the quality of the products is dissimilar. XT is a workhouse groupset - which is high quality but definitely with a focus on value, where XTR, in general, uses much higher quality materials (at a premium price).

If you are planning to run the bike long term and you don't have a history of smashing your gear changer, the one place I would personally consider springing for XTR over XT would be the shifter. The quality difference is notable especially over the long term.

I imagine my next geared bike will be 11spd SLX (when it's released) w/ an XTR Shifter and XT Cassette.

If you are planning to run the bike long term and you don't have a history of smashing your gear changer, the one place I would consider springing for XTR over XT would be the shifter. The quality difference is notable especially over the long term.

I imagine my next geared bike will be 11spd SLX (when it's released) w/ an XTR Shifter and XT Cassette.

Ya good advice.

I sprung for an XTR shifter a while back and was blown away at the noticeable difference. I'm running it with an XT derailleur. I never expected that much of a difference and the price was only 15 or so more.

I started with xt on my hardtail and have slowly upgraded to xtr for der/shifter, xt works very well, xtr is a bit nicer function and form overall, makes you feel all warm and fuzzy….hahah

Use nothing but XTR shifters and rear gear cassette doesn't make any difference to shifting just weight.

Use nothing but XTR shifters and rear gear cassette doesn't make any difference to shifting just weight.

With respect to cassette, XTR weight is 331g ($220) and XT weight is 411g ( $98 ), 80g penalty for a $122 savings is entirely justifiable to me.

(weights from bike-discount.de, prices from CRC)

I tell customers to go with XT but personally I go XTR.

With respect to cassette, XTR weight is 331g ($220) and XT weight is 411g ( $98 ), 80g penalty for a $122 savings is entirely justifiable to me.

(weights from bike-discount.de, prices from CRC)

If you are getting your prices from CRC, I suggets looking at JensonUSA. Their prices on M8000 bits are currently lower than CRC even with inculded tax.

With respect to the cassettes, XTR is 11-40 only, no option for 11-42.

Go full Xt and spring for XTR shifter.

I'm running full XT with XTR shifter, you'll notice the difference with shifter more than anything else

I imagine my next geared bike will be 11spd SLX (when it's released) w/ an XTR Shifter and XT Cassette.

This is some good thinking right here. XTR shifters are real nice, particularly over time, rear derailleurs don't stay perfectly straight long enough for me to benefit from any slight performance difference for long. (Although I'm personally holding out on switching to 11speed for as long as practical)

I've run most combos;XTR shifter/derailleur, XT shifter/XTR derailleur, and XTR shifter/XT derailleur. Best shifting/value is the XTR shifter with the XT derailleur. I've also read that the XTR chains are worth it (arts cyclery?).

I've been going through chains pretty quickly (not breaking, just wearing out), but the original XTR 11 speed cassette is still working well after 14 months on the shore…

Mike

Buy all XT and get 2 or 3 extra chains, and 2 or 3 extra cable and the required housing to go along with it. You'll get more performance from changing those parts when required over getting the XTR shifter.