shimano xt and xtr 2012

2012 Shimano XT and XTR
Wednesday April 27th, 2011 at 2:44 AM
Posted by: Brian Mullin

Shimano revamped their Deore XT line, and the new M780 group got a slew of trickled down technology from the 2011 XTR brethren, and come in a more affordable price point. The XT gets an 2×10 (40/28 and 38/26) and 3×10 (42-32-24) crankset, Race and Trail pedals, Race and Trail wheelsets, index shifting with multiple release and vivid indexing, Servo-Wave brakes with a two-piece caliper that has the ICE technology (radiator-backed pads, alloy-core rotors, 22mm oversized pistons). This goes along with the 2011 M770 wide-range 10-speed cassette and asymmetrical chain. The system will be available in silver or black.

For 2012 XTR gets a new rear derailer, dubbed the Shadow Plus (RD-M985). It has a heavier spring and a gold colored two positions ratcheting switch (On or Off), which they call the stabilizer. The system consists of spring with a one way friction pivot or ratchet gear, which is enclosed by a band clamp. The Off position moves the clamp upward away from the pivot, allowing free cage movement, and when the clamp is down, it tightens the pivot up, constricting movement or increasing friction in the forward direction. When engaged, this increased pivot friction, dampens the cage, quiets down chain noise, decreases chain slap, and helps alleviate any chain drop offs. When the switch is Off, the derailer acts like a standard Shadow, and this mode makes for easier wheel removal and drivetrain fine tuning. I played with this at the show, and it makes a dramatic difference, and will make flying through rough terrain and rock gardens much more enjoyable.




Additional Product Pricing:
Pedals (PD-M780 and PD-M785): $149.99
Wheels (WH-M785 and WH-M788): $749.99


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