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SHIMANO DEORE XT and XTR

By Steffi Marth

 

Let's dive into the high-end, top-shelf, premium-quality groupsets for mountain bikers around the world. Uncovering the common features and differences of our two top mountain bike groupsets.

Mountain biker riding through a forest trail in protective gear
Mountain biker riding through a forest trail in protective gear

Background info

XTR and the associated new technologies were introduced 27 years ago as an addition to the existing XT line. The letter “R” stands for “Race” and was designed to optimize the XT groupset, which had already achieved its peak in technology for the racing segment. It's slightly more lightweight, with a tiny bit more titanium and carbon, and overall slightly more premium materials – simply put, we're dealing with high-end products.

 

The table below compares XT and XTR features, let's take a closer look at what they have in common and the big differences.

Close-up of a mountain bike chain, gears, and tire against a wooden background
Close-up of a mountain bike chain, gears, and tire against a wooden background
Close-up of a bike's Shimano gear mechanism and rear suspension against a wooden background.
Close-up of a bike's Shimano gear mechanism and rear suspension against a wooden background.

Common features and differences

XT (M8100) XTR(M9100)
12-speed Yes Yes
Material 12-speed cassette Combination of aluminum and steel Combination of aluminum, titanium and steel
Weight 12-speed cassette
  • 470 g (10-51T)
  • 461 g (10-45T)
  • 367 g (10-51T)
  • 357 g (10-45T)
Chainring 28/30/32/34/36 30/32/34/36
Chain
  • HYPERGLIDE+ technology
  • QUICK-LINK connection
  • 252 g
  • Extremely smooth SIL-TEC surface
  • HYPERGLIDE+ technology
  • QUICK-LINK connection
  • Extra-light hollow pin
  • 242 g
Rear derailleur
  • 13T pulleys for more efficient chain guidance
  • Silent drivetrain
  • Low profile design (SHADOW RD+)
  • Fast and precise shifting performance
  • 284 g
  • 13T pulleys for more efficient chain guidance
  • Silent drivetrain
  • Low profile design (SHADOW RD+)
  • Fast and precise shifting performance
  • Shimano's lightest 12-speed rear derailleur
  • 237 g
Crank
  • DYNAMIC CHAIN ENGAGEMENT+ chainrings
  • DYNAMIC CHAIN ENGAGEMENT+ chainrings
  • Lighter
Woman in a purple beanie holding up two bicycle derailleurs outside
Woman in a purple beanie holding up two bicycle derailleurs outside

Key differences between DEORE XT and XTR

The XTR groupset comes with even more lightweight materials, such as titanium and carbon. This is primarily reflected in the premium design and lower weight (see table). Some riders choose an XTR rear derailleur for its stiffer cage, resulting in more defined and crisp shifting.

 

There are also small differences in terms of product range between the groupsets. For example, for XTR, there are different cranks available for XC and Enduro.

 

Overall, the XTR groupset has more options, for example, two brake lever designs. One of the brake lever designs requires a small Allen key to modify the distance to the grip; the other does not require a tool. The design without a tool requirement has functional advantages, but this advantage is compromised by a few more grams of weight.

 

Other differences concern the cassettes. The increments 10-45 T and 10-51 T may be the same in both groupsets, but XTR features, in addition to four steel sprockets and three aluminum sprockets, five sprockets made of lightweight titanium, which take more than 100 g off the total weight compared to XT.  

 

The smallest chainring for an XT drivetrain is 28 and 30 for XTR. In turn, the largest chainring for XTR comes with 38 teeth, which is two teeth more than for XT.

 

These differences are really just nuances, but for some riders they are significant. Everybody can decide for themselves what they prefer.

Close-up view of Shimano Deore XT bike crankset in a forest setting
Close-up view of Shimano Deore XT bike crankset in a forest setting
Close-up of a bicycle chainring, crank, and pedals against a grassy background
Close-up of a bicycle chainring, crank, and pedals against a grassy background

Key similarities between XT and XTR

Overview of the Shimano MTB Groupsets

SHIMANO DEORE SHIMANO SLX SHIMANO DEORE XT SHIMANO XTR
Level Entry level Advanced Upper mid-range Premium
Combinations
1x12/1x11/1x10/2x11/
2x10
1x12/2x12 1x12/2x12 1x12/2x12
Brakes 2 or 4 pistons 2 or 4 pistons 2 or 4 pistons 2 or 4 pistons
Woman in a helmet and cycling gear standing outdoors in a forested area
Woman in a helmet and cycling gear standing outdoors in a forested area

The bottom line