At the huge industry showcase that is Sea Otter, Shimano have unveiled their newest addition to the mountain bike marketplace – Deore XT Di2. As much as some would feel it was always inevitable that XT would get an electronic option, the arrival of a second tier electronic group set brings electronic shifting efficiency and precision to a new part of the market.
The Deore XT group set has always been the high performance workhorse in Shimano’s range – typically offering the majority of the performance features of XTR, just with less carbon or titanium to keep the costs down.
Much of the functionality is the same with XTR – however there’s a big improvement with the head unit. While the display has been there ti work as a junction box, charging port, shift indicator and trim adjuster (and a computer for SyncroShift) it no no longer needs a wired connection to access E-Tube. This programme allows customisation of the shifting, in terms of the shifting behaviour in reaction to the buttons on the shifter. It’s now Bluetooth compatible, meaning changes can be made via a laptop or tablet – or even via your smartphone on the trail.
Not just a fancy indicator.
The shifters mimc the feel of a Rapidfire lever, and again allow customisation via E-Tube. Of course, Shimano’s XTR Di2 drivetrain is very popular for those wanting a larger gear range with increased simplictyt, which is here SyncroShift comes in. The computer changes the chainring via the one shifter as the move through the range, preceded with an audible beep so you know there’s a change coming. How far up or down the cassette this happens is programmable, and it’s likely to be a hit with XT Di2 as much as with XTR Di2.
But why go to XT Di2?
Electronic shifting is more than just a new buzz – it is a far lighter action, and is not adversely affected by mud or foul conditions. In fact, the motors in the mountain bike parts are twice as powerful as those in the road components. As cassettes are getting bigger, shift loads are higher. The 11-46 11sp cassette will work far better with motorised shifting than via a cable and your thumb. If you consider the amount of shifting you do in a marathon race, having a lower effort and a faster shift for every time is a big bonus. Both on mental and physical energy.
Given Shimano’s Deore XT group is billed “The components of adventure”, this easy acces to a broad range is fitting. It means the scope and versatility of Deore XT remains. Be it in a mechanical 1×11 group, or 2×11 group for big backcountry rides, or perhaps a 2×11 electronic group to suit the privateer 24hr or marathon racer who needs the best gear range and reliability. The 1×11 electronic group might suit either an enduro or XCO racer who wants shifting precision but needs to keep the total cost of their bike down. Shimano have ensured that Deore XT is still the most versatile group set in their range.
Full details of the group sets are online – they will be available in September.