Not to be outdone by their American rivals, Shimano have greatly accelerated their technology trickle down and released their own affordable 11 speed offering in a shade under two weeks of the SRAM GX announcement. The new DEORE XT will feature Shimano’s Rhythm Step 11-40T cassette as seen on their 2015 XTR range and offer riders the option of running 1 by, 2 by or 3 by up front.
Whereas SRAM’s 11 speed drivetrains are all about simplicity, Shimano are more concerned with your cadence. But to make things a little easier on the hills for Shimano fans they are also offering a cassette with a 42 tooth large cog too, which will compromise your rhythm, but could save your legs if you are running 1 x 11.
The DEORE XT range doesn’t just offer drivetrain updates though, it also features an 11 speed chain, various chain ring sizes for 1 by and 2 by riders (3 by only have the 40-30-22T chain ring combination), updated derailleurs and bottom brackets, shifters with enhanced ergonomics, improved braking, lighter and wider rimmed DEORE XT wheels, and SPD pedals with a redesigned platform.
It’s a lot to take in really so we’d suggest you head over to www.bike.shimano.com to have a closer look at the DEORE XT offerings. Cool Heat, Shimano’s South African distributors, say it will be available locally from the end of August, but the pricing has yet to be determined.
Shimano vs SRAM Gear Inches
Sus the gear inches of each cog of the various Shimano or SRAM cassette, when paired with a 32 tooth chainring on a 29er mountain bike, with a 29 x 2.1 / 54-622 tyre and 170mm cranks.
| SRAM 10-42t | Shimano 11-42t | Shimano 11-40t | |
|
1 |
10t – 88.4” | 11t – 80.4” | 11t – 80.4” |
|
2 |
12t – 73.7” | 13t – 68.0” | 13t – 68.0” |
|
3 |
14t – 63.2” | 15t – 58.9” | 15t – 58.9” |
|
4 |
16t – 55.3” | 17t – 52.0” | 17t – 52.0” |
|
5 |
18t – 49.1” | 19t – 46.5” | 19t – 46.5” |
|
6 |
21t – 42.1” | 21t – 42.1” | 21t – 42.1” |
|
7 |
24t – 36.8” | 24t – 36.8” | 24t – 36.8” |
|
8 |
28t – 31.6” | 27t – 32.7” | 28t – 31.6” |
|
9 |
32t – 27.6” | 31t – 28.5” | 32t – 27.6” |
|
10 |
36t – 24.6” | 35t – 25.3” | 37t – 23.9” |
|
11 |
42t – 21.1” | 40t – 22.1” | 42t – 21.1” |
For more information on gear inches and to calculate the gear inches of your drive trail visit www.sheldonbrown.com.
