New 2012 Shimano: Deore and SLX
It seems that the smart black and silver look first seen on XTR is catching… Shimano today has announced the new versions of its Deore and SLX groups – and both are looking very smart, as well as gaining some of the features only seen on the top-end group so far, such as the neat brake levers and Servo-Wave braking. And, needless to say, it’s all ten speed around here these days. Even SLX will now benefit from Shimano’s IceTech braking system. And just wait until you see the pedals!
DEORE
Shimano introduced a wide range of 3 X 10 mountain bike components at XTR, XT and SLX level in 2010 under the Dyna-Sys label. This year Deore will be upgraded with a Dyna-Sys drivetrain as well, featuring a 42-32-24T crankset, 11-34T/36T cassette sprockets and a mountain bike specific 10-speed directional HG-X chain (CN-HG54). A compatible rear derailleur and Rapidfire Plus shift lever will also be available, though they’re unchanged for next year. Now… Shimano presents the Deore Servo Wave disc brake BR/BL-M596 that can be used with the current rotors SM-RT64. These new stoppers feature an excellent modulation and easy maintenance due to Shimano’s one way bleeding system.
Even the lower level groups get a decent look, hinged clamp and redesigned reservoir with one way bleeding.
It's a Deore shifter - but now it's ten speed...
It may be Deore, but it's pretty swish for the bottom end MTB group.
Shadow design and Shimano's Robocop styling.
We're glad that people read this far, as it makes writing the captions seem worthwhile.
I mean... it's sunny out and we could be out riding bikes...
Dynasys chainset with 24T inner
No finned brake pads for Deore, sorry!
Neat hinged clamp too. Did we already mention that?
SLX
Shimano SLX is updated with a Servo Wave disc brake with Ice Technologies: BR/BL-M666. Ice Technologies brake pads and rotors significantly reduce heat buildup in the disc brake system, which prevents fading and assures a consistently high braking performance even on long downhill stretches. The new SM-RT67 Center Lock rotors will be available in 160, 180 and 203mm. These disc brakes feature a tool-less reach adjust and easy maintenance due to Shimano’s one way bleeding system.
You can see the family resemblance with Deore (above) but there's also a tools-free reach adjust.
We think we prefer the look of Deore, to be honest...
Yay for finned brake pads! The IceTech technology is a combo of finned pads and steel/aluminium/steel sandwich rotors to keep temperatures down and power up.
SLX goes IceTech
Wheel set and pedals
Shimano introduces a new medium range mountain bike wheel set WH-MT55. It features disc brake only compatible clincher rims with Center Lock rotor mount. Besides the quick release version there will be an optional 15mm E-thru front wheel as well (WH-MT55-F15). This wheel set has been developed with 24 straight pull spokes and it will become available with black and white rims. Weight: 1920g/set. The current wheel set WH-MT15 is redesigned with a choice in between white and black rims.
It's hard to get too excited about a wheel - and these do look very un-Shimano, don't they?
Often overlooked - Shimano's incredibly great quick releases. Nothing still comes close.
Trying a different look in black...
“Shimano presents an affordable trail pedal PD-M530 with a stable platform and integrated pedal cage. Available in white and black. Weight: 456g/pair.”
White isn't going to last long on the trail, but it's going to look great in the shops.
These pedals are the same design as the new XTR ‘trail’ pedal and only about 20g heavier. And starting from the £30-ish mark, we reckon they’re going to be a real winner this year for riders who love clipless, but want a little more security, or unclipped purchase…
Shimano is going to have to go some to persuade us that XTR is worth an extra £100 over this.
And here’s when you’ll be starting to see it…
DEORE: June 2011
SLX disc brakes: June 2011
WH-MT55: July 2011
WH-MT15: April 2011
PD-M530: May 2011
Categorised as:
Posted on: March 1, 2011
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Good to see Shimano have been listening to me and have now got hinged clamps on brakes and removeable shifter windows on Deore.
Did they give weights out? Be interesting to know if SLX brakes are any lighter now.
Is XT being updated for 2012 as well?
Very slick as usual. I bet Deore gets a hefty price-hike.
Dear Mr Shimano….. please make a 6 bolt Ice Tech rotor. I know you think I should buy your hubs, but I’m just not going to.
Have the made the brake lever clamps work with shifters in a Matchmaker styleee so it’s all neat looking on your bars? That would be nice.
Is that finnage actually on the brake pad, or on some kind of holder? Sounds like an expensive additiona to an already expensive consumable otherwise, to solve an issue most people don’t have.
I want me some of those white pedals!
Any sign of double chainsets?
The pedals are going ot be the big item out of that lot. They look bang on and I bet they are cheap, too. Yes please, I’ll have 3 sets.
Hmm I know my next pedal for my Heckler – in white please.
6 bolt ice tech rotors will be out in summer and officially announced at sea otter
I may consider going over to Shimano from Time after seeing those pedals.
Black for me though. The white paint will come off in no time.
Is this an end to shimano’s predictable 4 year groupset cycles then?
2012 should/would have been for XT
(2013 – SLX, 2014 – Deore, etc .. )
looks like i’ve just found my next groupset
So, bargains to be had on 9-speed Deore kit?
No major changes to XT then? Or is that next year?
Is it still sunny out?
Oh god they’ve gone back to banjo’s on the calipers!
Hmmm… I love Shimano brakes – nowt seems to be as great for me, but those levers are just a bit wrong-looking. Shame really as last year’s Deore levers are some of the best-looking levers ever, though I’ve no doubt these’ll work well.
Quite glad about the banjos on the calipers: it makes naff-all difference to set-up, olive reuse, bleeding, etc., but does, crucially, allow for angling of the hose approach. This is very useful for chainstay-mounted calipers. Maybe On-One had a quiet word with Mr Shimano
agree with dandelion – those levers look minging – like they’ve been a 1st year design tech students part finished project – blinking’ awful
My bikes gradually turning into a massive Lexmark printer! 30 quid BB, 30 quid brake pads, 50 quid cassettes, moan moan etc..
The levers look very short.
Does this mean that 9 speed is no longer being offered at all from 2012?
short levers for sure, I have the XTR trail ones and they are very very short, but incredibly powerful. XTR trail pedals, great for going down the shop in trainers, or the pub. They work nicely on the trail too.
We hang on your every word!
pedals = sweet. Just read a review of the XTR version and they sound good, but I can’t justify the money on a pedal. Those, however, I could.
Fingers crossed for a 2 ring – or 2 ring and bash? – slx or xt crankset for next year too…