One of the pivots on my XT rear mech (M772 9 speed) has loads of play I can’t do anything about, so time to replace it. Are the SLX mechs as good? Seems the only difference is the weight which is negligable and the price. CRC are doing the SLX for £30…

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-slx-m662-shadow-9-speed-rear-mech/rp-prod28033

Any reason not to?

I believe the pulleys in the SLX are bushed not running on bearings so won’t be quite so lovely but apart from a couple of gel wrapper’s worth of weight, cosmetics and price that’s about it I think. Perfectly functional, bit less bling.

My WR Zee mech got a cage transplant after an unfortunate incident and on closer inspection it turned out the bottom pulley had dug in chain marks running across it (yep I was that idjit with a short chain) so ended up with replacement roller pulleys too… It’s not really a Zee anymore, but it’s a cool mech. Thanks, Mat!

theres sometimes only £5 between them in price if you look around
i picked up an xt when they were on offer almost the same price as slx,
there a bit lighter an i needed a medium cage
there was only long cage slx in stock
so it was an easy choice 😉

£28.99 is a bargin for a slx though an they will sell out fast

if you go for the xt get this 1
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-xt-m771-9-speed-rear-mech/rp-prod20698

i’ve heard bad things about the shadow an rapid rise versions