I knicked the SLX shadow mech of my wife’s bike (I put my old XTR on hers) stuck it on my 1×9 hoping the extra tension would hold the chain on without the bash ring, IT DIDN’T,(dropped once) but what a revelation, really silent on rough descents, I could see the point in shadow mechs until now but I am a convert (even if they look a bit funny).

The chain still slaps a bit, but not having the mech banging onto the chainstay too was lovely.

Why do they still make both types of mech?

Saint has a stronger spring + for a 1×9 the Saint short cage would be best.

Yep it sure would, cost is prohibitive though, bumf for SLX recons on extra sping tension, would have really liked a shorter cage but this will do.

I am really impressed with the shadow type mech, I thought it was change for changes sake but it sure does work well.