Simple question, which one would you buy? who runs an slx?
Iv'e got the slx chainset and will be using my trusty old but mint 2007 LX shifters.

Anyone 🙂

I went to SLX after normally using XT because of the Shimano price hikes
no regrets

with your name xtr minimum.

lol tails 🙂

Won't make any difference.

The SLX has steel 'lowers' which don't bend (as easily) as XT's aluminium 'lowers' which is 25-30g lighter
I've had an XT one bend on an alpine hire bike (though I'm 95% sure I never hit it on anything), but not on my own bike. When I've had enough of the amount of play (theres a lot of wobble) in it then I'll probably get SLX, though I don't know what the difference is with the newer deore shadow mech?

Chances are there'll be other things on your bike where the £/g weight saving is better than upgrading to XT (or XTR)

SLX uses bushings on the jockeys. My jockey wheels were absolutely shot after 9 months (chain a bit too tight?) but you can replace the jockey wheels for Tacx bearing'd units for £10, whch is significantly less than the price difference!

xt is 35 pounds here
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/mtb-bmx-bike/Gears-Rear-MTB-Shimano-XT-Shadow-M772-9-Spd-Rear-Gear/SHIMGMRR225