looking for new 10 speed rear mech. want XTR.

a quick look on CRC presents 3 options

M985 shadow+ £116.50
M986 shadow+ £99.50
M981 shadow £99.50

can somebody tell me what is difference, and which one is the best?

shadow + means clutch mech, higher number means newer range shimano.

The man said experts, not guessers.

M981 – Shadow, non-clutch mech. A standard mech.
M985 – Shadow+, clutch mech. The one most people probably want.
M986 – Shadow+, clutch mech, direct mount. Same as M985, but with no B-link, designed to go on a bike with a direct-mount dropout. You’d know if you needed this.

The tech docs is down so I used this site for the exploded diagrams: http://si.shimano.com/#seriesList/1/2

Looks like the 986 has a different bracket for attaching to the dropout which means it can be direct mount onto the axle.

edit: beaten to it while I was distracted by the shimano sport camera.

thanks fellas.