Due to a mislabelling issue it appears that i have uncovered my gear shifting issues.
Simply put, running an 11spd cassette on a 10spd system doesn't really work very well.
In trying to solve the issue i bought a new 11spd rear mech thinking the issue might be that the old 10spd xt mech wasn't wrapping the cassette and struggling to cope with the 42 sprocket. For reference an 11spd XT mech shifts very nicely over an 11spd cassette using a 10spd shifter until you run out of clicks!
So to use the new cassette i might as well finish the upgrade to 11spd! An SLX shifter will be cheapish and do the job, but are there any real world benefits going to XT or even XTR?
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/11-speed-xt-v-xtr-shifters
I think the difference between SLX and XT is about £9 so I'd get the XT. For reference, I have 11 speed SLX on my bike and it works fine.
I'd go XT, I have XTR and they are just not as nice as the previous versions I've had.
And SLX are ok - but XT just that bit better!
I'd go XTR - you know you're worth it 😆
I've had 11spd XT and XTR and there was nothing in it.
For 10spd, XTR (and Saint) were slightly better than XT, but 11spd doesn't see the same gap.
I was disappointed with my XTR...