[Closed] Best mech/shifter for 11spd 11-46 cassette

happy with my 11speed xt setup, sunrace 11-46

M8000? Cheers limbers.

I've always struggled with SRAM and found shimano far better.

I've got an 11 speed XT and an SLX rear mech, both are fine and I can't tell any difference.

I would think though that they might not work with your SRAM shifters.

Maybe worth checking the gear cable and/or jockey wheels first though?

My 11-Spd XT runs just fine on an 11-50, no b tension dodging, etc.

XT M8000. Faultless for the past 3 years.

XT mech and SLX shifter

XT mech and XT shifter, multi release and better materials makes it far superior shifter for a little extra cash.

I’ve not read brilliant stuff about the box components.

If you don’t want more sram (I’ve used 11
Speed gx for 3 years on my fa so far with no issues and have also used it on another bike for a year and a half - I like the shape of the triggers on the shifters more than shimano) then I’d go shimano. You know it’ll work and is well proven.

Slx or xt will both be fine depending on how much you want to spend.

Both our three SLX M7000(?) and one XT M8000 have just worked and worked for 3 years now. I've worn through a jockey wheel on my bike, but that's it and easy replaced.

XT mech and SLX shifter

+1. Had XT and SLX, SLX is better IMO.

Much prefer the XT shifter personally.

I run an XT mech / XT shifter combo. Set up properly the shifting is instantaneous, crisp and never skips a beat.

I'd say XT mech / XTR shifter would be the ultimate combo although even with current discounts an XTR shifter is still double the price of the XT one.

+1 on good shifter, cheaper mech.

Both of my bikes have M8000 XT drivetrains but with Sunrace cassettes. Am quite happy with the shift quality and the ability to shift up multiple gears with the XT shifter.

Mechs always have a tough life, if you want to save pennies then an XT shifter and SLX mech would be the way to go. I have found that the M8000 drivetrain works best with an XTR chain if that helps.

Cheers all. Appreciated. I’ll start the search for new bits in earnest.

I’ve been a sram fan since XO back in 02 ish. Maybe time for a change 👍

i have xt 8000 on a sunrace cassette and its lovely, although the original xt cassette was marginally smoother changing
I ma little concerned, im fitting my new bike out with GX eagle and i keep reading everyone saying shimano shifts much better.. and the first thing i noticed when i went up to XT was changing gear under load.. it was a thing... wondering what the SRAM setup will make of it

I can't say I noticed a huge difference between my GX 10-42 and my XT 11-46 (Sunrace) other than I run a smaller chain ring on the GX. Shifting feels about the same.

The Box mechs are reported to have their issues, I think it's to do with wheel removal.

"Best" would be XTR shifter and an XTR/XT/SLX mech with fresh full length SP41 cables & outers.

I will buck the trend and say that I much prefer my GX shifter and mech to the XT that my wife has on her bike , which has had heavy shifting with the cluch on from new . My GX has needed no adjustment in 3+ years although just recently I put a new rear mech on it as the clutch had given up the ghost. I am happy with 3 years of perfect shifting from a rear mech on a bike that I use most of the time .. I think 12 speed shimano is better than Sram but not 11 speed .

The GX Long Mechs arent rated to take 46 teeth are they? sure I read this on here awhile back, think its why the goat link exists, so that you can run larger rear sprockets with a SRAM mech

I second using Shimano SP41 outer cable and Optislick inner cable. Makes a noticeable difference in shifting quality whatever setup you are using.

The XTR level inner cable has some weird polymer coating which doesn't last as long as Optislick so not worth the extra cost over the XT level cable kit.

GX 11 speed rear mechs are perfectly happy on an 11-46 casette with no goat link or similar .