[Closed] Slx or xt brake dilemma?

I've got both. Both are ace. Want to save some cash? SLX.

Can't fault my SLX brakes. Not tried XT.

Performance is the same.

Buy XT if you want shiny bits, (vague) bite point adjust and threaded pad pins.

^ this, I have both too, exact same performance.

Bite point adjust does zero on my XTs, older ones, but apparently the new ones are equally ineffective. I'd go SLX.

SLX same brilliant performance as XT

You can use the threaded pins on SLX calipers too, rather than the split pins.

Rich

You can retro fit threaded pad retaining pins to SLX calipers.

Edit: beaten to it!

Wiggle do them for £1.79 each, but they're out of stock.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-br-m785-pad-axle-snap-ring/?sku=5360494582

Just get XT...feel identical but XT look better!! What's £20?

I have both and the performance is identical. I prefer the look of the SLXs but would probably pay £20 extra if I thought the XTs looked nicer.

Do the XT's have to have those expensive pads with the cooling fins? That might make my mind up for me if I was in the market for some.

Weight
Pad retaining pin
Ceramic pistons (on XT)

XT are definitely [i]a bit [/i]better, although in use they feel identical. There's no right answer to your question really.

Deore and save even more money... if you are not a gear snob

As Funky Dunc. If you are swayed to SLX, then just get Deore. Mate has been round today to see about sorting his M4 Hope(less) brakes. One ride on my 456 with Deores around the close and he ordered them on his phone from Merlins straight away. They are fantastic for power and modulation.

I have xt. Great brakes. I wound the bite point adjuster screw all the way in and all the way out and the difference it made to the brake was incredible!

Oh no, hang on, that was it, it does absolutely zilch, nada, zero, not a sausage...
But yeah, lighter if that's your thing and pistons.

The XTs normally come with the finned pads fitted, but once they wear out, you've not got to use them. Superstar in mine now.

I put SLX on one bike and XT on another. For the colour matching.

The BPA is just a placebo screw I'm sure.

You can use non-finned pads on either. I have both SLX and XT, and cannot tell the difference in performance

nwill1 - can you send me £20?

Both SLX and XT have ceramic pistons as they are exactly the same caliper, nothing between them in the weight.
Deore do not have ceramic pistons and weigh more.

Buy the ones you like the look of the best out of SLX and XT.

And after using both split pin and threaded I prefer split pin. Faster and easier IMO.

belugabob - I clearly meant in relation to the cost of a bike, just 2% of a £1000 0.5% of a £4000 or 1/2 a decent tyre or a Dominos pizza or 5 pints of beer...in the context of the discussion £20 really isn't much.

Was wondering where to get those split pins from. I read somewhere that to get the bite point screw working you wind it out and then bleed the brake.

SLX are great.

£20 sounds like a bargain for a bit of 'XT effect' 🙂 Buy them, fit and forget.

Fwiw, I have SLX- very good brakes but for £20 extra I'd have taken the upgrade 🙂

belugabob - I clearly meant in relation to the cost of a bike, just 2% of a £1000 0.5% of a £4000 or 1/2 a decent tyre or a Dominos pizza or 5 pints of beer...in the context of the discussion £20 really isn't much.

£20 = 5 pints 😯 - shows how long it is since I went to the pub. Feeling all curmudgeonly and skinflintish now 😉

I agree with others on here the argument should be Deore or SLX. I would get deore and when the calipers wear out replace them with SLX calipers. The levers look identical other than the lettering.

BUY the xts from chain reaction separately using the code KSVAZ (£5 off) and then it's only a tenner. (if it's still working)

But then you could do the same with deore or Slx.

mudmonster.You got it in one.Do this then try it. 😉

According to Shimano if the XT brakes are bled with the free stroke adjuster wound out as far as possible, after the bleed, when you wind it back in again, it should actually do something. Not had chance to experiment myself though.

Between me and the OH got SLX, XT & XTR - I cant tell any difference between them

SLX have a nicer finish than the garish fake chrome on the XT

XT have a bite point adjuster that does nothing - and if you drill a tiny hole in the SLX body in the same spot and insert a screw, the SLX also have a bite point adjuster, as the internals are the same. It still does nothing.

SLX every time.

I have XTs as my bike is quite aspirational. I like to think it's going to have XTR next time, rather than being on a hopeless slide back down into Deore.

😉

To me Deore with the black enamel finish to the lever body look better than slx and xt, plus they can now take finned pads. Only weigh some insignificant amount more too.

I got my front and rear SLX from Wiggle - were cheapest at the time and included the finned pads - which Merlin didn't.

Flogged the finned pads and bought four sets of aftermarket kevlar ones with the money - result!

Deore do not have ceramic pistons and weigh more.

Go on what do ceramic pistons actually do thats different. Whats the weight difference, just go to the toilet before a ride.

Go on what do ceramic pistons actually do thats different.

I'd suggest Deore too (I've fitted them to all bikes now) but perhaps ceramic pistons cope better with the heat you may get on long descents?

I can't remember what trashy documentary thing about business I was watching where a guy running a sofa shop bemoaned the fact that in the old days, people would brag to their friends how much their latest suite had set them back. These days however 'everyone's after a bargain!' he said 😀

Don't be tight- buy the xt's and let your hair grow an extra couple of weeks for a few months 😀

Go on what do ceramic pistons actually do thats different. Whats the weight difference, just go to the toilet before a ride.

Someone had previously stated they were the same, I was pointing out they are not.

Yeah, better handling of heat on big descents. Might be a factor in a purchase decision if you have regular Alps trips.

One of the biggest differences between Deore and SLX/XT that I don't think has been mentioned yet is the tool-free lever reach adjust on the SLX and XT. I find that really handy in getting the lever reach perfect as the pads wear down. Find myself tweaking them often.

They also feel much better when using an non-sintered pad. Really nice modulation - less 'grabby' with still loads of power.

Ive known riders to use Deore in hot Spain with no issue of heat soak, whatsoever. Guess the ride to the gates of hell might need ceramic, but until that time Deore are fine.