TESTED | The Brand New Shimano Deore XT M8100 12-Speed Groupset

In a move that will surprise literally nobody, Shimano has just revealed its brand new Deore XT M8100 groupset - almost exactly one year after XTR M9100 was launched. This is standard protocol for the Japanese brand, which typically rolls out its new designs at the top, and then trickles them down each year after, starting with XTR, then Deore XT, then SLX, Deore and so on. Following in the footsteps of XTR M9100, XT bumps up a gear to 12-speed, with both 1x12 and 2x12 drivetrain options available. The Hollowtech II cranks now utilise direct-mount chainrings, with single and double options available. Depending on the range you're after, there will be two 12-speed cassettes built around the new Micro Spline freehub spline; a 10-45t and a 10-51t ratio. While both cassettes will work in a 1x12 drivetrain, only the smaller 10-45t block is compatible with a 2x12 setup. There are 2-piston and 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes, which share a brand new lever design that draws on the same angled profile as the current XTR model. The 2-piston calliper carries over from the M8000 brake, but the 4-piston calliper is all new. In total, the Deore XT groupset adds around 365g in weight over the pricier XTR version. The price varies depending on what options you choose, but a 1x12 drivetrain will start at £535, which puts it at nearly half the price of an equivalent XTR 1x12 drivetrain at £1,035. For all the technical details, weights and prices, check out the article right here: https://singletrackworld.com/2019/05/new-shimano-deore-xt-m8100-slx-m7100-12-speed-groupset-drivetrain-cassette-brakes/