Hot on the heels of the launch of Shimano M9200 XTR Di2, Shimano has followed with wireless XT and Deore-level Di2 groupsets – the latter a first for the brand.
In doing so, outside of top-end racing, Shimano has ensured that XTR is redundant.
This has always been the case, though.
XTR – the flagship mountain bike groupset from the Japanese component giants – has always been the setup used for racers, with its lighter weight and marginally wider range of options. It’s also always been the groupset of choice for halo models from brands partnered with Shimano.
In testing, XTR has always been the slightly pointless Gucci upgrade that offered very little over XT, save for an extra letter on the logo, but represented a marked upgrade in performance over SLX and Deore.
My concern, for Shimano, is that the lack of time to build hype and intrigue, introducing boutique tech at the very top end – only dulls the lustre of that little extra ‘R’ on one of the most famous logos in mountain biking.
Read more about Shimano's new Di2 mountain bike groupsets
A hard sell
Launching a wireless Di2 version of XTR was no surprise.
Whether you believe the Bluetooth hype or not, the lack of a non-wired electronic groupset put Shimano on the back foot behind its American foe SRAM from the moment the original AXS groupsets were released.
Finally, Shimano stepped into the space with a high-end groupset that didn’t set the world alight, but certainly makes it relevant again at the highest end in 2025.
A brand rarely brings a new chapter of technological progression across all its price points to market.
New tech always garners attention, draws comment and, perhaps, increases sales of halo models because of the exclusivity of its newness.
The high prices help give the number crunchers in the office a wave of relief as development costs are recouped. Marketers rub their hands in glee at both the short-term hype of new technology and the prospect, down the line, of saying: ‘Hey, look, you can now get this fancy new stuff on something you can actually afford’.
This is why the swift release of XT and Deore confuses me. Why cut off potential sales of XTR so early in its lifecycle?
Certainly, the bean counters at Shimano will have done the maths.
Offering their wireless tech at three price points vastly increases the potential market. By doing so, the recouping of their R&D costs will no doubt be swift(er).
And, from a branding point of view, the chase is on to catch up with SRAM, which also offers wireless tech down to (almost) entry-level prices, which may explain their haste to go all-in.
There’s always something
Curious launch schedule aside, the differences in tech – or rather, lack of them – between each family have left me scratching my head.
There’s always been something, other than weight, that differentiated Shimano's MTB groupset hierarchy.
Most notably, the XTR and XT shifters gave those two groups a real performance advantage over SLX and Deore.
However, on paper, the differences with electronic groupsets are much more marginal – a button is just a button, even if the Deore button paddles are a touch less adjustable.
So what fundamental differences might sway riders to XTR – or even XT, for that matter – when Deore shifting is likely to be so similar?
Well, enduro riders will likely benefit from the 9-45t cassette, paired with the short-cage rear derailleur, and associated smaller chainring that setup would afford – not an option with Deore.
The added ground clearance, especially on a mullet bike, should further prevent derailleur damage.
Riders of XC bikes may also prefer this lighter-weight setup.
Beyond that, reading the press release, I’m struggling to find any compelling reason to spend my cash on anything other than Deore.
Deore’s mechanical shifting has, of late, been almost indistinguishable from its pricier siblings, and with my suspicion that the button feel from Deore will be nigh-on identical to that from XTR, there’s no real advantage in spending more.
XT and XTR may have more derailleur, cassette and crank options (and of course fancier-looking finishes), but on the trail, I’d suggest those optional upgrades are only an advantage to the pickiest of riders.
As mentioned, Shimano’s back-room staff will almost certainly have run the sums and decided that giving XTR only a few weeks’ space will create the hype needed to sustain the marque, while also potentially softening up the market in time for XT and Deore.
Even still, while the proof will be in the riding, with little difference between the three, my money is on Deore Di2 as the new Shimano MTB groupset most riders should buy.
