Shimano XT M8100 vs Shimano SLX M7100

Shimano XT M8100 vs Shimano SLX M7100

The differences between Shimano's new second- and third-tier mountain bike groups

Irmo Kaizer / Shimano

Published: May 30, 2019 at 3:00 pm

Shimano has today launched 12-speed versions of XT and SLX, its second- and third-tier mountain bike groupsets.

The two new groupsets draw much from last year’s XTR M9100 and we’ve covered all of the highlights in this separate article.

This piece aims to address the key differences in weight, price, ergonomics and performance between XT M8100 and SLX M7100.

The weight difference between Shimano SLX M7100 and XT M8100

Shimano M8100 cassette and derailleur
Shimano has finally brought 12-speed to XT and SLX level - Jack Luke / Immediate Media

Determining a total weight for a groupset is very complicated. It is doubly complicated with Shimano because unlike, say, SRAM, double chainsets and multiple caliper options are available.

As such, we have decided not to quote a full groupset weight. Instead, we've included a list of component weights from the two new groupsets.

Note that the following weights are claimed weights from Shimano. As always, it’s best to take claimed weights with a pinch of salt but, as they appear so specific, our gut instinct says to trust them in this instance.

Nonetheless, once we have the groupsets in hand, we will update this article with actual weights.

For context, Shimano claims that in an (unspecified) like-for-like groupset package, SLX will weigh 148g more than XT. This is obviously a fairly vague figure and comparisons are best made from the list below.

Shimano SLX M7100 individual component weights

Rear Derailleurs

  • RD-M7100-SGS: 316g
  • RD-M7120-SGS: 322g

Front derailleurs

  • FD-M7100-D: 135g
  • FD-M7100-E: 106g
  • FD-M7100-M: 114g

Cranksets

  • FC-M7100-1 (32t, 175mm): 631g
  • FC-M7100-2 (26-36t, 175mm): 674g

Bottom bracket

  • BB-MT800 (non-series bottom bracket): 82g

Shifters

  • SL-M7100-R: 117g
  • SL-M7100-IR: 117g
  • SL-M7100-L: 77g
  • SL-M7100-IL: 77g

Cassettes

  • CS-M7100-12 (10-51t): 534g
  • CS-M7100-12 (10-45t): 513g

Chain

  • CN-M7100: 252g

Brakes

  • BRM7100-BLM7100 (160mm rotor with all hardware): 425g

Front hubs

  • HB-M7110: 142g
  • HB-M7110-B: 147g

Rear hubs

  • FH-M7110: 350g
  • FH-M7110-B: 354g
  • FH-M7130-B: 359g

Shimano XT M8100 individual component weights

Rear Derailleurs

  • RD-M8100-SGS: 284g
  • RD-M8120-SGS: 290g

Front derailleurs

  • FD-M8100-D: 135g
  • FD-M8100-E: 106g
  • FD-M8100-M: 114g

Cranksets

  • FC-M8100-1 (32t, 175mm): 620g
  • FC-M8100-2 (26-36t, 175mm): 654g
  • FC-M8120-B2: 672g

Bottom bracket

  • BB-MT800: 82g

Shifters

  • SL-M8100-R: 117g
  • SL-M8100-IR: 120g
  • SL-M8100-L: 78g
  • SL-M8100-IL: 78g

Cassettes

  • CS-M8100-12 (10-51t): 470g
  • CS-M8100-12 (10-45t): 461g

Chain

  • CN-M8100 (113 links + quick link): 252g

Brakes

  • BRM8100-BLM8100 (160mm rotor + all hardware): 392g

Front hubs

  • HB-M8110: 142g
  • HB-M8110-B: 147g
  • HB-M8110-BS: 158g

Rear hubs

  • FH-M8110: 305g
  • FH-M8110-B: 307g
  • FH-M8110-BS: 306g
  • FH-M8130-B: 310g

Wheelsets

  • WH-M8100-TL-F15-B-29: 846g
  • WH-M8100-TL-F15-B-275: 808g
  • WH-M8100-TL-R12-B-29: 994g
  • WH-M8100-TL-R12-B-275: 956g
  • WH-M8120-TL-F15-B-275: 875g
  • WH-M8120-TL-F15-B-29: 916g
  • WH-M8120-TL-R12-B-275: 1,016g
  • WH-M8120-TL-R12-B-29: 1,061g

Shimano 12-speed groupset prices

Shimano has also supplied us with prices for select components. We only have prices for these individual components in the UK and US so far.

Comparison between different territories and coming up with complete prices is always tricky — for example, Madison, Shimano’s UK distributor, only lists prices for cranksets without chainrings. The US distributor supplies the cranks with a chainring.

Shimano SLX M7100 component prices

  • Rear derailleur RD-M7100-SGS: $74.99 / £74.99
  • Crankset FC-M7100-1 (32t, single ring): $104.99 / £N/A
  • Crankset FC-M7100 (no chainring): $N/A / £99.99
  • Chainring SM-CRM75: $32.99 / £34.99
  • Bottom bracket BB-MT800: $25.99 / £32.99
  • Shifters SL-M7100-IR: $38.99 / £34.99
  • Cassette CS-M7100-12: $99.99 / £99.99
  • Chain CN-M7100: $31.99 / £29.99
  • Front/rear disc brake set BL-M7100-BRM7120 (four-pot, no rotor or adaptor): $174.99 / £N/A
  • Disc brake caliper BR-M7120 (four-pot, single caliper): $N/A / £149.99
  • Disc brake caliper BR-M7100 (two-pot, single caliper): $N/A / £99.99
  • Disc brake lever BL-M7100: $N/A / £34.99
  • Disc brake rotor SM-RT70 (centrelock, 160mm): $29.99 / £27.99

For an SLX groupset built in a 1x12 arrangement with four-pot brakes and 160mm rotors, the RRP would be $819.89 / £833.87.

Shimano XT M8100 component prices

  • Rear derailleur RD-M8100-SGS: $114.99 / £99.99
  • Crankset FC-M8100-1 (32, single ring): $154.99 / £N/A
  • Crankset FC-M8100 (no chainring): $N/A / £139.99
  • Chainring CM-CRM85: $61.99 / £59.99
  • Bottom bracket BB-MT800: $25.99 / £32.99
  • Shifters SL-M8100-IR: $60.99 / £54.99
  • Cassette CD-M8100-12: $159.99 / £139.99
  • Chain CN-M8100: $43.99 / £39.99
  • Front/rear disc brake set BL-M8100/BR-M8120 (four-pot, no rotor or adaptor): $209.99 / £N/A
  • Disc brake caliper BR-M8120 (four-pot, single caliper): $N/A / £169.99
  • Disc brake caliper BR-M8100 (two-pot, single caliper): $N/A /£129.99
  • Disc brake rotor RT-MT800-S (centrelock, 160mm): $52.99 / £44.99

For a full XT groupset built in a 1x12 arrangement with four-pot brakes and 160mm rotors, the RRP would be $1,148.89 / £1,257.89

Prices for the XT-level wheels and pedals are as follows:

  • Wheelset WH-M8120-B-27.5 (pair): $419.99 / £409.99
  • Wheelset WH-M8120-B-29 (pair): $419.99 / £409.99
  • Pedals PG-M8100/M8120: $120 / £99.99

Note that the US pricing sheet does not include separate pricing for the XC and trail version of the XT-level wheels. However, the UK one does and the prices are the same for either wheelset. We suspect the same will be true of the US pricing.

It’s worth remembering that, as always, Shimano RRPs rarely reflect reality and the likelihood is that you’ll pay far less once products are on the big online retailers.

Shimano XT M8100 and SLX M7100 — Australian pricing

Thus far, Shimano Australia has only been able to supply us with the approximate whole groupset costs;

  • XT M8100: AU$1,499
  • SLX M7100: AU$999

Shimano XT M8100 vs SLX M7100 — ergonomics

XT has a few small ergonomic improvements over SLX.

Shimano XT M8100 shifter
XT's shifters offer a few ergonomic improvements over SLX - Jack Luke / Immediate Media

The shifters are the main highlight — we cover exactly why we think they feel better in the performance section of this article, but it boils down to the inclusion of the Multi Shift function on the XT levers. This allows you to dump up to two gears at once and is very useful in practice.

The overall build of the shifters is also a bit nicer on XT — tolerances feel tighter and there’s less slop overall. The XT shifters also gain a nice rubber gripper on each shift lever.

There is no free stroke adjuster on the SLX levers, though this is no great loss. The XT brake levers also get dimples drilled into the levers to improve feel.

Shimano SLX M7100 groupset on Focus SAM
The new SLX M7100 groupset is the best looking yet - Jack Luke / Immediate Media

While it’s not strictly related to ergonomics, the overall finish of XT is just that little bit nicer than SLX. With that said, we think this is the best ever looking version of Shimano’s third-tier mountain bike groupset.

It has this lovely dark, sparkly and understated finish that looks really premium, even on a high-end bike.

It’s not cool to admit that looks matter, but they do, and with the new generation of groupsets, Shimano is finally catching up with SRAM in the desirability stakes.

Shimano XT M8100 vs SLX M7100 — performance

Joe Norledge hucking the gnar
We spent a few days riding Shimano's new XT and SLX groupsets - Irmo Kaizer / Shimano

We had a chance to ride both of the groupsets back-to-back over the course of two days of riding at Shimano’s press camp.

Shimano M8100 XT groupset on Orbea Alma
The XT groupset was fitted to a suitably racy Orbea Alma hardtail - Jack Luke / Immediate Media

The SLX groupset was mounted to a Cube Stereo 140 — an all-round trail bike — and the XT groupset was fitted to an Orbea Alma XC hardtail. This setup made sense because XT, being the racier of the two, is more likely to be specced on go-fast, race-oriented bikes.

I’d normally produce a first ride review from a launch like this, but owing to the limited time we had on the groupsets, we feel initial impressions and a comparison between the performance of the two is more helpful.

SLX M7100 shift levers
The shifting on both groupsets is remarkably light - Jack Luke / Immediate Media

The first thing that stands out is the lightness of the shifting on both of the groupsets. The lever feel is exceptionally effortless and the instant release means downshifts are almost instantaneous.

XT wins out ever so slightly with the lever feeling that little bit ‘tighter’, with less free stroke before shifts take place. The rubber grippers on each shift lever are also a welcome addition.

However, where XT really shines is on downshifts (i.e. shifting into a smaller cog). The multi release function, which allows you to dump up to two cogs at once, is incredibly useful. When going for an effort out of the saddle, you can get into a harder gear that bit quicker.

I’ve almost exclusively ridden SRAM mountain bike groupsets for the past few months. This feature is not available on its groupsets and I had no idea how much I needed it in my life.

Of all the differences between the two groupsets, this is the most notable and I can totally foresee many riders opting to upgrade their SLX-equipped bikes to an XT shifter.

XT M8100 cassette cogs
Shimano's Hyperglide technology appears to work very, very well - Jack Luke / Immediate Media

The Hyperglide+ technology, which essentially holds the chain in place as it shifts onto a smaller cog, is also very impressive. We tried our damndest to force the groupset into skipping or complaining to no avail. It really does hold fast under even my most middling of power.

It’s hard to say definitively, but I do feel this results in ever so slightly slower shifts compared to SRAM. The chain is literally being held in place on downshifts, so this makes sense. How much this really matters, and whether the improvements to chain security under hard efforts is worth the tradeoff, remains to be seen.

It’s easy to poke fun at Shimano opting for a 51t largest cog. SRAM’s largest cassette offers a 50t cog and, on the surface, it appears like the pettiest form of one-upmanship.

The sceptic in me thinks there’s a grain of that in there, but there’s also no denying that the even jump between the 45t and 51t cog is smoother than SRAM’s 42t to 50t — the 51t feels less like a bailout gear, with a smooth change in cadence as you shift into it.

Shimano XT levers with supporting nib
This nifty nubbin makes a big difference to lever feel

Braking performance is broadly similar between the two groupsets, though the textured lever on the XT lever is certainly welcome. The SLX lever doesn’t feature a free stroke adjuster, but this is no great loss. The supporting nub on both brakes is also welcome.

While many will bemoan the introduction of yet another i-spec standard (Shimano has introduced approximately one billion variations so far), there’s no denying that the newest version is very easy to use and offers an impressive range of adjustability.

I found the 14mm of lateral adjustment to be particularly useful, and used it to its extremes on the Orbea Alma hardtail I rode — its perilously narrow bars were terrifying on steep descents and being able to smash the brake levers out as far as possible while moving the shifters inboard so that I didn’t have to force my hands any further inwards was very helpful.

Shimano M7000 four pot calipers
A four- and two-pot caliper is available at both spec levels - Jack Luke / Immediate Media

It’s worth noting that my SLX test bike featured XT-level rotors. The SLX rotors don’t feature the cooling fins pictured and braking performance on longer, draggy descents would have likely been improved as a result.

It’s been well publicised that Shimano has dropped Sylence — one of its flagship technologies introduced with XTR — from its entire lineup. This system completely disengaged the freehub internals when coasting.

The internals on the new XT wheelsets and hubs are yet to be given a catchy branding name and I’m yet to find out exactly how they differ to Sylence. When I have more details, I’ll update this article.

Shimano XT M8100 hubs
Hubs are available in all common standards at both an SLX and XT level - Jack Luke / Immediate Media

Complete XT wheelsets were stuck in Barcelona airport customs during the launch, so we’re yet to use those, but we did have a chance to ride both XT and SLX hubs laced to unbranded rims. Both feature quick pickup and have a pleasing freewheel humm on the trail.

As a slight aside, I’m amazed that Shimano still offers separate hubs in its lineup. The custom wheel market is miniscule compared to the demand for complete wheels and offering such a wide variety of options across pretty much every discipline and tier must be a huge logistical nightmare.

Nonetheless, I’ve always been a fan of Shimano hubs and hope it continues to offer it’s excellent and, usually, very affordable options for years to come.

We only had limited time on the new groupsets, so I’m reluctant to dwell any more on performance — that is best left to a full review after extensive testing that I am sure will follow in the months to come.

Shimano XT M8100 vs SLX M7100 compatibility

As I mentioned in my overview, all XTR, XT and SLX components are compatible with each other. This is huge news and opens up loads of opportunities to pick and choose upgrades.

Shimano M8100 XT XC wheels
The all-new XT XC wheelset. We don't have images of the Trail wheelset yet. - Shimano

The only thing SLX misses out compared to XT is complete wheelsets. These wheelsets are, of course, compatible with either SLX or XTR, but it’s interesting to note that Shimano is only offering wheels at this level.

What do you think? Are you an SLX, XT or XTR person? Is there anything we’ve missed? Leave any thoughts or questions in the comments and we'll do our best to get back to you!