Shimano XTR 10-speed M980 2011
- Shimano has gone 10 speed with it's top of the range XTR mountain groupset.
Words by Gary Lake - posted 04/07/2010
Shimano XTR 10-speed M980 2011
See our XTR pics in the flesh from Icebike
Back in April, news that XT and SLX were predictably going 10-speed was announced (XT now reviewed here); less predictable was that it would be 3x10, not 2x10. Now Shimano has announced the latest incarnation of its range topping XTR groupset.
Obviously it goes wthout saying that it's also gone 10-speed, but this time there is a 2x10 option as well as the triple chainset on offer - will XT and SLX doubles be in the pipeline though? Dyna-sys technology has also made it's way here so we won't focus too much on that, read our XT/SLX report for more info.
A real interesting decision Shimano has made is to create an XTR for a wider range of riders; as a result the range has been deivided up into 'Trail' and 'XC' and you can pick and mix between the two. Fancy a higher ratioed double chainset for XC racing, but you're a larger framed rider and concerned you might be asking too much of your brakes? Take the XC double and the Trail brakes then! Shimano has designated XTR as covering the range between All Mountain and Cross Country and has coined the term "rider tuned".
Cranks, 2x10 or 3x10...
As mentioned, Shimano is offering the choice of 3x10 and 2x10; the triple getting the Dyna-sys compact ratio of 42-32-24T; the double coming in racier 40-28T, 42-30T, 44-30T ratios and a more trail friendly 38-26T. The new cranksets are gorgeous and a huge step forward from the already smart looking M970s. The triple features a carbon/titanium composite middle ring for light-weight and durability; while the double takes advantage of the missing chainring by narrowing the Q-factor (3mm less on each side).
The chain and cassette are pretty mcuh the same story as with XT/SLX, getting the Dyna-sys treatment. The XTR chain gets hollow pins for weight saving, the cassette gets five titanium cogs.
Mechs and shifters...
There are 2x10 and 3x10 specific front mechs but otherwise it appears to just be the usual incremental updates and tweaks on the mech and shifters. The shifters do feature what Shimano calls the "I-spec" mounting system which allows the shifters to mount to the brake lever much like Avid's MatchMaker system.
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New brakes...
Unlike XT and SLX, Shimano haven't stopped at simply going 10-speed with XTR and have also overhauled the brakes. As with the crankset, the brakes are another area where you can choise to go Trail or XC.
The lever is a very slimline and nifty item that is a world apart from the current crop of chunky levers put out by Shimano. The Trail lever gains weight in the form of their servo wave mechnism, there's also lever reach adjust and a chunkier lever blade.
The caliper is an alloy one-piece unit with ceramic over-sized pistons for light-weight, rigidy and insulation. The whole system uses the high power hoses from the Saint range. The Trail brake has some innovative brake pads which feature mini heat sinks which sit atop the caliper for better heat dissapation on long descents.
The rotors are also new using a new three layer sandwich construction which sees the rotor made up of two stainless steel slices with a lightweight aluminium filling. Shimano claims this construction results in less noise, less break fade from overheating brakes, lighter weight and longer pad life.
XC Brake Lever
XC Brake Caliper
Trail Brake Lever
Trail Brake Caliper
Wheels...
The XTR wheelset has seen an overhaul too and once again there are Trail and XC options. In the hub area, XC gets the option of normal QR or 15mm axle options for the front, and normal QR for the rear. The trail hubs get a new 12mm thru axle system or the option of a normal QR for the rear, the front is 15mm only.
The rims are light-weight Scandium in construction and tubless ready, Trail wheels get a 21C width, XC gets 19C.
And finally pedals...
Last to be updated is the XTR pedal. Now available in Trail or XC variaties, the XC is very much like the XTR pedal we all know and love only it's claimed ot be lighter and stronger. Interestingly Shimano has developed a caged version of the XTR pedal for Trail use. Offering more shoe/pedal contact area it claims to offer a more stable riding position. We've never really been sold on the benefits of caged SPDs but we'll have to wait and see.
Price...
You don't need to be told that the most iconic mountain groupset is going to cost a fair bit. The chain is £45 and the cranksets are £400 regardless of how many rings you get! The full group isn't cheap.
| Chain | £44.99 |
| Cassette | £179.99 |
| Disc Brakes (per end) | from £169.99 |
| Cranksets | £399.99 |
| Front Mech | from £64.99 |
| Rear Mech | £139.99 |
| Shifters (pair) | £149.99 |
| Hubs (front) | £99.99 |
| Hubs (rear) | from £179.99 |
| Wheels (front) | £369.99 |
| Wheels (rear) | £449.99 |
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