Shimano XTR
XTR is the name for a group of bicycle components from the Japanese manufacturer Shimano . The XTR group is the highest quality, lightest and most expensive mountain bike group from Shimano.
Development over time
The XTR group has been available from Shimano since 1992. It expanded the high-end range of components for mountain bikes upwards. Until then, Shimano only offered the Deore LX , Deore DX and Deore XT as components for professional MTB use. When the new group was launched, it was advertised as “20% lighter with the same stability” compared to the Deore XT . Later, the higher quality of workmanship and the slightly lower weight were generally put forward as sales arguments.
Delimitable generations
1st generation (XTR M900 / 910) 1992–1995
In September 1991 the XTR group was presented. The components were kept two-tone if possible, with a lavishly polished silver surface and dark blue anodized partial surfaces. Cassette hubs were offered right from the start, a so-called spider - arm cassette ring was introduced to reduce weight: Here, an aluminum body was used on which steel gear rings were riveted.
The bolt circle diameter for the crankset was 74/110, the usual chainrings were 46/36/24. It could be indexed front and rear right from the start ( Dual SIS ). Elaborately constructed climbing aids were provided on the front chainrings. The Hyperglide recesses already known from the Deore groups were present on the gear rim. Only Shimano Total Integration (STI) brake / shift units were offered, which combine shift and brake levers into one unit. All bearings of the switching mechanism were sealed, ceramic plain bearings were used for the switching rollers. Gray gear and brake cables with the XTR logo were offered. In 1994 the group was slightly revised, including the introduction of Parallax hubs and individual gear levers under the serial designation M910.
2nd generation (XTR M950 / 951/952) 1996-2004
In 1996 the XTR group underwent a complete overhaul. V-brakes were offered for the first time, and Octalink 1 with a multi-tooth mount was introduced as the bottom bracket standard. The chainrings have been converted to four-hole standard. The finish was now completely gray (matt). More plastic parts were used, which had a positive effect on the weight, but sometimes also caused a “cheap” appearance. In later XTR generations, such changes were partially reversed. The bolt circle diameter was not adapted to Microdrive C as with Deore LX and Deore XT . The front chainrings were CNC- milled. The quick releases have been heavily revised. The STI unit was equipped with a gear shift indicator. As a tax rate only Schraubsteuersatzvariante was offered, developed Ahead tax rates and did not offer to Shimano. The group was slightly revised in the M951 / 2 versions, for example with a 9-speed cassette and corresponding 27 gears (from 1999), satellite shifters for bar ends and inverse shifting logic.
3rd generation (XTR M960) 2005-2007
In 2003 the third generation of the group came on the market and was characterized by numerous innovations. For the first time disc brakes were presented, which were controlled via dual control brake levers (here an attempt was made to establish the gearshift logic of racing bike gears on mountain bikes). The brake discs were fastened with the new Centerlock standard. the crankset was extensively redrawn and received Hollowtech II bottom brackets and hollow crank arms. The circuit still had 27 gears. The hubs were offered in versions for disc brakes (M965) and V-brake (M960). For the first time associated complete wheels (WH-M965). The headset and seat post were no longer offered. The group has been uniformly anodized in shiny dark gray.
4th generation (XTR M970) 2007-2010
Another design change to matt gray with milled surfaces in a raw aluminum look. For the time being, retention of the Dual Control shift brake lever. Furthermore 9-speed cassette, HTII crank. Later (M975) separately available individual disc brakes and shift levers. With the 975 series, dual control levers are being phased out.
5th generation (M980) 2011-2013
In the 5th generation of the group, there was a gentle change in appearance. Introduction of a double crankset, parallel to the triple set that is still offered. Change to 10-speed cassettes. Completely redesigned disc brakes. Brake and shift levers only available individually. Introduction of the Race Line (M985).
6th generation (M9000) 2014-2018
Significant revision. Introduction of the 11-speed cassette, division of the group into Race and Trail versions, numerous options such as 1- to 3-speed cranksets, 12 different front derailleurs, 6 different cranksets. Various complete wheels for all sizes. For the first time electronic shifting is offered under M9050, this is called XTR Di2. Drive variants from 1x11.
7th generation (M9100) from 2019
The M9100 series offers 12-speed cassettes, single and double cranks including the corresponding chain guides and, for the first time, remote levers for lowerable seat posts. New hubs for different thru axle standards were also brought onto the market.
With the freewheel called Scylence , the company is offering a freewheel for the first time, which should no longer have any friction losses when disengaged . The technology should also save this loss of strength in competition. The cassette hub body is made from two drive disks that are completely separate. The revised Hyperglide technology has been advertised as "Hyperglide +" since 2019 and allows the chain to be shifted with even fewer sprockets. This should enable clean switching under load, so that an almost immediate switching time occurs.
Web links
- Shimano website
- Shimano website with product overview
- Test 2015: Shimano XTR - the top groupset in the long- term test bike-magazin.de, accessed July 7, 2016
- Shimano XT 2016: Test of the groupset - This is how Shimano's Elffach-XT shifts bike-magazin.de, accessed July 7, 2016
Individual evidence
- ↑ Shimano story. Retrieved July 6, 2018 .
- ↑ Shimano XTR M900 , retro-mtb.de
- ↑ Thomas: Shimano XTR - M950 - retro-mtb.de. Retrieved on July 6, 2018 (German).
- ↑ Shimano XTR M950 , retro-mtb.de
- ↑ Shimano XTR M960 , bikeradar.com
- ↑ Shimano XTR M970 , mountainbike-magazin.de
- ↑ Shimano XTR M980 , bike.shimano.com
- ↑ Shimano XTR M9050 , bike.shimano.com
- ↑ Shimano XTR M9000 , bike.shimano.com
- ↑ Shimano XTR M9100 , bike.shimano.com
- ↑ Shimano Scylence , bike.shimano.com
- ↑ Technology explained: Micro Spline & Scylence , rideshimano.com
- ↑ Hyperglide + Drive , bike.shimano.com