Shimano's latest XT M8100 12-speed drivetrain.
Includes crankset, chainring, chain, rear derailleur, 10-51T cassette and 12-speed right-hand shifter (optional BB at a discounted price and microspline freehub body for common hubs).
Shimano XT drivetrains have been the go-to high-performance staple drivetrain and brakes for decades, and this is continued with Shimano's latest 12-speed version
We also offer 12-speed hG fitment cassettes from Sunrace if you have the HG fitment freehub body and do not wish to upgrade. The HG fitment 12-speed cassettes are 11-51t size range as opposed to Shimano's 10-51t which requires a microspline freehub body.
Chain Line – Please check your frame to order the correct chain line. Call us if you require further information we will be happy to help.
The last generation 11 speed groupsets were never firm favourites here at Evo as we just felt the shifting was stiff (unless it had brand new top-end Shimano cables or polished Jagwire inners). Any wear or dirt and the shift felt vague and rigid, whereas the 12-speed Sram Eagle systems worked lovely, so we recommended Eagle to everyone who asked.
We had high hopes for the new generation 12-speed Shimano as we know Shimano are excellent quality with excellent durability and reliability. Still, we didn't want to sacrifice performance or get sore thumbs.
I built up the First XT M8100 12 speed on an Ibis Ripley and immediately found it a massive improvement. Shifting is back to smooth and light but with a positive click. The chain glides across the rings, which has a lovely finish.
Shimano has changed the I-Spec mount (yet again), but the new brake lever is neat, so that we can live with that.
So it's all great, and you should rush out and buy it immediately, right? Well there is one fly in the ointment. The new 12-speed cassettes use a new freehub body design by Shimano called Microspline, utterly different from the old established HG or even Sram's XD design. It is an excellent design, and they needed to change it to fit a 10t sprocket. Still, the problem is they didn't release the license to many hub manufacturers, so at the moment, the choice is very limited to Shimano, DT Swiss, Industry Nine, and Onyx Racing, which are all premium options.
Because of this, we offer a traditional HG fitment 12-speed 11-50T SunRace cassette if you don't or can't get a microspline freehub body. The Sunrace cassettes are a lovely bit of kit, and on the last generation, the 11-speed Shimano vastly improved the shifting performance over the Shimano offering!
Shimano M8100 crankset - choice of 165mm, 170mm and 175mm lengths. 165mm is most famous for enduro-style bikes, and we are struggling to see why to run a 175mm on an MTB.
Three chainline sizes are available on the cranks for no-Boost hub frames, Boost hub frames and Super-Boost hub frames. If you are in doubt what you need, please get in touch.
Chainring is available in 28, 30, 32, 34 and 36t. Depending on fitness level (or descending prowess), we suggest a 34t on a 29er and a 36t on a 27.5". The fitter and faster you are, go up a size.
The M8100 shifter comes in the standard band on clamp or I-Spec, which directly mounts to the latest generation Shimano brake lever. No doubt someone like Wolf Tooth or Problem Solvers will soon have an adapter to retrofit previous generation Shimano levers and Sram, etc.
M8100 cassette is a 10-51T offering with Microspline fitment. Because of this, we offer a traditional HG fitment 12-speed 11-50T SunRace cassette if you don't or can't get a microspline freehub body. The Sunrace cassettes are a lovely bit of kit, and on the last generation, the 11-speed Shimano vastly improved the shifting performance over the Shimano offering!
M8100 GS rear derailleur - just the one correct size for this package.
The chain is M7100SLX 116 link with a quick connection and SIL-TEC coating
Optional: We can supply a BB to suit your bike with Shimano as a decent option and Hope stainless as an excellent top-flight long-life option.