The first thing we did with XT and SLX was to remove the shift indicators and fit the covers, which were neatly tucked into the indicators. This frees up space on the handlebar and increases shifter position options as you can actually get at the Allen bolts clamping the shifter pod to the clamp. It also saves 24g, bringing XT within 12 g of XTR. Even with the twin position clamp the XT up-shift lever doesn’t feel as comfortable to use as XTR or SLX. It’s almost as if the up-shift paddle is too steep or short because you do upshifting with the tip of the lever rather than the flat section. Shifting function on XT is first rate but the lever position isn’t as good as the less expensive SLX units.

Mbr rating: 8