The new XTR groupset

Shimano originally brought out the XTR group to be better and lighter than the XT group for the top racers, many of the Professional mountain bikers tried XTR, but went back to XT for its reliability, or mixed and matched bits from each group. XT was the best, so how could XTR be better? And now a new XTR will be on the market. The BIG question is how can you improve on perfection?
Have a look at the prices!
XTR M970 Crank/Bottom bracket combo
XTR M975 Tubeless wheelset
XTR M970 Dual Control levers
XTR M970 rear Derailleur
The Crankset
First thing that struck me was the crankset, gone is the pinch bolt system and a return to the cranks going on to a splined spindle and held tight with a big bolt, the bearings are held in adjustment with a threaded collar, the bottom bracket is still Hollowtech. Weight is saved by not having a one-piece puller, but who needs to remove a chainset out in the woods anyway. Four bolt fixing for the chainrings looks neat and the middle ring is titanium, the finish like the entire group, is a beautiful anodized gray and silver.
The Gears
As with all the components there is a big X on the rear derailleur, it looks very stylish, but I could see it filling up with mud, of course the main thing is that everyone knows you have the best gear, its very obvious that its XTR! It’s a chunky looking rear gear mech, which comes in low normal and top normal systems with either medium or long jockey wheel cage lengths. The reason for the low normal is that is to be used with the Dual Control shifters and the top normal for triggers, but the choice is yours. The front gear mech is also styled with the BIG X insignia and looks tough and robust and for sure it will work well.
The Shifters
Here is where you have a choice of shifting, there is the Dual Control or Trigger to choose from, Rapidfire plus can now allow you to push the gear lever to change gear and you can now change more than one gear at a time with the multi release, you can now change gear much quicker, very handy when climbing and things get tougher!
Braking Power
The levers are available in cable or hydraulic versions and as with all Shimano levers are made to fit many different hands, the braking feels lighter as there is move leverage and the shifter mechanics are now housed in the body and not on the lever. The discs come in four sizes to cover all needs; the calipers have a better hydraulic system, as the cylinder is now more in line with the pipe work, all for a better brake.
The Pedals And Hubs
Nothing much new here, the pedals are lighter as the axle has been hollowed out, basically it’s the same pedal with all the click in and out efficiency you would ask for. The hubs or should I say wheelset, is a work of art, very light and look like they could really perform in many different situations. The big innovations are the freehub body, its titanium and locates much, much faster, the other advantage is the scandium rims, these are a lot harder and stiffer and wont twist, bend or flex very much under pressure giving a very responsive ride.
What Do We think about the new Shimano XTR?
Its beautiful to look at and I’m sure will be great to ride, this is the jewel in the crown for Shimano, its not cheap, but it’s the best you can get. The finish is faultless, that gray and silver anodizing is classic and those BIG X’s on all the components and stylish and original, as I said before when people see them they know you have the best on your bike.