Shimano Deore XT: The wolf in sheep's clothing

With the Deore XTcomponents, the Japanese manufacturer Shimano has been opening up the mid-range market for many years. Be it chains, gears, cranks or as in our latest test: The brakes of the Deore XT-Model series. Many drivers have been using the inexpensive stoppers for some time. We tested what they can really do on the Ghost Cagua, a thoroughbred enduro bike.

The Deore XT-Brakes seem a bit untidy at first. Compared to other available brakes, a lot of screws come to light here. However, the polished expansion tank of the brake is convincing - it gives it a noble look. The brake caliper is attached via post mount and comes in a plain black. If necessary, this can be provided with cooling fins. You want to protect the brakes from excessive heat and the resulting damage Fading protection. The two-piston brake can be adjusted in terms of its pressure point and lever width, allowing for the most important adjustment options. By the One way-The ventilation system is supposed to Deore XT-Also allow the brake to be bled or filled easily. As usual for Shimano, mineral oil is also used here. The built-in Ice-Tech discs, a two-part construction of the disc, were introduced by Shimano for the first time in 2010. The braking surface is made in a sandwich composite - stainless steel on the outside and an aluminum core should enable better heat resistance. The disc will be over that Center locksystem and weighs just under 150 grams. The caliper plus cable and lever weighs just under 300 grams.

The Shimano makes the difference on the trail Deore XT a solid impression. With Shimano, the master piston is deflected by a roller, which should result in good dosing. However, the breakaway torque of our test model is unusually large. Once this starting point has been overcome, the lever can be operated easily as usual. The brake can be dosed well and packs a powerful punch in an emergency. The lever is ergonomically shaped and doesn't leave annoying blisters on your fingers. The lever width can be quickly adjusted at any time using a small rotary knob.

The ice techBrake disc in combination with the semi-metallic brake pads did not make any annoying squeaking noises. Even after longer descents at high temperatures, you can only do a little Fading determined. However, this is not very noteworthy in comparison to other manufacturers.

//Conclusion

The Shimano Deore XT-Brake is a kind of all-rounder. You can buy it from specialist dealers for just under 80 euros, which puts it in the lower middle range in terms of price. However, one should not be deterred by this. The brake already shines visually with a beautiful design. The braking power is also convincing on the trail. Although the breakaway torque of the lever takes some getting used to, it can grab Deore XT. With the built-in 180 millimeter brake discs, it only shows a little, even on warm summer days Fading and is therefore a constant companion for every MTB tour.