First Ride/Test: A few weeks ago at the XC UCI World Cup in Nove Mesto, we introduced you to the new Shimano XTR M9100 complete group. Now, at the Eurobike Media Days in Serfaus, we had the opportunity to test the new 12-speed gears and the associated 4-piston brakes.
The time had finally come - we were able to test the new Shimano XTR M9100 complete group at the Meida Days in Serfaus. But how will it be switched? And does the braking performance of the new Shimano XTR really resemble the Shimano Saint 4-piston system? On this day we had the opportunity to make a direct comparison with the competition.
Shimano XTR 2019: More bandwidth, less weight and lots of innovations
Shimano XTR M9100 10-51 Kassette Abstufung: 10-12-14-16-18-21-24-28-33-39-45-51
The Shimano XTR we tested was equipped with a 10-51 cassette and thus offered a bandwidth of 510%. Overall, the gradation is very harmonious (10-12-14-16-18-21-24-28-33-39-45-51), the gear jumps are proportionate and even those who attach great importance to the right cadence, should be satisfied. If the jumps are still too big for you and you don't need the full 510% range at the same time, you can also use the 10-45 cassette, which is also available. The cassette consists of three different materials. The three smallest sprockets are made of steel, the middle area is made of titanium and the upper area is made of aluminium. You will have to see how the whole thing wears out in the endurance test.
Shimano XTR M9100 - New Micro Spline freewheel and whisper-quiet hubs
In order to make room for the small 10-speed sprocket of the new cassette, Shimano had to say goodbye to the conventional freewheel design. Shimano developed its own freewheel especially for this. This is called Micro Spline and the way it works is reminiscent of the well-known Shimano freewheel: The cassette is simply pushed onto the hub body and fixed with a lockring. The main difference of the new freewheel lies in its smaller diameter, which offers space for the 10 sprocket. The cassette is not compatible with other freewheel bodies.
Shimano XTR M9100 – New 4-piston brakes and I-SPEC-EV mount
The brake calipers, like the encoder units, have been completely redeveloped. The 4-piston version should appeal to enduro and gravity riders, offer 20% more braking power than the smaller version and be on a braking level with the gravity brakes Zee and Saint. Optically it is a real eye-catcher in my opinion. With the brake levers, the clamp that has moved to the middle is particularly noticeable. The entire unit should be much stiffer than before and give a more direct feeling. The highlight here: the entire transmitter unit twists slightly towards the handlebars when it is pulled, where it is then supported. A small rubber buffer protects against marks on the handlebars. Unfortunately, the new levers also come with an updated I-SPEC mounting standard: I-SPEC-EV. If the name doesn't mean anything to you: At Shimano, this is the designation for the direct connection of brake and shift lever to a clamp. The new standard offers one thing in particular and that is more adjustment options. Unfortunately, the new mounting standard is again not backward compatible.
Shimano XTR M9100: On the trail
The whole thing was tested in the Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis Bike Park during the Eurobike Media Days. If you want to ride downhill, you have to get up the mountain after all. Of course I decided to step up - after all, I want to take a close look at the new Shimano XTR M9100. The very quiet freewheel is already noticeable in the parking lot. It was so quiet that you couldn't even hear it on asphalt. Only the quiet gear changes were minimally noticeable and audible.
After a few minutes flat on the tarred road we went up the mountain on the forest road. Due to the low gradation of the cassette, the rear derailleur changed gears very precisely and quickly. As already known, the rear derailleur shifter has a function to switch two gears at once. Riding out of the saddle and full of muscle power, I shifted through the gears uphill. Even two gears at once - the Shimano XTR M9100 doesn't mind that at all. Downhill, the chain stayed in place thanks to the Shadow-Plus system. This means that you can also ride without a chain guide. The chain is always kept under tension in the event of bumps.
Now for the brakes: the brake levers felt very ergonomic and my index finger felt comfortable right away. Since I personally ride a Shimano Saint brake, I knew what braking power and controllability the Saint has. In comparison, the new Shimano XTR has become much more sensitive at the beginning. It can be dosed nicely in the first area and the pressure point then becomes more and more crisp. With the Shimano Saint, the starting area is not as soft and controllable as with the Shimano XTR. And yes - the braking power is very similar to the Shimano Saint. How the brake performs over a longer period of time - we will find out in a more detailed test.
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