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2022 Pinkbike Awards: Value Mountain Bike Product of the Year Nominees

Dec 21, 2022
by Henry Quinney  
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Value Product of the Year

After the bedlam of 2020, its hangover extended well into 2022. Throw rising fuel prices and rising inflation into the mix and the bike industry seemed to be chasing its tail as it tried to get a handle on the rising costs that were eventually handed onto the consumer. That's not to say there aren't some good value bike parts out there. In fact, some of our favorite parts of this year offered great value, even if not a particularly low price.



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TRP Trail Evo Brakes
Power to the People


Why it's nominated

The TRP Trail Evo brakes offer a lot of the same power and features as its more expensive siblings but do without the adjustment. Whereas this isn't a full downhill-spec brake and doesn't reach the same levels of power as the DHR Evo, it does offer more than enough for what it's intended - trail and enduro riding. It's also built around TRP's excellent pads and 2.3 mm rotor width to give more confidence and consistency.

The brake might have the needed power but we do feel that some people might find the lack of lever adjustment slightly problematic. It's not a big issue, however, it is something worth considering if you like to run the lever close to the bar with skinny grips.

The Trail Evo was originally reviewed at the end of 2021 but we've seen it come on plenty of our review bikes in the last 12 months and it's a very worthy nominee, albeit a slightly late one. We were always impressed with the $215 brake's performance. And yes, based purely on price alone these brakes aren't the cheapest out there, but they made their way onto this list due to their consistency and reliability.

FULL REVIEW




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Hunt Wheels
No-Nonsense Alloy Options


Why it's nominated

Hunt is a UK brand that has value at its core. What started out as a direct-to-consumer wheels brand has now spawned a sister brand - Privateer bikes - that, as the name suggests, is trying to service the needs of the grass-roots racer with reliability and affordability. Their Hunt wheels are also in a similar vein.

This year, we reviewed Hunt's Trail Wide wheels, as well as seeing their Enduro Wide wheels on several bikes. The trail option weighs slightly less due to a lower spoke count and a lower rim and hub weight. The enduro wheels, conversely, feature overbuilt hubs with thicker axles, more spokes, and a burly rim. The differences add up to around 300 grams and a slightly different ride feel.

Whichever model you choose, be it the $474 Trail or the $524 Enduro wheels, you can be sure to get a no-frills wheelset that will offer performance beyond its budget.

FULL REVIEW




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Specialized Cannibal Tires
World Cup Performance at Privateer Prices

Why it's nominated

While these tires aren't as cheap as many would like, they do offer a far more reasonable prospect than other brands that can run well over the $100 mark. Although the $80 tire might not be as affordable as last year's winner, the Delium versatile, it's a full-spec downhill tire that would not be out of place on the World Cup circuit. Mike Kazimer even went as far as saying that the tires are good enough to see Loic Bruni and Co banishing the sharpie from their pits for the future - the tire is that good.

FULL REVIEW




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Shimano Deore
Here We Go Again


Why it's nominated

While ever-changing geometry and the latest tires might have a huge effect on your riding, I would wager that saving a dozen grams on your shifter won't. Over the years, Deore has always been an industry favorite for its performance, reliability, and price. With the latest generation going to 12-speed, it covered a huge blindspot for the groupset, which previously couldn't offer the same range as its pricier competitors.

Although not the most recent addition, if you were building a bike in 2022 from the frame up, whether racing or just riding, Deore should be worthy of your consideration. And yes, the Deore components took home the win in the Component of the Year Category in 2020, but that doesn't mean they're not deserving of additional recognition.

FULL REVIEW





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123 Comments
  • 131 2
 Deore all day. True value parts out of all the ones listed. Making 12 speed range ACTUALLY affordable, and minimal performance hit.
  • 27 4
 Relatedly: Shimano MT420 calipers and M4100 levers. Four piston, no-nonsense brakes that perform better than my m7120 (SLX) and most other brakes I've tried, and they're less than $100 per end. Unlike XT and SLX I've used, they never change bite point. I'm interested to try the TRPs, but in terms of value, it's hard to imagine beating the no-name Shimanos.
  • 54 0
 If sram and Shimano would agree on one type freehub body that would be great
  • 16 0
 @airdonut41: 420? Sick
  • 8 2
 @airdonut41: Frankenstein builds are sometimes better... My cheap transmission is: Deore 12spd derailleur, SLX shifter, Sram NX 11-50 cassette and KMC middle range chain. The Deore cassette is too fragile (bended cogs + play / broken teeth) as well as the chain (XT is a bit better but still fragile), and Deore shifter's rubbish while the SLX is a perfect value for the price.
(Brakes: XT for me, but SLX and Deore work excellent as well)
  • 4 0
 @airdonut41: I have 420's but upgraded to deore levers. If there's a bite point issue now, I don't notice it. The 520's are probably best Shimano bang for your buck as they come stock with the 2 finger lever. I didn't enjoy the ergos of the 4100 levers at all, although they work.
  • 3 0
 Some of the Deore parts are top class. I actually prefer the shifter over all others (it reminds me of the light shifting 9-speed XT). The brakes don't seem to be compromised either. Cranks and Cassette are heavier so I go up the range for those.
  • 5 0
 @rob748: Their 12s cassettes are cross-compatible, so just mount whatever matches your wheel and get on with it. I've been running AXS shifting with Shimano cassette and chain for 1000s of miles, it works great.
  • 7 0
 @danstonQ: XTR shifter levers are not that expensive if you think about it. The shifter will outlast any other part of your groupo. they have cartridge bearings and will keep their crisp positive feel forever. Go big on the lever, cheap out on the derailleur and get the cassette and chain that works for you.
  • 2 0
 @nw-rhb: blaze it!
  • 1 0
 @Drew-O: yeah, I wish I had thought about this before buying my 12spd Shimano rear hub and drive train. Once my chain wore out, I had to get another rear hub to be able to fit a SRAM cassette because no 12spd Shimano options were available. PMO
  • 1 0
 @Drew-O: yes SRAM and SHIMANO drivetrails mix and match well, I run sram cassette , X01 chain, XT shifter and derailler. I rotate 2 XO1 chains every 3-4 months and it works well and lasts a long time.(As long as I dont use granny too much)
  • 1 2
 @airdonut41: i would perfer a better lever, like one of the servo wave linkage shimanos
  • 8 16
flag Glenngineer (Dec 21, 2022 at 12:43) (Below Threshold)
 12 speed Shimano is the worst bicycle investment I've made in a while, so before they 'innovate' with DI2 for ebikes... I'd like them to get the core components to work. Blew a chain at maybe 3-400 miles today. It's the second low mileage chain failure I've had... I've also had two XT shifters fail, an slx chainring die when a pair of those anti tamper bolts backed out, cassettes tend to lose teeth on the aluminum cogs, and the shifting is temper mental and the action is heavy. Pushed my trail bike back to the car, drove home, then used the remainder of the time I had to ride to hot lap the local woods on my fat bike, running 11 speed Deore... The difference is night and day. 12s sucks. Winter break project starts tonight... Going to SS my trail bike.
  • 2 0
 @airdonut41: Not sure about the MT420's but SLX's are hot garbage.
  • 1 0
 @enduroelite: this is the way
  • 1 0
  True gonna be a hard sell to find something of a better value.
  • 43 7
 $80 is not a value tire.

Is Deore new this year, or is this a recycled nominee from 2020?

$215/brake? Not a value.

Seems like we may be reaching to find any value items that are new this year. Except that Norco Fluid.
  • 14 0
 If its $215 for front and rear brakes, yeah, this seems like a good nominee
  • 4 0
 You could get the tires for $58 a couple months ago…

That was value for a dh casing in super soft compound.
  • 8 4
 @tatchle1: You can get magura mt5 for 160 euros for both wheels or even cheaper in europe and I doubt that this brakes ares 50 euros better.
  • 16 2
 @malca: It's not held together by wood screws threaded into plastic, which is a big plus for me...
  • 4 4
 @edthesled: with magura u hit tree with lever, you break 10 euro clamp maybe lever. With sram brake u hit tree with lever you need new lever and probably also new bar.
  • 6 0
 @malca: I had a friend who went through 3 lever blades on a pair of MT7's in a season. At $115 CAD for each blade, I don't think there's an argument to support their sub-par choice of materials and hardware.

On top of that, if you follow torque specs for your lever clamps, the lever should move in a crash like that. If the crash is hard enough to break your bars, you have bigger issues than your brake levers. Again sub-par materials and hardware are not justifiable.
  • 2 1
 @malca: from bike 24 maguras are 75 eur
  • 2 4
 @edthesled: I run magura for years so far broke few clamps and 1 lever. Ran Sram codes for a year killed two levers and two bars. Plus here whole lever (master??) for mt5 like 50 euro for sram like 90. And mt7 are for bourgeoisie. Why spend much money when little money do same.
@mior I meant for pair. Currently you can get 1 pair+ 1 pair disc for 160 euro
  • 4 2
 Why is no one mentioning the DB8s? They're literally codes for under $100 per brake
  • 4 0
 @malca: I've never managed to break a bar, no matter what brakes are attached to them. Again, if your lever clamp is not over torqued, it should rotate in the event of a crash, which is intended to prevent both the lever and bar from taking any major damage.
  • 1 0
 @malca: oh yeah that makes more sense. here in the states is 160 for one brake without rotor, so i just used bike24
  • 1 1
 Specialized tyres are a bargain in the UK. A few months ago they dropped their price. The tyre in the article is more like $60 at full RRP in the UK which is there most expensive tyre.
  • 1 1
 Specialized tyres are a bargain in the UK. A few months ago they dropped their price. The tyre in the article is more like $60 at full RRP in the UK which is there most expensive tyre.
  • 1 2
 @edthesled: I run em loose but very flat. Sram has very big reservoir and when you hit a tree with it it bends the lever in and dents the bar and screws the seat of the lever (where it rests on bar). Idk maybe it is just my lack of luck or love for the trees.
  • 4 1
 @malca: may I recommend hand guards
  • 8 0
 @malca: Don't hit tree.
  • 2 0
 @DBone95: this is the way
  • 2 1
 @edthesled: did your friend contact Magura? Every time I’ve had a failure, even one of my own fault, Magura has stepped up and provided me with a replacement, free of charge.
  • 1 0
 @malca: Bike24 had sets of Formula Cura 4s with the 200mm rotors for 160$ during black Friday. Best brakes I've ever used.
  • 13 0
 Agree re: Deore. I have it on my fat bike and "wow"! Shifting under pressure and just smoothness in general vs. my enduro bike's SRAM GX is very noticeable. Would consider switchover to Deore for my enduro bike in the future, esp. when you factor in cost (here in Canada, Deore cassette is significantly cheaper than GX cassette i.e. Deore ~$100 cheaper).
  • 4 0
 Seconded—just picked up a bike with a full Deore drivetrain (Element A30) and have been blown away by how its preforming. Only 60 miles in, but shifts are bang on, and its really quiet. I was planning on replacing the RD and shifter with an XO AXS set up from the previous bike and now I don’t see that happening. Might be just new parts well set up right now, but the AXS might end up on the Classifieds soon.
  • 7 1
 That was not my experience of Deore on a fat bike for winter. It was "meh" in cold/wet shifts so much so that I went with Microshift Advent X.
  • 15 0
 Those Hunt wheels were such a surprisingly good upgrade on my bike
  • 5 0
 They are awesome. I got a ser of Trail Wides in April for a lightweight trail bike build and couldn't be happier. They are used literally every single day, often take a proper beating and still true, bearings still smooth. And the weight is quite remarkable considering the price and robustness
  • 2 0
 Totally agree, glad I went cheap for replacing the stock wheels on my stumpy evo comp build.
  • 2 0
 @Arierep: I bought them as a temporary replacement for the shitty carbon rims I was using, but I ended up liking them more and stuck with them. The ride quality, strength and price was very impressive.
  • 10 0
 Just on the consumable front, having worked in a shop, and thinking what you will of Specialized, I've thought their tires in general are a good value anyway. We always had them at their lower price point, and their patterns/compounds have been comparable without that premium. If it means you can afford an extra tire a season, that's worth a look.

IIRC, Specialized started as a tire company way back in the foundational days. Probably ruined it now, but get their tires while they're still a relative bargain/value.
  • 4 0
 I ran Specialized for a while and they are good, but when looking for marginal traction and control gains, I went with Maxxis. The difference is not massive, but it is noticeable.
  • 10 0
 @rrolly: I get that if you ride harder than me (which is an overwhelming majority of people), haha. But Maxxis is not $30-70 more worth it for me.
  • 3 0
 @iammarkstewart: I'm with you, I only have one specialized tire so far (butcher trail T9) but I'll have more as the need arises. It may not offer quite the same value proposition as say, Delium, but it is an excellent tire and the price is a little lower than Maxxis.
  • 3 0
 @iammarkstewart: Fair enough, but I look at how I'm willing to spend money on other parts of my bike that have less of an influence on my ride and $30 more for tires seems well worth it.
  • 13 4
 On the wheel front, I'm not sure that the way to go. Value isn't just about low price - it's about low total cost of ownership. DT Swiss 350s with a ratchet are probably the lowest total cost of ownership in the long run for rear hubs - so that would be a good start. And it's hard to beat some solid DT Swiss or Spank rims. Get them laced up at your local bike shop, and you end up spending a couple hundred more than you would on those Hunt wheels - but you'll have something that is Clydesdale appropriate, won't need constant trueing, allows you to service your hubs yourself (as there are no little pawls and springs flying all over the place when you open it up), and give you trouble free use for years and years. With "value" hubs and rims, you don't get what you pay for, you pay for what you get. There's a solid sweet spot - going cheaper tends to kick you in the arse later; going more expensive tends to not buy you a whole lot in terms of longevity/reliability (if you're gram counting, by all means, knock yourself out...).
  • 3 2
 I’m a big proponent of good quality wheels. Somehow I’m over.y hard on wheels, so going to WAO’s on Hadleys has over the course of a season has actually been more cost effective for me.

You’re right on the definition of value, sometimes the cost of entry is more, but if they last longer, it’s a better value. It’s Terry Pratchets boot theory, and it makes some sense.
  • 6 3
 @onawalk: Filmore valves: cost of entry is more but they last longer so its a better value, point proven even if its across different article posts lol. just poking fun have a good holiday mate
  • 2 1
 Crank bros synthesis alloy w/ i9 1/1 hubs is a decent value for a factory built wheelset. If the hubs aren't worth relacing then it's not value. That said, I have no idea about these hunts, I've just had poor experiences with budget house brand rear hubs.
  • 2 0
 @Henryd555: I love it! Well done sir!

But what do you mean by last longer?
  • 4 1
 @onawalk: standard presta valve~ $20 for a set + $0.50 every 3 months =$2.00/year * 15 years = $30 + $20 (initial investment) = $50 USD... So in 16 years they make sense XD
  • 3 0
 I ride a lot of park (45 days on my season pass at Deer Valley this year), have the endurowide wheels, and only needed to true the rear once this season. Hunt as a "Value Brand" still makes a lot of sense, though they could be charging $800. Much better than the Flow MK4s I rode before.
  • 1 1
 @Henryd555: I appreciate the math, and by all accounts that’s correct, expect the presta valve price,
Are you paying $20 freedom bucks for a pair of valves?
  • 1 1
 @Ajorda: that’s super to hear.
These were real high on my list, but ultimately went with Stan’s, which in hindsight was a mistake.
I do wish I had given these a go
  • 1 0
 @onawalk: Cushcore valves are $25 i think...but no i bought a set of filmores when i was working as a mechanic so it was $34 i think with shop discount.... so assuming you are going to ask...that was 2 hours of work at the bike shop to afford the valves.
  • 1 1
 @Henryd555: I’m assuming the same discount would have been available on the cushcore valves.
And a quick drill bit turns any valve into a cushcore valve really.
  • 5 0
 @onawalk: You are on quite the mission to have the last word. luckily i still have an hour and a half left of work...I bring lunch to work everyday. it saves me like $3000($12*5*52) a year so I can afford some godforsaken $34 valves.. Also.. My DH bike is like $5k idk its just a tool for me, as are cool valves... So 34$/ $5000 = 0.68% of my bike is the valves that is meaningless. My trail bike has normal presta valves..cool.. they work fine too...I get you are trying to make some point about the price of things but it seems kind of pointless. we all agree presta is fine but heres this thing thats a little better.. buy it if you want..or dont..Santa Cruz/Reserve does not give a sh*t they already rake in heaps of cash.
  • 1 4
 @Henryd555: I mean, I can’t be on that mission unless someone else is playing along….
I mean no criticism of anyone that has, or is about to purchase them, honestly I’ll still go to sleep with the knowledge that the sun will come up tomorrow.
I think we all (me included) could take a step back from our overwhelming consumerism and give our collective head a shake.
I think $37 would be better served in the hands of local trail builders than for valve stems that offer a hint of additional functionality. Again, same could be said about all things, but friggin valve stems man, Jesus Christ….
I guess I take exception with @mikekazimer not really standing behind the idea, and throwing out a “have you tried em”

We can compare relative costs all day, but at the end of it, it’s a means to justify a $50 valve which offers up all the added performance of a rhinestone encrusted top cap.
  • 3 0
 @onawalk: Every weekend I am building trails, currently on private land, but someday my hope is to open it up to the public as a skills park or do that somewhere else. Again I understand your general idea but Santa Cruz donates millions to trail building efforts, which they can do because we buy their stuff.
  • 2 0
 @onawalk: www.santacruzbicycles.com/en-US/paydirt here is the link to their trail building efforts. $1million over 3 years...not too shabby
  • 1 2
 @Henryd555: it’s great that you build trails and give back, big mother-friggin-high-five-slap-on-the-back!
If you’re ever up this way, I’ll buy the first round.

Now, everything you said in your posts still doesn’t do anything to justify the $50 tubeless valves.

It’s super cool that Santa Cruz donates money to worthy causes, I, and all those cause greatly appreciate that. However, its not always for the reasons you think, it’s a pretty good tax write off for them, and it should. We could all do more donating of out time, and disposable income to make the lives of others better, and we should applaud those that do.
  • 1 0
 Agreed, DT 350s on Spank 359s or even better FR451s will last forever.
  • 6 0
 I have Hunt wheels and a Shimano mixed groupset on my most recent build, a Norco Torrent.

The Hunt wheels had a few quality issues to sort out to get going, (broken freehub box, and poorly taped out of the box,) but for the money offer solid value. Hunt did correct the issues, but breaking a freehub in 9 miles and OTB bad taping is pretty rough.

The Deore cranks and derailleur are incredible value for money. I opted for an SLX cassette and chain, and XT shifter I really feel like I got everything great Shimano has to offer without the hefty price tag. Shifts better than my 1 season old all SLX build on my Commencal, being fresh and having the XT shifter. I would say Deore complete + XT shifter is the budget 12spd move.
  • 6 0
 The trp brakes work great except the part where mineral oil leaks through the bleed screw on the caliper. Rear failed after one month of riding, front went out this last weekend.
  • 1 1
 SRAM DB8 my brother. The reliability and power of the codes without the frequent bleeds DOT fluid requires. You can swap out those tektros with these for like under $200 combined front and back
  • 2 0
 @ryanandrewrogers: I would personally recommend the Magura MT5's over anything SRAM.
  • 1 0
 @a-green: Don't get me wrong, I'm not a SRAM brake fan but @dwee is complaining about the reliability of his TRPs, and the MT5s are notoriously unreliable. It's a shame they're built like a plastic kids' toy, I'd expect they provide better power than SRAM, but the forums are awash with the lever and piston blowing the hell up. When it comes to stopping, I think I'd rather have a brake than a broke
  • 2 0
 @dwee hit up TRP, they'll get those replaced asap.
  • 2 0
 @nastee-nate: yea Im about to, I already had to go through the warranty process with the rear. They were nice and easy to deal with before.
  • 5 0
 I have to say the DB8 Brakes from Sram are some of the most powerful brakes I've tested. Only brake I can do a proper endo on a 50lbs E bike! Inexpensive and kinda ugly but the performance is mind blowing!
  • 2 0
 THIS. I already have codes but I genuinely wish the DB8s had been out when I got them. They're essentially just as powerful, and unlike the DOT fluid codes, they don't lose power as quickly, meaning less frequent bleeds.
  • 2 0
 @ryanandrewrogers: can you use Shimano mineral oil for these?
  • 1 0
 @ride4austin: SRAM claims you can only use their mineral oil, but Shimano makes the same claim about their own brakes and fluids.

In my experience, mineral oil is mineral oil, I know many who have run their Shimano's on hardware store mineral oil for years with no gripes.
  • 4 0
 I like Tektro as a brand completely. Their low end models are stone reliable for years. I'm sure these trail EVO brakes work great but at $215 per brake, they damn well should.

These seem to retail in Canada for $250/ brake. At that price point you have the following 4 pot brakes to select from:

1. Shimano M7120 SLX - $209
2. Shimano Deore M6120 - $190
3. Tektros own Orion - $140
4. SRAM Guide R - $200
5. Hope Tech 3 E4 - $240

For a little more you could choose:

1. Shimano Saint - $270
2. Shimano M8120 XT - $270
3. SRAM Code RSC - $300
4. Hope Tech 4 E4/V4 - $282

For a lot less you could choose:

1. Any shimano non series 4 pot brake - as low as $140

I really don't get the value proposiiton of this brake. No lever adjust? No fancy construction? Unproven longevity (Hopes last a decade). While I love simple no fluff designs, this brake just doesn't say value to me even if they are great.
  • 4 0
 You can buy the SRAM DB8s that came out this year for $70 per brake and they are every bit as powerful as the codes, without the need to bleed them nearly as often.

Check it
www.backcountry.com/sram-db8-disc-brake
  • 1 0
 In my experience, TRP has the longest wear life of all of these brakes. They are backed by a two year factory warranty. Plus you can reach out to the US office if you have any issues and talk to a live tech. SRAM and Shimano make you go through a bike shop.
  • 1 0
 @nastee-nate: But you could buy the (notably powerful) Tektro Orions for $85 a pop on Amazon, and still have that same TRP customer service. Not saying the TRPs aren't good, but they really aren't a value proposition.

I think this year's list is a reflection of a lack of budget-oriented reviewing on PB. You can't find the gems in the rough without getting into the rough.
  • 8 0
 Deore all day long!
  • 9 2
 A $80 tire is "value"? WTF is wrong with this sport?!
  • 1 0
 Specialized tyres are a bargain in the UK. A few months ago they dropped their price. The tyre in the article is more like $60 at full RRP in the UK which is there most expensive tyre.
  • 3 0
 I have'nt tried the TRP Evos yet, but I put Slates on my Ripley this season and they absolutely blew my mind. 4 piston, decent weight, and crazy good price. May try the Evos on my Ripley next season and move the Slates to my Honzo, checked them out on the new Fluids and they look great! What I'm getting at is, I would recommend TRP to anyone.
  • 2 2
 It's not really a value proposition though. For a very similar amount of braking power you can find this year's all-new SRAM DB8s for $70, essentially mineral oil codes.
  • 6 0
 Deore all day! Great pick Henry. Nailed it.
  • 3 0
 Those Spesh tires are already 50% off, so, super bargain too. They either made too much or no one likes them and they are having a fire sale.
  • 2 0
 they always have ridiculous tire sales. I got hillbilly tires for 13.95
  • 2 0
 I got the hunt trail wheels last year as an upgrade to my DT Swiss M1900's, and wow, they are awesome. Cut a ton of weight, and better engagement. Wouldnt hesitate to recommend them.
  • 2 0
 While the 12spd deore is a good entry point, I think the best option is the overlooked 11spd deore, has nearly the same range (11-51t) but can use the good old hg hub. Don't notice any big jumps in ratios on my bike.
  • 7 3
 Magura MT5 is cheaper and better than TRP
  • 1 0
 ...
  • 1 0
 Agree. Love those brakes!
  • 1 0
 @HenkkaK Which brake won more world cups this year?
  • 1 0
 Hunt wheels, specialized tires and Deore components all added to my bike this year. My wallet (Wife) and bike couldn’t be happier.
  • 3 0
 No entries from Yeti or Santa Cruz?
  • 1 0
 The e*thirteen Grappler and Gen 2 All-Terrains are pretty great value tires with 15% off right now.
  • 1 0
 Hunt aren't "value" in Europe anymore after Brexit imo. Maybe in North America?
  • 2 0
 $520 for an aluminum enduro wheelset seems good. How much are y’all paying?
  • 2 0
 Yeah but you can't buy cannibal tires
  • 1 0
 And they wouldn't be a "value" product if you could. Bit of a lazy list IMO.
  • 1 0
 Hunt wheels are Chinese rims with chinese hubs Just get them from the source
  • 2 1
 I have hunt wheels and specialized tires. Both are solid.
  • 1 2
 Not a fan of Deore. For less than $100 bucks, you could get SLX which I think is much smoother and more precise shifting. SLX should be minimum on 4K carbon bike.
  • 4 1
 Performance is literally the same. Even Shimano states this. The design, actuation, and shift point on the cassette are identifical. At the SLX level you are getting an aluminum 51 tooth cog to save weight, an access door for clutch adjustment, a little rubber pad on the back side of the jockey cage to reduce noise, a textured thumbpad on the shifter and a nicer look. The feel of the shift all happens at the shifter. Both SLX and deore have half release, meaning half the cable releases on the first click and the other half on the release click. You need to move up to XT/XTR to get instant release. This would make the shifts feel snappier. Between Deore and SLX though, they use the same technology. You are also stuck with bushing style jockey wheels until XT/XTR as well. If you feel a difference, it is likely down to whether it is properly tuned.
  • 1 1
 @maestroman21: I see the disconnect with our statements. It looks like the Deore and SLX 12-speed is different than the SLX 11-speed in construction. My experience is with the Deore 12-speed and SLX 11-speed. I can tell you that the Deore 12-speed works ok, but is rougher, heavy, and just not as precise shifting as the SLX 11-speed. I think there are a lot of differences between Deore 12 and SLX 11 with the two in shifter, derailleur, and cassette. Just comparing the Deore 12 cassette and SLX 11 cassette you can clearly see differences in the construction. The Deore 12 cassette has pins and the SLX 11 cassette has no pins. Cassettes definitely make a difference in shifting and it is not all at the shifter.
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 @tacklingdummy: for sure. A lot of differences between the 11 and 12 speed.
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 I was hoping to see Advent X drivetrain.
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 Agreed though it may not have been released this year? I picked up shifter, cassette an derailleur for 488CNY - not bad!
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 My 5010 V3 from ages ago
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