PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENT
Earlier this week, Shimano announced their new Deore Mechanical M7200 and M6200 drivetrains and updated Deore brakes. See Pete’s first thoughts and the press releases here.
Today, they added to their quiver of mechanical performance products, notably releasing a Deore XT M8200 derailleur and shifter, confirming that Shimano isn’t giving up on mechanical drivetrains, even in their second tier group.
In this same release, there are new 2.2mm thick 200mm and 220 mm rotors, making official what we have been seeing on some of their athletes’ race bikes for some time, and some updated SPD pedal options.
We will have a review of these products up as soon as we have them on hand, but for now we will tell you what we know from the press releases.
Mechanical XT has a new look.
Like the more recent Di2 releases, XT is now clutch-free thanks to Shimano Shadow ES stabilizing technology.
Deore XT M8200 Derailleur and Shifter
When Di2 came out last year, people were worried that mechanical shifting might be dead. SRAM countered with 90 and 70, reassuring us that they were still in the cable game. We waited for Shimano’s answer.
he Deore XT M8200 Derailleur has had a full revamp from the prior generation, with a sleek new look and the same clutch-free stabilizing technology they rolled out with Di2, called Shimano Shadow ES. Also like Di2 models, it has “a wedge-shaped design that reduces the derailleur’s front-facing surface area and eliminates edges that could catch on rocks and roots.
Like their Di2 siblings, these new derailleurs allegedly shift faster and better under load than previous generations,
They will be available in a bunch of different options that are all 238 CAD / 170 USD:
- Long Cage RD-M8200 SGS for use with 12-speed 10-51T cassette
- Mid Cade RD-M8200 GS for use with 12-speed 9-45T cassette
- Long Cage RD-M8230 SGS for use with 11-speed 11-50T Linkglide cassette
Shimano says that the new Deore XT shifter “delivers improved ergonomics and a more intuitive thumb feel.” It features a shorter lever stroke, crisper actuation, a firmer secondary click, and updated paddle positioning with the goal of providing the rider with better feedback. The rubber traction pads will also be replaceable moving forwards, which is a welcome update as before it was standard to replace the whole shifter if the pads came off.
The 12 speed shifters will be compatible with all previous Shimano 12-speed drivetrains and 11-speed Linkglide drivetrains, and available in various clamp options. All use traditional Shimano rapidfire plus and 2-way release technology.
There will also be multiple options for these shifters at 119 CAD / 85 USD:
- SL-M8200 Deore XT 12-speed HYPERGLIDE+ shifter with multi-shift (up to three shifts with main lever)
- SL-M8210 – DEORE XT 12-speed HYPERGLIDE+ shifter option for high-torque e-MTB
- SL-M8230 – DEORE XT 11-speed LINKGLIDE shifter with multi-shift (up to two shifts with main lever)
Replaceable traction pads are a nice update.
New 2.2mm Thick Rotors
Shimano rotors have not had an update in a while, so it is cool to see them increase thickness from 1.75 mm to 2.2mm, especially since there’s ground to be made up to SRAM’s Maven in terms of power. This makes them even thicker than SRAM’s 2.0mm HS2 rotors. Shimano claims that these rotors will provide “greater control and increased durability for the demands of downhill, freeride, and long-travel enduro and e-MTB.”
They will be available in a 200mm and 220mm size in both 6-bolt and centerlock. Yes, you read that right—Shimano will be moving away from the 203mm size, reducing the need for extra shims and simplifying brake setup.
They will be compatible with existing Shimano XTR, Deore XT, and Deore 4-piston brakes, and may be a nice upgrade if they have the “increased durability and resistance to bending in aggressive riding conditions,” Shimano claims in their press release.
They also have new vent hole construction that they claim “results in increased control, helping maintain predictable modulation while reducing hand fatigue.”
Their pricing will be roughly as follows:
- RT-6B750 200mm 6-bolt – $84 CAD / $60 USD
- RT-6B750 220mm 6-bolt – $105 CAD / $75 USD
- RT-CL750 200mm Centerlock – $97 CAD / $70 USD
- RT-CL750 220mm Centerlock – $112 CAD / $80 USD
Shimano follows SRAM’s lead in releasing thicker rotors with a new vent design.
Deore XT M8220 and MT520 Pedals
Similar to the M9220 XTR Trail pedals Mike reviewed last summer, the new Deore XT M8220 Pedals have a wider platform, enhanced grip in the form of removable pins, and, according to Shimano, faster engagement compared to previous generations of XT Trail pedals.
Due to this wider platform, they are a bit heavier than the 438g M8120, coming in at 472g. They remain dual-sided with adjustable spring release tension and feature an updated grip pattern that Shimano calls “XTR inspired.”
They will be approximately 224 CAD or 160 USD, making them a bit pricier than the PD-M8120, but still a lot more affordable than the XTR version which runs 260 USD.
In addition to the XT trail pedals, Shimano announced the MT520 SPD Pedal—a versatile double-sided pedal intended for commuting, gravel, or mountain biking at an accessible 77 CAD or 55 USD. They come in at 380g and in silver or black, and also feature adjustable spring release tension.
XT M8220 and MT520 give riders more options—and price points— to choose from.
PD-MT520 is available in black…
As with the Deore groups announced earlier this week, we do not yet have test samples of the new XT mechanical, rotors, or pedals in hand, but are expecting them soon, and will get riding impressions out as soon as we can.
Madeleine Pollock is a multi-discipline racer and rider hailing from North Vancouver, British Columbia. She currently lives in Brevard, North Carolina for most of the year while she is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in English and Communication from Brevard College. She also races on their varsity cycling team, which is ranked second in the United States for mountain biking. Maddi has found the most success racing cyclocross, where she has represented Canada at seven world cups and two world championships. Maddi shares her love for bikes through being a mentor with Ride Like a Girl — a program that matches young female racers with role models — and by working in the summer on the sales team and as a ride leader at Obsession: Bikes. In addition to being an NSMB contributor, Maddi currently serves as the Copy Editor of the Brevard College student newspaper, The Clarion. If you can’t find her out in the woods, check for her curled up on the couch with a book and her dogs!