Originally Posted by
balindamood
Another vote for Deore DX 95% of XT, 25% of the price.
the older "plain" Deore (MT-60/62) is like 99% of XT.. the differences on most components are miniscule. maybe a different finish or steel vs aluminum bolts. I rate Deore around Shimano 105 level.
Practically everything shimano made in the mid-late 80s/early 90s except the super low end stuff all works pretty damn well