SLX, not an improvement.
 

Purely from a mechanic's point of view: the cable outer caps create so much friction that shifting requires abnormal hand force. The return spring in the RD is so weak it has problems shifting to the smallest three cogs. It is far more sensitive to RD hanger alignment. I also had the chain suck/jam on a test ride on a brand new bike!

Compare this with the LX group from a couple of years ago ( I think it was the 570/580 series) , the blueish/pewter components. I have never seen or felt better shifting! Not even XT did much better. Light, crisp shifting, the RD forgiving of misalignment. I cannot fathom why Shimano would put something on the market when it functions this poorly. At least they ditched low normal-RD's and Dual Control in a big hurry. I hope they at least improve vastly on this effort!


I've seen dozens of SLX bikes shift poorly out of the box. Set up time is greatly increased with the new SLX group. I haven't ridden a bike in anger, but on test rides, the shifting is no better than, let's say Deore from a few years back. The new LX group however, intended for touring, trekking use, has no problems at all. I prepared a bike today with this group and it struck me how much better it performed, in all aspects.

Has anyone else experienced this, or am I talking nonsense here?

Please share!

SLX shifters require different endcaps (and different housing)? Or at least you seem to be implying this from your post.

Well, it may be that the bicycle manufacturer (Stevens, in this case) uses different end caps and cables . but as far as I know the cables are Shimano OEM. The end caps used contain an extra tiny o-ring to keep out dirt. Maybe this is an 'improvement' by Shimano and can be found on XT shadow equipped bikes as well, I don't know. Anyway, shifting improved significantly when I change out these end caps for standard Shimano (the old standard) ones without the o-ring.

Odd. Genuine campy end caps have this feature as well. You don't get the problem you describe though.

Hmm, can't say I've experienced your frustrations with the handful of SLX bikes I've worked on. I was actually impressed by the shifter feel and crisp derailluer movement. The extra force required to shift couldn't be a result of less than optimal cable routing on the particular make of bikes you're dealing with, could it?

Came here for an argument about tubesets, leaving very disappointed.

I have an SLX Shadow RD on my bike. I can't say that it requires any abnormal force to shift, I've had no problems with shifting or keeping it tuned up and shifting smoothly..

You mean, like, flawless?