Deore XT vs. 105
 

Hey there all! I still haven't set myself on what bike I'm buying once I transition to Car-Free Land, so just know that this question is strictly hypothetical.

I'm talking to the LBS about getting a Cross Check frame and fork and then buying a full Shimano group with some interchanging of select parts if need be. In this situation I'm stuck between the XT and 105 groups. I live in Flagstaff, AZ (Go Lumberjacks) and the terrain here is relatively hilly so that made me lean towards the lighter 105 (obviously with a triple up front). Also, I'm a kind of a tiny guy at 5'7' 150lbs so I don't think I'd be too rough on the 105 wheel set. ON THE OTHER HAND I come from a mountain biking background and I've been known to be a little rough on a bike, nothing too crazy though.

So, lightweight vs durability. Ready. Fight!

-Blake

Any weight you save by going 105 vs. XT will be completely unnoticeable unless you are riding in a pro tour. What is the difference between them 100 grams? Don't make me laugh.

The XT would be better on hills just because you can have a huge gear range. I love my LX rear on my new Safari. My 11-32 cassette can get me up any hill.

Get the 105; if you get "a little rough", you'll find out that you're NO LONGER ON A MOUNTAIN BIKE!

Sounds to me like you're setting up for utility; that means you have to be "a little nicer" to your steed. When you spec a bike, you do it with one of two points of view:

1.) targeting the type of riding you'll be doing;
2.) building to your limits.

Since you're dealing with overall groups, you have less leeway about your parts; so pick one, and align your riding style to it. (I would never ride the way I do now on a roadie OR a cross bike!)

...

The only 105 component in the wheelset would be the hubs. You don't need to worry about harming them, they'll be fine. The M770-series DeoreXT hubs are quite nice, and with their aluminum axles they might even be lighter than 105, but as Port said, the slight weight differences aren't going to be a big deal. The Crosscheck is unusual in that it would accept either 130mm (105) or 135mm (XT), so it's up to you.

As for the rest, you might want to compare the gearing options and think that aspect through. Note that XT cranks are available in both mountain (22-32-44) and trekking (26-36-48). XT has thick forged chainrings (except the new carbon-fiber 32-tooth ring with steel teeth, found only on the M770-series cranks). 105 has stamped rings... compare a 105 crank to Ultegra and you'll see the difference. Personally, I like the beefier rings, but it might not be a big deal to everyone, and I still think the best plan is to see which route suits your gearing needs best. Do you need a higher high gear than a 48 x 11? Then don't get XT. Do you need a lower low gear than a 30 x 28? Then don't get 105, unless you want to either pony up for an IRD cassette or stuff an even smaller granny ring onto it.

Thanks for the input the three of you. I'm really appreciating the forums (still new here) as an awesome resource. Keep the opinions coming!

Well, do you want drop or flat/riser handlebars? Comparing the road to mountain groups is apples and oranges. Not onloy that, but if you must compare a shimano road group to a shimano mountain group, compare 105 to LX, or XT to Ultegra.My personal preference for a utility bike? 9 speed road drivetrain with a moutnain bike rear derailleur for a wide range cassette. You can get a modern Tiagra group, which is 9 speed, and save your money, or you can still get 9 speed 105/Ultegra/Dura Ace through some locations.

105 hubs are pretty durable, it's all in the rim and wheel builder for durability of the wheels.

The best part about shimano is that you can use 9sp road shifters (new Tiagra, old 105/ultegra) with an XT dérailleur, crankset and XT 9sp cassette.

I for instance have a 34/50 tiagra compact double crankset and 105 FD with 11-34 deore cassette and RD that is possible with 9sp 105 brake/shifters. They'll mix and match no problem since the cable pull is the same.

Naturally you can do the opposite with XT cranks and 105 cassette, but all you have to worry about is keeping the number of cogs on the cassette the same as the shifters. 10sp cassette with 10sp shifters, 9sp cassette with 9sp shifters. Dérailleurs and crankset don't particularly care about 9/10sp, they'll work with both.

9sp is slightly more durable than 10sp since the chain and gears are slightly thicker. Also cheaper to get replacement drive train parts for. SRAM 9sp chain is particularly amazing for it's price.

p.s. I totally forgot about covering the brakes. If you get road style brake levers you need to use cantilever style brakes. If you get MTB style brake levers, you need to get V-brakes. What it comes down to is the amount of cable pull is different for both and if you mix those, all you are going to get is trouble.

105 (triple or compact double) everything except XT rear derailleur (or 105 long cage if it will handle the range of gears), SRAM OG-1070 cassette in 11-28, KMC 10 speed chain with reusable link, Tektro Oryx cantis. That should be sufficient. Oh, and sweet.

Put me in the 'either/or? why not both?' category. My current commuter/distance bike has an Ultegra front crank and derailleur and Deore XT rear. So, get the light (but still durable) road crankset with the integrated bottom bracket, but still have the option to rock a wide range of mountain bike gears with the rear derailleur. Best of both worlds!

Oh, and for what it's worth, the 105 group is plenty durable. Prior to getting the Ultegra/DeoreXT hybrid, I owned a Trek 520 touring bike with a mixed 105/Deore drivetrain, and I've used it for year-round commuting in the Northeast, light touring, randonneuring as well as off-road centuries and fire road riding in Maine. The components took it all like a champ.

Thanks for all the good discussion. I should have mentioned off the bat that I'd be using drop bars and cantilever brakes, defaulting to the 105 for the break set up. Keep the wisdom coming.

Please define "Little rough on the bike".

I've hit large potholes at full speed on my racing wheels and they are fine. I wouldn't personally waste my money on a shimano wheelset in the first place though. If you want bulletproof wheels there are threads that talk about such things. There was one recently I think.

You can mix and match components pretty well within the shimano line. To keep things simple just make sure everything you get is 9-speed compatible and they will all work flawlessly with each other. Build it how you want it. Trying to dissect the lightweight vs. durability factor in 105 vs XT is pointless. The difference is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO small in the end. Especially since they are being used for commuting.

Hi, regarding the discussion about the comparision between XL and 105, I have a Tricross Specialized which came with Tiagra 9speed shifters and XL Deore derailleur, I did change the shifters for 105 10 speed, Do I have to change the Derailleur for 105 as well? Now, my cassette shimano 9 speed started working wrong, so I'm thinking to change it for a Deore 11-36 10 speed. taking in to consideration that I'm riding in average 150k per week, Is that decision ok?
Thanks.

Rear derailleurs are compatible through road 10 and mountain 9 so you should be good to go with just the cassette. Watch out for your chain length, since the cassette is bigger you might need a new chain with more links.

I mixed Shimano Ultegra compact double with XT 11S RD and 11-40 cassette, and the Wolftooth Tanpan for a mostly road setup with a wider range of an MTB. Includes road hydro brakes. Best of both worlds.

I don't see how either toughness or weight is decision a criterion.

Dear Darth, Thanks for your advice, finally I leave my old derailleur Deore XT with a 9V 11-34 cassette and a new chain. however I'm not sure if this cassette would be the one I want in the extent to which that it could affect my performance and speed as I used a 11-28 better for road. anyway I'll try this new one to see what happen. if you have any comment about this, please let me know.
Cheers.

I've heard it said that there are three desireable parameters for bike parts:
-light
-durable
-inexpensive
... pick any two! :D
Steve

Well...

https://2lo8.wordpress.com/2016/06/04/just-for-fun/

You're looking at buying a steel frame bike and are worrying about the weight of the groupset?

You will have far more important issues to deal with before you ride it.

Comments embedded in questions.

XT is second ranking Mountain components, 105 is 3rd ranking Road Components.