Shimano Deore 5100 on test: Price tip for the affordable sports gear system
Adrian Kaether
· 23.05.2026
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BIKE Conclusion on the Deore 5100 Hyperglide
Even in the cheapest version with eleven gears, the tried-and-tested Deore is still a top gear system in functional terms. Especially for classic bikes and mountain bikes. Crisp, direct, light and affordable. On an e-bike with a heavy load on the chain, however, the filigree Hyperglide technology wears out quickly.
Shimano Deore 5100: The facts
| Model | Shimano Deore 5100 |
| Price | 153 Euro |
| Weight | 1096 grammes |
| Bandwidth | 510 per cent |
| Smallest gear | 7.4 km/h |
Price and weight are manufacturer's specifications and refer to Rear derailleur, front derailleur if necessary, Cassette and Trigger*. For the smallest mountain gear, we use standardised parameters for tyre size and cadence (28 inch, 47 millimetres, 60 rpm).
How the Deore 5100 rides
As the great-great-great-grandson of the original Shimano Deore XT, the modern Deore has long since inherited all the technologies of the former top groupset. It is even available with twelve gears and as an electronic Di2 shifting system.
However, we are showing the cheapest Deore from the classic 5000 series here, as it also offers a very wide range and a perfectly adequate eleven gears. It is often used on city and trekking bikes with only one chainring and also on inexpensive mountain bikes and lightweight e-bikes with hub motors. And for good reason.
In contrast to the robust Cues-style Linkglide drivetrains, the Deore Hyperglide drivetrain is very light, crisp and sporty and is easy to operate. The Shadow Plus lever ensures a smooth chain, even on bumpy roads. The newer Cues drivetrains only offer this feature in the significantly higher price segment.
If you prefer, you can of course also opt for the slightly more expensive Deore 6000 with 1x12 gears, the SLX (7000) or the Deore XT (8000). All three gears still shift mechanically and are relatively inexpensive. However, we do not recommend the Hyperglide gears on an e-bike with a mid-motor. The newer, electric Di2 versions of Deore and XT, on the other hand, are also good as sports gears, but are considerably more expensive.
The Deore 5100 at a glance
Strengths:
- Crisp and fast shifting
- High bandwidth and good gradation
- Fair price
Weaknesses:
- No version with two chainrings
- High wear and tear, at least on the e-bike
- Discontinued model
Adrian Kaether
Editor
