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If you are looking for a high-quality, reliable and lightweight bike with derailleur gears that can do everything, you will inevitably come across the abbreviation "XT" quite early on in your research, whether digitally on the internet or analogue in your circle of friends and bike shop. It stands for Shimano's top-of-the-range shifting components and brakes, which dominate the range, especially on bikes priced between 1000 and 2000 euros, and thus give their name to an entire category of bikes suitable for everyday use and touring. The rear derailleur, front derailleur, shifters and the crankset with chainrings usually come from the high-quality XT ensemble.
Impeccable function
Luxury is not the keyword that would do justice to the XT group. Yes, the XT has a noble reputation, but this is not based on glitz and glamour, but mainly on functional advantages through higher quality materials and workmanship. Individual parts subject to heavy loads, such as the axles in the rear derailleur joints, are all fluorine-coated in favour of low friction, the derailleur pulleys are sealed with ball bearings and do not rotate in simple sleeve bearings, as is the case with cheaper derailleurs. Put simply, the XT makes everything on the bike a little smoother, more powerful, more precise and longer-lasting. And all this without putting an undue strain on your wallet, because XT components make it possible to have bikes with a very good price-performance ratio. The purchase price of an XT bike is often only slightly higher than that of bikes equipped with simpler parts.
Always complete?
However, you don't have to make a complete XT set-up the final purchase criterion. The rear derailleur, front derailleur, cranks, bottom bracket and, above all, the shifters make sense. Light weight, top function and durability are what count most. The cassette and chain are wearing parts that at least frequent riders change regularly anyway. Therefore, the advantages here are not so important. Cheaper disc brake models are also acceptable: They work reliably at all times and are not too far off the XT level. Only those who demand a lot from their brakes due to high weight or in mountainous regions should opt for an XT. The advantages of the hub dynamo should also pay off, especially the longer service life, as replacing it in the front wheel is extremely time-consuming.
The test field
The bikes are bestsellers with correspondingly attractive prices. At between 1,399 and 1,899 euros, the test bikes are ideally suited for all daily journeys, short and long distances as well as tours with and without luggage. They can cope with tarmac and gravel roads as well as paved paths and are just as suitable for use on flat terrain as they are in hilly or mountainous areas. (You can download the complete comparison test of the chains including all individual ratings as a PDF below the article. The test costs 1.99 euros).
You can download the complete comparison test of the XT bikes, including all individual ratings, as a PDF below the article. The test costs 1.99 euros.
Why not free of charge? Because quality journalism has a price. In return, we guarantee independence and objectivity. This applies in particular to the tests in MYBIKE. We don't charge for them, but the opposite is the case: we do charge for them - hundreds of thousands of euros every year.
