Shimano CS-M7000 SLX 11-Speed Cassette

Product Information

Anyone who has ridden Shimano’s cranks knows just reliable and foolproof they are, but take care to tighten the pinch bolts that secure the left-hand crankarm nice and tight. We stuffed up badly, not torqueing them enough, and off a particularly harsh landing we actually rounded out the splines of the crankarm / axle interface. We stress though that this was our fault entirely, so we say this as a warning to others not to replicate our mistake, not as a criticism! (We said they were foolproof cranks, not Flow-foolproof!) The feel of the shifter under your thumb is really the only immediate giveaway that you’re riding SLX and not a more expensive groupset.

Shimano also make two gravity/downhill groupsets (although Saint also designed for enduro, as is Zee, which also strays into ‘aggressive trail riding’ too). So how does it ride? The groupset in general is extremely competent to the point of dullness. Everything works as expected and I couldn’t find anything really to complain about. It’s a little heavier than XT, but it’s a little cheaper too. One of the most eye-catching elements of the new SLX grouppo are the cranks, which look simply sensational, even better than XTR in our opinion. SLX uses the same crank arm for 1×11 or 2×11 configurations (unlike XTR). Shimano’s 11-speed cassettes are far from light, but that’s no biggie we feel. The SLX cassette comes in 11-40 or 1-24 sizes. Fitting the SLX M7100 groupset to the bike requires the same processes and tools as the rest of Shimano’s 12-speed kit. Although there are no unusual steps, care needs to be taken in certain areas to make sure everything is installed correctly. Looking through the groupsets on offer it is obvious that prices can increase dramatically between tiers. But what do you get when you spend more money?

rules are made to be broken, which is why we’ve gone and recommended a Microshift drivetrain in our top 5!) Shimano drivetrains

The upside of this electronic shifting is incredible reliability with none of the degradation of shift quality that can occur when cables become stretched or contaminated with dirt and water. The derailleur’s adjustable and on/off switchable clutch meant wheel removal and installation was easy. Plus, the clutch’s lever has clear on/off lettering to avoid confusion about its position, unlike the Microshift Advent X derailleur. NX opens up 11 speed and 1x shifting to a wide audience, being both reliable enough to put on mid range bikes but also by being great value. It might not have the exotic materials of higher groupsets, or the most refined finish but SRAM has still endowed NX with excellent performance. Top tips when looking at groupsets on a new bike SRAM’s NX Eagle uses a standard Shimano HG freehub body for its cassette, so represents a cheaper way to upgrade to 12 gears from 9, 10 or 11 speeds compared to SLX. However, stretching to the Shimano Micro Spline freehub system rewards you with fantastically and evenly spaced gears, something that SRAM’s current cassettes, in my opinion, don’t offer.I tested the Shimano SLX M7100 groupset on several bikes including my Yeti SB165 long-term test bike and my personal Marin Alpine Trail XR. As prices increase so too does the level of of construction and material tolerances that the components are built to. This is evident in the quality of the gear shift. The technology means the crank arms are hollow-forged which, Shimano claims, improves stiffness while reducing overall weight. Be sure to verify whether your brake levers are I-Spec compatible or whether an I-Spec adaptor is available for them. Otherwise, take care to buy the bar clamp shifter lever because converting a bar clamp shifter to an I-Spec shifter isn’t recommended. Shimano SLX M7100 groupset installation and setup Shimano have used SLX to debut a new chain ring design, with a narrow/wide tooth profile and more rounded tooth shape. Coupled with the stability of the rear mech, it clearly does the job, as we haven’t yet dropped a chain.

Battery and electronic technology has developed to the stage where it’s become possible to offer a gear set that used electronic shifting rather than cable actuated. What this means is that instead of the pull on a lever physically pulling a cable to cause a derailleur, and therefore a gear, to shift, the lever is more like a switch, sending a wireless signal to a reciever on the derailleur, which makes the shift with the movement powered a small, compact battery. Shimano’s ultimate MTB groupset has always been a blend of exotic materials and lusty styling, and that remains the case today. Carbon and titanium top the list of wonder materials, while features such as Hollow-forged cranks, Shadow derailleurs and Ice-Tech rotors ensure impressive trail performance. Now 12-speed, XTR still gives you the option of running a dual ring chainset. Shimano XT M8100 Shimano still doesn’t make a dedicated trail 1x chainset, so even with this single ring setup, with Shimano’s forged DCE (Dynamic Chain Engagement) chainring, the crank still has threads for a ghost inner chainring. Longer (175mm+) cranks offer a better mechanical advantage but are harder to turn and so are better suited to taller riders and for more XC oriented bikes.The workhorse of the range, and still a much more realistic option for riders than XTR. You get most of the performance and features with a little extra weight. There’s a 12-speed drivetrain with 10-51t cassette, Hollow-forged cranks, a clever shifter with two-way release and multi-shift (allowing you to shift upto four gears at a time, as well as push or pull the release lever to upshift) and two and four-piston brakes. Shimano SLX M7100 In all in, the new SLX M7000 groupset achieves an unrivalled level of high performance, efficiency, durability and value. Competitive-level technologies found in Shimano’s premium MTB components have been transferred to the new SLX M7000 cranksets, derailleurs, cassettes, shifters, levers, rotors and hubs, letting you focus on what matters, getting maximum fun and enjoyment out of your rides. The SLX rear shifter is lower profile too, and hugs the handlebar more closely and is longer and more ergonomic to make shifting easier. It’s possible to downshift three gears in one stroke, and there’s still the two-way release system. To save space and 15g in weight you can mount it to Shimano brake levers using the I-spec system. Performance The shifting from higher tier groupsets is often smoother, more immediate and more precise. This allows them to perform better even under load (when climbing, for example). Whereas a low tier shifting performance might seem more clunky, unreliable or delayed. High end parts will use bearings for pivots, while lower end units will rely more on bushings, which can develop play and get sloppy over time.

Chain reaction Cycles and CRC are trading names of Wiggle Ltd (In Administration) registered in the United Kingdom at 1000 Lakeside, Suite 310, Third Floor N E Wing, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO6 3EN, You shouldn’t mix different speed chains and cassettes. Chains, like cassettes wear with use and so should be changed frequently.Remember, components can be upgraded over time so it might be worth investing in a better quality frame with a lower tier groupset and keep one eye on future upgrades. Which groupset should you get then?