Shimano officially announced the long-anticipated release of a new 11-speed XTR mountain bike component group today in both Race and Trail tuned versions. The new XTR M9000 component group includes options for 1x, 2x and 3x front chainring combinations, a new cassette, brakes, front and rear derailleur, shifters, a chain, pedals and wheelsets.



Rhythmic, new 11-40 tooth 11-speed cassette

The new, mountain-specific 11-speed cassette is available in a single configuration Shimano calls a "rhythm step" progression of 11-13-15-17-19-21-24-27-31-35-40 tooth cogs. Depending on the size, the cogs are crafted from aluminum, titanium or steel and employ a carbon fiber gear carrier. Unlike the company's 11-speed road cassettes, the mountain 11-speed works on existing Shimano 10-speed cassette bodies.

Shimano is putting a lot of faith in people wrapping their heads around the rhythm step concept, which essentially refers to selecting tooth counts that result in smooth groupings of gears within so-called power bands of pedaling cadence and effort that are about 30 rpms wide. Some of the gears work well for smooth pedaling-"driving gears" as Shimano calls them-while others make good climbing gears, either for steep pitches or technical ascents.

Complicit in making the system work are the front chainring tooth counts which have significantly changed from prior 2x and 3x versions to create adjacent and accessible gears within these usage bands. And while the math pencils out-and we think the logic of it will likely become intuitive on the trail-it does seem to bias the use of a front derailleur system over a 1x option.

1x, 2x and 3x chainring options

Shimano's new crankset is modular and designed to accommodate 1x, 2x or 3x chainring configurations interchangeably. Essentially, you can go back-and-forth between the chainring configurations without buying new crank arms, though, obviously, shifter, derailleur and possibly chain changes are necessary.

Their long-awaited 1x option comes with 30-, 32-, 34- or 36-teeth, but unlike rival SRAM and other aftermarket manufacturers it does not use a narrow/wide tooth configuration. Instead, Shimano has opted for a new tooth profile that is uniformly wider and taller than on previous chainrings, and has a slightly hooked leading edge. The company claims the profile-when used with its Shadow Plus clutch derailleur-is at least as good as narrow/wide in terms of chain retention in rough terrain.

In an effort to make a more useable combination of gears, Shimano has changed their 2x and 3x tooth counts to better work with the rhythm step gearing. XTR trail uses a 36/26t combo, while XTR Race goes with 38/28t-a departure from the wider spreads of old. Shimano says the 10-tooth jumps makes for better front shifting as well as a more logical spread of gearing ratios. In 3x, Shimano goes to a 40/30/22t from a 42/32/24t combo on the old M985 set.



Cranking it up

Combining metals and carbon fiber ranks highly on the competency scale for Shimano and perhaps nowhere is it more advanced than on the company's high-end HollowGlide chainrings which combine long-wearing titanium teeth with a lightweight carbon fiber and alloy structure.

The new chainrings mate only with the new XTR FC-M9000 Race and XTR FC-M9020 Trail Hollowtech II crank arms which have revised bolt patterns Shimano says makes for stiffer interface and more efficient power transfer. This also means old chainrings don't work with the new crankset and vice-versa.

The Race and Trail cranksets are each tuned to their specific usage with the former being lighter and stiffer, and the latter spec'd to be a bit tougher. The Race version sports a narrow 158mm Q-factor and uses a 3D hollow bonded structure on the non-drive arm while the Trail cranks are cold forged for greater durability and have a standard 168mm Q-factor.

Back on the chain gang

More gears necessitate a narrower chain and Shimano has introduced the CN-HG900-11 to handle the duties. The chain works in all XTR chainring configurations and features the company's HG-X11 asymmetric plate design. This design, in combination with an impregnated surface coating on rollers and inner plates called SIL-TEC, conspires to keep the moving parts smoother operating, quieter and longer lasting, according to Shimano.

Continue to Page 2 for more on Shimano's new 11-speed XTR group and full photo gallery »



New Side-Swing front derailleur improves clearance

With wheels getting bigger and chain stays getting shorter, interference between the front shifter and tires has become an issue on some frame designs. To rectify the issue, Shimano has moved the mechanicals of its front derailleur from behind the seat tube to the side, calling the new configuration Side-Swing. The new FD-M9000 front mech is available for double and triple chainring setups and, between the new mechanics and cable routing, increases shift performance dramatically according to Shimano.

Shimano has also changed the shape of the cage shape, removing some of the contouring to reduce the slap/rattle of the chain agents the mechanism.

The FD-M9000 (triple) and FD-M9020 (double) front derailleurs utilize three mounting options- high clamp, low clamp, D-type (direct mount), E-type (without plate). A conventional double-compatible option (FD-M9025) is also available in high clamp and low clamp options.



Shadow Plus gets even slimmer, better angle

Shimano has redesigned its pinnacle mountain rear derailleur to not only accommodate another gear but to lower its shifting effort by optimizing its operating angle. The company says the new XTR not only shifts smoother and easier, but is more stable in use.

The "Plus" in ShadowPlus refers to the clutch mechanism that pulls the chain taut to help prevent both slapping and dropped chains. Though its tension has always been adjustable, it was previously internal and a bit of a chore. The new version sports an external adjustor you could actually change trailside.

The XTR RD-M9000 is compatible with all XTR front chain ring variations and is available in a mid-cage GS and long-cage SGS options.



Stone cold braking

Along with the new group, Shimano has updated XTR's brake sets with Trail and Race versions of M9000 use a glass fiber insulated piston, and insulated pad coating that increase heat resistance by 10 percent.

The XTR Trail brake system is specifically tuned for power and stiffness using a pre-loaded aluminium caliper and a new carbon-alloy Servo-Wave lever. The Trail brakes come standard with Shimano's Ice Technologies radiator pads for further heat reduction.

The Race version brake system uses a magnesium caliper and master cylinder as well as a carbon lever blade to hit Shimano's race-spec power and weight targets. They ship with standard, non radiator Shimano pads for weight savings.

Shimano's Freeza rotor features an increased surface area for heat dispersion, and is now available in smaller size options with a lighter weight spider. Shimano says the rotor provides a 50°C reduction in heat, giving riders more powerful braking and greater durability and longer pad life. The SM-RT99 is available in 140mm, 160mm, 180mm and 203mm diameter sizes.

XTR M9000 brake levers also feature new handlebar-clearing I-spec II mounting.



Wheelsets: Shimano goes carbon with XTR Race and Trail wheels

With its new XTR wheelsets, Shimano has introduced a unique carbon laminated design, engineered to optimize weight and durability in two tunings-a Race versions skewing toward lighter weight and Trail wheels beefed up for greater durability.

Both versions use 28 butted spokes front and rear, and include a new lightweight bearing and axle system. Available in 27.5- and 29-inch options, the new wheels feature a tubeless carbon laminated aluminum rim. The Race wheels have a 20mm internal rim width, while the Trail rims are 24mm wide.

One more option is the Race-tuned WH-M9000-TU carbon tubular 29er-only wheelset.

The hubs get a cosmetic update, lighter rear axle system and a 15mm E-thru axle, when bought in a wheelset or as separate parts. The quick release type FH-M9000 and 12mm E-thru rear FH-M9010 hubs are both 10 and 11-speed compatible. All XTR M9000 hubs are exclusively Center Lock-compatible.

Pedal, pedal, pedal

Rounding out the new XTR group are a two sets of pedals-the minimalist PD-M9000race pedals, and the PD-M9020 trail pedals with a larger contact plate for increased stability on aggressive terrain.

Weights, pricing and availability have yet to be announced.