The Shimano Deore group brings more features to more mountain bikers

The Shimano Deore group brings more features to more mountain bikers

You may not see Shimano’s Deore in the pits of a World Cup, but the groupset shares the same dna as its lighter and much more expensive sibling xtr group. With the launch of the new Deore M6100 in May, the mid-range components continue to gain features from the top.

At the heart of the new Deore group is the 12-speed, 10–51 tooth cassette. The all-steel cassette affixes to Shimano’s Micro Spline freehub and features the same Hyperglide+ ramping technology found on xtr. When you pair the cassette with a compatible Shimano Hyperglide+ chain, you can shift gears under pedalling load. When I first tested the latest xtr, I found its shifting the smoothest on the market. It’s great to see all that technology making its way into a more affordable package.

As you would expect, there are some differences between the Deore and the more expensive offerings. The shifter only allows for one downshift at a time instead of two. The cassette is a full-steel construction where slx has a mix of steel and alloy. There are only two Deore chainring options (30- and 32-tooth) for 12-speed setups and two crank lengths (170 mm and 175 mm). The chainrings are direct mount, so you can replace the stock ring with whatever compatible option you like. Ultimately, the biggest difference between Shimano’s high-end sets and Deore are materials and weight, which give Deore tremendous value.

Shimano didn’t stop with the drivetrain. The company also gave Deore two new brake options. The M6100 dual-piston and the M6120 four-piston calipers both share the same lever which has been optimized for better ergonomics and a shorter free stroke. These features give the brakes a bit more modulation than previous Shimano stoppers. The brake lever, shifter and dropper remote adhere to Shimano’s I-spec integration system, so you can dial in your cockpit angles but also mix and match with all of Shimano’s other 12-speed mountain bike components. If you tear off your brand new XT 12-speed derailleur, you can replace it for a more inexpensive Deore model.

Along with the new M6100, two other Deore lines get updates: the 11-speed M5100 and 10-speed M4100 groups. These value-oriented components offer much of the same features as the one-by, 12-speed option. The 11–51 tooth, 11-speed M5100 cassette fits the older Shimano HG freehub design. This feature makes for a very appealing and affordable upgrade if you’re looking to expand your gear range, but don’t want to invest in new wheels or a Micro Spline driver.

Even with all the updates to Deore, you’re still not likely to see those parts racing on the world stage. That is not what Deore does best anyway. It has always been an affordable and reliable workhorse line. It now features many of the same technologies that have made Shimano’s flagship components some of the best in the world.

“The biggest difference between Shimano’s high-end sets and Deore are materials and weight, which give Deore tremendous value.”