Out of the Box: Shimano SLX Group- by Grannygear

 

Twenty Nine Inches has a bunch of boxes with Shimano written all over them and we will be installing a full Shimano SLX group (less the hubs) onto a long term test bike yet to be decided.  But it will be a trail bike most likely to get the best out of the 2×10 and the new Shadow + derailluer technology.  So we have a 38/24 175mm crank here in all its glory.  Good looking crankset.  The new gearing is Shimanos nod to a lower low gear with that 24T granny ring in steel.  I do wonder about the 38T though as that may be a bit tall for the bikes I have in mind, but we shall see.  An 11-36T 10 speed rear cassette will do the rest.  Shadow + is a significant step forward in shifting tech.  This and the SRAM Type 2 derailluers with the Roller Clutch have nearly eliminated chain slap due to the rear derailleur’s ability to not allow the chain to be upset by hits and fast action on the trail.  Shadow + is the real deal.

As well, SLX is the working man’s gruppo.  Lesser in price, perhaps (but not always) a bit heavier compared to XT, it has the performance to keep your bike on the trail without costing the kid’s college fund.  While we work on getting this onto a bike, here are some weights of the various parts and pieces just for posterity.

FC-M675 CRANK 175mm – drive side 38/24 = 513g  Non-drive side = 224g  BB = 90g

FD-M676-D Front Der (direct mount) = 137g

CS-HG81-10  11-36 cassette = 366g

SM-RT66  160mm rotor = 114g

SM-RT66M  180mm rotor = 139g

HG-X  10spd chain = 278g

M675  rear brake assembly = 296g  front brake assembly = 299g

SLM670  Front shifter = 132g  rear shifter = 130g

RD-M675-GS  Rear Der = 305g

Note: Shimano sent over this SLX group at no charge to Twenty Nine Inches for test and review. We are not being paid, nor bribed for these reviews and we will strive to give our honest thoughts and opinions throughout.