Sore thumb options

[PJO]

Missus is complaining her shifter is too hard to downshift. Shifter is an 11speed XT and derailleur is SLX.
What options to lighten up the shifting?
Was going to replace all cables.
Should I be considering XTR shifter?

 

[moorey]

Missus is complaining her shifter is too hard to downshift. Shifter is an 11speed XT and derailleur is SLX.
What options to lighten up the shifting?
Was going to replace all cables.
Should I be considering XTR shifter?

Definitely replace cables first. Depending on how it routes, some bikes are just naturally heavy shifting due to all the kinks and bends. You don’t have cables clamped down too tight anywhere?
I had to re-route Felix’s Process. Even an XTR shifter was super heavy.
Also, can you back off the clutch? Is she riding really rough terrain?

 

[PJO]

The bike is a Spitty so not really any sharp bends,
but didn't think about the clamping of the cable, will have a look.
Can try backing the clutch off...

 

[moorey]

The bike is a Spitty so not really any sharp bends,
but didn't think about the clamping of the cable, will have a look.
Can try backing the clutch off...

Indeed. Spitty are beautiful routed for light shifting. Check the clamping, then I’d definitely change inner and outer as first option.
Plan C, use a SRAM shifter. Bigger levers, lighter feel, fully compatible in 11sp. Quinn runs one on her spitty.

 

[PJO]

Not really up with SRAM gear. Is a GX shifter reasonable?

 

[Chriso_29er]

I find the SLX 11s shifters much lighter shifting than XT.
I probably even have a spare here if you want to try it. Ispec 11

 

[PJO]

I find the SLX 11s shifters much lighter shifting than XT.
I probably even have a spare here if you want to try it. Ispec 11

Thanks for the offer, I'll check the cable first. Send you a PM if that doesn't help...

 

[moorey]

Not really up with SRAM gear. Is a GX shifter reasonable?

GX isn’t bad. I’ve only paired one to a GX derailleur. Quinn’s is X1 to XT, so I can’t compare directly.
GX is roughly equivalent to SLX, maybe between deore and SLX.

 

[Valley 50]

SLX shifter noticeably lighter. When changing up previously the increase in effort was disappointing.

 

[madstace]

I find the SLX 11s shifters much lighter shifting than XT.
I probably even have a spare here if you want to try it. Ispec 11

SLX shifter noticeably lighter. When changing up previously the increase in effort was disappointing.

I've read this doing research on the 12 speed stuff, seems to be the general consensus. Stopped me chasing a XT shifter upgrade.

 

[Scotty675]

Good timing, have an Xtr shifter you can try/have I’ll drop it off with rim/hub when time prevails

 

[moorey]

I've read this doing research on the 12 speed stuff, seems to be the general consensus. Stopped me chasing a XT shifter upgrade.

I can’t say I found that in 11sp. That said, I only used one for a short period.

 

[madstace]

I can’t say I found that in 11sp. That said, I only used one for a short period.

Thanks to covid, I don't have any real-world data

 

[ozzybmx]

As said, new cable and outer, no kinks.

Check your shifter has a nice a free action without any cable fitted.

Check the derailleur moves freely too.

 

[moorey]

Are you running a cassette bigger than 42? I found the extra B screw needed to pull the derailleur back to clear a 46 also added resistance in the big cogs.

 

[Chriso_29er]

SLX shifter noticeably lighter. When changing up previously the increase in effort was disappointing.

Yeah I had been using SLX for a couple of years and upgraded to XT, love the double downshift but was a shock how stiff the upshift was.
I now have the SLX on my 2nd bike and is noticeably lighter upshift, but then miss the double downshift lol.

 

[PJO]

Are you running a cassette bigger than 42? I found the extra B screw needed to pull the derailleur back to clear a 46 also added resistance in the big cogs.

Yes running 46 largest cog.

 

[PJO]

Changed cables, loosened the zip ties, opened the shifter and greased it. Turned the clutch off.
No appreciable difference.
It is definitely the shifter, there is a stiffness at the beginning of the stroke and after looking inside I think it has to do with the complexity of the mechanism for allowing the double up-shift (shifting to harder gears).

Have PMed @Chriso_29er to see if I can lend his SLX shifter.
Will also hopefully try out the XTR one that @Scotty675 offered.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[Dales Cannon]

I have xt and xtr, xtr is a lot lighter to shift. Both are sensitive to b screw adjustment.

 

[moorey]

I have xt and xtr, xtr is a lot lighter to shift. Both are sensitive to b screw adjustment.

I have a few of both. I’d say xtr is crisper, but not necessarily lighter.