[Closed] Disc Brakes, SLX Deore and XT will I notice the difference

I have all three and they are all the same, in terms of power. XTR aren't as powerful, surprisingly.

I have both SLX and XT and cant notice a difference in use

There is a difference when you start getting the Servowave levers- which are not on Deore, but are on SLX and XT. I find the cam means if you run your levers close to the bar you get a lot of lever travel and less power. However if you run your levers all the way to halfway out then no, no noticeable difference other than the XTs and SLXs let you run the pads further from the rotor, making them easier to set up.

Hum, liking the slightly bent disc option of Slx and XT. I can't justify the money for hope's.

Same experience here. Had XT, they died. Bought SLX, no difference.

Have got/had all three and in terms of actual braking performance there's no difference. XT has a crisper feel though and they don't look like they're from Wilkos

My SLX are so powerful they are deadly, I'll let you decide if that's good or bad 🙂

Demo'ed 2 bikes with XTs recently. Didn't notice any difference vs the Deores on my current bike.

Given that they are basically the same brakes I wouldn't be expecting too much difference.

At the lever the only difference is bite point adjust on XT, both XT and SLX get servo wave and tool-less reach adujstment.

At the caliper the only difference is SLX have a split pin pad retainer rather than a threaded retaining pin, the calipers are so similar that you can actually just buy the threaded retaining pin and fit it to the SLX caliper.

richmtb - Member
At the caliper the only difference is SLX have a split pin pad retainer rather than a threaded retaining pin, the calipers are so similar that you can actually just buy the threaded retaining pin and fit it to the SLX caliper.

The XT pistons are ceramic so dissipate heat faster. That might make a difference on long descents but probably won't make a noticeable difference otherwise.

Another who has both and I can't tell the difference

^ Also, I think SLX calipers have a ceramic piston, but Deore don't (if that matters to you).

I just changed from M395 to SLX due to a leaking caliper and was somewhat disappointed that they weighed exactly the same (the SLX were more powerful, though). Should have gone for Deore, but for vanity...

I have Deore, SLX, XT, and Saint on my bikes. The only difference I notice is with the Saints, which are in a different league for stopping power. The other three? No difference.

I'm hovering over Deore's as I really don't need the power to stop me (limited mass) Tried a friends first generation SLX and thought they were a bit wooden. Lacking moderation and too digital - both off and over the bars settings on offer.

Guessing after this discussion the cooling fins make no difference whatsoever?

The XT pistons are ceramic so dissipate heat faster..

Should also be pretty resitant to corrosion as well.

CRC have had the last generation deore (395?) For thirty quid a set! I got some and they make XT look a ripoff 🙂 I would have another set and get a saint if I really wanted a posh strong front brake..

I modded some uberbike saint finned pads to fit my Hope m4's... Makes a massive difference.

I looked into this some months back and ended up going with SLX as I could not see any really difference with XT apart from XT costing more, and having naff looking silver MC covers.

My SLX came with ceramic pistons and brake pads with cooling fins, so very happy from a cost saving POV

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I've been on Avid brakes for years (many different Juicy's and Elixir's) and really like the new Shimano brakes.

They just seem to work...very well, and were very easy to setup, I can see why so many riders recommend them 🙂

Had all three, I think slx is just worth the difference over deore (can replace the split pin, banjo at caliper means neater routing if your frame needs it and I think they fe very slightly nicer) but there really isn't much in it