Shimano XTR 10 Speed Cassette M980
Perhaps not the flashiest of the newest XTR drivetrain, the M980 cassette can be over-looked with it's dull Titanium finish and it's position behind the blingy XTR rear derailleur. However, being one of the vital pieces of the puzzle, the slick 10 speed cassette provides silent and silky smooth shifting that makes the shifter and derailleur look really good.
Upgraded over the Deore XT cassette is the use of Titanium for the 5 largest cogs instead of steel, which reduces a substantial amount of weight while maintaining precious durability. The M980 gets a 3-piece alloy spider for the 6 largest cogs to reduce overall weight, and pairs up 2 cogs to each alloy block to increase surface area on the hub body to reduce potential damage. Combined with all the tooth profiling, machining and drilling, the XTR cassette drops weight down to 255 grams for the 11-34t size all while building on Shimano's reputation as the smoothest shifting option on the market.

From Shimano:

"Shimano has been making mountain bike drivetrains for more than three decades, including eight generations of Shimano Deore XT (the original MTB drivetrain) and six generations of its flagship XTR group. Each generation is a reflection of the riding that defined the sport and the technology that defined the era. True to this legacy, our next-generation Dyna-Sys drivetrain brings with it the legendary quality, durability and performance riders expect from Shimano, all packaged to meet the ever-evolving demands of today’s riders. A wider-range 11-36 10-speed HG cassette means riders can climb further in their Primary Driving Gear—the 32-tooth chainring. When other riders have pulled the rip cord, the Dyna-Sys equipped rider will still be motoring along in a more efficient gear with full traction".


The Shimano XTR M980 10 Speed Cassette features: