Shimano Deore XT 10 Speed Shifter Set M780

While it seemed as though there was little to be improved upon with the previous, and excellent, M770 XT component line, Shimano clearly weren't sitting on their laurels when it came to the redesign of the 2012 Deore XT M780 groupset. Every part received an overhaul, drawing on the excellent 10 speed XTR line as inspiration. The latest XT shifters have of course gone down the 10 speed Dyna-Sys route, but it is the dramatically improved shifting ergonomics that is the real story here, with redesigned internals providing a more positive and linear feel to the shifting that closes the gap on SRAM in terms of lever feedback. For those of us who aren't on an XTR budget but want the same performance, the Shimano Deore XT line is exactly what you need.

 

While the M780 shifters are a mostly new design, Shimano kept some of the features from the previous shifters such as the 2-way release, removable optical gear display and Rapidfire Plus shifting. Allowing you to hit the cable release trigger with either a pull from your forefinger or push with your thumb, the 2-way Release system appeals to any riders shifting style. Removing the optical gear display gives you more adjustability in the shifter location, with a dual-position clamp providing an additional side-to-side adjustment. Although Shimano shifters have always been smooth and reliable, they have somewhat lacked the positive feel that you get with SRAM trigger shifters that many riders describe as "snappy" and even "chunky". For the 2012 XT group, Shimano's engineers created Vivid Index technology to increases lever feedback so that each shift is more audible and positive compared to previous versions. Combined with the 10 speed Deore XT derailleurs, you will have faster, more accurate and more positive gear changes than ever before, while maintaining the silky smooth shifting that Shimano built its reputation on. 
Another new feature for 2012 is the addition of a selectable switch on the underside of the left hand shifter that allows you to change between a 2x and 3x setting. The shifter comes out of the box ready to be set up with a 3x10 drivetrain, but a simple flick of the switch to the "2x" position means it is ready to be used with dual chainring cranksets without need for a different shifter.
An additional feature that has come about with the redesigned XT brakes is the option of an integrated clamp that mounts both the brake lever and shifter body onto the handlebar with the one bracket. Dubbed "I-Spec", the single clamp un-clutters handlebars and provides a lighter setup too if you are using the 2012 Shimano XT brakes. If you don't have Shimano disc brakes, no problem - just select the standard clamp that uses its own mount.

 

 

The Shimano Deore XT M780 Shifter Set Features: