Shimano XTR 10 Speed Dyna-Sys Drivetrain M980
The 2012 XTR groupset may very well have evolved from Diamonds. It's shiny chrome finish, stealthy gunmetal anodizing and trick machining have the power to make any mountain bike look ridiculously hot and also leave you with zero possible excuses in the drivetrain department. Far from simply adding an extra gear to the popular M970 XTR groupset, the latest M980 components utilise key upgrades in almost every area to improve shifting feel, efficiency and reduced weight. One of the main areas to feature substantial improvement is the Shimano XTR shifters that see the introduction of Shimano's Vivid Index technology that aims to provide more feedback through the paddle levers for each gear change. Combined with the new Long Arm construction on the XTR rear derailleur, shifting is more positive and linear all the way through the wide range cassette. With both the Race and Trail rear derailleurs being available in Long Cage for use with the 3x10 drivetrain, you get to choose between the lighter M980 Race model, or the M985 Trail model that features the Shadow Plus design. If you're on a longer travel trail bike, the Shadow Plus derailleur will be the one you want, as it's tension switch allows you to engage a stiffer pulley spring that holds the chain tighter and with less bouncing around on rough trails - particularly important if you have a 5-6" travel bike.
As per usual, shifting up front is exemplary, with all sorts of carbon/titanium wizardry and cleverly placed shifting pins and ramps that result in near-instantaneous shifts. The gorgeous XTR Crankset is a little lighter again this year, with its Duraluminum arms and HollowTech construction providing a super stiff and responsive platform for your pedalling. Included in the groupset is an M980 bottom bracket that gets an updated sealing system and better quality cartridge bearings for smooth-spinning performance that lasts, though the cranks are also compatible with PressFit bottom brackets if your frame uses one (such as the Pivot Mach 5.7).

From Shimano:

"If you expect every bit as much out of your equipment as you invest in your training, then you’re in the right place. The new XTR Race group doesn’t just ask to be pushed at race pace, it demands it. Want to race on a triple or boost your brake power even further? Don’t be afraid to personally tune your ride with components from the XTR Trail catalog of cross-compatible options."

So what exactly have they improved on?
Well aside from the obvious inclusion of a 10 speed cassette, Shimano have made several key changes to imrpove shifting on your bike. The XTR Chain itself is now an asymmetric number, with one side that is made to work optimally with the shifting pins and ramps on the front cranks as you move into a bigger chainring, and the other side is made to work with the shifting ramps as it climbs up the cassette. This is particularly noticeable when shifting under load, as the 10 speed drivetrain is so much quicker and more accurate than previous generations.
The XTR Cassette maintains its Titanium construction for the 5 biggest cogs, though now has a larger spread of gears than the old M970 version, with an 11-36t option giving you a super low gear for technical climbing and being particularly popular with bigger-wheeled 29er bikes. They still have an 11-34t option which will be better for XC racers, and both cassettes feature ratios that are tighter due to the extra cog.
With the change in ratios at the back, the XTR Crankset receives an updated ratio to make front shifting even better. Instead of the old 44/32/22 chainring spread, the new cranks use a 42/32/24 spread to reduce the gap between each shift. On the new 10 speed drivetrain, the lowest and highest gears are almost identical to the 9 speed setup, though there are now simply more usable gears in between those extremes, all with less front derailleur shifting required.

And what does this mean out on the trail?
Well the main benefit is that you'll reduce the amount of shifting up front, which most people will agree is a very good thing. With a bigger spread of gears at the back, you can spend more time using a single chainring with less need to shift around up front, leaving you to spend more time focussing on the trail ahead. This is also advantageous on a dual suspension bike, as most duallies have their rear suspension designed to work optimally around a 32t middle chainring - if you spend more time in the middle ring, you'll have less suspension feedback and less suspension bob. Thanks to the tighter cassette ratios, shifting is smoother than ever before and believe it or not, the 10 speed chain is both stronger and less prone to stretching than the 9 speed equivalent. We're big fans of the Vivid Index shifting feel as it closes the gap on the super-snappy SRAM trigger shifters, while still maintaining the silky and stealthy feel of XTR. Firing off multiple shifts both up and down the cassette is not something you lust after, but from a few rides in rolling terrain you'll begin to appreciate the difference it can make in getting to the right gear with minimal fuss. 


The Shimano XTR M980 Groupset includes:

• Shimano XTR Crankset: M980 with 24/32/42 triple chainring
• Includes XTR Bottom Bracket
• Shimano XTR Shifters: Choice of standard bar clamps or integrated I-Spec Mount (for use with M980 brake levers)
• Front XTR Derailleur (Hi Clamp, Low Clamp, E-Type or Direct Mount - check your bikes specifications) 
• Rear XTR Derailleur: Shadow or Shadow Plus option (Long cage for 3x10 setups)
• Shimano XTR 10 speed Chain
• Shimano XTR 10 speed Cassette (11-34t or 11-36t ratios available)

Shimano XTR components get you World Cup level technology