Grades, model numbers and compatibility of Shimano components for MTB

Posted at: Feb. 5, 2021

The following is a list of Shimano MTB component grades and model numbers. Also includes compatibility with components for road and gravel bikes.

Table of contents

Shimano has more components for MTB than for roadbike compo.

Shimano’s MTB component grades are more numerous than those for road bikes, and are especially thick for entry-level riders.

A comparison with components for road bikes is shown below.

Series	Current model number	Speed	Grades for roadbike compo
XTR	M9100	12s	DURA-ACE
DEORE XTR	M8100	12s	ULTEGRA
SLX	M7100	12s	105
DEORE	M6100、M5100、M4100	12s、11s、10s	TIAGRA
AVIVIO	M3100	9s	SORA
ACERA	M3000	9s	SORA
ALTUS	M2000	9s	CLARIS
Tourney TX	TX800	-
Tourney A070	A070	Tourney
Tourney	-	-
Tourney TZ	TZ500	-
SAINT	M820	GRX
ZEE	M640	GRX

In terms of model numbers, as with road bike components, the 9000 XTR is the highest grade, and the 2000 ALTUS is the lowest grade for main components.

As for Tourney, the A070 is shared with road bike components, while the other Tourney components are commonly found in MTB and cross bikes.

Features of components for MTB

Support 12s before load.

11速が当たり前になってきたことから、業界的には上位グレードは12速への移行が始まっていますが、シマノのコンポーネントでは、ロードバイク向けより先にMTB向けが12速化しています。

In MTB, four of the higher grades have already been upgraded to 12-speed.

XTR
DEORE XTR
SLX
DEORE

On the contrary, the only main 11-speed component in road bikes is the DEORE M5100 series, while the others are 9-speed in the main components.

Compatible with ultra-wide ratios such as 10-51T

Sprockets with wide ratios are increasingly being used for gravel roads on road bikes, and MTB sprockets with ultra-wide ratios of 10-51T, which would be unthinkable on a road bike, are now available.

With 12 speeds and super wide ratios, it will be easy to use a single front for gravel riding.

Parts shared with components for road bikes

In many cases, the following parts can be shared between Shimano components for road bikes and MTBs.

Sprocket
Chain
Pedals

However, since MTB sprockets are wide-ratio and 12s, which are not compatible with road bikes, are lined up, you need to pay attention to the compatibility of the maximum number of teeth, mainly in the rear derailleur.

As for the chain, if it is of HG-X grade and has the same number of gears, it can be shared.

As for pedals, the diameter of the crank is the same, so as long as the shoes are SPD (not SPD-SL), they are compatible.

We’ve looked at Shimano’s grade of components for MTB.

Looking at the components, we can see that parts such as sprockets, derailleurs, and cranks are more compatible with gravel road bikes than with road bikes.

However, Shimano’s compo for gravel bikes is still for 11-speed bikes, so you basically can’t use higher grade compo for MTB.

When the components for road bikes become 12-speed, it will be possible to build an interesting bike by combining them with MTB.

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