Comments on: Shimano’s Affordable XT LinkGlide 11-Speed Drivetrain is Solid & Dependable

By: dontcoast

dontcoast — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 19:35:09 +0000

Linkglide XT is absolutely amazing on mid-driver e-bikes. 3k miles+ on a Bosch Speed motor in extreme(ly) varied terrain and weather.

The worst part is it rides so smooth with a crusty chain that I forget to lube it.

By: nooner

nooner — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 13:17:32 +0000

In reply to Sirclimbalot. Well, it takes a long time to ride a few hundred miles when you are coasting around with a 28T chainring....

By: Sirclimbalot

Sirclimbalot — Sun, 21 Jan 2024 22:35:28 +0000

An I the only person that finds it odd – tested for hundreds of miles…. Isn’t this supposed to be a super durable long wear group? How about a review after 5000 miles? 10k?

By: User

User — Sun, 21 Jan 2024 21:51:01 +0000

In reply to Nagy. it is not

By: Robert

Robert — Sun, 21 Jan 2024 21:29:58 +0000

I set up linkglide on a sponsored enduro rider’s bicycle and the shifting being slower than HG was seen as a disadvantage in a fast technical environment . The shift shock still occurs if you try to shift when there is high load due to cross chaining but less than with HG . Sometimes noise is heard as the gap between each cog is less due to closeness of chain pins . Older HG cassettes seem to last longer than current generation ones . This was done to make the linkglide’s introduction display a greater degree of difference in durability compared to HG . HG is still smoother and allows more shifts at a time than linkglide . The linkglide is aimed at ebike /amateurs where refined feel and performance are not a priority .

By: John

John — Sun, 21 Jan 2024 15:22:46 +0000

In reply to Nagy. It's not compatible. The spacing is different. You need the LinkGlide derailleur and shifter for it to shift correctly. Typical Shimano, how dare they make something that is standardized.

By: nooner

nooner — Sat, 20 Jan 2024 15:43:49 +0000

In reply to Ron Frazelle. Just imagine what is possible if you could keep all that 28Tparty pace goodness and then BAM! hit a magic button and have another larger chainring.

By: threeringcircus

threeringcircus — Sat, 20 Jan 2024 14:34:21 +0000

Based on the performance Ron describes and prices, this doesn’t seem like something I’d go for on anything but an ebike. The Deore M5100 series seems like a better alternative–11 speed, fits an HG freehub, performs (in my experience) flawlessly and is much less expensive. LG cassette’s durability isn’t a strong enough selling point if the performance isn’t there. It’ll be a long time before I wear out the steel cogs on an M5100 cassette.

By: Pierre

Pierre — Sat, 20 Jan 2024 13:35:52 +0000

At last a test of the LG system !
Regarding the chain and crankset, it may be added the the LinkGlide standard uses a 11s chain (of any brand I understand). That means you are free to use whatever crankset you want, as long as it is designed for a 11s chain. That includes the CUES range, whether it is with a 9, 10 or 11s cassette.

Also to be noted, the guide pulleys of the XT and LX derailers have a large offset (relative to the cage pivoting axle). That means they are optimized for 1x transmissions and wide range cassettes which have a marked concavity.

In the more conservative CUES range, some of the derailers have guide pulleys with a smaller offset. So, they may be used with double-chainrings provided you install a narrower cassette. I am not sure about triple chain ring though.

All the best !

By: will

will — Sat, 20 Jan 2024 08:20:54 +0000

i agree with Zach this seems like a good fit for commuters and even gravel stuff perhaps:

it works on 10spd mtb HG driver bodies, so older bikes with older hubs, but still 11s which is nice. i know theres a couple of shimano mtb cassettes like that though these arent as though

you can even convert a sram derailleur and shift this cassette on a road bike (force x1 fin) for a sramano setup