dx v. xt

[kool maudit]

i am building up a few 1989-93 period builds over the winter, and am finding myself really drawn to dx parts, even over xt.

there is something about the readily-identifiable mechs, the silver topmounts etc....it was just a great-looking group.

what were the actual differences between dx and xt? anything important?

does anyone share my preference?

 

[Agency_Scum]

I'm a real sucker for the black LX gear. I think the basic differences between the two were DX had many steel components whereas XT parts ( like the mounts for the thumbshifters and brake lever parts ) were made of aluminium alloy. Anyone know more?

 

[Elev12k]

The XT BB axle is chromed and the DX is black/dark grey. Am told the DX is strong, but the XT stronger. The standard ball assembly that goes into the BB, has 9 1/4-balls on the DX and 11 on the XT. I recommend fitting 11 loose ones (always fit loose ones!) in the DX and issue solved. The chromed DX crank bolt cover doesn't properly fit on XT cranks (detail)

Both groupsets use sealed mech pulleys. LX doesn't.

Brakes look practicly identical, but XT has a transparent piece fitted on the black Shimano triangle-logo (detail)

Locking piece on the hubs differ (detail). Both groupsets use 10 3/16-balls in front and 9 1/4-balls in rear.

I think that is about it. Both groupsets are perfectly up to their task.

 

[dbmtb]

Brake block fitting hardware on XT was black. Silver on DX.

Headset was substantially different too I recall.

XT hubs have grease ports in dustcaps. DX don't.

 

[jonnyboy666]

the difference between dx and xt is DX IS WAY COOLER!! the underdog!

always prefered dx, just thought it looked nicer and it worked just as nicely. built my clockwork with it just recently, you'll probably find it easier to get nos dx than xt, i got shifters and mechs and brake levers easily.

 

[dbmtb]

I get your drift. I prefer XT to XTR because of the no-nonsense approach to quality.

 

[retrobikeguy]

I like the DX stuff, was the workhorse of shimano, a more affordable XT.

 

[neilll]

I've got a mixture of DX and XT on my Pace and it's been on there donkeys years....still works a treat

nowt wrong with DX