Trying to understand shimano range

[Charlieboy28]

there are numerous examples of where retro XT stuff was actually lighter than the XTR equivalent.
I think the trade of was more function and longevity for XT, where as XTR weight and function and latest development was seen as far more important than something lasting for while

 

[dyna-ti]

XT only I cant really comment on later groupsets other than to say they dont look as robust to me :?

 

[type49]

Bit like F1 & road cars i suppose. A lot of older F1 stuff gets filtered down to our "normal" cars today...

 

[azaro]

Bit of an eye opener for me- I'df orgotten that DX was above LX in the range.

Ironic that I had to buy a Suntour clad Clockwork as I couldn't afford any of the Shimano models -Suntour stuff seems to be rarer and, in some cases, more pricey than Shimano these days!