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Merlin has a load of M8100 heavily discounted this weekend
https://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-xt-m8100-12-speed-chain-with-quick-link-171576.html
LukeG-
Cheers! That chain is indeed super cheap but I am not the UK anymore. The initial purchase price isn't an issue. Seems like I can get the upgrade kit (derailleur, shifter, chain + cassette) for about £260. Happy to drop that. I am more worried about the price and availability of spares and I don't like the idea of more and more things in my stable not being compatible with each other.
Oddo
Do I want a 1x12 groupset?
Let me elaborate.
A few weeks back I rode a loaner Fairlight Holt with an XT M8100 1x12 groupset. I gotta say, at 34 to 10-51, I loved the range. I also loved how well it shifted even when I got it all caked up. The main use for this bike is offroad bike-packing and some fun gravel and single trail riding.
Atm I am running a 1x10 Deore groupset at 34 to 11-42 on my hardtail. For some steeper stuff around here and upcoming trips, I'd like that extra bit of climbing range. I was already really happy with the quality of that Deore groupset. Especially at the low price.
The XT upgrade kit is very reasonably priced in my opinion so it's not a question of budget. My main concern is I just feel like 12-speed components are still very sparse and expensive. I was on a ride with friends the other day and somebody killed their rear mech. We had to single-speed the bike and needed a spare chainlink. There were so many 10 and 11-speed spare chainlinks in our group. Nothing 12 speed though. I also looked up the bits of the upgrade kit separately and the chain is 56 euros on its own. I also like how all my geared bikes are on Shimano HG freehubs. So potentially I can move stuff around. The XT M8100 would require a micro spline freehub. Am I too retro grouchy here? Unnecessarily worrying about non-existent issues?