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Look, we all love new tech, and Shimano’s new wireless XTR Di2 seems cool, but this new Deore Di2 M6200 simply seems to make a lot more sense to me – and likely to a lot of other mountain bikers, too. As much as Shimano’s new XTR Di2 story hyped a slimmer design and automatic impact recovery functions, a rear derailleur is probably still the most vulnerable bike part to rock strikes. And an XTR Di2 rear mech is expensive. Sure, it’s cheaper than SRAM XX SL, XX, or even the previous gen XX1. But smashing an XTR Di2 derailleur will hurt anyone’s wallet.
A Deore Di2 rear derailleur costs 35-43% less than XTR Di2, which will hurt a lot less. And at the same time, it essentially packs in all the same great new tech, just weighing a few grams more. Sounds like an MTB no-brainer to me.
Shimano Deore Di2 M6200 wireless 12-speed MTB drivetrain
We all know about the wirelessness and smart impact-resistance by now, right?
So, I’m going to start with price. Because I think that’s the primary reason anyone is going to buy Deore Di2. If cost is no issue, you’ll just get whatever you think offers the absolute top performance, whether that’s electronic Shimano XTR Di2 or maybe something similar from the SRAM AXS family.
New wireless XTR vs. XT vs. Deore Di2 price comparison
But at $665/650€ for an XTR Di2 rear mech, that’s a lot of cash on the line in every gnarly rock garden. XT Di2 is a bit cheaper at $570/500€, but dropping down to $435/380€ for Deore Di2 feels a lot less scary!
Looking at the rear derailleur price alone, you could save at least 1/3 versus XTR or 1/4 versus XT. And the savings are pretty much the same if you buy the full upgrade kit that pairs a rear derailleur, shifter, battery & charger.
Seems like a no-brainer to me, just for a few extra grams and a steel derailleur cage!
Tech details
The unsurprising secret here is that all of the tech in Deore Di2 M6200 is almost exactly the same that you’ll find in the new wireless XTR Di2 or XT Di2. It’s just cheaper.
You get the same faster-shifting fully wireless Di2 platform. The same robust skid-plate design that’s built to withstand real-world trail impacts, and then automatically return to the correct gear. You get the same simple 2-shift paddle ergonomics (plus the programmable 3rd function button), just without the extra paddle angle adjustments and without the double click shifting. But you still have I-Spec EV and band-clamp mounting options.
And of course, you get the same current 12-speed HyperGlide+ drivetrain compatibility which means you won’t have to change cranks, chainring, cassette, or even chain to upgrade to Di2. And you still get to keep the same brakes you already know and love.
Deore Di2 is SGS Only
While XT and XTR Di2 both get the compact GS 9-45t cassette option with a mid-length cage, Deore Di2 is SGS only. That means it is compatible with the standard 10-51t 12-speed cassette.
Single Click + Multi-Shift Only
One of the other changes to the Deore group is the lack of the 2Step double-click shifting, 4-way adjustable shift levers with rubber pads, and the mode converter. You still get the third button, but this is one of the few components that might be worth the price to upgrade to the XT or XTR.
Like the other new wireless Di2 MTB groups, there are separate Deore Di2 12-speed wireless derailleurs for regular bikes, and 2 wired derailleurs for ebikes with either 12-speed HyperGlide + or 11-speed LinkGlide drivetrains. Unfortunately, though, LinkGlide is only offered in the e-bike version ( I have LinkGlide on my human-only-powered trail hardtail for its drivetrain durability.)
More options, and more pricing levels just mean less of an obstacle if you want to upgrade any current 12-speed Shimano mountain bike drivetrain to Di2 wireless.
In fact, I’m thinking about upgrading one of my enduro bikes that is currently equipped with a mechanical XT groupset, but I would almost certainly choose this new Deore Di2 M6250 rear derailleur over a more expensive XT Di2 or XTR Di2 derailleur. It’ll (probably) hurt a lot less the first time I smack this little electronic shift gadget on one of the many sharp rocks and big boulders that line my local trails. Shimano claims that with the Automatic Impact Recovery, and skid plate design, you might not even notice the next time you hit a rock!
Further Reading on Shimano Di2
Complete breakdown of weights and pricing for XT Di2
Complete breakdown of weights and pricing for XTR Di2
XTR Di2 Tech Story
XTR Di2 Review
XT Di2 Tech Story
bike.Shimano.com
