Having introduced 12-speed cassettes on its top-of-the-range XTR groupset, Shimano is now extending this to the very popular Deore XT and SLX groupsets.
However, this is not the only change, as the Japanese brand has just introduced two brand-new groupsets.
The cranksets abandon the 4-screw chainring attachment system and switch to Directmount (the chainring and star are attached directly to the crank, at the axle).
Technically, there are two different parts for the chainring and the star, but it's impossible to remove the chainring from the star. The chainrings (30/32/34 teeth) are not compatible with current Shimano drivetrains, as the chain would not wrap around them.
ATTENTION cranksets are not compatible with 12v chains only.