As arguably the most tactile part of Shimano’s new DEORE XT M8000 groupset,
the shifters play a vital aesthetic and ergonomic part. The dimpled long sweep paddle,
grooved release paddle and OPTISLICK cable provide a 20% decrease in shift effort,
crucial for the long distance endurance racer, and create an enhanced interface between rider and controls.
The 2-Way Multi Release mechanism provides a secondary gear change option whilst an improved Vivid indexing mechanism guarantees shift accuracy.
Two specs are available, I-Spec II (SL-M8000-I) for new XT and XTR and I-Spec B-type (SL-M8000-B-I) for older or lower grade brake levers, catering for different brake choices.
I-Spec B is a integrated mounting system for brake and shifting levers. It just needs one bracket which saves space,
provides a cleaner optic and saves about 10g of weight. Furthermore the adjustability in horizontal direction offers an optimized individual setup. Only mountable to I-Spec B compatible break levers!
Model: XT SL-M8000, I-Spec B
Maximum number of gears per shift: 4
Max Number of Speeds : 2/3 speed
Qty: Left Shifter only
Includes inner shift cables
Approx. Weight: 255g
FEATURES:
• I-Spec B
• Multi-Release allows for shifting two gears at once in both directions
• 2-way multi-release mechanism provides a secondary gear change option
• Great for different riding styles or shifting (index finger or thumb)
• Pull it with your finger or push it with your thumb
• RD new Shadow design with optimised slant design
• Improved shift cable with hyper low-friction coating technology
• OPTISLICK cable
• Ergonomic design
• 20% lighter rear shifts
• Consistently stable shifting
• Longer lever body
• Optislick low-friction shift cable
What is Shimano I-spec A, I-Spec B and I-spec II
I-Spec A
Original I-Spec (now called I-Spec A) was introduced with
XTR M985 in 2011. It was designed as an answer to srams popular MatchMaker, system
which provided a cleaner and lighter bar setup by placing the shifter and brake
lever into a single clamp.
An ‘I-Spec A’ shifter canbe easily identified by a hook-like nub at the attachment point.
I-Spec A brake levers remain compatible with newer I-Spec B
shifters (use silver nut supplied with shifter). If you own I-Spec A shifters,
these can unfortunately only be used with I-Spec A brake levers.
I-Spec B
Just over a year after I-Spec A, I-Spec B was introduced and
aimed to make for a simpler, stronger and easier configuration.
I-Spec B shifter and brake lever
The key departure from the previous generation saw the hook
attachment point removed. On top of this, the mounting hardware changed from a
square nut, to a threaded pin and nut configuration that’s mounted within the
brake lever.
I-Spec B remains in Shimano’s line-up and offers backward
compatibility. If you buy a new I-Spec B shifter set, it will come with
appropriate hardware for fitting to either I-Spec A or I-Spec B brake levers.
I-Spec II
A new I-Spec II shifter
For XTR M9000 and recently launched XT M8000 there is a third iteration – I-Spec II. This
latest version is the simplest to install of all three, and allows for a far
greater range of angle adjustment than previous versions. It’s not at all backward
compatible, however.
I-Spec II shifters fit by replacing that plastic spaceron I-Spec II brake levers
I-Spec II does away with the bolt assembly and insteadfits a semi-circle spacer inside the brake lever clamp. M9000 and M8000 brakes
now ship with a simple plastic shim within the lever clamp; for I-Spec II use,you remove this shim.
It’s worth noting that I-Spec B compatible shifters areavailable in these new 11-speed XT and XTR group sets for backward
compatibility with previous generation brake systems.
