Posted by Pushys Team on 10th Jul 2026
Not every rider wants or needs to swap out their full groupset when new components drop. That’s why Shimano designed these upgrade kit options with real-world riders in mind. They’re purpose-built to simplify the upgrade process, giving riders a clear path to better performance without the extra work of a full teardown or rebuild. Whether you’re looking for more braking control on steep descents or want to ditch wires and embrace wireless Di2 shifting, these kits let you focus your investment where it matters most.
If you've started looking at Shimano's latest mountain bike components, you've probably noticed a whole lot of new model numbers, and a few new names like Di2, Shadow ES and LinkGlide. The good news is that the new generation keeps the same freehub standards and cassette spacing as the parts they replace, so in most cases the new components are cross-compatible with the previous 12-speed or LinkGlide drivetrains.
This guide explains what the new systems are, which parts work together, and we have handy tables below to map each new part number to what it does and the older Shimano part it supersedes, so you can see exactly what fits your bike.
A quick guide to some old and new Shimano terminology:
LinkGlide: Shimano's durability-focused 11-speed system on the standard HG freehub. Built for e-bike use; cogs last far longer than standard HyperGlide. This is its own ecosystem: LinkGlide parts must be used with matching chains/cassettes/rear derailleurs/shifters.
HyperGlide+: The performance 12-speed system on the Micro Spline freehub. This is the system Shimano has used since 2018 on most 12-speed drivetrains used across Deore, SLX, XT and XTR.
Di2: Fully wireless electronic shifting (no gear cable).
Shadow ES: The new low-profile rear derailleur design. Instead of the older adjustable friction clutch (Shadow+), it uses a dual-spring stabiliser for simpler operation, more chain tension and better impact resistance, while significantly reducing maintenance requirements. Most new Shimano MTB derailleurs use this system, and importantly it’s still backwards compatible with any old 12-speed drivetrain.
Shadow+: The adjustable clutch derailleur system that Shimano has used since 2011 on most MTB rear derailleurs in Deore, SLX, XT, and XTR. Remains in the range as part of Deore 6000 series.
Deore 6000 vs 7000 series: Deore now spans two tiers. The budget 6000-series (e.g. RD-M6200) keeps a traditional clutch, while the higher 7000-series (e.g. RD-M7200) uses the new Shadow ES design and effectively takes over the slot the old SLX used to fill. Think of Deore 7000 series as what SLX used to be.
Micro Spline: Shimano's freehub design used on modern 12-speed MTB wheels. If your bike already has Shimano 12-speed, it almost certainly already has a Micro Spline freehub.
12-speed Shimano HyperGlide+ Mechanical (cable-actuated)
Compatibility note: The new mechanical shifters and derailleurs share the same cable pull and cassette spacing as the previous 12-speed generation, so they are cross-compatible with existing M6100/M7100/M8100 parts. Cassettes and chains are unchanged.
|
New part number(s) |
What it is: Speeds, function & bike type |
Older Shimano parts it supersedes |
|
RD-M8200-SGS (XT, 10–51T) RD-M8200-GS (XT, 9–45T) RD-M7200 (Deore, 10–51T) RD-M6200 (Deore, 10–51T) |
12-speed HyperGlide+ cable-actuated rear derailleur (Micro Spline). XT (M8200) and Deore M7200 use the new Shadow ES dual-spring design, while the budget M6200 keeps a traditional adjustable Shadow+ clutch. All new 12-speed derailleurs are compatible with all 12-speed Shimano systems, with any combination of Shimano shifter/cassette/chain. If you’re replacing an older derailleur with a new version, we suggest the following to keep similar performance: Old: RD-M8100 (XT) > Replace with: RD-M8200 (XT) Old: RD-M7100 (SLX) > Replace with: RD-M7200 (Deore) Old: RD-M6100 (Deore) > Replace with: RD-M6200 (Deore) SGS long cage = 10–51T; GS mid cage = 9–45T. For most bikes in Australian conditions, we suggest an SGS long-cage rear derailleur. |
RD-M8100 (XT) RD-M7100 (SLX) RD-M6100 (Deore) These are all 12-speed HyperGlide+ mechanical |
|
CS-M8200-12 (XT, 10–51T & 9–45T) CS-M7200-12 (Deore, 10–51T) CS-M6200-12 (Deore, 10–51T) |
12-speed HyperGlide+ cassette on a Micro Spline freehub. Fits any Micro Spline freehub (unchanged fitment from the previous generation). If you’re replacing an older cassette with a new version, we suggest the following to keep similar performance: Old: CS-M7100 (SLX) > Replace with: CS-M7200 (Deore) Old: CS-M6100 (Deore) > Replace with: CS-M6200 (Deore) |
CS-M8100-12 (XT) CS-M7100-12 (SLX) CS-M6100-12 (Deore) - 10–51T |
|
SL-M8200 (XT) SL-M8210 (XT e-MTB) SL-M6200 (Deore) SL-M6210 (Deore e-MTB) |
Standard versions allow up to 3 shifts per push; the -M8210 / -M6210 e-MTB versions are single-shift to protect the cassette under load. I-SPEC EV (-IR) and clamp-band (-R) are compatible with previous 12-speed drivetrains. |
SL-M8100 (XT) SL-M7100 (SLX) SL-M6100 (Deore) |
12-speed Shimano HyperGlide+ Di2 (wireless electronic)
Compatibility note: Di2 uses the same Micro Spline cassettes and 12-speed chains as the mechanical HyperGlide+ groups - only the derailleur and shifter differ. You can convert a mechanical 12-speed bike to Di2 without changing the cassette or chain.
|
New part number(s) |
What it is: Speeds, function & bike type |
Older Shimano parts it supersedes |
|
RD-M9250 (XTR) RD-M8250 (XT) RD-M8260 (XT e-MTB) RD-M6250 (Deore) (SGS = 10–51T · GS = 9–45T) |
12-speed HyperGlide+ fully wireless Di2 rear derailleur with Shadow ES design and Automatic Impact Recovery. Rechargeable battery (BT-DN320) sits inside the derailleur. XC, trail and enduro. |
No wireless predecessor (Shimano's first fully wireless MTB Di2). Replaces flagship mechanical RD-M9100 (XTR) / RD-M8100 (XT), and the old wired RD-M9050 Di2 (11-spd). |
|
SW-M9250 (XTR) SW-M8250 (XT) SW-M6250 (Deore) |
Wireless Di2 shift switch with Shimano Rapid ES - no cables. Buttons can be repositioned on the bar and their functions customised. Runs on a coin-cell battery. |
SL-M9100 (XTR), SL-M8100 (XT) mechanical shifters No wireless predecessor. |
|
CS-M9200-12 (XTR, 10–51T & 9–45T) CS-M8200-12 (XT, 10–51T & 9–45T) |
12-speed HyperGlide+ Micro Spline cassette - the SAME cassettes used by the 12-speed mechanical groups. Di2 needs no special cassette. Chain: CN-M9100 (XTR) / CN-M8100 (XT & Deore). |
CS-M9100-12 (XTR) CS-M8100-12 (XT) |
11-speed Shimano LinkGlide (cable-actuated)
Compatibility note: LinkGlide is an 11-speed HG-freehub system and is NOT interchangeable with 12-speed HyperGlide+ / Micro Spline parts. Mix only LinkGlide with LinkGlide.
|
Component |
New part number(s) |
What it is: Speeds, function & bike type |
Cross-compatible/Supersedes |
|
Rear Derailleurs |
RD-M8230 (XT) RD-M7230 (Deore) |
11-speed LinkGlide, cable-actuated rear derailleur with the new Shadow ES low-profile design. Long cage (SGS) for wide-range LinkGlide cassettes (11–50T). Durability-focused — ideal for e-MTB and hard-use trail bikes where long service life matters more than lowest weight. |
RD-M5130 (Deore LinkGlide) RD-U8020 / RD-U6020 (CUES LinkGlide) RD-M8000 (XT), RD-M7000 (SLX), RD-M5100 - older 11-speed HyperGlide |
|
Cassettes |
CS-LG700-11 (11–50T) CS-LG600-11 (11–45T) (carried over — unchanged) |
11-speed LinkGlide cassette fitted to a standard HG (HyperGlide) freehub — no Micro Spline required. Extra-durable teeth last markedly longer than standard cassettes. Suited to e-MTB / high-torque use. |
LinkGlide cassettes have carried over from prior generations LinkGlide cassettes must be used with LinkGlide systems, and are not cross-compatible with older 11-speed HyperGlide chains/cassettes |
|
Shifters |
SL-M8230 (XT) SL-M6230 (Deore) |
11-speed LinkGlide Rapidfire Plus shifter with 2-Way Release. Allows up to 2 shifts per lever push. Available in I-SPEC EV (-IR) and clamp-band (-R). Compatible with previous 11-speed LinkGlide drivetrains. |
SL-M5130 (Deore LinkGlide) SL-M8000 (XT), SL-M7000 (SLX) — 11-speed HyperGlide |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fit the new XT derailleur to my existing XT drivetrain?
Yes. Shimano's new XT rear derailleur is backwards compatible with previous 12-speed HyperGlide+ drivetrains.
Do I need a new cassette for Di2?
No. The new wireless Di2 system uses the same 12-speed HyperGlide+ cassette as the mechanical groups.
Can I keep my wheels?
Yes, provided your bike already uses a Shimano Micro Spline freehub.
Can I mix XT, Deore and XTR parts?
Yes. Shimano's current 12-speed HyperGlide+ components are designed to work together across the Deore, XT and XTR ranges.
Can I mix LinkGlide with HyperGlide+?
No. LinkGlide is its own system and should only be paired with other LinkGlide components.
Can I upgrade my Shimano XT M8100 drivetrain to M8200?
Yes. Shimano's new XT M8200 mechanical components are fully compatible with the previous M8100 12-speed HyperGlide+ drivetrain. You can upgrade individual parts like the rear derailleur, shifter or cassette without replacing your entire groupset, making it easy to improve your bike over time.
Is Shimano M8200 backwards compatible?
Yes. Shimano M8200 uses the same 12-speed HyperGlide+ cassette spacing and cable pull as the previous M8100 generation. That means the new XT M8200 derailleurs, shifters and cassettes are compatible with existing Shimano 12-speed HyperGlide+ drivetrains, including Deore M6100, SLX M7100 and XT M8100.
Is Shimano's new wireless Di2 compatible with my current drivetrain?
If your bike already has a Shimano 12-speed HyperGlide+ drivetrain with a Micro Spline freehub, then yes. The new wireless Di2 system uses the same cassette and chain as the mechanical groups, so upgrading typically only requires a new Di2 rear derailleur and wireless shifter. Your cassette, crankset, wheels and chain can usually stay the same if they're in good condition.
What's the difference between Shimano LinkGlide and HyperGlide+?
HyperGlide+ is Shimano's performance-focused 12-speed drivetrain, designed for fast, precise shifting on trail, enduro and cross-country bikes. LinkGlide is a separate 11-speed system built for maximum durability, making it ideal for e-MTBs, commuters and riders who put lots of kilometres on their bikes. The two systems are not cross-compatible, so LinkGlide components should only be used with other LinkGlide parts.
Can I convert my Shimano XT drivetrain to wireless Di2?
Yes, provided your bike already has a Shimano 12-speed HyperGlide+ drivetrain. The new wireless XT Di2 system is designed as an easy upgrade from mechanical shifting. In most cases you'll only need the wireless rear derailleur and shift switch, while your existing cassette, chain, crankset and Micro Spline rear wheel can all remain unchanged.
Shimano's latest MTB range introduces plenty of new names and model numbers, but the compatibility story is refreshingly simple. If you're already riding a Shimano 12-speed mountain bike, upgrading is likely to be much easier than you think. Many riders can fit the latest XT components or even switch to wireless Di2 without replacing their cassette, wheelset or crankset. If you're still unsure which parts are right for your bike, the Pushys team is always happy to help you choose the right upgrade.