Shimano XTR M9100 SGS Rear Derailleur

It’s easy to take derailleurs for granted, which is funny because this component likely has massive amounts of R&D dumped into it. That said, you just expect it to work in this day and age. One thing is for sure, the derailleur is a beauty. I’m a bit of a sucker for sharp lines, and I find metal to be aesthetically pleasing - both of which the XTR derailleur delivers on. It’s not all looks though - Shimano claims they’ve reduced overall noise by reducing pulley tension and adding a rubber bumper on the inside of the cage to cushion any chain rub.

The SGS model utilizes the longer cage, which is required if using this derailleur in conjunction with the Wide Range 10/51T cassette. Shimano bumped up the pulley wheels to 13T, which allows for increased chain length while keeping the cage as short as possible. The clutch mechanism features a port at the bottom, making for easy adjustments. This port also has a rubber seal, keeping out moisture and dirt.