The Shimano Deore XT (M751 SGS) is an object lesson in how Shimano learns from its mistakes. In 2003 Shimano had decided that the future of mountain bike gearing was Dual Control levers driving low normal derailleurs. It had killed off its RapidFire shifters and the top normal Shimano Deore XT (M750) series, and with a fanfare of trumpets, it had launched the low normal Shimano Deore XT (M760) series. Unfortunately mountain bikers can be a cussed lot and a hard core resisted the change, and horror of horrors, started to defect to SRAM’s more conventional top normal/trigger shift systems.

By 2005 Shimano was back pedalling furiously, and introduced the top normal M751 series - which seemed to me to be identical to the 1999 M750 series right down to the atomic level - but surely that can’t be true. Only the M750’s adjustable cable outer stop (and its extravagant rubber boot) seemed to have changed.

This is a well used example of the long pulley cage SGS version.

I like the vaguely indecent strap-on rubber bumper on the front knuckle.

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1. •Brand: Shimano
   

2. •My category: Shimano - the Deore XT story
   

3. •Country: Japan
   

4. •Date of introduction: 2005
   

5. •Date of this example: 2006 (two letter date code DL)
   

6. •Model no: M751 SGS
   

7. •Weight: 264g
   

8. •Maximum cog: 34 teeth (Shimano)
   

9. •Total capacity: 45 teeth (Shimano)
   

10. •Pulley centre to centre: 99mm
    

11. •Index compatibility: 9 speed
    

12. •Chain width: 3/32”
    

13. •Logic: top normal
    

14. •Pivots: two sprung pivots
    

15. •Material: Largely aluminium with a steel inner pulley cage plate
    

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