Already available for SRAM Eagle’s 12-speed rear derailleurs, now you can upgrade you new Shimano M8100 XT and M9100 XTR 12-speed rear derailleurs, too. The new Ceramicspeed OSPW X for Shimano uses a carbon fiber-reinforced cage with oversized aluminum pulley wheels and, of course, ceramic bearings.
You’ll have two bearing options, their standard ones for $549, or their even smoother coated ceramic bearings for $649. Both use a 14-tooth upper pulley and an 18-tooth lower. Full compatibility includes Shimano XTR M9100-SGS, Shimano XTR M9100-GS and Shimano XT M8100-SGS, and cassette compatibility from 10-51 teeth.
It’s adjustable with two different spring tension settings (the SRAM Eagle model has three). Normally, larger pulley wheels would mean you’ll need to lengthen the chain, but Ceramicspeed has moved the pulleys slightly closer with a shorter cage to keep chain length requirements about the same. Pulleys are available in black or gold anodization.
They haven’t published numbers for this set specifically, but their lab testing claimed a 40% drag reduction for the Eagle unit, so we suspect similar numbers here.
Too much? Don’t want to completely void your derailleur warranty? Just swap in the new 12-speed Shimano pulleys for the stock units inside the stock cage. They’re both 14 tooth, and both use a narrow-wide tooth pattern. Retail is $349 for standard, and $429 for coated.
All items come with a small dropper of Ceramicspeed’s bearing oil, and they have maintenance videos on their site to help you keep them performing at peak level. So, you know, until their complete mountain bike drivetrain group is ready, these hop up kits can bring your drag (and checking account) closer to zero.
