Shimano's 12speed chains are functionally identical to one another... at first. The XTR lasts twice as long as the Deore before reaching the 0.5% stretch mark. After this point you run the rist of damaging your cassette or chainring. The XTR also costs 2x as much as the Deore, but having to purchase and change your chain out half as often is worth a lot in my book. The $/mile value may be the same for both the XTR and the Deore, but the XTR gets my vote for best bang for the buck for the labor savings alone. The 10g weight savings just happens to be a (very small) side perk.

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Helpful Links

My Shimano 12Speed Chain Comparison Guide Complete with specs, product links, part numbers, etc. There is also a tab listing out ‪@EMTBVideos‬ results with links to his videos.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

‪@EMTBVideos‬ Videos Chain Testing Videos:
Deore vs SLX:    • Shimano Deore vs SLX  12 speed chain...  
SLX vs XT:    • Shimano XT vs SLX  12 speed chain test   (The XT data from this one is incorrect. Watch the XT vs XTR video for an explanation)
XT vx XTR:    • Shimano 12 speed chain test  XTR vs ...  

My Shimano Crankset Comparison Video:    • Shimano's Deore Crankset is $477 CHEA...  
My Shimano Cassette Comparison Video:    • Shimano's $82 AllSteel Deore Cassett...  
My Shimano Shifter Comparison Video:    • Shimano Shifter Showdown | How is the...  
My Shimano Rear Derailleur Comparison Video:    • Deore to XTR for less than $25!! | Sh...  

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Product Links

Cranksets
Deore https://amzn.to/3Pxh8N2 Best Bang for Your Buck (Tied)
SLX https://amzn.to/494nZEF + https://amzn.to/3PyBQfE Best Bang for Your Buck (Tied)
Deore XT https://amzn.to/43yzymk + https://amzn.to/4aqFuA7
XTR https://amzn.to/3x6wqlR + https://amzn.to/3PICp6R

Chains
Deore https://amzn.to/3uYSq1e
SLX https://amzn.to/49Imehx
Deore XT https://amzn.to/3PaSO3x
XTR https://amzn.to/4c1Yl6h Best Bang for Your Buck

Cassettes
Deore https://amzn.to/3wqtno2 Best Bang for Your Buck (Tied)
SLX https://amzn.to/3wsZC67 Best Bang for Your Buck (Tied)
Deore XT https://amzn.to/4bJ7Ua6
XTR Check your LBS!

Shifters
Deore https://amzn.to/47DdSXy
SLX https://amzn.to/3uKO79n
Deore XT https://amzn.to/3sYA27J Best Bang for Your Buck
XTR https://amzn.to/438XxbS

Rear Derailleurs
Deore https://amzn.to/3qKyAVl
SLX https://amzn.to/45k4Ygy Best Bang for Your Buck
Deore XT https://amzn.to/3YLjFGY
XTR https://amzn.to/3V2JK4l

Deore/SLX Pulley Set https://amzn.to/3sdUd0v
XT Pulley Set https://amzn.to/3si35SN (Can be used to upgrade Deore/SLX)

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Chapters

00:00 Opening
01:42 Intro
02:07 Specs & Pricing
07:51 Conclusion
09:06 Outro

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Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/avbe/nightinkyoto
License code: UEHYRQCYRY97UXLT