XT 10 vs 11 spd crank specs

[BlackSnow]

Does anyone know what the tech differences are between a 1x10 spd vs 1x11 spd Shimano XT crankset.

 

Is it a marketing spin or is it actually 100 % build for 11 speed setups?

Are the chainring (11spd specific) & pcd (96) the only changes/updates?

 

http://bike.shimano.com/content/sac-bike/en/home/mtb1/drivetrain/crankset.html

 

Reason for asking is I have a brand new 10 spd groupset and only need to upgrade crank. Was just wondering if I MUST settle for older XT crank or will the new 11spd XT crank run with my 10spd setup.

[Tony datoy]

My wife's XT 2x10 has a 104mm BCD and my XT 1x11 has a 96mm BCD.

From an appearance point of view, the 10 speed crank is black and the 11 speed is grayish.

A lot of chainrings are 10/11 speed comparable

Edited February 19, 2017 by Tony datoy

[Butterbean]

Will run fine despite the marketing opinions.

 

Had no issue running 10 speed on 11 speed cranks.

[Kalahari Vegmot]

Nee boet, net marketing hype en nonsense, your crank will work

[BlackSnow]

Awsome!!! Thanks hubbers.

[whattingh]

Just side note. The 11sp crank is asymmetric bolt pattern. Yes there are number  of rings out for it but you will find rings for 10sp xt crank easier. Also have not confirmed it yet but think the 10sp xt crank is lighter than the 11sp crank

[Rudi Pollard]

The only thing you should worry about on the 10 speed crank with the 110mm bcd is chain ring size. For 1x specific cranks the BCD is smaller to allow smaller rings. I think currently the smallest ring for example on 104 BCD is a 30 tooth made by absolute black and they had to get pretty creative to get that right. 

 

There is nothing special about the crank itself to make it 10 or 11 speed compatible.