Shimano has just released the latest version of it's ever popular 105 groupset which will be seen on 2024 model year road bikes. Aimed at the mid market and keen amateur road cyclists, Shimano has updated the groupset with a number of features which keep it as the groupset of choice. Sam Gupta explores the similarities between this groupset and the electronic Di2 equivalent, as well as the updates and changes that make the groupset such a good choice.
Shimano has also launched a brand new 12-Speed GRX groupset. This update ushers 12 speed gearing across the entire GRX range of components, with updates to both 600 and 800 series of components. The gear ratios on offer has also been updated meaning the new parts really bring the fight to Sram. What do you make of both new groupsets from Shimano?
Shimano has also launched a brand new 12-Speed GRX groupset. This update ushers 12 speed gearing across the entire GRX range of components, with updates to both 600 and 800 series of components. The gear ratios on offer has also been updated meaning the new parts really bring the fight to Sram. What do you make of both new groupsets from Shimano?
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00:00 There is big news from Shimano, the biggest maker of group sets.
00:04 Finally, after so many hints and leaks over the past 8 months, it has finally released
00:10 its 12-speed Mechanical 105 group set.
00:14 In many ways, the headline features are pretty well described in the name itself.
00:18 It kind of just does what it says on the tin.
00:21 But maybe that does the new offering a bit of a disservice, because it's Shimano's
00:26 first ever 12-speed Mechanical road group set, and it's likely the only one it will
00:32 ever make.
00:35 Unsurprisingly, the group set makes use of some of the same components that are also
00:40 found on the Di2 version of 105, meaning you can expect to see the same chain, chain set,
00:46 cassette and brake calipers.
00:49 When looking at the derailleurs, they also look pretty ordinary and follow a similar
00:53 design language as that of the electronic counterparts.
00:57 The tech itself isn't anything to get too excited about.
01:00 It's essentially the same as before, but with an extra gear.
01:04 So jumps between gears should be that little bit smoother, and changes in cadence should
01:10 also be that little bit more progressive.
01:13 But only to an extent, because the cassettes offered at the 105 level will either be an
01:19 1134 tooth or an 1136 tooth.
01:23 So while perfect for riding in the mountains, or for those who just need a little bit more
01:27 mechanical assistance when the road heads up, the jumps between those gears won't be
01:32 as tight as they are on say an 1130 tooth cassette, which can only be found at the Ultegra
01:38 or Dura-Ace level.
01:40 While I'm confirmed by Shimano, I'm pretty confident that if you did want to run an 1130
01:44 tooth cassette with this new group set, then you certainly could.
01:48 Now looking at the chain sets, and the ratios on offer will either be a compact 5034 tooth
01:55 or a semi-compact 5236 tooth.
01:59 The gearing on offer isn't too much of a surprise, and I think it will perfectly cater
02:03 for the riders that this group set is intended for.
02:07 But it's not just the 12th sprocket that this group set has introduced.
02:11 Since this group set is a hydraulic disc brake only group set, Shimano has brought in an
02:16 update that is currently found on the current generation of Ultegra and Dura-Ace, that being
02:22 10% more pad clearance in the brake calipers.
02:25 Hopefully, this should mean that rubbing discs and annoying noise from debris getting caught
02:30 in the calipers will occur a little less often.
02:34 Lastly, the lever ergonomics have been updated so that they are better suited to all different
02:39 sizes of hands.
02:41 It has created a new blade shape which gives a shorter lever access curve.
02:46 Pair that with the reduced reach from the bar to the lever, and these shifters, in theory,
02:51 should suit those who have smaller hands.
02:55 I'm really excited for this new group set to hit the market, and I am confident that
02:59 in the coming weeks and months, we'll start to see brands fit this new group set to their
03:03 2024 model year bikes.
03:06 I also really like the fact that Shimano is keeping mechanical shifting up to date by
03:11 making it 12-speed because it just helps future-proof the tech and means it will be around for just
03:16 that little while longer.
03:18 Would I love to see a mechanical 12-speed Dura-Ace and Ultegra?
03:22 Absolutely.
03:23 If the last generation of mechanical shifting of those model lines is anything to go by,
03:28 then it would no doubt be an absolute triumph.
03:31 But in this ever-changing world and the slow move to make everything electronic and wireless,
03:37 I will count the wins where I can.
03:39 At the time of filming, we currently don't have the price for the new group set, so I'll
03:44 pop them on screen for you now.
03:46 But as I always say, people don't buy group sets, people buy bikes with group sets attached
03:51 to them, so only time will tell what the full build prices will really start to stack up
03:56 like.
03:58 Amazingly, the news doesn't stop there from Shimano, as the brand continues its run on
04:04 12-speed componentry as it's now released an entirely new range of GRX components.
04:10 What the brand has released is the biggest update to the GRX line of components since
04:15 it was launched.
04:16 Now all of the components are 12-speed, and for simplification, Shimano has broken down
04:22 all of the new parts to sit into three different families.
04:26 Shimano is naming those families unbeatable, unstoppable, and undroppable.
04:31 Let's start with the first, unbeatable.
04:34 It's likely going to be the most popular set of components, as it's the most traditionally
04:38 gravelly set up in my opinion.
04:41 The 10 45 tooth cassette and choice of either a 40 or 42 tooth chainring on a 12-speed system
04:48 will be a pretty decent improvement on the current offering.
04:52 Not only do extra gear jumps become more valuable as the ratios get wider, as they aid in smoother
04:57 shifting and changes in cadence, but also the 10 tooth sprocket also means that the
05:03 front chainrings can just be that little bit more versatile.
05:08 Shimano has incorporated the 10 tooth sprocket via the Micro Spline Freehub system.
05:13 The rear derailleur itself incorporates Shimano's Shadow RD+ chain stabilizer technology, which
05:20 is intended to help keep the chain running nice and smoothly, and to also keep the chain
05:25 secure when the terrain gets a little bit bumpy.
05:29 But those features aren't just exclusive to the unbeatable family.
05:35 Next up, we have unstoppable.
05:37 The biggest difference here is the gear ratio.
05:40 We move from the biggest gear of 45 teeth to 51 teeth, but the chain set sizes remain
05:47 the same.
05:48 One feature that I absolutely love is that Shimano has created the ability to just switch
05:54 out the rear derailleur cage so that the bigger cassette can be accommodated for.
06:00 In previous years, if you wanted a bigger cassette, you'd need to opt for a whole
06:04 new derailleur.
06:05 But now, by swapping out just the cage, it is much less wasteful and it is far more cost
06:11 effective if you want to play around with your gear ratios.
06:15 It also means that if you're to damage your cage while you're riding, perhaps you strike
06:19 a rock or you have a crash, seeking the replacements to then fix your rear derailleur is just much
06:25 easier to do.
06:26 Lastly, we have undroppable.
06:28 Again, the gear ratios change once more, but this time the difference is even more drastic.
06:34 The undroppable range of components is the only 2x setup in the range, and the chain
06:39 set is offered in just one size, that being a 48/31.
06:44 This is then paired with some slightly more regular cassettes such as the 11/34 and the
06:49 11/36.
06:51 The benefits here are pretty clear.
06:53 With tighter cassettes come smaller jumps between the gears, and of course, you've
06:57 still got a really good range of gears thanks to that double chain set.
07:02 Compatibility for the groupset is also slightly more universal, since the cassettes do away
07:06 with the 10-tooth sprocket and these cassettes can be mounted to a standard Shimano HG freehub
07:12 body.
07:13 This setup is clearly going to be one for those who want to either go bikepacking or
07:17 adventure riding, or maybe just some more sociable gravel rides.
07:23 It's not just new gearing that GRX has received, but the ergonomics of the levers have also
07:28 been updated.
07:30 What Shimano has tried to do is reduce the number of pressure points on your hands, and
07:34 then more evenly spread the load across a wider surface area.
07:40 That's pretty common for all the new tech to only come in at the top end scale, and
07:44 in GRX's case, that's the 800 series line of components.
07:48 But happily, the more budget-friendly 600 series also receives many of the same updates.
07:55 Those components will also be going fully 12-speed, enjoy the improved ergonomics, and
08:01 will also be getting a new lever coating to help make them a little bit more grippy and
08:05 a bit more tactile.
08:07 We're yet to get hold of the new shiny bits from Shimano, but I am very excited to do
08:12 so.
08:13 There was a part of me that was actually quite looking forward to the idea of GRX Di2 being
08:18 launched, but alas, it looks like we're going to have to wait a little while longer
08:22 for that one.
08:23 But let me know down below, what do you think of these new group sets from Shimano?
08:28 If you enjoyed the video, then please do drop it a like, subscribe to the channel for more
08:32 content, and I will see you again very soon.
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