{"id":50609,"date":"2023-06-04T10:12:49","date_gmt":"2023-06-04T08:12:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=732492"},"modified":"2023-06-04T10:35:44","modified_gmt":"2023-06-04T08:35:44","slug":"new-shimano-grx-is-12-speed-uses-a-micro-spline-freehub-and-has-a-wider-gear-range-than-1x-sram-xplr","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/new-shimano-grx-is-12-speed-uses-a-micro-spline-freehub-and-has-a-wider-gear-range-than-1x-sram-xplr\/","title":{"rendered":"New Shimano GRX is 12-speed, uses a Micro Spline freehub and has a wider gear range than 1x SRAM XPLR"},"content":{"rendered":"

Unreleased gravel bike groupset spotted at Unbound, the world’s biggest gravel race <\/p>

By Jack Luke\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Sunday, 04 June 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

A new 12-speed Shimano GRX groupset has been spotted at Unbound 2023.<\/p>\n

The pictured groupset is mechanical and built around a 10-45t XTR M9100 cassette. Thus far, we\u2019ve only seen a 1x build.<\/p>\n

The groupset was fitted to the bike of Shimano-sponsored Taylor Lideen, who rode Unbound<\/a> XL this weekend \u2013 a brutal 350-mile version of the season\u2019s biggest gravel race,<\/a> starting the night before the 200-mile main event.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s everything we know so far about 12-speed Shimano GRX \u2013 and some questions that are left unanswered.<\/p>\n

Wide-range 10-45t cassette tells a larger story<\/h2>\n
\""Shimano\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Shimano GRX 12-speed has been spotted on Taylor Lideen\u2019s bike at Unbound.<\/span><\/figcaption> Ben Delaney \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The groupset pictured is paired with a 10-45t 12-speed XTR M9100<\/a> mountain bike cassette.<\/p>\n

This signifies three big changes for Shimano GRX.<\/p>\n

1) 12-speed takeover<\/h3>\n
\""Shimano\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Unsurprisingly, GRX is now 12-speed.<\/span><\/figcaption> Ben Delaney \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The key change is the move to 12-speed from 11-speed.<\/p>\n

This brings Shimano GRX in line with the brand\u2019s road and mountain bike groupsets.<\/p>\n

It also brings GRX closer to its competitors \u2013 SRAM\u2019s gravel-specific XPLR groupsets<\/a> have been 12-speed from the off, with Campagnolo going one step further at 13-speed for its radical Ekar groupset<\/a>.<\/p>\n

2) Bigger cassettes<\/h3>\n
\""Shimano\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The 10-45t cassette provides a wider gear range than Shimano\u2019s existing 1x GRX arrangement.<\/span><\/figcaption> Ben Delaney \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The 10-45t cassette<\/a> also tells us Shimano is increasing the capacity of its 1x GRX derailleurs.<\/p>\n

Current GRX groupsets top out at 42t for a 1x setup<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The shift to a 10t small cog (more on that in a second) and 45t large cog will result in a significantly larger gear range (450 per cent vs 381 per cent) for 1x riders.<\/p>\n

\""SRAM\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Campagnolo Ekar and SRAM XPLR (pictured) are both compatible with 10-44t cassettes.<\/span><\/figcaption> Russell Burton \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

That brings Shimano closer to its rivals, who have more openly embraced 1x drivetrains for gravel riding<\/a>.<\/p>\n

SRAM XPLR and Campagnolo Ekar are both compatible with 10-44t cassettes, so Shimano betters both by 1-tooth here.<\/p>\n

However, riders seeking even greater range also have the option of speccing a mullet drivetrain with SRAM, with the possibility of running a monstrous 10-52t dinner plate.<\/p>\n

Micro Spline for gravel<\/h3>\n
\""Shimano\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Shimano will use its Micro Spline freehub standard for the next generation of GRX.<\/span><\/figcaption> Ben Delaney \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Finally, speccing a mountain bike cassette confirms Shimano will use its Micro Spline freehub<\/a> standard for the next generation of GRX.<\/p>\n

Introduced on the brand\u2019s 12-speed mountain bike groupsets<\/a>, Micro Spline permits the use of a 10t small sprocket.<\/p>\n

Shimano\u2019s longstanding Hyperglide freehub standard \u2013 which the previous-generation GRX used \u2013 had a minimum 11t cog.<\/p>\n

\""Shimano\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The XTR cassette features Shimano\u2019s Hyperglide+ technology, which helps smoothly guide the chain when shifting into a harder gear.<\/span><\/figcaption> Ben Delaney \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The XTR cassette also features Shimano\u2019s Hyperglide+ technology, which would be a first for GRX.<\/p>\n

Hyperglide+ sees the sprockets on the cassette formed to help smoothly guide the chain when shifting into a harder gear.<\/p>\n

Like Micro Spline, this debuted on Shimano\u2019s mountain bike groupsets<\/a> but has since been ported over to the road with Dura-Ace R9200<\/a> and Ultegra R8100<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Subtly different calipers may give away naming conventions<\/h2>\n
\""Shimano\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The new brake calipers shift the bleed port to the outside face of the body.<\/span><\/figcaption> Ben Delaney \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The brake calipers have been updated in a similar fashion to Shimano\u2019s latest road bike groupsets<\/a>, shifting the bleed port to the outside face of the body.<\/p>\n

Looking back now, we\u2019ve realised the new design caliper actually quietly debuted with the release of Shimano\u2019s handsome polished silver GRX Limited groupset<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\""Shimano\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Will this be the Shimano GRX RX820 groupset?<\/span><\/figcaption> Ben Delaney \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The GRX Limited calipers are given the product code BR-RX820-LE.<\/p>\n

Assuming the rest of the groupset follows Shimano\u2019s typical naming conventions, 12-speed mechanical GRX will likely live under the RX820 family.<\/p>\n

Is that you, M6100?<\/h2>\n
\""Shimano\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The new derailleur takes its cues from Shimano Deore M6100.<\/span><\/figcaption> Ben Delaney \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The new 12-speed Shimano GRX rear derailleur is visually very similar to the existing Deore M6100<\/a> mountain bike rear derailleur.<\/p>\n

The overall shape is similar and, in keeping with Shimano\u2019s 12-speed mountain bike groupsets, 12-speed GRX does away with the B-link.<\/p>\n

\""Shimano\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The overall shape is similar but 12-speed GRX does away with the B-link.<\/span><\/figcaption> Ben Delaney \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

This small alloy plate sat between the upper knuckle of the rear derailleur and the derailleur hanger<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Though rarely seen, this could be removed and replaced with a specially-designed direct-mount hanger on certain frames.<\/p>\n

\""Shimano\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The finish on the parallelogram plates is now more matte.<\/span><\/figcaption> Ben Delaney \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The B-link was present on the previous generation of GRX and is still seen on Shimano\u2019s latest road groupsets.<\/p>\n

\""Shimano\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The pulleys are also slightly larger and the pulley cage redesigned.<\/span><\/figcaption> Ben Delaney \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The finish on the parallelogram plates is now more matte and the pulleys are slightly larger. The pulley cage has also been redesigned.<\/p>\n

\""Shimano\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The clutch is now operated by a larger lever.<\/span><\/figcaption> Ben Delaney \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

A clutch is still in place, though the switch to control this has a slightly different design, with a larger lever that sits behind the clutch itself.<\/p>\n

Business as usual for cranks and shifters<\/h2>\n
\""Shimano\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Visually, the crankset looks very similar.<\/span><\/figcaption> Ben Delaney \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

At first glance, the crankset looks very similar, if not identical to the existing, GRX R810 crankset<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The key difference is, of course, a switch to 12-speed 1x chainring.<\/p>\n

Though this retains Shimano\u2019s familiar narrow-wide tooth pattern, we expect the design of this will have been modified to accommodate a narrower 12-speed chain.<\/p>\n

\""Shimano\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The shifter internals will have been updated but, externally, the shifter also looks very similar.<\/span><\/figcaption> Ben Delaney \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The shifters look identical to the current design, though the internals will have been updated for the upgrade to 12-speed.<\/p>\n

This will be the first mechanical 12-speed drop bar shifter from Shimano, which could be a more significant development than it appears at first glance.<\/p>\n

\""Shimano\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Shimano will have tweaked the chainring design with the move to 12-speed.<\/span><\/figcaption> Ben Delaney \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Since the move to 10-speed, Shimano has used different cable pull ratios for its road and mountain bike groupsets.<\/p>\n

This has meant it is not possible to create a so-called mullet setup with mechanical Shimano components.<\/p>\n

\""Shimano\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The ridged hood design remains.<\/span><\/figcaption> Ben Delaney \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

A mullet drivetrain pairs drop-bar shifters with a mountain bike rear derailleur, offering a huge gear range for a 1x setup.<\/p>\n

These setups have grown in popularity in recent years, notably with SRAM riders.<\/p>\n

\""Shimano\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Aluminium cranks, as we\u2019d expect for Shimano.<\/span><\/figcaption> Ben Delaney \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Could Shimano GRX 12-speed use the same cable pull ratio as the brand\u2019s 12-speed mountain bike components, making a much-dreamed-about Shimano mullet drivetrain a possibility?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s impossible to tell from the photos but our fingers are crossed.<\/p>\n

Di2? 2x?<\/h2>\n
\""FiftyOne\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Campagnolo Ekar is the only 1x-specific gravel groupset out there at the moment.<\/span><\/figcaption> Oscar Huckle \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

While there\u2019s lots to digest already, this early preview still leaves us with some key questions \u2013 principally, will Shimano continue to offer 2x and Di2 versions of GRX?<\/p>\n

Given the popularity of its existing double-chainring gravel groupsets and Shimano\u2019s commitment to 2x groupsets for road cycling, we think the former is almost a certainty.<\/p>\n

\""Shimano\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
With Shimano now bringing electronic shifting down to 105 Di2, will GRX follow with more Di2 options?<\/span><\/figcaption> Dave Caudery \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Only Campagnolo, with its radical 13-speed Ekar groupset, has gone all-out committing to 1x groupsets alone for gravel bikes.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s almost a certainty that Shimano will also continue to offer a Di2 version of GRX.<\/p>\n

Though Shimano hasn\u2019t updated its Di2 electronic mountain bike groupsets for some time, it has continued to invest on the road side, bringing Di2 right down to its third-tier 105 level.<\/p>\n

11-speed GRX was only available in a single top-tier Di2 option. Could we see Shimano follow its road bike groupsets and offer lower-priced Di2 options? We can\u2019t wait to find out.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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