Intended primarily to offer affordable 1x groupsets<\/a>, drop-bar Cues is expected to be specced widely on budget gravel bikes<\/a>. It will also replace Shimano\u2019s budget-oriented Tiagra, Sora and Claris road bike groupsets.<\/p> Other than confirming it will arrive in early 2025, Shimano remains tight-lipped on when exactly we should expect to see its new Cues drop-bar groupset hit the market.\u00a0<\/p> So what can we infer from the timing and other goings-on at Shimano HQ?<\/p> Despite its focus on compatibility, Cues stands apart from Shimano\u2019s existing products, using a different cable-pull ratio and drivetrain technology from its road or gravel groupsets.<\/p> As such, its release is unlikely to be tied to any other anticipated Shimano launches (such as the long-awaited new XTR Di2 drivetrain<\/a> or 1x GRX Di2 groupset<\/a>, which is expected to borrow tech from XTR).<\/p> Instead, the timing is likely more prosaic, with Shimano and its OE partners introducing a new groupset to tempt would-be customers into buying a new bike as spring rolls around.\u00a0<\/p> Expect to see entry-level model year 2025 gravel bikes with Cues from many brands \u2013 and, if we\u2019re lucky, the odd unintentional leak revealing more details before the official launch.<\/p> Although Shimano declined to share details on the groupset\u2019s availability, pricing or specifications, Cues is likely to be priced below Shimano\u2019s enthusiast-oriented GRX groupsets.\u00a0<\/p> The Cube Nuroad Pro \u2013 which has since been removed from Cube’s site \u2013 is specced with an existing Cues RD-U6000-GS rear derailleur, strongly suggesting drop-bar Cues uses the same cable-pull ratio as its flat-bar counterparts.<\/p>When will drop-bar Cues be available?<\/h2>
![\"Shimano](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2023\/08\/Shimano-GRX-RX8202-b815485.jpg\")
What else do we know?<\/h2>
![\"Cube](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/09\/Cube-Nuroad-Pro-Fe-bike-shot.jpeg\")