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.
08:34 [Music]
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