Shimano 105 12 speed Mechanical Impressions: Who needs electronic shifting anyway?

Summary

Get ready for a thrilling day as Shimano launches not one, but two exciting new 12-speed mechanical drop bar group sets. This video delves into the details of the highly anticipated 105 R7100 group set, revealing its price, weight, and all the changes it brings to the table. But that's not all! Shimano also unveils their gravel bike group sets, giving fans of off-road cycling something to get excited about. Join us as we explore the new 105 group set, breaking down its affordable pricing, impressive weight savings, and compatibility with disc brakes. Discover how it compares to electronic offerings like Dura-Ace and Ultegra, and get a sneak peek at the enticing prices of complete bikes equipped with this new mechanical marvel from Canyon and Giant.

Takeaways

• 🚲 Shimano launched two new 12-speed mechanical drop bar groupsets: 105 R7100 and GRX for gravel bikes.
• 💰 The 105 R7100 groupset has a retail price of around £1,000, cheaper than the electronic 105 Di2 version.
• ⚖️ The mechanical 105 R7100 groupset is lighter than the electronic versions, weighing around 2,600 grams.
• 🚫 The 105 R7100 groupset is disc-brake only, with no rim brake option.
• 🔀 The 12-speed cassettes offer a wider range of gears, with options like 11-34T and 11-36T.
• ⚙️ The 105 R7100 groupset is compatible with other Shimano components, allowing for customization and upgrades.
• 💷 Complete bikes with the 105 R7100 groupset are expected to be priced around £2,500-£4,000, depending on the frame and components.
• 🤝 Canyon and Giant have already announced bikes with the new 105 R7100 groupset, offering competitive pricing.
• 🎥 The reviewer will be testing the 105 R7100 groupset soon and will share their first impressions and reviews.
• 📣 Shimano's decision to continue offering mechanical groupsets alongside electronic ones provides a more affordable option for price-conscious consumers.

Q & A

What are the two new mechanical Shimano groupsets launched in the video?

The two new mechanical Shimano groupsets launched are the 105 R7100 and GRX gravel bike groupsets.

What is the main advantage of the new 105 R7100 groupset over electronic groupsets?

The main advantage of the new 105 R7100 groupset is the lower price compared to electronic groupsets, as it is over 1,000 pounds cheaper than the 105 Di2 electronic groupset.

How does the price of the new 105 R7100 groupset compare to the previous 11-speed 105 mechanical groupset?

The new 105 R7100 groupset is only 200 pounds more expensive than the previous 11-speed 105 mechanical groupset, which had a retail price of 800 pounds when it launched in 2018.

What are the main changes in the new 105 R7100 groupset compared to the previous generation?

The main changes in the new 105 R7100 groupset are the jump from 11 to 12 speeds and the updated shifters and hoods, which are mechanical with hydraulic disc brakes.

What is the weight advantage of the new 105 R7100 groupset over electronic groupsets?

The new 105 R7100 groupset weighs just over 2,600 grams, which is lighter than both the 105 Di2 electronic groupset (nearly 3 kilos) and the Ultegra 12-speed Di2 electronic groupset.

What are the chainring options available with the new 105 R7100 groupset?

The new 105 R7100 groupset comes with two chainring options: a 50-34 compact and a 52-36.

What is the advantage of the new 12-speed cassette in the 105 R7100 groupset?

The new 12-speed cassette offers a wider range of gears with smooth progressions between the sprockets, allowing for a wider range of cassettes with smaller jumps between gears compared to 10 or 11-speed cassettes.

What are the cassette options available with the new 105 R7100 groupset?

The new 105 R7100 groupset offers two cassette options: an 11-34 and an 11-36.

What are the advantages of mixing and matching components from different Shimano groupsets with the new 105 R7100 shifters?

By using the 105 R7100 shifters and front and rear derailleurs, users can choose to upgrade other components like the cassette, chain, brakes, and chainset to higher-end groupsets like Ultegra or Dura-Ace, creating a customized high-end mechanical groupset.

What are the expected price ranges for complete bikes equipped with the new 105 R7100 groupset?

Based on the video, it is expected that complete bikes with the new 105 R7100 groupset will typically range from around 2,500 pounds to 4,000 pounds, depending on the frame material, wheels, and other finishing kit components.

Outlines

00:00

🚴‍♂️ New Shimano 105 12-Speed Mechanical Group Set Launch

This paragraph introduces the launch of two new 12-speed mechanical drop bar group sets from Shimano: the 105 R7100 group set and the GRX gravel bike group set. It focuses on the details of the 105 R7100 group set, including pricing, weight, changes, and costs on two different bikes (Canyon Ultimate and Giant TCR). The paragraph also mentions the GRX gravel bike group set and provides a link to a separate review video for those interested in gravel biking.

05:01

🚲 Pricing, Weight, and Bike Costs

This paragraph discusses the pricing and weight of the new 105 mechanical 12-speed group set. It highlights the significant cost savings compared to the electronic 105 Di2 group set, retailing at around £1,000 versus £1,700 for the Di2 version. The group set weighs just over 2,600 grams, making it lighter than 105 Di2 and even Ultegra Di2. The paragraph also provides details on the pricing of complete bikes from Canyon and Giant equipped with the new group set, showing very appealing price points of £2,700 for a Canyon Ultimate CF SL7 and £2,500 for a Giant TCR Advanced 2.

10:01

🚴‍♀️ Final Thoughts and Review

This paragraph summarizes the key benefits and advantages of the new 105 mechanical 12-speed group set, including its affordability, lightweight design, and suitability for those who prefer mechanical shifting over electronic options. The lack of a rim brake option is acknowledged, but the focus is on the positive impact of Shimano's continued support for mechanical group sets in the mid-range market. The paragraph concludes by encouraging viewers to subscribe to the channel for a future review of the group set in action.

Keywords

💡Shimano

Shimano is a Japanese company that manufactures bicycle components, including groupsets (a collection of components used for shifting gears and braking). In the context of this video, Shimano is launching new 12-speed mechanical groupsets (105 R7100 and GRX) for road and gravel bikes, respectively. The script focuses on the details and specifications of the new 105 R7100 groupset.

💡Mechanical Groupset

A mechanical groupset refers to a collection of bicycle components that use cables and levers to control gear shifting and braking without any electronic or battery-powered components. This is in contrast to electronic groupsets (like Shimano's Di2 series) that use motors and batteries to operate the gear shifting and braking. The video highlights the new Shimano 105 R7100 as a mechanical 12-speed groupset, which is more affordable than the electronic version (105 Di2) while still offering a wide range of gears.

💡12-speed

The term '12-speed' refers to the number of gears or sprockets on the rear cassette of the groupset. This new Shimano 105 R7100 groupset has 12 gears on the rear cassette, as opposed to the previous 11-speed version. The increased number of gears allows for a wider range of gear ratios (from low to high) while maintaining smaller jumps between each gear, resulting in a smoother and more efficient gear progression. This feature is particularly beneficial for riders who require a wide range of gears to accommodate varying terrain and fitness levels.

💡Disc Brakes

Disc brakes are a type of braking system used on modern bicycles, especially road and gravel bikes. Unlike traditional rim brakes that apply friction to the wheel rim, disc brakes use calipers to grip and slow down a separate disc rotor mounted on the wheel hub. The script mentions that the new Shimano 105 R7100 groupset is 'disc brake only,' indicating that it does not offer a rim brake option. This reflects the growing popularity and importance of disc brakes in the bike industry due to their superior braking power and performance in various weather conditions.

💡Price

Price is a crucial factor in the discussion of the new Shimano 105 R7100 groupset. The script emphasizes that this mechanical 12-speed groupset has a retail price of around £1,000 (or $1,300 USD), which is significantly cheaper than the electronic 105 Di2 groupset (£1,700 or $2,300 USD). This affordable pricing makes the 105 R7100 an attractive option for cyclists who want to enjoy the benefits of 12-speed technology without the higher cost associated with electronic shifting. The video also provides pricing examples for complete bikes equipped with the new groupset, highlighting the potential cost savings.

💡Weight

Weight is an important consideration for many cyclists, especially those who prioritize performance and efficiency. The script notes that the new Shimano 105 R7100 mechanical groupset weighs just over 2,600 grams (approximately 5.7 lbs), which is lighter than both the 105 Di2 electronic groupset (nearly 3 kg or 6.6 lbs) and the higher-end Ultegra Di2 groupset. This weight advantage is attributed to the absence of batteries and motors found in electronic groupsets. The lighter weight of the 105 R7100 groupset may appeal to cyclists who are seeking to minimize overall bike weight while still enjoying 12-speed technology.

💡Cassette

A cassette is the cluster of sprockets (gears) mounted on the rear wheel of a bicycle. The new Shimano 105 R7100 groupset features a 12-speed cassette, with options for either an 11-34 or 11-36 tooth range. These wide-range cassettes, combined with the 12 gears, allow for a smoother progression between gear ratios and provide a broader range of gears for climbing and descending. The script highlights this benefit of the 12-speed cassette, which enables cyclists to have a wider gear range while maintaining smaller gaps between gear ratios compared to older groupsets with fewer gears.

💡Chainset

A chainset, also known as a crankset, is the component that includes the cranks and chainrings (the gears attached to the crankarms). The new Shimano 105 R7100 groupset offers two chainset options: a 50-34 compact chainset and a 52-36 chainset. These chainset configurations, combined with the wide-range cassettes, provide a variety of gear ratio options to accommodate different riding styles and terrain. The availability of multiple chainset choices allows cyclists to customize their gearing to suit their specific needs and preferences.

💡Complete Bike

A complete bike refers to a fully assembled bicycle that is ready to ride straight out of the shop or box. The script discusses the pricing of complete bikes equipped with the new Shimano 105 R7100 groupset, providing examples from brands like Canyon and Giant. It highlights that the prices for these complete bikes, with the new 12-speed mechanical groupset, are very appealing compared to the same models equipped with electronic groupsets. This demonstrates the cost savings consumers can realize by choosing a mechanical groupset like the 105 R7100 when purchasing a complete bike.

💡GRX

GRX is a gravel-specific groupset introduced by Shimano, designed specifically for gravel and adventure cycling. While the main focus of the video is on the new Shimano 105 R7100 road groupset, the script briefly mentions the simultaneous launch of the GRX groupset for gravel bikes. This shows Shimano's commitment to catering to different cycling disciplines by offering specialized groupsets tailored to the unique demands of each category. The GRX groupset is featured on a Topstone gravel bike shown in the background, highlighting its application in the gravel cycling segment.

Highlights

Shimano launches two 12-speed mechanical drop bar group sets, including the new 105 R7100.

105 R7100 group set offers a detailed overview of price, weight, and changes.

Introduction of GRX, Shimano's gravel bike group sets, alongside the 105 R7100.

Focus on providing a mechanical group set option amidst a trend towards electronic group sets.

105 R7100 is priced significantly lower than its electronic counterpart, 105 Di2.

Transition of 105 group set to 12-speed aligns it with higher-end group sets like Dura-Ace and Ultegra.

The 105 R7100 is disc brake only, indicating Shimano's focus on disc brake technology.

The 105 R7100's pricing offers a more accessible entry point to 12-speed technology.

Comparison of 105 R7100 with SRAM's Apex, highlighting the 105's two-by option.

The 105 R7100 includes 11-34 and 11-36 cassettes, offering a wide gear range.

Shimano's emphasis on providing sensible gearing options for a broader range of cyclists.

Weight benefits of the 105 R7100 mechanical group set over electronic versions.

Potential for customizing bikes by mixing 105 R7100 components with higher-end options.

Insight into complete bikes offered by Canyon and Giant with the new 105 R7100 group set.

Affordability and value of bikes equipped with 105 R7100, making advanced technology more accessible.

The impact of the 105 R7100 on the market, potentially influencing other manufacturers to offer mid-range mechanical group sets.

Transcripts

so it's a big day for Shimano with a

launch of not one but two 12-speed

mechanical drop bar group sets in this

video we are talking exclusively about

the new 105 r7100 group set give it a

price the weight all the changes and

details and what it costs on a bike both

a canyon ultimate and a giant TCR but

that's not the only group set launched

today there's also grx their gravel bike

group sets which you can see behind me

on a lovely topstone lab 71 frame I've

actually been riding this for the last

few weeks and that's a detailed review

video on the bike and that group set

link down below and hopefully floating

the card above my head somewhere so that

launch if you're a gravel bite fan go

watch that video definitely one for you

but if you're all about road bikes and

you want a Mechanical group set and

you're not into Electronics well keep

watching loads of talk about loads get

excited about for sure and great to see

that while Shimano have entirely focus

on electronic dit group sets with durase

and ultegra at the top end what the pros

race and ride it's great to see they

aren't abandoning Mechanical group sets

and offering the price conscious of

value focused consumer a real viable

option giving us that travel speed

technology but at a lower price point I

will be riding this new 105 group set in

a few weeks time and if you want to see

my first impressions and review of that

group set and how it compared to other

groups that's on the market right now

then make sure you hit that subscribe

button down below your support helps me

do videos like this anyway let's dive in

take a look at all the details and see

what's what so this is a 12-speed Groot

set that brings 105 onto the same page

as durase ultegra and one of our dit

which launched last year it's a disc

brake only group set as well and that's

something I know will upset a lot of

people who might have recently expected

a room break version of the group set

but shows how popular and how important

disc brakes are to the bike industry so

let me know how you feel about that I'll

leave a comment down below if you

haven't so the big deal with 105

mechanical 12 speed is a price and in a

nutshell it's cheaper than their

electronic version so 105 di2 launched

last year where retail price of 1700

pounds this new group set is just over 1

000 pounds so big chunk of money cheaper

I already shows the savings you can get

by choosing mechanical and it's

fantastic that Shimano is still offering

a Mechanical group set and bring it onto

12-speed technology injuries with

durates and ultegra a few years ago and

means if you don't want to spend big

bucks on electronic group sets or you

don't really want electronics for the

usability and the Battery Technology

we have a solid reliable mechanical

option here which can save a lot of

money both on a group set as we see

later when you buy a complete bike the

prices I've seen so far are very

enticing indeed and that new price isn't

much more than what 11 speed mechanical

105 cost when it launched back in 2018

that had a retail price of 800 pounds so

it's only gone up by 200 pounds and

we've had the pandemic and supply issues

since then so I think a fairly recent

price increase given everything that has

gone on in the world over the last few

years and it's still definitely an

affordable group set and there's nothing

else to recompare one of five mechanical

two

sram's most affordable mechanical

shifting group set is their new Apex

which actually cost the same money about

a thousand pounds but that is a one by

only group set and aimed at gravel and

adventure riding with big range

cassettes a 1044 and a 10 a 51 so not

the two by option we had with one of

five definitely more of a traditional

robot group set they're not really going

after the gravel bike Market because

they have grx for that category so the

main changes with the group said

artifact it makes a jump from 11 to 12

speed just as we've seen with durase or

Tegra and 105 di2 last year whether you

really need the child sprocket depends

on your point of view but with the two

cassettes they are offering 11 34 and 11

36 what it means is you can have a nice

wide range cassette with big climbing

gears at one end and have a nice smooth

progression through the gear ratios from

the small sprocket to the big sprocket

with 11 10 or 9 speed trying to offer a

wide range of Gears whilst maintaining

face sensible jumps between a sprocket

is really tough so going to 12 and maybe

even like 13 or 14 or 15 down the line

if that ever happens means you can have

that big range of cassette and nice

smooth steps and for all you people who

complain about one by having two bigger

gap between different gears well this is

a benefit of going tall speed on a wide

range cassette and that 11 36 is simply

massive compared to what we had 10 or 15

years ago and shows the progression and

evolution of Gears designed to appeal to

normal cyclists with real world levels

of Fitness who aren't Pros Shimano have

been slow here compared to SRAM and

offering sensible gearing for those of

us who need all the help on the clients

we can get but then the other main

change are in the shifters the hoods

which are mechanical with hydraulic disc

brakes the rest of the group set is

essentially the same as 105 di2 launched

last year so the cassette the chain the

disc brake calipers and the rotors and

of course the chain sets and the

chainset comes in two options a 50-34

compact and a 52-36 so a nice range of

options to complement those two

cassettes and now we have a child speed

Mechanical group set there is the option

to mix and match as well so stick with

one of five shifters and a front and

rear derailers and they may go to

ultegra or durase cassette chain brake

calipers and of course a chain set if

you want to go for or sort of a high-end

mechanical version because that's the

only way to get a high-end Mechanical

group set these days if you use one of

five shifters and mix and then upgrade

the other components on that bike that's

something I don't think many people will

do but I'm sure a few people might go

custom and go that route let's talk

about the weight and here is a big

benefit of mechanical shifting over

electronic shifting so the new group set

will weigh just over 2 600 grams I'll

put the list of all the component

weights on a screen now so you can see

for yourself what Shimano is claiming

for different components and that way it

Compares really well it's lighter than

105 dit which is nearly three kilos and

that's about the same as SRAM rival

access and really show the benefit of

not having batteries and motors on your

group set and it's lighter even than

otegra 12 speed dit which is very

impressive but durate di2 is still

lighter at just over 2.5 kilo I can

definitely see some people choosing 105

mechanical over not just 105 gi2 but

also ultegra di2 if they are a weight

weenie if you're a sort of person who

weighs out your food in the morning this

might be the group set for you or a

torque or weight and price is all very

well if you're buying the group set on

its own and build it onto a frame

yourself which I know some people will

do but it's most likely anybody looking

at a new group set will be buying a

complete bike off a Shelf ready to go

now in preparation for making a video

ahead of today's embargo I don't have

much info or much visibility on what

bikes will look like with the new group

set but Canyon and giant have kindly

shared me some details of the bikes

they'll be offering on launch day today

with a new group set and the prices let

me tell you a very appealing indeed so

Canyon will be offering their ultimate

CF sl7 by their race bike with the low

other great or carbon five I still have

a very good race bike with loads of

upgrade potential whether you're racing

or doing sporties and with this new

group set will retail for 2 700 pounds

and that is a really really strong price

point and that is more or less the same

price as they were offering the same

bike with the older 11 speed 105

Mechanical group set which lots of

Manufacturers have still been using for

the last year even though I don't think

Shimano are still manufacturing it

there's plenty of stock out there and

then giant will be offering his TCR

Advance 2 with a group set for 2 500

pounds and that is really damn good too

and with that Canyon CF sl7 costing 2

700 pounds it Compares really well to

other bikes it offers this bike with So

currently on their website they are

listing this same CF sl7 with the 105

di2 group set and it costs four thousand

pounds nearly four thousand pounds so

same bike same Wheels but with the

electronic di2 it's a big price increase

and that really shows the advantage of

this new mechanical 105 group set and I

think looking forward kind of doing some

crystal ball here I expect as with old

105 mechanical back in his Heyday a few

years ago before the pandemic

that a typical price range for a bike

with 105 12 speed to range from about

two and a half thousand pounds which

we're seeing right now up to say four

thousand pounds and that depends on the

frame material to carbon titanium

aluminum and then the finishing kit so

the wheels carbon fiber or aluminum and

the other part on a bike and in the past

we always saw 105 really spreading

across a wide range of price points and

I expect that to be the same case here

with the new 12 speed stuff so there we

go a really exciting day if you're not a

fan of electronic group sets you don't

want batteries and motors on your road

bike we have a really solid sensible

well priced and lightweight Mechanical

group set

as a shame there's no room break option

but that is the way the world is going

it's all about disc brakes I mean I

don't mind that to be honest I like disc

brakes personally but I know lots of

people will miss the room break option

whether that comes in the future remains

to be seen but I doubt it I think if it

were launching room breaks they would

have announced it today and a great

decision while they're still supporting

mechanical

and y5 is still a high-end group set in

the grand scheme of things yes it's

mid-range compared to durase and ultegra

but when Shimano bread and butter is

tiagara and Sora and so on

105 is still a reasonably expensive

mid-range aspirational group set so to

offer that mechanical version at a price

that's a lot lower and di2 is really

good to see and hopefully while I don't

think will happen but I see a SRAM or

Cam pack can I follow suit and offer

some nice mid-range Mechanical group

sets to try and bring the prices of

bikes down to a more reasonable level

because bike prices have gone crazy over

the last few years and I think the group

set might help to rebalance the state of

play right now but I'm sure it'll be

loads of interesting 105 bike launched

over the next few days and weeks and as

I said earlier I will be riding a group

set very soon and if you want to see a

review on that then make sure you

subscribe to the channel by hitting the

button on screen right here somewhere

and if you want to see a video of this

new grx then watch the video right up

here but that's all today thank you so

much for watching I'll see you again

very soon