Shimano GRX may be very a lot a well-established a part of the gravel scene now, and whereas final 12 months noticed the launch of a cabled 12-speed GRX, we at the moment are seeing the launch of a 12-speed Di2 model. The headline modifications are, past the addition of a further sprocket, a revised hood design to higher mesh with flared bars, and added button performance in addition to the flexibility to make use of satellite tv for pc shifters.
Like Dura-Ace, Ultegra, and 105, the brand new GRX Di2 (RX825 in Shimano coding) is semi-wireless, with wi-fi controls on the hoods, however a hardwired connection between the battery and the entrance and rear derailleurs. Whereas we now have seen a patent lately for a completely wi-fi, 13-speed Shimano groupset, it’s at the very least now clear that this wasn’t a brand new GRX.
For ease, the brand new componentry has been damaged down into its constituent elements.
The hoods look very related, however are barely bigger and goal to mesh higher with flared bars (Picture credit score: Shimano)
Hoods
At first look, you’d be hard-pressed to search out the variations between the brand new hoods and the previous Di2 ones from the 11-speed groupset. The 11-speed hoods have been universally in style in our expertise, and it appears Shimano has seen little level in overhauling one thing that individuals like.
The identical ribs exist on the hood covers for improved grip on tough terrain, and the ‘pommel’ nonetheless options that attribute, nearly hooked again peak to it. It’s nevertheless bigger in diameter, to create a smoother transition from bar to shifter and cut back stress factors.
The anti-slip coating on the lever stays, too, and the lever nonetheless kinks out greater than highway levers do, to higher work with flared bars. The thumb button on the higher inside the pommel peak remains to be there, to work as a satellite tv for pc shifter, or to manage laptop screens. As per the cable groupset, the hoods are designed to be flat when mounted to flared bars.
A novel addition to the hoods is a battery degree indicator mild on the highest of the shifter pommel on the entrance, so you’ll be able to simply see when you’ll want to exchange the coin cell batteries that energy the shifters.
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The chainset and cassettes are ported over from the 12sp cable groupset (Picture credit score: Shimano)
Chainset and kit ratios
Gearing is now 2×12, however as this groupset shares the cranksets that include the cable-actuated 12sp GRX, it stands to cause that the present 1x crankset on supply for cable customers can be suitable with the Di2 model. This isn’t talked about within the press materials although.
The 12sp Di2 chainset is similar because the 12sp cable mannequin, with the identical 48/31 tooth setup that the present 11sp affords, in addition to being suitable with the smaller 46/30 chainset from the 12sp cable actuated GRX. The brand new chainset itself is comparable seeking to the present 11spd mannequin however has extra materials machined out of the outer chainring.
Cassette choices are both an 11-36t or an 11-34t choice, relying on whether or not clients need a better vary or tighter spacing. These are the identical elements as seen on the cable groupset.
The entrance derailleur loses the silver entrance panel, and has an additional cutout on the inside plate, however is in any other case equivalent (Picture credit score: Shimano)
Entrance derailleur
The entrance derailleur once more bears a hanging resemblance to its forebear. The chainline stays 2.5mm better than on the highway for barely improved clearance. The front-facing panel of the primary motor unit is now not silver, however all black, and the inside plate has a further cutout to shed some grams.
All black now, the rear derailleur kicks again additional and has extra cutouts to shed weight, whereas dropping the cutouts from the parallelogram (Picture credit score: Shimano)
Rear derailleur
Oddly, the rear derailleur appears to have added materials. Now not is the central parallelogram outer plate machined out, however is now strong. The entire thing is now all black, and options the identical Shadow setup as earlier than, with a swap for the clutch to make wheel elimination simpler.
The decrease cage kinks backwards extra drastically midway down its size, has bigger cutouts, and seems to have a bigger backside jockey wheel, once more with bigger cutouts in it. The charging port additionally stays on the bottom of the rear derailleur, in step with the remainder of the Di2 household.
The earlier rear derailleur has a most 42t capability, and whereas it isn’t listed it isn’t anticipated that this has modified.
The brakes are additionally introduced over from the 12sp cable groupset, bringing a ten% wider pad hole to the digital system to assist alleviate pad rub (Picture credit score: Shimano)
Brakes
The brakes are equivalent to these on the 12sp cable groupset. This implies an improve over the present 11sp because the GRX BB-R820 callipers function Shimano’s ‘Servo Wave’ brake tech, which areas the pads extra broadly and takes up extra of the pad motion within the preliminary lever stroke. This could cut back pad rub – one thing that’s extra widespread when driving off-road – and enhance modulation.
Satellite tv for pc shifters at the moment are supported, together with a system the place one button will be programmed to shift the entrance derailleur each out and in (Picture credit score: Shimano)
Button performance and satellite tv for pc shifters
This newest iteration of GRX Di2 is now suitable with satellite tv for pc shifters, both on the bars or bar finish for these gravelly riders who use TT bars. Greater than that although, the buttons on this groupset at the moment are extra programmable than ever.
Utilizing Shimano’s E-Tube app, riders can assign one single button to shift the entrance derailleur in each instructions, liberating up a button for different capabilities similar to controlling laptop screens, lap capabilities, or suitable lights.
Not new when it comes to {hardware}, however new when it comes to visuals; the brand new GRX Di2 additionally coincides with a GRX version of the PD-M8100 pedals, the identical because the Deore XT mannequin from Shimano’s MTB line, however with gravel-inspired graphics.
Pricing and weights
Pricing and weights, the place info has been offered, have been outlined beneath. As extra info turns into out there we’ll replace this.
