An unreleased drop-bar variant of Shimano’s Cues groupset has been leaked after Dice launched its 2025 bike lineup right this moment.
The Cues franchise was launched again in 2023, as Shimano sought to interchange its whole mid-range groupset household in each street and mountain with a singular, cross-compatible ecosystem of 9, 10, and 11-speed elements. Till now, nonetheless, there was no official launch of drop-bar elements.
Shimano additionally hinted that the brand new Cues lineup would primarily serve 1x groupsets, which is what has been proven off on the Dice Nuroad Professional.
(Picture credit score: Shimano)
This morning, Dice confirmed off its new vary of street, gravel, and electrical bikes for 2025 – however that wasn’t all they launched into the general public eye.
Maybe even unknowingly, the model additionally launched data on new Cues groupset elements, together with half numbers and spec particulars for the Dice Nuroad Professional. A scroll all the way down to the elements data on the Dice web site will present you that the Nuroad Professional options Shimano Cues brake levers, brake calipers, rear derailleur, and cassette.
(Picture credit score: Dice)
Before everything, the shifters. Dice’s web site has them down because the Shimano Cues ST-U6030 shift-brake levers, and ergonomically at the very least, they appear to resemble the form of the GRX levers seen larger up within the Japanese element producer’s vary.
The addition of those hydraulic brake levers additionally helps to fill a spot in Shimano’s vary, with no actual up-to-date low-cost hydraulic drop bar levers beforehand out there. It additionally permits Shimano to supply a devoted 1x groupset at a cheaper price, somewhat than stick with funds street bike groupsets, usually with compromised gearing choices for commuting and gravel driving.
(Picture credit score: Dice)
On the rear, Dice has used the already launched Cues RD-6000-GS rear derailleur, reinforcing Shimano’s preliminary claims that groupset elements within the Cues household would all the time be cross-compatible. This additionally signifies that Shimano’s shifters share the identical pull ratios for each flat and drop bar shifters.
The Cues CS-LG400 cassette is notably wide selection too. The 11-speed shift system boasts a variety of 11-50 enamel. Present types of Shimano GRX boast comparable compatibility, which means we are going to possible see comparable gear ranges being out there at a cheaper price when this groupset turns into out there to the broader market.
(Picture credit score: Dice)
That is it for Cues branded elements on the Nuroad. Cranks are dealt with by the Dice’s in-house element model Acid, although it is anticipated that for full builds, the identical crankset could be used throughout the Cues flat bar and drop bar vary.
Cues has a give attention to sturdiness and smoothness with a know-how known as Linkglide. This encompasses a tooth profile design, with larger and thicker enamel, that guides the chain up and down the cassette for easy shifting in both route whereas pedaling underneath load.
On the Nuroad, Dice has curiously opted for a KMC Xglide chain, somewhat than a Shimano particular possibility. These chains have been out there for a very long time now, however clearly, they should be at the very least functionally suitable with the Linkglide know-how.
Lastly, a phrase on value. Dice’s Nuroad Professional is hitting the cabinets for £1,199. For a carbon fork, 11-speed shifting, and hydraulic disc brakes, this bike represents good worth – one other key element of Shimano’s focus with the brand new Cues groupset.
At the moment, there are not any additional particulars, however Biking Weekly has contacted Shimano for remark.
