Product news: With the new mechanical 12-speed components of the Shimano 105 series, the manufacturer offers road bike enthusiasts who value a reliable and easy-to-maintain shifting system at an attractive price. The new, lightweight component group offers top-level mechanical 12-speed shifting, intuitive operation and maximum reliability.
Already last year, the component manufacturer brought the 105-speed shifting pleasure to the entry level of the performance groups with the first Shimano 2 Di12 group and at the same time "electrified" the 105 series. Based on this version, the mechanical variant of the Shimano 105 12-speed groupset is now being presented in order to reach an even wider range of ambitious riders.
The new Shimano 105: Mechanical 12-speed shifting system with all-round genes
Seen from the outside, the integrated cable routing of the mechanical Shimano 105 12-speed group offers an attractive, "clean" cockpit design. With the step to 12-speed, the mechanical Shimano 105 also gets a new level of flexibility and versatility, because the new gradations thanks to the additional sprocket enable an enormously wide range of uses. This is made possible by the drive train of the new mechanical 105s, consisting of cassettes with either 11-34 or 11-36 teeth and the Hollowtech II cranksets with gradations of 50/34 or 52/36 teeth on the large or small chainring.
While the combination of a 50/34 compact crankset and 11-34 or 11-36 cassette with a 1:1 gear ratio or even a reduction gear should simplify particularly steep and long climbs, the combination with 52/36 semi-compact makes it possible -Crank to really accelerate even on faster sections, descents or in sprints. The additional 12th gear of the new mechanical Shimano 105 groupset enables progressive gear steps for comfortable pedaling frequencies on any terrain.
So that the gears can also be changed accordingly, the new RD-R7100 rear derailleur with Shadow RD technology and the FD-R7100 front derailleur are used. The rear derailleur's Shadow RD technology ensures that, despite its very flat construction, it enables balanced tension and smooth, efficient and low-noise shifting. The new mechanical front derailleur with a toggle-link construction provides a wide range of options for cable control on the one hand, and on the other hand it guarantees problem-free and reliable changes from the large to the small chain ring or vice versa.
The new mechanical Shimano 105 with improved ergonomics
As one of the main points of contact between the rider and the bike, there has always been a great deal of focus in terms of ergonomics on the shift/brake levers. The new ST-R7120 levers of the Shimano 105 12-speed have been designed in such a way that people with large and small hands alike can enjoy state-of-the-art ergonomics, maximum comfort and excellent controllability.
This controllability is also reflected in the interaction between the brake lever and the new brake calipers. Because together they ensure high, efficient braking performance with good controllability. In addition, the new model has 105% more clearance to the brake disc compared to the previous 10, which prevents grinding noise.
Shimano XT Di2 on test: What can the new top circuit do?
Test / E-MTB: We were able to test the Shimano XT Di2 group that was introduced a few months ago. We take a close look at features like the automatic and pedalless shifting and see what has changed in terms of ergonomics and shift quality. This summer, Shimano unveiled the latest version of its electronic XT Di2 […]