In a Shimano patent uncovered by Better Shifting and detailed on its Instagram account, a brand new, totally wi-fi, 13sp groupset is hinted at that might nicely be the brand new Dura-Ace.
While a patent would not in any method assure a product will go into manufacturing, it at the very least hints on the common course. In wi-fi phrases, Shimano at present lags behind Campagnolo and Sram in that its digital groupsets nonetheless depend on {a partially} wired connection. Bringing true wi-fi to Dura-Ace would convey parity on that entrance, and a 13sp rear cassette would additionally convey it degree with Campagnolo so far as the variety of sprockets go.
Details of the rear derailleur seem to indicate the present charging port (high left), but in addition what seems to be the contact factors for the brand new inner battery within the centre on the proper. (Image credit score: Shimano)
13 speeds and 2x: 26 overlapping gears
Both Shimano’s highway and gravel groupset high out at 12sp at present. The identical may be stated of Sram, it have to be stated. Campagnolo has gone to 13sp, however solely with its Ekar gravel groupsets, that are solely 1x.
The Patent clearly reveals a derailleur which bears a visible resemblance to the present Dura-Ace with a cassette with 13 sprockets. This would make it the primary 13sp highway groupset, and the primary 2×13 setup too in a single fell swoop.
We have seen aftermarket Shimano highway 1x setups prior to now, however nothing official, with 1x being reserved solely for the GRX gravel groupset. The presence of a entrance derailleur within the patent would not essentially forego the presence of an official 1x setup, but it surely definitely reveals 2x is not going anyplace anytime quickly.
This is what seems to be the brand new battery and charger. It’s unclear whether or not it’s detachable or wether charging takes place in-situ, but it surely appears to be like just like the rear derailleur has a flap masking the battery onto which the charger may very well be clipped. (Image credit score: Shimano)
True wi-fi
As it stands Shimano groupsets nonetheless contain some wiring. There is the battery, for one factor, distinct from each derailleurs and requiring a tough connection to each, with the rear derailleur performing because the grasp unit for charging.
This newest patent reveals each entrance and rear derailleurs housing inner batteries, although whereas the rear reveals a charging port that appears like the present technology, the entrance would not seem to have a port – or at the very least one just isn’t proven.
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Sram has a patent for interchangeable batteries, which is why the newest wi-fi Campagnolo Super Record groupset makes use of distinct batteries for the entrance and rear derailleurs. It’s potential that the rear derailleur could also be charged through the present technology lead, and the entrance both by eradicating the battery, or utilizing a brand new charger design which can also be outlined.
The particulars of the rear derailleur do not present a charging port, however point out an inner battery nonetheless. (Image credit score: Shimano)
There isn’t any indication of improvement timescales or a possible launch throughout the patent, however as that is new tech it’s cheap to imagine it should enter on the Dura-Ace tier after which trickle down. The present Dura-Ace got here out again in 2021, and so an replace within the close to future would not be out of the query.
