Shimano GRX 2×12 velocity Di2 evaluate: It’s extra than simply the roadie’s gravel groupset

The earlier iteration of Shimano GRX, the 11sp Di2 model, was my first foray into digital gears. I ran it consistently on my long run gravel take a look at bike, a Fairlight Secan, and it have to be stated it by no means skipped a beat. Roll on a handful of years since becoming a member of Cyclingnews and digital shifting has continued to mature and trickle down. We now have digital Shimano 105, although it isn’t precisely the efficiency groupset for the everyperson anymore because of a a lot greater price ticket than the cabled model that runs in parallel. 

While SRAM has electrified kind of all of its groupset choices, and has binned off the entrance derailleur completely, Shimano is staunchly persevering with to supply 2x for its gravel strains. I swapped it out like for like with the previous 11sp groupset and have been bashing it about each on and off-road, plus a little bit of commuting moreover, over the previous couple of months. 

The quick model, in case you are significantly impatient, is that I like it. It’d be a stretch to say the adjustments from the 11sp to 12sp merchandise are earth-shattering, however there are noticeable enhancements that carry what was my favorite gravel groupset bang updated with the opponents, which had begun to make the 11sp setup really feel a bit dated. Given it’s what can be fitted to most of the greatest gravel bikes in the marketplace going ahead, it’s heartening to know that on this regard not less than they haven’t been short-changed on the spec entrance. 

As with any product that goals to be better than the sum of its elements, I’ll run you thru every element in flip, together with the imaginatively titled ‘GRX Tubeless Carbon Wheel’. If you desire a primer, with all the important thing updates, then my information article on the discharge of the brand new GRX is a superb place to begin, however I’ll go into every of the adjustments under as and once they turn into related. 

Initial setup

There is, I’m afraid, no getting round the truth that organising a Shimano digital groupset, whether or not it’s 105, Dura-Ace, or GRX, is extra of a ache within the arse than any SRAM equal. Not having to string wires by way of anyplace is an enormous plus for the American choice, however having the hoods wi-fi to the derailleurs does not less than make it one-notch much less annoying. 

It’s fiddly, however not rocket science to get the whole lot arrange. If you’re a comparatively competent residence mechanic you’ll be completely superb, and in case you aren’t then I recommend you discover somebody who’s, or pay an expert. Installing the whole lot with the proper torque is the simple bit. Threading the wires from battery to entrance and rear derailleur is the exhausting bit, although it’s no more durable than threading inside derailleur cables was once earlier than the move of electrons confined them to the scrapheap.

Somewhere within the center by way of issue is pairing the whole lot collectively. I did discover that my cellphone struggled to search out the Bluetooth sign of the rear derailleur (the grasp unit on this case), however this was remedied by deleting all of the previous, superfluous Bluetooth connections saved in my cellphone’s reminiscence. Goodbye rent automobiles and once-used occasion audio system, howdy E-Tube. 

Once your cellphone has discovered the rear derailleur it’s lifeless straightforward to pair the whole lot. Each lever has a QR code etched on the within of the shifter paddles, although it took a little bit of extra torchlight for my cellphone to scan it fortunately. Once it did, the whole lot sang from the identical hymn sheet.

I shan’t bore you with precisely the best way to arrange the gears, as it’s similar to the system for the opposite Shimano groupsets and never vastly fascinating, however it’s fairly easy. Set apart half an hour or so to actually dial it in and also you’ll be completely superb. You can, at this level, additionally re-assign the buttons to do different issues, however I’m going to deal with that shortly once we get to the levers.

One factor that’s actually key to know for a small handful of you is that because the battery is (typically talking) going up the within of your seatpost, you’ll be able to’t essentially run the total suite of aftermarket seatpost choices. Many, and even most dropper posts and suspension seatposts just like the Redshift ShockStop gained’t settle for a battery inside them and you must get artistic to make it work with unofficial means.

Aesthetics

Apologies to any fashionistas, however this part can be comparatively transient. There’s no nice departure by way of aesthetics from the previous mannequin. The rear derailleur is infilled and appears a bit sleeker for my part, and the chainrings and entrance derailleur have a couple of extra holes in them, however that’s principally it. If I had witnessed a Shimano gravel groupset commit a criminal offense from throughout the road and was introduced with the 11sp and 12sp variations in a lineup I don’t suppose I may in good conscience ship both of them to the slammer. 

The hoods

The 11sp hoods had been glorious, and fortunately not a lot has modified. The form is my favorite of all the present hoods I’ve tried. The pommel is nearly hooked backwards on itself on each iterations, which actually aids in locking your palms in when the going will get tough. The ribbing is principally the identical on prime, although the ribs on this model are narrower and extra quite a few, and the textured underside has gone in favour of some extra ribs on the within the place your fingertips relaxation.

What has modified, although it’s exhausting to inform with out placing the previous and new levers again to again, is the size. The 11sp GRX levers had been already among the many most reachy on the market, and the 12sp variations are even longer. Fortunately, although, this further size is all fore of the hand space, and I presume it’s to make room for brand spanking new internals for the Servo Wave brakes, which I’ll contact on shortly.

Ergonomically they’re glorious, even on the roughest terrain they provide a steady, snug place. They are optimised for flared bars, although I’m not actually keen on a flare. Regardless, I do run them turned in barely anyway with no in poor health results. 

With the time interval of this take a look at, it’s not likely potential to establish the usefulness of the LED indicator gentle within the shifters, which tells you when the coin cell battery in them is operating flat, however I can’t see any purpose it isn’t a very good addition and a useful improve. 

The thumb button stays, however it’s this time a outstanding button, somewhat than a button present beneath a recessed slot. I did just like the ergonomics of the previous type, although it meant you needed to press it together with your thumb joint somewhat than the thumb pad. On the 12sp it’s only a contact simpler, although rather less smooth visually. 

Those thumb buttons aren’t only for present, you’ll be able to program them to do no matter you need (inside purpose). They gained’t do your tax return or inform you you aren’t really going gray, however they are often setup to do the job of the primary shifter paddles as further buttons, or different extra helpful issues as I came upon once I inbuilt some pc integration.

The thumb buttons I discovered had been most helpful when setup to regulate my Wahoo Elemnt Bolt bike pc. The thumbs might be set to do the job of the primary buttons on the bottom of the pc with a brief press, and of the aspect buttons with a protracted press. Given the latest integration of music controls into Wahoo bike computer systems I discovered it’s potential to skip tracks and modify the quantity of my music all from my hoods. It actually did really feel like a little bit of a step into the long run. While I haven’t examined it, given which you could now management a GoPro out of your Wahoo the identical have to be true of now with the ability to management a GoPro by way of the shifter hoods. Magic, principally.

It’s price remembering that this is not a Wahoo characteristic, and you may management sure elements of some Garmin computer systems, however crucially you’ll be able to’t do it with a Hammerhead pc since SRAM owns Hammerhead now and the 2 methods not play properly collectively.

The different software I can see for the thumb buttons is for setting them up as in-built satellite tv for pc shifters. When actually laying the ability down over tough floor they’re extra simply reached than the paddles, however provided that I do not race I discovered the pc integration extra key to my pursuits of flicking by way of emo tunes from the 2000’s.

Thumb buttons apart, an replace for this newest GRX is ‘Front Shift Next’. This is an choice whereby one button might be programmed to shift the entrance derailleur each up and down, whichever place it isn’t presently in. I attempted setting my shifters up like SRAM, with one inside paddle doing the entrance derailleur, however ultimately I settled on what I believe is the perfect system. The proper shifter paddles behave as regular, however I assigned each left paddles as ‘Front Shift Next’ which means whichever one among them I slapped I nonetheless shifted the entrance derailleur. No extra tapping the flawed button when your mind is oxygen disadvantaged as you try to shift into the large ring rapidly after a climb, simply press any fingers within the common route of the paddles and also you’re golden.

So enamoured am I with the GRX hoods that I believe given the selection I’d match them to my highway bikes too. It’s not likely the achieved factor however these hoods are appropriate with 12sp 105, Ultegra, and Dura-Ace brakes and derailleurs. This is partially because of GRX 12sp coming with Servowave braking, according to the present highway groupsets.

The brakes

Here’s the place I believe the best enhancements have been made. Forget further sprockets, if you’re using off highway, at velocity, highly effective, properly modulated brakes make as a lot distinction as the rest. 

The fundamentals of Servowave are that the pads begin 10% wider than earlier than, with extra of the pad motion taken up within the early a part of the stroke. This negates the additional hole initially, after which within the latter a part of the lever stroke, every millimetre of lever motion equates to much less pad motion, and due to this fact extra modulation.

Basically, the brakes are noticeably higher. The really feel is healthier, they’re not overpowered in any respect as I discovered with the Hope RX4+ brakes, and in addition to enhancements in modulation the extra pad hole has much more makes use of for gravel than it does on the highway. 

I spent much less time with these brakes with my pads rubbing on some grime in my callipers after a muddy part than I did on the previous brakes. It nonetheless occurs, nevertheless it’s rarer, and stops sooner. What’s extra, you probably have been bought the ‘two wheelsets on one bike’ dream then you definately’re going to have much less trouble re-centring your callipers as there’s a better margin for error. I’ve swapped between a couple of wheelsets right here and it’s been just about plain crusing. It’d be naive to recommend you’ll by no means should re-centre, nevertheless it’s an enchancment nonetheless.

The brakes are nice, but when braking is your raison d’être then they nonetheless aren’t fairly as much as the superb really feel of Campagnolo brakes, which I imagine are manufactured by Magura.

Shifting and gears

The shifting is just about faultless. The one actual promoting level to GRX, or any digital shifting for that matter, is its dogged dedication to maintain on shifting crisply and reliably even when completely caked in muck. I’ll proceed to check this by way of the winter, however thus far it’s been as dependable because the previous 11sp. 

I can’t say I’ve seen an enchancment in shifting essentially, however having Front Shift Next setup is definitely an implement within the system somewhat than the shift themselves. The shifts, significantly on the entrance, aren’t fairly as instantaneous as these of Dura-Ace (GRX isn’t pitched at that stage so it’s no nice shock), however I discovered GRX performs higher in these excessive torque, low cadence conditions that you simply come throughout way more typically off-road.

I did have a bit extra bother with chain rub on the very extremes of cross chaining right here however that’s a setup subject somewhat than an issue with the groupset itself. As with the previous 11sp and all different Di2 methods the entrance derailleur naturally trims relying on the place you might be on the cassette. 

One factor GRX in its 2x guise has over any SRAM choice is gear vary. Yes, the Red axs XPLR cassettes are monumental with their 10-46 tooth vary, however by way of precise gear inches a 2x GRX groupset nets you 24-121 gear inches, whereas Red XPLR with a 42t chainring is a diffusion of 25-116. With 2x you’ll be able to climb steeper and spin out much less often, and the cassettes are cheaper too. This is a hill I’m keen to die on. 

My gravel using, as a result of I don’t stay in a gravelly fairyland, includes various highway using. In the large ring GRX appears like a highway groupset. Ignoring for a second the reasonably smaller chainring sizes, it’s really an excellent highway groupset, and in case you’re both using a number of highway between gravel sections, or you might be using your gravel bike as a highway bike with a wheel swap as many individuals do than I actually suppose GRX offers you the higher hand right here.

Given it’s not less than powertrain based mostly, you don’t have any energy meter choices. SRAM does do an exquisite job of together with them in its choices, ignoring any discussions about non-replaceable chainrings for a second, however as my colleague Josh says typically in discussions like this “sure, not having an influence meter is annoying, nevertheless it’d be extra annoying to should pay for an influence meter and never need it”.

The wheels

Perhaps not all the time tackled about, however Shimano’s groupsets, significantly on the greater finish, have equal wheelsets. The GRX wheels, catchily titled ‘Tubeless Carbon Wheel’, are tubeless, carbon (and sure, wheels), with a rim depth of 32mm and a 25mm inside rim width. They’re definitely not loopy progressive like the newest Zipp 303 XPLR SW that my colleague Tom lately reviewed, however they’re to my thoughts an amazing beneath the radar choice. 

As properly as testing them out on my lengthy termer, I additionally rode a set that had been fitted to the newest version of the Genesis Croix de Fer. Unfussy is how I’d sum them up. They lacked that hyperlight, overly stiff really feel of some extra race oriented wheels, and I believe utilizing conventional metal spokes right here helps in that regard. Comfortable and dependable, with a stunning direct hub engagement from a mercifully quiet ratchet system somewhat than pawls. 

The bearings are conventional cup and cones, as is the way in which with excessive finish Shimano wheels, however they got here out of the field completely loaded with no play and a buttery smoothness. Bearing resistance typically talking is principally subsequent to nothing, so long as the whole lot isn’t tough, and whereas it might appear barely quaint to have cup and cones the house mechanic in me is completely happy, they usually’ll be extra readily discipline serviceable in a pinch. 

With the way in which tyres are going these days, a 25mm inside width could also be a bit on the slim aspect, however as they’ll fortunately settle for 32-50c tyres that’s, for now not less than, the capability of kind of each gravel bike in the marketplace lined. With a price ticket of round £1,200 / $1,600 they’ve bought nice improve potential, in the identical kind of ballpark because the Hunt 40 Carbon Gravel Race.

I’m not going to incorporate the wheels as a part of the scorecard under. I’ve included what I consider them as they had been despatched to me with the groupset, however in actuality 99% of shoppers are most likely both shopping for simply the wheels or simply the groupset.

Measured weights

Value

To begin with let’s evaluate GRX to its in-house siblings. It is priced at Ultegra stage (£2,060 / $2,700) and to my thoughts it gives related efficiency. It’s a step up from 105, with the added shifter buttons for a begin, so thus far, so good. Most of you aren’t contemplating whether or not to purchase GRX or Ultegra although, so how does it evaluate to SRAM. Given that Ekar isn’t digital it makes comparability on this regard a bit extra cumbersome.

It is a step under the newest SRAM Red XPLR AXS, however for a nominally Ultegra-level setup, this isn’t an enormous shock. Compared to Force XPLR AXS, which is priced equally, it’s a better comparability. 

I don’t suppose both is essentially higher – I personally want Shimano, although – however every has its strengths. Force is less complicated to arrange, with simpler battery admin and is completely wi-fi. The Shifting on GRX is healthier, as are the hood ergonomics, however there isn’t a energy meter choice. Pick your poison, however neither it nor Force are a rip off. Ultimately the newest 12sp GRX is a top quality product and is priced accordingly. 

Verdict

At a excessive stage it’s straightforward to plonk 12sp GRX right into a field labelled “gravel groupset for roadies”. If you’re a roadie, and your gravel using is quick and also you worth consistency between your bikes then I actually do suppose that is the correct choice for you. This newest GRX is greater than that, although. It’s energy is in its versatility. You may fortunately match this setup to an all-road bike and by no means contact gravel in your life and never be held again in any approach. Even winter bikes too, and riders who don’t need the more durable gearing on supply from highway groupsets, can profit. 

If 1X is your factor then SRAM does dominate that market, and I haven’t examined a 1x setup of this groupset, however I’m a staunch 2x believer and I believe maybe solely the newest RED XPLR AXS will transfer my needle extra in direction of 1x.

Among its opponents on the similar value level, this GRX groupset has the beating of them by way of shifting, gear vary, ergonomics, and braking. It’s extra of a ache to arrange, and there are some limitations by way of battery placement, however until you’re getting extraordinarily rad and principally need an MTB-lite setup I believe this is kind of the top of gravelly groupsets alongside the newest Red.