40 years is a long time in technological terms. The first mobile phone was launched just over 40 years ago, and the distance between the first motorized flight and the landings was only 66 years. 40 years ago, Shimano launched its group 105, aimed at ‘sports and urban cyclists’. It incorporated lowering tube changes with clip, square caries connecting rods and a lower support with caged bearings. Now, after Dura-Ace and Ultegra switch only to electronic gearboxing, the 105 finally has its Bob Dylan momentum and becomes electric (which won’t be without criticism either).
The top levels of all major player’s road bike groups are electric now, but Shimano has lagged behind SRAM in offering electronic shifts at three different levels. With the launch of 105 Di2 (nominally R7100), the Japanese component giant, unsurprisingly, has caught up with its American rivals on this front.
What’s new, then? Are they the same old songs but with an amplifier or a new creative direction? Will fans of old records still nod to Subterranean Homesick Blues? Did I lengthen this Bob Dylan metaphor too long? Let’s dive in and see.
The cables are dead
I’m afraid if you want to switch with cables, you’ll get the most out of Tiagra: the new 105 is only electronic and uses the same semi-wireless configuration as the Ultegra and Dura-Ace, so the connection between the changes and the changes. the rear derailleur is wireless and the rear derailleur communicates with the front via a direct cable connection. This keeps the front end clean and free of wiring, but does not completely eliminate the need to pass cables through hard-to-reach parts of the frame.
According to the two top-level groups, the rear derailleur is the center of the system, acting as a communications hub and charging port for the independent battery, which feeds the two derailleurs.
Given that the gear changes are essentially fully revised, Shimano has also taken the opportunity to refine the exterior ergonomics. The textured top has disappeared, replaced by smooth rubber for the most part as for the hoods of previous generations, but the bottom is marked with a series of channels and the outside of the top has small ridges, perhaps to improve grip while scaling from the top. saddle. The shape of the hood also has a higher peak to provide more grip when in a horizontal position of the forearms (and is likely to make room for the components added inside, i.e. the battery and transmitter without fil).
The hoods will also be able to communicate with most of the main units, although Shimano has recently cut off Hammerhead integration, so don’t hold your breath on that front.
All electric and only with disc brake. Now 105 is a racing group? (Image credit: Shimano)
Increase it to 12
The new 105 group will feature 12-speed cassettes that are fortunately compatible with existing Shimano 11sp free bodies, which means you don’t have to buy new wheels. The cassettes are presented in formats 11-34 and 11-36, in fashion with the push of Shimano to simplify the options of gear, and complement with connecting rods 50/34 and 52/36, according to Ultegra, leaving Dura- Ace the only connecting rod set to offer the larger 54/40 and 53/39 options.
12 speeds, like Ultegra and Dura-Ace (image credit: Shimano)
The tire brakes are also dead
The new group 105 will be a disc-only affair, which is surprising, as both the latest Ultegra and Dura-Ace still offer a rim brake, although it is true that they have not had any development since its iteration. previous. . As with cable switching, if you want a full group, you’ll be limited to Tiagra unless you create a hybrid of a majority 105 group with Ultegra / Dura-Ace gear changes and rim brakes.
While the rear brakes and small weights may mourn the total lack of rim brakes, fans of disc brakes will be delighted with the updates to the 105 anchors. Two new central locking rotors, including Ice Technology Freeza, a triple-layer construction and cooling fins, to improve the life of the bearing and keep the rotor temperature low in long descents and, by extension, reduce the rotor deformation and bearing friction.
Pad friction, something that has been subjected to almost all users of disc brakes, has also been addressed in the gripper with a pad space 10% wider to allow a little more space for to slightly deformed rotors or mounting points that have not faced. with total precision.
In an exit of Ultegra and Dura-Ace, the levers 105 do not have Servowave, a system of the groups of mountain bike of the mark by which a greater amount of the closing of braking at the beginning of the race of the lever to accommodate the largest bearing free spaces. It is not confirmed at this stage, but it may mean that the bite point of the 105 levers is a little closer to the bars than before.
There is also an integrated improved bleeding procedure that does not involve removing the forceps from the frame.
Don’t expect to be able to grab any cable with these levers; Hydraulic discs only (image credit: Shimano)
A new 105-level wheel set
What could well fly a little further under the radar is the introduction of a level 105 carbon wheel set (though not officially standard), nominally the C32 and C46 for climbing and use. general, respectively.
The rims are 32 mm or 46 mm deep, with relatively modern 21 mm interiors and are tubeless ready. Weighing 1,502 to 1,610 g. There is no information on cores and spokes yet, but expect to see a cup and cone arrangement according to the Shimano standard.
(Image credit: Shimano)
The price
Are you sitting You may want to if you are not.
The new Shimano 105 group will cost £ 1,730, just over £ 1,000 more than the current version. There is no real way to sweeten the fact that this is a huge price jump, and it certainly means a radical change in the 105 lineage; a change from “sport and urban” to that of competition. It raises some questions for the future, especially around groups on both sides; Is Tiagra now the enthusiast choice of default? Now Ultegra is a bit useless? Much will depend on the performance of this latest version.
The full breakdown of UK prices is as follows:
- Clamp changes: £ 349.99 / $ 409.99
- Levers – £ 249.99
- Tweezers – £ 69.99
- Cans: £ 169.99 / $ 179.99
- Rear derailleur: £ 274.99 / $ 279.99
- Front Derailleur: £ 149.99 / $ 152.99
- Cassette 11-34 – £ 69.99 / $ 65.99
- Cassette 11-36 – £ 84.99 / $ 87.99
- Disc rotors: £ 26.99 / $ 45.99
- 32mm deep front wheel – £ 479.99
- 32mm deep rear wheel – £ 519.99
- 46mm deep front wheel – £ 479.99
- 46mm deep rear wheel – £ 519.99
International prices are a bit difficult to determine, but it looks like the whole group will cost around € 1,729.99 in Europe and the wheel sets will cost you $ 1,049.99. Please check back later for updates.