Overhaul for disc brake rotors and levers

The real changes to disc brakes with the new Ultegra are the levers and rotors. The formerly oversized Ultegra 6870 hydraulic levers look like they’ve been shaved down for the new R8070 version. Shimano also claims the bracket has been shrunk for better ergonomics.

Other interesting news is the greater reach adjust and freestroke adjustment built into the levers — something Campagnolo has done very well on its recent disc-brake groupset launch. Elsewhere, Shimano claims to have improved the heat-dissipating properties of the SM-RT800 rotors thanks to its Ice-tech Freeza properties.