Shimano unveils new 105
Groupset technology is in a state of permanent revolution and now the workaday 105 gets a slice of the action; we take a first look at R7000
It’s six years since Dura-ace added an 11th sprocket and four since 105 followed suit. Since then flagship Dura-ace has been updated — as its four-year cycle dictates — to add not yet another sprocket but instead wider cassette options, better disc brake technology, more sophisticated electronics as well as a striking overhaul of its aesthetics. Ultegra followed suit last year with R8000 and now it’s the turn of 105, the Japanese firm’s third-tier and entry-level 11-speed groupset, to relaunch with trickled-down tech.
As expected, 105 R7000 now looks much more like its more expensive stablemates. The focal point is always the chainset, and at a glance 105 R7000 is indistinguishable from Ultegra. It shares the same angular aesthetic and even the stealthy matt/gloss black finish.
However, the biggest news for new 105 is the addition of its own disc brakes. Previously RS505 hydraulic levers and calipers had been grouped with 5800 but R7000 gets dedicated 105-branded disc-brake components for the first time.
There are also new ergonomically shaped hydraulic dual-control levers (ST-R7020) that look identical to Ultegra levers, with a greater range of reach adjustment for different hand sizes.
The customisability doesn’t stop there: 105 R7000 offers a separate version of the hydraulic brake/gear lever (STR7025) specifically for smaller hands, which is angled closer to the bar with more of an outboard position to avoid interference with the drops. There is no separate smaller version for the rim-braking 105 STI.
Gear shifts from both rim and disc STIS have been redesigned for faster and lighter shifts thanks to a shorter stroke than the previous 105 5800 series. The optional long-cage rear derailleur (RD-R7000-GS) can accommodate up to an 11-34t cassette and, like the latest Dura-ace and Ultegra models, has a low-profile Shimano Shadow mtb-inspired design to tuck it out of harm’s way below the cassette and chainstay.
For the drivetrain, based on a chainset very similar to Ultegra’s, there’s a midcompact 52/36 as well as 50/34 and
53/39 plus a new 11-30t and 10-speed compatible 11-34t cassette options to better suit gravel, adventure or CX riding. In addition, the inner chainring has been positioned to reduce the effects of cross chaining or chain drop, with disc-brake criterium bikes in mind.
The front derailleur has a compact toggle (pivot) design, better tyre clearance and an integrated cable tension adjustment port (requiring a 2mm Allen key) removing the need for an in-line barrel adjuster.
However, Shimano says Di2 will not be trickling down to this iteration of 105: increasingly advanced electronic shifting and smarter connectivity has been a big part of the launches of the latest Dura-ace and Ultegra groupsets, but for the time being that 105 will remain the top mechanical-only groupset.
New Shimano 105 R7000 will be available by June in a matt/gloss black colourway and a silver option to match more traditional-looking bikes.