What are we studying about shimano's next train groups from the release of grx's release? |

Are we entering the era of increasing compatibility from the Japanese giants?

What can we learn about Shimano's upcoming road groups after the introduction of the latest GRX component?

Are we approaching an era of increased conformity from the Japanese giant?

With the release of the new RX717 parts, Shimano has added another addition to the GRX series.

The GRX has seen several updates this year.In May, the GRX went 12-speed in the form of the RX825 kit, which included a few changes and modifications, such as a slightly revised shifter design.

Then, at the end of June, Shimano released a new rear derailleur and derailleur, centered around a new wireless rear derailleur that borrows from the brand's latest MTB technology, as well as a new RX825 GRX left-hand derailleur that doesn't have paddle shifters to match the 1X setup.

Now, in the latest installment of GRX Chronicles, Shimano has released a new and more affordable 12-speed Di2 GRX parts bearing product code RX717.

This latest version is centered around a new rear derailleur, which is 12-speed and wireless, and new Di2 shifters, new wireless, which have the same shape as the company's Di2 derailleurs such as 105 or Dura-Ace.Could this be a first indication of completely wireless rear derailleurs and road technology in general?

Shimano claims this version will bring Di2 shifting to riders and offer a more affordable 1x12 option.

To be clear, this new release includes a new brake/displacement triple and rear trailer.

The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides straight to your inbox!

The RX717 rear derailleur is wireless and shares batteries with the GRX RX827 unit introduced in the summer, as well as new Shimano MTB wireless components such as the XTR and Deore XT.

SHIMANO Shadow ES technology is present on the rear derailleur, to protect it from riding on rough gravel.It features a tapered design, braced links, high chain tension as well as an automatic impact recovery feature, which helps return the device to its original position after impact.The unit has a long sleeve cage for use with the 10-51T 12-speed cassette.

Shimano also claims that the device's battery life can range between 700 and 100 km, depending on riding conditions.

There are also new RX715 Di2 dual control levers.The levers eschew the traditional GRX shape, instead sharing the same design as current Shimano road levers, which feature GRX branding on the lever blades.

Shimano also created a simple, left-hand brake lever without shift paddles for use with the 1X system for a more simplified setup.This brake lever can also be used with 105, Ultegra and Dura-Ace levers.

Ingredients |Weight |Price |

Shimano GRX RD-RX717-SGS |494G |€379.99 / £379.99 / $435.00 |

Shimano GRKS ST-RKS715-R |212g |209.99 /£219.99 / $230.00 |

Shimano GRX BL-RS717-L |188g |€174.99 / £179.99 / $205.00 |

What can we learn in future releases about these components?

It's widely accepted that Shimano is working on a new Dura-Ace set, and the current iteration has been around for several years.

Shimano road groups currently use wireless derailleurs, but the derailleurs are still connected to the battery with Di2 wires.Given that we now have fully wireless XTRs and GRXs, we shouldn't expect this technology to take the dedicated road.

Perhaps even more shrouded in mystery is the extent of Shimano's future kit and groupset compatibility. SRAM has really given up on the idea that all of its components work perfectly together, allowing its customers to create true "pick-n-mix" setups, leaving Shimano users relatively isolated. Swapping the low-end GRX derailleur covers to match road options may be a cost-saving move, but it may also be a sign that everything will eventually be singing from the same hymn sheet when everything goes wireless, which Shimano might allowathletes access to a truly natural 1x road setup via the GRX rear door.

Tom joined the team in late 2022 as a tech writer.Despite having a degree in English literature, he has spent his entire life working in the cycling industry in one form or another.He has more than 10 years of experience as a qualified mechanic, with the last 5 years prior to joining being spent running an independent workshop.This means he enjoys playing in the garage while he is riding his bike on the road and he is not afraid to break the bike or put your hand on it during the test to see what it does.

He has ridden and raced at the national level on the road and track since he was young, and has ridden and competed in most disciplines.He has a keen eye for pro-team engineering and enjoys seeing new or interesting parts in the wild.During his time there, Tom has already interviewed some of the biggest names in the sport, including Mathieu van der Poel, Tadej Pogasser and Alberto Contador.Has also covered various launches from brands like Ridley, Specialized and others, tackled the Roubaix Challenge Sportive aboard his own rim-brake Cannondale Supersix Evo, tested more than 20 aero helmets in the wind tunnel, and created in-depth guides for everything from buying winter clothes to countless clothing purchases.

You must confirm your public name before posting a comment

Please log out and back in and you will be prompted to enter your screen name.