Shimano CUES elements were to be had for flat bar motorcycles, electrical motorcycles and mountain motorcycles for a few years now, however Shimano’s announcement of a brand new set of elements after all extends CUES apparatus to drop bar street and gravel motorcycles.
CUES supplies one not unusual part set that may paintings with 11, 10 and 9-speed drivetrains and around the other disciplines, providing motorcycle makers and riders a miles more effective vary of goods to choose between. It additionally permits riders to switch a couple of elements so as to add further speeds to their drivetrain, slightly than wanting to interchange their groupset in its entirety.
It does this by way of not unusual sprocket spacing in cassettes, without reference to their pace, and the similar pull ratios for mechanical tools cables for all speeds and disciplines, one thing that Shimano elements lacked previously.
CUES is in accordance with Shimano’s Linkglide tech, slightly than its fancier 12-speed Hyperglide+ tech which is utilized in Dura-Ace, Ultegra and 12-speed GRX gravel elements and Hyperglide utilized in 12-speed 105, 105 Di2, and 10/11-speed GRX gravel motorcycle elements.
Linkglide tooth have a much broader profile than Hyperglide tooth, which Shimano claims can building up part longevity as much as threefold. It says that it discovered that much less skilled cyclists continuously keep in a single tools, hanging numerous torque in the course of the sprocket, specifically when driving electrical motorcycles. As well as, they generally tend to shift below load. Each behaviours can result in over the top sprocket put on, which Linkglide is designed to deal with.
1x and 2x choices with hydraulic or mechanical disc brakes
CUES contains hydraulic disc brakes for 11-speed and 10-speed motorcycles (Symbol credit score: Shimano)
The brand new drop bar CUES merchandise come with U6000 collection 11/10-speed shifters which pair with a brand new flat mount hydraulic disc brake calliper. They’ve a equivalent form to Shimano’s 12-speed street motorcycle shifters and can be utilized with a CUES 10 or 11-speed cassette, a brand new CUES 50/34t or 46/32t crankset and a brand new CUES entrance derailleur to offer a variety street or gravel drivetrain.
As well as, there are unmarried chainring 40t and 42t cranksets, providing an alternate for gravel motorcycles. There’s additionally a brake-only drop bar lever to check.
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9-speed and 10-speed motorcycles additionally get a mechanical disc brake possibility (Symbol credit score: Shimano)
Beneath the U6000 collection elements, take a seat the brand new drop bar U3000 collection 9 and 10-speed elements, which might be designed for mechanical disc brakes (there’s no CUES rim brake possibility, through the best way).
There’s a couple of twin keep an eye on levers for this configuration, once more with the choice of recent 50/34t or 46/32t cranksets. There also are 40t and 42t 1x cranksets to choose between as neatly.
Childrens motorcycle particular elements
A brand new quick cage derailleur is designed for smaller wheeled motorcycles (Symbol credit score: Shimano)
Along with the mainstream CUES merchandise, there are two specialist merchandise for smaller wheeled commuter motorcycles and youngsters’ motorcycles. The brand new quick cage 9/10-speed CUES derailleur is alleged to extend flooring clearance through 30 % over a typical cage and can take care of an 11-36t 9-speed or 11-39t 10-speed cassette.
Whilst CUES is standardised on 160mm brake rotors, there’s a brand new 140mm 6-bolt rotor introduced for children’ motorcycles.
8-speed isn’t lifeless
ESSA brings 1×8-speed moving to drop bar motorcycles (Symbol credit score: Shimano)
CUES covers 11, 10 and 9 speeds, so there’s no direct substitute for 8-speed Claris. This has been a stalwart of price range street motorcycles and has frequently trickled upwards against the £1,000/$1,000 mark as motorcycle value inflation has taken grasp.
However beneath CUES, Shimano presented the 8-speed ESSA part vary in 2024 for price range flat bar motorcycles and MTBs. It’s now prolonged ESSA to drop bar motorcycles, even if solely in 1x configuration. New ESSA drop bar elements come with a twin keep an eye on lever and an identical brake-only left lever.
The ESSA groupset gives an 11-45t cassette. It continues to make use of Hyperglide moving tech, to handle compatibility with Shimano’s current 8-speed elements.
Pricing
Refreshingly, the costliest CUES part is the 11-speed hydraulic STI lever at £199.99 or £219 with a flat mount calliper integrated. (in keeping with facet)
A CUES U6040 HollowTech 2x chainset will are available at £109.99, while the extra reasonably priced two-piece U6030 chainset shall be £69.99.
The U6000 rear derailleur will retail at £59.99 and the 10-speed CUES Hyperlink Waft cassette will price £59.99 in a 11-48 measurement.
