157mm O.L.D. cranksets, 12-speed MICROSPLINE wheels/hubs, flat-mount MTB brakes, plus new ALIVIO and TOURNEY components set for release
Along with the addition of the new DEORE M6100 series Shimano has also unveiled interesting new additions for its top tier MTB lines and other mid-tier groupsets.
New 12-speed cranksets
To provide the perfect chain line for 157mm O.L.D. rear hubs Shimano is introducing a new front crank. The XTR FC-M9130-1 is a 1×12 lightweight, direct mount Hollowtech II crankset with Dynamic Chain Engagement+ chainrings for excellent chain engagement and retention. The FC-M9130-1 runs on a wider 56.5mm chain line meaning that it can accommodate wider tyres but has a relatively narrow Q-factor of 171mm. This is achieved by using the low-profile arms of the XTR FC-M9100 series, which gives riders the benefits of a wider chain line frame without affecting the biomechanics of pedaling.
A new 12-speed double (2×12) crankset will also be available in 2020. The DEORE-level direct mount FC-MT610-2/B2 comes with 36-26T chainrings, an O.L.D. rear hub spacing of 142mm or 148mm and crank arm lengths of 170mm or 175mm.
These new additions will give consumers and manufacturers the choice of 22 different 12-speed crankset offerings from Shimano. That’s fourteen 1×12 cranksets (three each from XTR, DEORE XT, SLX and DEORE, plus two non-series options) and ten 2×12 cranksets (two each from XTR to SLX and again two non-series options).
Hubs and wheels
Much like the expansion of Shimano’s 12-speed crankset line-up, the 12-speed hub and wheel line-up also expands. A new MICROSPLINE tubeless aluminium wheelset (WH-MT601) at DEORE level brings 29” or 27.5” options in 100/142mm or 110/148mm spacings (weight for 29” wheelset with 148mm O.L.D. spacing: 2230g). Meanwhile two new entry-level steel MICROSPLINE hubs are available. The MT410 comes with 142 or 148mm O.L.D. spacing with E-THRU axles or the MT401 comes with 135 or 141mm O.L.D. spacing with QR axles. All hub options have 28H, 32H or 36H options.
These new additions mean that there are now five complete 12-speed wheel options available from Shimano (from DEORE XT wheels and the new WH-MT601 option) and nine 12-speed MICROSPLINE hub options (from XTR-level hubs to the new MT401 option).
Flat-mount XTR, DEORE XT and SLX MTB brakes
Next up are three flat mount 2-piston disc brake calipers designed for cross-country riding. These are introduced to take account of new chainstay designs from bike manufacturers and offer the same braking power as their post-mount 2-piston XC equivalents. XTR (BR-M9110), DEORE XT (BR-M8110) and SLX (BR-M7110) versions have all been introduced which can take resin or metal pads, with or without fins. The XTR versions are available for 140mm and 160mm rotors whilst the DEORE XT and SLX versions can take up to 180mm rotors.
New ALIVIO & TOURNEY components
Commonly spec’d on entry level mountain bikes and urban bikes, ALIVIO and TOURNEY stand for no-nonsense components that do an excellent job of providing long-lasting reliability.
The new ALIVIO M3100 series still comes in a 2×9-speed or 3×9-speed variation with new shifters, derailleurs and chainrings featuring technologies such as SHIMANO SHADOW RD positioning on derailleurs, shifters with 2-WAY RELEASE, RAPIDFIRE PLUS MONO levers and optical gear displays, plus drivetrains with HG HYPERGLIDE to improve the smoothness of gear changes.
New TOURNEY components come in 3×7-speed or 3×6-speed variations with new REVOSHIFT shifters, new freewheels with better corrosion resistance and new sporty looking derailleurs with SIS Index shifting and solid shifting performance with a broad combination of gear options (either 12-28/32 or 14-28/34).
All components are expected to be available via bicycle retailers from July 2020 onwards.
Source: Shimano Europe
