Shimano GRX Mechanical 1x & 2x Long Term Review!: The best mechanical groupset for gravel?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 มิ.ย. 2020
- "Following a multi-year global market study, product testing and development process, Shimano introduce the world’s first dedicated gravel component line: SHIMANO GRX. New for the 2020 model year, the SHIMANO GRX 800 series offers 1x11 and 2x11 drivetrains - with mechanical and Di2 electronic options - that allow riders to tailor their mixed surface riding experience and Explore Beyond." - Shimano
Spanning a review period of over nine months, I've been fortunate to ride and review the GRX mechanical groupset for 1x and 2x on some very nice bikes; Titici GR02, Niner RLT 9 RDO, Niner RLT 9 Alloy, Niner MCR 9 RDO, Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty and the steel Ritte Satyr. That's a lot of bikes! I've ridden them in areas ranging from the mountains of Northern California to the hinterlands of Florida and Georgia. I've also ridden and reviewed the Di2 version of GRX, which you can see linked below.
The observant types will notice, that's a Shimano Ultegra Ultegra front derailleur I demonstrate in the video... Shimano's front derailleur shifting across their entire line is that good.
Update since review appeared: The Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty in this video is running the GRX 600 series for its shift / brake levers, which are a little different from the 800 series in terms of the hoods. They are still 11-speed.
Links of Interest:
Shimano GRX Di2 Long Term Review - wp.me/p4V4se-aeI
Titici F-GR02 Italian-Made Gravel Bike Review - wp.me/p4V4se-99z
Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty vs Niner MCR 9 RDO: Comparing the Wildest Gravel Bikes! - wp.me/p4V4se-alh
Niner RLT RDO Carbon vs RLT 9 Alloy: Gravel Bike Review - wp.me/p4V4se-9dy
Niner MCR 9 RDO Full-Suspension Gravel Bike Review - wp.me/p4V4se-ahY
Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty Unboxing & Features - wp.me/p4V4se-aix
Ritte Satyr Unboxing & Features - wp.me/p4V4se-a78
How to Descend on a Gravel Bike (including tips from Dave Zabriskie) - wp.me/p4V4se-89k
Shifting Big Gears with Shimano GRX: 2x 48/31 with 11-40 XTR Cassette - wp.me/p4V4se-8yR
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Great review as always. Never knew about the trim for the front derailleur. Very valuable.
MOB, I'm with you on the 2X. Thanks for the review.
Another great review Jom. I now have over 1500 sunny, wet, dusty and muddy miles on the Shimano GRX600 drivetrain and it has performed flawlessly! Keep the rubberside down out there.
Thank you for the great review!
Good review, I have always used SRAM 1x but had thought GRX 2x. just going onto the GRX Di2. cheers buddy.
This timing is perfect, I was stuck between 1x or 2x grx for the cervelo. This covered everything I was comparing, thank you.
Glad my review helped, good luck making a decision.
I am currently building a GRX 1x group set on my Diverge base E5 that came with a Claris 8 speed. They are pricey but I know it’s totally worth it. Awesome review video. Be safe on your rides. Till next time. Cheers!
Nice review, Jom. All the bases covered there.
Thank you Richard. And now, the Niner can finally be returned to Niner HQ and free up room inside the house :)
Great insights , JOM!
Thanks Will!
great stuff jom!
I have full GRX on my Specialized Turbo Creo SL and I love it 👍
For now it handles very well the extra torque of the motor
Thanks for the review! I am considering a Niner RLT 9 RDO with the mechanical GRX 2x groupset.
Check out my RLT 9 RDO video that I compared to the RLT 9 Alloy... one of my rare comparison videos.
@@GravelCyclist I've seen that and I am not sure that the carbon is worth the extra money. Still thinking. Thanks!
As always enjoy your reviews. I'm with you on the 2X. Looking to upgrade my gravel bike this year and whatever I choose GRX 2X is a must! Keep up the great work!
Jeff Sparman I got it this year on a Salsa Vaya. Happy so far works well like all Shimano stuff . Like the front der. It holds the extra cable out of my way . Neat addition. Maybe 1500 gravel miles in a few miles
Months
Excellent, something to watch while I wait for the delivery man to turn up with my new gravel bike with GRX 800 :)
That's awesome! You are going to love this groupset!
Same!! Hahah
Wow I just sat down to watch it too and then my outback frame set arrived.
After several thousand miles on this set. I do like it. Ride a lot of gravel hundreds of miles each week. Hoods are good holds. On a Salsa Vaya .so far so good
Recently got a Diverge with GRX 2x - shifting wasn't great but thanks to your comment about not needing the clutch with 2x I went and had a look, sure enough the bike came with the clutch on; turned that bad boy off and bike is shifting great now!
I found this generation of derailleurs is very sensitive to the B-screw measurement, particularly with the clutch engaged. Good luck!
I installed my grx rear mech on a 105 set up and it’s great. I also didn’t have adjust after set up. No barrel adjusting, my mind was blown.
Nice!
I have Lynskey GR300 with GRX 1X. It put on a 40 tooth crank. I run a set of road wheels with an 11-42 and I have an 11-46 in the back. The 11-46 actually shifts a little better than the 11-42. There is a little lag in the shifting that isn't present in the 11-46. This may merely be a result of my b-screw adjustment. But as I have it set, I have a true do-all bike given the two wheelsets. That said, there are times I miss the 2X, especially on the top end of the gearing. I may move to a 2X but I'll give it at least a season. Thank you for your content!
You're welcome, and thanks for posting about the 11-46. Helpful info!
Get a XD freehub and run a 11 speed cassette 10-46, you can even run a 9-46
I would love to get this group set in a 3x10!
Thanks!
I have both of them in my 2 gravels, grx 800 2x11 and grx 800 1x11, both are very good, 1x is better in the trails, 2x on the road, 1x is running unbelievably smoother and quiter
2x you need to tune front derailleur very carefully to enjoy it
Waiting for delivery of Diverge comp 2x 800 setup. Loved your review, especially the video on running a 40 cassette. My only concern at the grand old age of 76 is walking a 31/34 vs spinning out a 48/11. For my usual everyday rides the 34 will be fine, but if I put racks on it for touring I may use your 40 trick or hope they come out with a 42 capable 2x derailleur. Many thanks for the fine videos.
Thank you Buzz! I'm so glad to read about a gent such as yourself riding bicycles at the age of 76. I'll convey this to my teammate K-Dogg, who is a youngster at 65.
I put an 11/40 cassette on my GRX 810 right off the bat. It shifts just as good as the 11/34. I screwed the B tension screw in 3 turns like I saw online and that was it. Chain length stays the same. Mine is 2X. Love the GRX. Im 62 still going just fine.
Thanks for the additional data brad. For my everyday ride 34 will be ok, but its great to know I have a plan B as the gravel cyclist likes to put it. Which cassette did you use?
Same here I just got the Comp. The gears are fine but where I live it's either up or down. It would be great to have the 40 as a viable option. I may get a 2nd wheelset for faster road rides and use the stock wheel with the 40 and some chunky tires.
I have ended up riding my Reynolds 853 framed GRX810 equipped bike instead of my road bikes,its just way more comfy and I dont go much slower,and there's always gravel if it shows up. I did install some Ultegra disc rotors and they work very well,little bit lighter.
Brad -are you running x1 ? Just wondering if I could go live with a steel frame and the gaps in the ratios . Just about to pull the trigger on steel bike and can’t decide on the Groupset ….
Thanks
@@barrydimelow822 Mine is 2X GRX. I need low gears and I really like this bike. All Ive done is put a 11x40 cassette out back. No changes needed to put that cassette on....the problem right now is finding a bike in stock.
@@bradsanders6954 thanks for the reply. Think I will with go 2x to aid with steep hills as you mention. Unfortunately a 6 month wait minimum :(
2x is a no brainer. I have the grx810 mech rd and fd paired with ultegra 8000 crankset on my salsa with absolutely no complaints. Smooth and dependable through the roughest of terrain every single time.
Agreed, thanks Richard.
Thanks for this review Jom. I think its a case of, if you can afford the di2 version, then go for it, otherwise the mechanical equivalent is a great compromise.
Thank you, and spot on.
I chose against di2 only because the diverge di2 version comes with 1x. Went with 2x and mechanical since I ride alot of fsr's without cell signal. Carry a spare cable and hanger. Di2 would probably have been fine but the worry about a possible failure kept on freaking me out. If I could do it again I'd do di2.
Shimano also offers a version of the left sti dedicated for a dropper post, so no need to modify a 2x lever.
Thanks... yet to see that item in person.
Gravel Cyclist The model no. is: ST-RX810-LA
Loving the 1 x 11 GRX gears on my new Merlin gravel bike. Ditching that front deraileur can only be a good thing!!
Interesting comments on the non-Di2 lever design. I had no idea it was different. Should we expect the better Di2 lever design to trickle down to non-Di2 levers in the next couple years?
You have to remember building an electronic lever is much easier vs mechanical. A couple of switches and a hydro reservoir vs requiring a shifting mechanism and hydro reservoir, etc.
Great review, thanks. Would you please state in greater detail how the di2 grip is more comfortable than the mechanical version. I have large hands, if that is a factor, and I am prone to hand numbness. The extra cost of the electronic version is a challenge so any clarity you can provide on the comfort issue would be very helpful. Thanks, Edley
Please look at my review for GRX Di2, I have linked that in the video description. Comfort has more to do with the lever shape in my opinion. Reminder, feel and comfort are personal, what works for me, may not work for you?
What brand bar tape do you have on the Niner? Nice subtle pattern. Thanks for all of the content!
Stock bar tape from Niner, I think it is their own brand?
Hey Jom, I love your videos, especially the rides around your local towns in Flo rider. I wanted to ask what is under the car cover in your garage? that tyre looks pretty wide......!
Thank you! Under the cover is my toy car, 2002 Porsche 911 Turbo, which is mostly a garage queen. I'm a bachelor with no kiddies so it is anarchy around here if I decide to buy anything haha. The car featured prominently in my Sea Sucker Rack review. I always wanted one and said eff it, life is too short.
@@GravelCyclist Exactly. Ive got enough bicycles for now,so a 200 KTM was just added to the mix. Life is indeed too short. Singletrack rules.
can you use a grx 812 rear derailleur on a 2 x set up with a grx 600 46 30 crankset.
There is a dropper left shifter. Can you edit the audio for the video?
@GravelCyclist if you had a choice currently between 2 identical bikes with similar prices, would you go for GRX Di2 2x11 or GRX mechanical 2x12? It is tough choice
Jom have you seen the new Suntour gravel suspension fork yet? Any chance you are going to have it up for review anytime?
Troy, not in person, no promises on a review.
The different hood designs you mention at 1:50 are just the different levers for grx 810 and grx 600 levers. the grx 810 do have the lines and the grx 600 have this diamond pattern.
i dont know if anyone commented this before, wasnt on the first 30 or so comments.
No worries, I learned of that subtle difference not long after I launched the video, oops. The funny thing is, I could not discern a difference in mechanical feel between either one.
I have GT Grade carbon elite. GRX 400 46 30. 11 36 cassette. The out of touch cycle industry ignores this. Biggest range of 1 gen GRX range and most affordable.
Unfortunately, that groupset was difficult to find a sample for review at the time this video was recorded.
Just set mine up. 812 mech shifts fine on an 11-46 cassette with 40t front ring.
Nice... thanks Paul, appreciate the intel.
I'll ask here since I don't feel like researching at the moment. So there are different levels of GRX? The 2021 Trek Checkpoint ALR4 states a 2x10 system, which made me wonder why would they do that? What level regular road group would that make this 2x10 GRX version?
so yeah.....RX600 for 10sp crank, RX400 for rest of 10sp group. I haven't seen any media differentiating the 2 only reffering to GRX. Maybe the RX400 hasn't been available yet?
What is the difference between GRX and Ultegra? I’m a newbie gravel bike shopper considering the Giant advanced 0
Mostly it is lower gearing options for GRX and different brake hood designs.
does the mechanic groupset have the option to have the sub brake lever or it is just for the di2?
Sub brake lever should work nicely with mechanical as well. There's nothing special about it.
So why would you ride with the clutch off, even on smooth surfaces? Are there negatives to using it?
This was explained in the video, there is some drivetrain drag with the clutch, I prefer not to use the clutch unless I'm riding in muddy conditions.
Very good video jom I definitely enjoy your videos i’m looking to purchase a Trek checkpoint with Shimano GRX Ultegra mechanical do they have an 11-42 rear cassette ?
Not in Ultegra, but you can get 11-42 in Shimano XT or XTR. Same cassette body used, but you will likely have to install a spacer behind the cassette... those Shimano 11-speed MTB cassettes will fit onto a 10-speed cassette body.
Gravel Cyclist Thank you very much for the quick reply and what is your opinion on the trek checkpoints ALR 5
No idea, never seen or ridden that bike in person.
Gravel Cyclist ok thank you sir .
Bob Watson Two of my friends have checkpoints. They’re great bikes, capable of both road and gravel.
Do you use the left 1x lever for a dropper? Curious to how it’s working out.
I don't, but plenty of folks do, I've heard of no issues among those I stay in touch with.
Dura ace 9100 mech shifters are 'softer' because they are road shifters, they don't need to shift a 40+ tooth cassette, they are made for a 30t max. They are smooth not softer.
The bigger the cassette, the more tension on the derailleur spring and the 'harder' it will be to shift.
I wasn't referring to 9100 mechanical shifters with those comments, rather, older generation DA such as the first 10-speed, last 9-speed generation.
@@GravelCyclist It applies to all STI / ergo / double tap road shifters. Cassettes with more than 28t are exceptionally new on road applications with STI levers. 9 and 10 speed cassettes with more than 30t were only available for MTB's when they came out and mainly used with thumb shifters.
On touring setups, MTB cassettes were used with downtube shifters and bar end shifters, in both instances, the whole hand is used to change gears, not just the index/middle finger, huge difference.
The biggest tech advancement in off road drop bar applications is electronic shifting, as it overcomes the force required to tension the derailleur for a massive 12 speed 10-50t cassette, with a click, not a sweep.
Electronic shifting has pushed gravel riding 10 years into the future.
Anyway, please don't take this the wrong way, it's not meant as criticism.
Could you provide some insight into the front derailleur setup on your alloy RLT Nine? I have a frame but I don’t see a housing stop for the front shifter cable. Thanks!
Hello Matt, you will need to reach out to Niner with your question. The media bike was returned to them long ago, additionally, I was not the person who set everything up. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
All good! Thanks for the reply just the same
So strange how limiting the gear range is with GRX and how the Salsa Cutthroat adopted it. Everyone riding the tour divide has a 0.6-0.75 easy gear. It's actually a dealbreaker for my bikepacking needs.
Agreed, nobody has ever finished a ride / race and wished for harder gears. For bikepacking and carrying loads, I could see myself going for a 2x with some super low gears... although, I am more a slackpacker :)
get the 2X. 31/40 low gear climbs pretty good.
I ride mostly on flat probably 95%..but will do gravel in the future. Would you recommend GRX600 2x11, 11-34T or Ultegra R8000 50-34, 11-34T for my Diverge? Most of my friends are either on roadbikes and I’m afraid I won’t be able to catch up during ascent (pavement)
If you use the GRX800 series crankset, you get the 48/31 chainrings, that would be a nice in-between. 48x11 is a pretty decently sized gear.
@@GravelCyclist hi! Thank you for your reply. Okay then considering grx since i really like it :) thing is.. there’s a shortage of stocks everywhere! So will wait for a couple of weeks
@@nashjacinto9473 Good luck! Shimano is very delayed with product at the moment.
All this clicking and trim positions for the front derailleur? Why didn’t Shimano keep it simple and just use some kind of friction shifting for the front derailleur?
Dan, they've moved on from friction shifters which they ditched once they got away from shifting on the downtube.
I agree with you completely Dan, at least with 2x front shifting. How hard can it be for some people to dial in the limit screws then slam the friction lever when you wanna shift? Best part is that it's immune to chain rubbing as long as the rider has 2 brain cells to rub together and trim it.
J Maybe Microshift could make a friction front shifter and market it as an “unlimited trim position” front shifter. Cheaper, easier to adjust, less complicated and more reliable.
I'm not the biggest fan of these. My Norco Search XR C2 has been ridden probably less than 1000km. since acquisition in November last year, and now I have to bleed the front brake. Also, the front brake disc rubs slightly against the brake pads, even with brakes in dire need for brake oil. I aldi prefer the Ultegra / Sram (or Cannondale GRX) brake lever boot design to regular GRX' crude one. Mine has a dropper post instead of a front derailleur. The dropper post is handy for those who care for it, but I'd prefer a double one, as I mostly ride on tarmac and would prefer a 48-35 (like the Sram eTap AXS on My Salsa WarBird) or similar instead of a single 40. I do prefer the look of the rear derailleur compared to the Ultegra's on My Genesis Datum, but generally speaking, I find both groupsets quite unimpressive compared to the no-fuff install-and-go eTap AXS.
It also stopped shifting over a month ago during a ride. Turned out, the shifting cable had been jammed in the shifter. Took Me at least a couple of hours to sort the issue. Earlier, the shifter had stopped working because the cable tension wasn't high enough. Took you the bike shop - they refused to service it, using the infamous "it's ruined: you need a new shifter" excuse. Took the bike home, tweaked for a couple of hours and got it working. The biggest issue with cable-actuated Shimano shifters - is that the cable has to be at just the right amount of tension at all times for the shifter's internals to engage or disengage. Electric shifting is a piece of cake in comparison: they always work and are easy to set up. Another problem of Shimano groupsets (hydraulic ones) - is that the system will most certainly randomly lose oil, whether you ride and brake much or you don't. Never had to bleed the Magura HS-33 hydraulic rim brakes I had on many of bikes prior to My adoption of the hydraulic disc standard. You could ride them for 20 years, descend steep hills daily, brake a thousand times a day - you'd never need to bleed them. That's in stark contrast to hydraulic disc brakes, especially Shimano ones , both road and mountain.
I've had the opposite of your experience. My personal gravel bikes with Di2 hydro haven't had their brake systems touched in three years, and I ride them a lot. No leaking, haven't had to bleed them.
@@GravelCyclist 3 years. Have you used Magura HS33s? They are the most reliable hydraulic brakes on the market. Until the disc hydraulic revolution, they were the best by far. And they perform better than most disc brakes, for good measure. Unfortunately, they're not compatible with drop bars and are so powerful they'd wreck carbon rims within a couple of days.
Will these work with non disc brakes? Such as cantis?
No, the shift / brake levers are hydraulic only.
Just get mechanicals shifters, they work fine with mechanical disc brake, cantilevers and the grx derailleurs
Anybody here using a gravel as a road bike? Keeping up with group rides and good times still?
I've ridden many group rides on a gravel bike / CX bike. If you have the right tyres, gearing and legs, no problems. I've cracked 52km/hr on the flat riding 46x11 sucking wheel.
@@GravelCyclist great. I have GRX 810 2x 11-34 11s with Panaracer 35mm slicks
Isn't there a GRX 11-45 cassette?
There's no GRX specific cassette that I'm aware of, and GRX is supposed to top out at 11-34 for a 2x, which isn't true, and 11-42 for 1x, again which isn't true. There is an XT level 11-46 cassette available.
@@GravelCyclist Ah good to know.
Jom - great video. Do GRX shifters work with Shimano mtb rear derailleurs?
SHIMANO GRX is the best...
Which hood do you prefer?
I prefer GRX Di2 over the mechanical one, nothing beats that for ergonomics and comfort, IMHO. The mechanical GRX, the standard hood is fine... I've had no problems and I don't ride with gloves.
@@GravelCyclist sorry I meant between the Cannondale GRX and the standard Shimano GRX hoods
I don't know if the hoods on the Cannondale I have are because this is a marketing sample... anyway, I don't analyze those things too deeply. I've ridden the Cannondale many times now, my hands aren't bothered. My advice, don't overthink it.
What is the difference between the Shimano GRX 800 versus 810 ? Is one better than the other?
I'm curious too
How faster you can go with x2?
You could go faster because you don't have to consider chainring size with 2x as much as with 1x. But, you still need to pedal a bigger gear to go faster which requires power, so this is questionable.
@@GravelCyclist Hey, thanks for the note. So with same watt produced, the difference in terms of speed will not be that concrete? I recently bought a Cube Nuroad_EX and love it. However I wish to go a bit faster on lean roads... ( I live in the Netherlands). Thanks!
I think the speed difference is negligible. Gear inches / cadence could be the limiting factor of 1x.
My Shimano GRX 810 LEFT lever rattles in rough terrain. Big letdown because of the hype of GRX.
3:17 What does "two trim positions for a chainring" mean?
It means, the derailleur has two positions on small and big chainrings that is controlled by the trim function of the shift lever. It is designed to avoid chain rub against the front derailleur cage.
dont underestimate the triple chainring road groupsets either. for occasional riders not in great shape. It is the poor mans gravel setup. Need those low gears for gravel climbs!
I am well aware of triple chainrings, this is a review of Shimano GRX options. You should speak to the big name manufacturers.
The texture on the levers is different for every model in the price range.
810 has texture
600 has no texture
Thank you. There is no discernible difference in performance between 810 and 600 levers.
At least clean your derailleur, mate. Nice vid though
This is a real world review where stuff gets dirty.
1X either lacks top speed gearing,or it lacks ultra low climbing gearing,or both Its just not there.
Agreed Brad, I feel it is a bad compromise, especially when the 2x front derailleur shifting for mechanical or Di2 is so good.
@@GravelCyclist For a pure trailbike,all dirt all the time,I can see where 1X is ok. Gravel bike I wanna keep up on 35mph downhills and climb the steeps too.
What handlebar do you have on the bike?
Which bike? There were several!
@@GravelCyclist On the Lefty.