FlashBazbo

Shimano is infamous for "introducing" product and attaching wildly optimistic delivery dates. So far, I've seen media reports saying that the cable and Di2 groupsets for GRX will first be available in August, 2019 . . . unless it's September, 2019. (Waffling already?) For us long-term Shimano observers . . . we know better. (The complete Ultegra Di2 Disc groupset wasn't available for public purchase as components until 14 months after "introduction.") Let's take a poll. What month do you believe customers will be able to buy all the cable and Di2 GRX components (except the auxiliary brake lever) for the first time?

mstateglfr 

Feb 2020 in terms of being able to 1-off buy any of the listed components.

softreset

I'll also go with February to get all the one off bits & bobs. We'll see it as OEM on the "big 3" well before Christmas but the parts buyers will be left high & dry till 2020.

mstateglfr 

Luckily a lot of this new line just isnt needed by many cyclists.

The 1x setup will be appreciated by those who find 1x to be a good setup. So that's gonna be a pain to wait for if someone is wanting Shimano 1x for gravel.

But at this point, the rest of gravel riders have been able to more than adequately create drivetrains that are quality and fit needs.

- Praxis cranksets with 32t small rings shift just as well as shimano.
- GS read derailleurs shift 36t cassettes without issue and can handle larger cogs with some adjusting.
- paved road shifters work perfectly fine on gravel roads.
- the wheelset options for gravel are seemingly endless.


Perhaps I am underestimating the 2.5mm more space the new FD and crankset employ.
At the same time, my gravel bike has 430mm chainstays, can fit up to 50mm tires, and even a 36t small ring fits fine. An extra 2.5mm on top of that? I guess there are designs that can use such a setup, but the need fosmr such clearance sure seems to be the opposite of where gravel cranksets are trending- which is smaller chain rings.

But hey- this will help fill some gaps in the aftermarket for sure. Its just that I think those gaps are smaller than ever at this point since other brands and products have largely filled what shimano was missing

TimothyH

I don't know.

The GRX progressive brake levers are the most interesting part of the whole lineup.

And the GRX wheels will be $420 list which isn't a bad deal at all for a 21.5 internal width Shimano wheel.

The fact that something isn't needed doesn't mean people won't want it or buy it. I'd like to get my hands on the shifters/levers.


-Tim-

mstateglfr 

When I said its lucky this stuff isnt needed, i meant that in the context of the thread's topic- availability. I agree that even though something isnt needed, that doesnt mean people wont want it or buy it.
I was simply saying that in spite of the assumed delay for when these 1-off parts become available to consumers, consumers have great options currently available that address the same things Shimano intends to address.

I dont know what progressive brake levers are...do you mean progressive as in the new levers are an improvement over current levers(so progress)? From what Ive read- the new levers pivot at a different point, have a different shaped hood, and have grippy levers(apparently regular ones slip for people?).

Cyclist0108

My guess is it will appear the same week as the Bontrager gravel-specific helmets.

softreset

For me, the take away from this thread was highlighting the fact that in the cycling world when something is "announced" and is "readily available" are two very different things.

Having worked at a bike shop for several years, I can tell you that the day (sometimes within the hour) of something being announced the shop was fielding inquiries or people were asking about pricing. Sometimes those same people would also about availability but many of them just assumed it was available within a very short period of time (read: a week or two).

For those more in tune with this how this works, we all know that between May 1st - July 4th, the brands and companies are going to really ramp up the unveils and announcements on various stuff. Especially in the road market around the TDF and the early shoppers for 'cross season.

But I can't tell you how many times I've logged into a dealer portal, seen the brand new releases and then I've seen availability dates 3-4+ months later. It completely kills the buzz for the shop.

Don't even get me started on how difficult it is to get "shop copies" of stuff. I've never wrapped my head around why manufacturers don't put more effort into making stuff available for shop employees or to have a demo bike available in m/l like size ASAP. You want us evangelizing it, not telling you... "What I read on Bikeradar..." or what have you.

gus6464

That tends to be more common with road stuff vs mtb. For the most part whenever an mtb brand announces a new bike it's available that same day. Same thing with the components. When rockshox announced their new fork lineup for 2020 it was basically available to order that same day along with axs eagle. The road stuff always takes forever to come out. I think it maybe has to do with the mtb market being much more competitive and lots more options so if you don't have your stuff out right away people forget about you because they can just go with something else.

FlashBazbo

Yes, I think the road bike industry would be much better served announcing the product once it's in the pipeline and available for sale to individuals (or, at the very least, when it's available on OEM bikes for purchase). What's the point of establishing momentum with a big product announcement if you're going to let the momentum die in the six, eight, ten months between announcement date and the date customers can actually buy it?

Granted, the word may get out on the product before it becomes available -- and there's value in controlling the announcement -- but under the current scheduling, the availability of the product is anti-climactic. All feeding frenzy momentum is long dead by then.

jfranci3

You can find DT Swiss C 1800 22.5 int / 26 ext for about $325 now and some Stans Grail builds for the same price. I'm sure the Shimano's will be discounted, but it's not a break through price.

I'm liking the crank styling and configuration, along with the clutched 2x RDs.