Darth Lefty 

Shimano reveals 11-46T cassettes, and more MTB updates - VeloNews.com

hat tip to @waynesulak

FrozenK

So Shimano now will have a 1x11 groupset that matches SRAM's gear range but with a much heavier cassette? It competes on price because you don't need an XD driver, but otherwise it is just playing catch up.

And after what 15, 20 years? Shimano finally decides to use a quick link on chains.

DMC707

Wider range of gears and far superior shifting to SCAM - i mean SRAM. Sounds awesome to me


FrozenK -- Shimano XTR and XT are both comparable to SRAM's gear range already --- 11-40 and 11-42 are currently available. Yes, SRAM has 10-42, but with the same 11cogs, I dont miss the 10 ring

I see a 11-46 as being "specialty equipment" though. I'd prefer to run my current 11-40 for most rides, but being able to spin on an 11-46 for a trip to the mountains would be nice

FrozenK

No, 11-40 does not give you the same range as 10-42. Neither does 11-42. Which is why Shimano is going through the trouble of having a 46t cog. Whether you personally are willing to compromise and give up top end is not the issue.

Say what you want about SRAM but with the 1x11 they kicked it out of the park and it has taken Shimano what? Three years to catch up? SRAM's mountainbike stuff had been on parts if not superior to Shimano for a long time.

Kindaslow

I have the SRAM 1x11 system on my Epic, and it is fantastic.

Shimano seems to be slower to come to market sometimes, but usually they get things right.

FrozenK

Well, I see your 46 and raise you a 10-50 cassette. This basically matches the range of a 2x10 with a 38/24 crankset. With 12 cogs the jumps aren't too bad. And the MSRP on SRAM's site for X01 Eagle is actually lower than X01 11spd. If durability isn't bad, this is a winner.

SRAM Eagle 12-speed mountain bike groups let you soar far and wide - Complete tech overview! - Bikerumor

Bandrada

F88me?

Bandrada

dminor 

"...and complexity of a front derailleur and multiple chainrings . . . ."

I hate front derailleurs but, all the same, I don't think I've ever seen 'complexity' and 'front derailleur' used in the same sentence before .

Darth Lefty 

Shouldn't be a surprise, leaked last month...

Shimagnolo

It looks like their chain technology took a huge leap forward into the 1990's!

Darth Lefty 

So far as I can tell Shimano has always let someone else go first with number of speeds, at least since Ultra7

osco53

My 27.5" wheeled trail bike has plenty of range with my XT M8000 gear. Got a 32 T up front and the 11-42 out back, all the range I need and I can climb really steep stuff, also can climb pretty long grinders.

If I was on a 29er I'd want a 28T or 30T up front I'm sure..
If I wanted lower I'd go 2x11

As for the cassette weight, I'll take the weight for the durability and longevity,,I see guys burn up X01's or some such Sram cassettes that cost several hundred in as little as six months,,no thanks..
besides the weight is at the axle point, I've been on lighter,,cant feel the diff, but I will admit I'm a bit of a mutt,,, I like cheap gear.


'Mutt' : 1901, "stupid or foolish person," American English, probably a shortening of muttonhead (1803); meaning "a dog," especially "a mongrel" is from 1904, originally simply a term of contempt, but perhaps this is a separate word of unknown derivation.

FrozenK

The thing is that this 1x12 gives you almost the same range as a 2x set up. And my experience with a 1x system this year tells me that in real world riding the 1x allows you to use more of that range.

With a 2x most of the times you won't go into the lower gear because a) front shifting is clunky b) the huge tooth count difference between the front rings means you have to shift both front and rear at the same time. Or deal with a massive change in cadence. With the 1x it seems to work better.

As far as gear range goes, it is the 6 mile long climbs where that low gear comes handy. Or the days with 10,000+ ft of climbing. It isn't for the short hills -although it doesn't hurt to have it there...

osco53

That right there was well said !

A 1x11 Is plenty for my 27.5 and my rides... BUT to anyone thinking of loosing the front granny ring you must really really have an honest conversation with yourself.

Three things you should consider before going to any 1x system:

1st and for most, Are you In good shape ?

2nd is your terrain, lots of climbing? You will look cooler and feel better pedaling a 2x or 3x bike up a climb than you will pushing a 1x bike up a climb !

3rd,, the bike .... Is your bike a 32 or 33 pounder ? or more ?
One of the reasons lower end bikes come with 3x systems is to help hide the bike weight..

You would be wise to ponder this carefully on, 'The Tree of Woe'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09kuOAr_wkc

LoL

DMC707

Everytime i think about quick links i think about Aaron Gwinn blasting out of the gate and snapping his chain --- it worked out alright for him - , But have first hand accounts of numerous others breaking these -

I'll take a regular peened in chain link myself

That said, -- an 11-50 setup with 12 speeds seems like just the thing to help me enjoy/survive my occasional trips to Colorado , Monarch Crest in particular--- i want to do Moab's Whole Enchilada this year as well , which has a pretty steep pull to start it out i hear

I invested quite a bit in XTR 9000 already though, - the 11-46 Shimano may be worth a whirl without having to spend huge dollars overhauling my drivetrain