Almost nothing is normal in the bike industry at the moment, and component giant Shimano can probably sing most of the verses in this song. Insiders are already predicting the presentation of a new top groupset for the company's 100th anniversary in March 2021, then for the Tour de Francethen to Tokyo Olympics. However, the company, which has been hit several times by corona-related restrictions, has kept a low profile, as is typical in the Far East. However, repeatedly postponed new launches by bike manufacturers and barely available test bikes suggest that not everything was running smoothly behind the scenes with the introduction of a new generation of gears. At the end of August 2021, the time had finally come: Shimano presented the latest edition of the Dura-Ace R9200 road bike groupset and - for the first time in the company's history at the same time - a new Ultegra 12-speed groupset R8100 the public.
Can the groupsets stand up to the technically outdistanced competition? TOUR wants to find out by testing the new Shimano Dura-Ace R9200.
TOUR tests despite delivery difficulties
Initially, however, we also have to contend with delivery problems. The new components are still few and far between at the time of our test, shortly before their official presentation, and the groupsets are in short supply even for bike manufacturers. A test bike for TOUR from Shimano was also delayed until shortly before this issue went to press and we even had to return it after a few days. However, our extensive laboratory tests actually take weeks. So what to do in this short time? Of course: drive! For the time being, we have to postpone a full assessment. However, we have already put some important components through their paces in the endurance test - more on this later. A multi-day tour we had planned anyway came in handy: 500 kilometres through the Czech low mountain ranges, garnished with some gravel segments and countless climbs and descents, many of them in the double-digit percentage range. Lots of rain is also forecast. Perfect conditions to literally put the gears and brakes to the test.
Advantages of radio and cable
The first positive surprise right at the start: the initially larger-looking grips are slim and are easy to grip even with small hands. There is more space for the fingers between the brake lever and handlebars, a clear gain in comfort. The slightly inward sloping humps offer a real grip position, the two shift buttons are more clearly separated and can be clearly felt even when wearing gloves in the constant rain. The first press on the gear knob gives clear feedback with a perceptible "click". However, the most important innovation is probably invisible: The shift commands now reach the rear derailleur by radio. Cables no longer need to be laid on the handlebars, at least not necessarily. This should please bike manufacturers and mechanics in particular, who will save a lot of time when fitting to integrated handlebars.
The Dura-Ace comes with 12 sprockets
When rolling up to the first mountain range, we not only learn to appreciate the almost silent running of the Shimano gearbox, but also the advantage of the twelfth sprocket. The installed 12-30 cassette has been given an additional sprocket with 16 teeth. The frequently used "operations" are thus Extremely finely graduatedon undulating terrain, there is always the right gear. In the days that follow, however, we will be wishing for a more suitable gear ratio on steep ramps. The good news is that the new Dura-Ace can also provide this. The second available cassette has been extended upwards to 11-34 - previously the rear derailleur could only handle a maximum of 30 teeth. With a compact crank, a 1:1 ratio is therefore possible for the first timeThis was previously only possible with cheaper groupsets. At the other end, you can achieve even more speed with larger chainrings: The usual professional gear ratio of 53-39 is replaced by the new 54-40 gradation.
Shifting operations of the new Dura-Ace are smoother and faster
Many shifting operations in hilly terrain show that the Japanese have been able to further refine the shifting behaviour of the Dura-Ace cassette with redesigned derailleur shifters. In particular, shifting to smaller sprockets under load, where the chain used to simply drop with a more or less loud bang, now appears smoother. It also climbs onto larger sprockets slightly softerbut not that significant. The new cassettes fit the eleven-speed freewheels of all Shimano-compatible wheels - which is also pleasing. On the first steeper climb, pressing the left shift button provides the next aha effect: The slimmer front derailleur works audibly faster. According to Shimano, the rear derailleur should also shift over 50 per cent faster than before. In our eyes, however, neither of these claims are relevant in practice, as the gears already changed extremely quickly, with the absolute difference being only fractions of a second.
Mountain bike technology for the Dura-Ace disc brake
Noticeable progress has been made with the Dura-Ace disc brakes, which we had to put a lot of trust in on very steep, sometimes bumpy, dirty and rainy descents. The technology adopted from mountain bikes "Servo Wave" is the secret of a outstanding response behaviourWhen you pull the lever, the pads initially cover a long distance, but from the pressure point onwards the distance becomes shorter and shorter, while the braking force increases. This results in high braking performance and the best braking force control in the competition - even full braking from high speeds can be easily achieved with two fingers from the brake lever position.
Brake discs of the Dura-Ace groupset
The new brake disc also comes from the XTR mountain bike groupset. It is lighter, but significantly stifferin the brake callipers, the pads also leave more space between them and the disc. The occasional grinding after heavy braking that used to accompany every Shimano disc rider is now almost a thing of the past. What remains is a loud squealing noise in the wet, even if it feels a little less frequent and lasts less long. Here, the discs from competitor Campagnolo in particular show how it can be done better. Disc brake tests from our sister magazine BIKE also revealed that the XTR disc can also reach its limits under extreme loads. With heavy riders, there is still a risk that the aluminium core will give way under hard braking and the braking distance will be significantly longer. Heavy riders should therefore also opt for solid steel discs with the Dura-Ace.
Dura-Ace with rim brakes
There is good news for fans of rim brakes: the twelve-speed drivetrain can also be combined with them. The new levers are more reminiscent of the previous model in terms of shape and do not have the wireless technology, but the brakes themselves remain the same as before. Dura-Ace R9100.
Twelve-speed chain from XTR groupset
The twelve-speed chain is also taken from the XTR mountain bike groupset - which is good news in several respects: Firstly, it makes it easier to stock spare parts for several bikes. Furthermore Wear tests in the laboratorythat the chain is one of the best in this discipline.
The TOUR conclusion from the practical test
Towards the end of our tour, we can summarise that Shimano has not triggered a revolution with the new Dura-Ace, but has improved in many details. We particularly remember the powerful brakes.
Our group has seen a lot of metres in altitude, a lot of dirt and a lot of water - there have been no malfunctions or even failures. After 500 inhospitable kilometres, the chain and sprocket set still show no measurable wear and the chainrings are only minimally affected. The Di2 battery, which was initially fully charged, still has 50 per cent capacity remaining, although we shifted gears more than average. Shimano specifies a range of around 1,000 kilometres, which is likely to be significantly more in less demanding terrain. If you wire the levers directly to the battery, you can get another 50 per cent more range - that's more than comfortable.
What does the Dura-Ace groupset cost?
Shimano is asking just under 4,200 euros for the tested ensemble - without the wheels. That sounds a lot, but in reality it is 440 euros cheaper than the previous list price in a comparable configuration. It remains to be seen whether the generous discounts that buyers have become accustomed to in online shops in recent years will also be available for the new groupsets. The same applies to availability. Shimano had promised that the components would go on sale in October 2021. But nothing came of it. Even supplying professional teams for their 2022 team bikes was difficult. Even in spring 2022, the Japanese company can only partially meet the demand for Dura-Ace components. For complete Dura-Ace groupsets, you still have to be patient at retailers and online shops. The best chance of getting your hands on the new Shimano Dura-Ace is with complete bikes.
Jens Klötzer
Editor
