Shimano Essa is a new 1x drivetrain, 8-speed groupset for affordable mountain bikes and urban bikes.
The new range complements Shimano’s 8-speed flat-bar Acera, Altus and Tourney TX component families.
In a move similar to Cues, which replaced several 9 to 11-speed component lines in favour of a unified system, Shimano says Essa “harmonises an often complex set of component groups”.
However, unlike Cues, Shimano says Essa’s 1x drivetrain and 8-speed components will be backwards-compatible with Acera, Altus and Tourney TX, aiding the brand’s ambition to “simplify its product line-up for the next generation of cyclists”.
Shimano has also revealed new additions to Cues and it's non-series hubs.
Essence of Active
Shimano says Essa uses the “Essence of Active concept”, which will help elevate the brand’s 8-speed componentry.
Essa suits a range of casual sport bikes, including budget mountain bikes, fitness bikes and hybrid bikes, according to Shimano.
Shimano says Essa-branded products will only include the rear derailleur and crankset.
The derailleur includes a simplified clutch-like system to aid chain retention.
Shimano says the Essa range integrates with 8-speed Hyperglide systems, including existing cassettes and shifters.
The Essa groupset uses a non-series 11-45-tooth cassette.
Shimano Essa components
The Shimano Essa range comprises two new Essa products and Shimano’s existing CS0-HG400-8 cassette.
Shimano Essa RD-U2000 rear derailleur
The Shimano RD-U2000 rear derailleur offers “stable performance on trails”.
Shimano says it has optimised the derailleur’s geometry and spring tension to reduce chain drop.
The derailleur uses Shimano’s Shadow RD design, which tucks the derailleur out of harm's way beneath the chainstay.
The new Essa derailleur has a total capacity of 34 teeth – or, in other words, the maximum difference between the smallest and largest cog – and a maximum low sprocket of 45 teeth.
Shimano Essa FC-UD2000-1 crankset
The Shimano Essa FC-U2000-1 crankset has two chain ring options: 32 teeth or 40 teeth.
Its narrow-wide tooth profile improves chain retention, according to Shimano.
The 32-tooth chainring comes with Dynamic Chain Engagement tooth profiling, used on Shimano’s XC, trail and enduro riding products.
Shimano CS-HG400-8 cassette
The Shimano CS-HG400-8 cassette predates Essa, but this new version increases its range from 11-40t to 11-45t.
The wide-ranging cassette has the following sprockets: 11, 13, 15, 18, 22, 27, 35 and 45.
The 8-speed cassette uses Shimano's HyperGlide technology.
Shorter reach for Shimano Cues
Alongside the announcement of Essa, Shimano has revealed an update to Cues, which replaced the brand’s 9/10/11-speed lower-tier components.
Cues has a new range of shifters and brake levers designed for riders with smaller hands.
Cues was already designed to provide drivetrain solutions across cycling categories, including touring and mountain biking, but Shimano says the update helps provide specific solutions “for every type of bicycle”.
The two Shimano Cues shifter levers are said to be 12mm (lower lever) and 10mm (upper lever) closer to the rider than before, reducing thumb travel.
The Shimano Cues brake lever is 20 per cent closer to the handlebar.
Hub refresh
Shimano has “completely renewed” its non-series front and rear hubs across its range.
Shimano says its non-series hubs “will be concentrated around a simple and easily understood line-up”.
The TC600 and TC/QC500 hub series will include labyrinth and contact seal bearings to endure the high torque levels of aggressive trail riding.
The QCC400 series will have contact seal bearings only. The QC300 will retain cup and cone bearings.
The FH600 and FH500 freehubs with Microspline, designed for electric bikes, will be compatible with 11-speed LinkGlide cassettes and HyperGlide+ 12-speed cassettes.
