As well as unveiling new entry-level mountain bike and road groupsets, Shimano have also announced changes to their Deore and SLX off-road groups, including new disc brakes and the filtering down of 10-speed shifting. There's a new trail pedal too, along with a new mountain bike wheelset, two cyclo-cross component series and changes to the Alfine commuter/leisure range.
Deore
Deore is the first Shimano mountain bike groupset that's regarded as an upgrade option rather than just being supplied with complete bikes. The new version inherits the 10-speed Dyna-Sys technology debuted on the Deore XT and SLX groups, and later on XTR, last year.
Available from June, the new Deore looks the same as the current iteration but the addition of an extra sprocket at the back means there's a new crankset (42/32/24-tooth), cassette (11-34/36T), chain, rear derailleur and right-hand Rapidfire Plus shifter. Manufacture of the nine-speed version will continue.
There's also a new Deore disc brake. The M596 inherits the Servo Wave cam system that was previously the preserve of Shimano's higher-end discs. This provides more pad clearance and a power-assisted feel. Shimano claim a 14 percent power increase over the previous M595, helping them meet their target of a 5-25% increase in braking power across their disc brake range
The M596 has a new lever design that takes styling cues from the top-end XTR stopper but carries over the current hinged bar clamp. One-way bleeding is now standard down to Deore level, and the new brake can be used with the current SM-RT64 rotor.
SLX
Mid-range SLX also gets a new Servo Wave disc brake – the M666. This uses the same Ice Technologies brake pads and rotors first seen on the new XTR brake. These are designed to reduce heat buildup and prevent brake fade on long downhills.
The new SM-RT67 Center Lock rotors will be available in 160, 180 and 203mm sizes. The M666 also features a tool-less reach adjuster and one-way bleeding. It'll be available from June.
M530 trail pedal
The reliable M520 SPD – many riders' introduction to clipless pedals – will be partnered with a new 'trail' version, the M530, from May. With an integrated cage, this bears a clear resemblance to the new XTR trail pedal released last year. Claimed weight is 456g/pair. It'll be available in black or white.
MT55 & MT15 wheelsets
Shimano are releasing a new mid-range mountain bike wheelset in July, the MT55. Available with a choice of black or no-chance-you'll-miss-them white rims, this is a disc-brake-only wheelset with Center Lock rotor mounts and 24 straight-pull spokes, front and rear. Claimed weight is 1,920g/set.
The standard MT55s will come with quick-release axles but there'll also be a front 15mm E-thru option (MT55-F15). The existing entry-level MT15 wheelset has been given a facelift for 2011 and will also be available with black or white rims, from April.
Alfine
Alfine disc brakes will be upgraded with the same IceTech features as the XTR and Deore brakes. Shimano say the new S700 is 15 percent more powerful than the current S501, as well as having a more ergonomic lever and one-way bleeding. It'll be available in silver and black.
A new 1.5W hub dynamo will also be available, in two versions – DH-1D70 (with Center Lock disc mounts) and DH-1N70 (without Center Lock mounts). Shimano say it offers "super-smooth rotation". Claimed weight is 420g, It'll be available in silver and in black.
CX70 and CX50 cyclo-cross groupsets
Details of Shimano's new cyclo-cross components are scant at this stage. There will be two series – CX70 and CX50. The main features of the higher-end CX70, due out in August, are a 46/36T Hollowtech II crankset and cantilever brakes with cartridge brake shoe holders and adjustable toe-in.
CX50, due to hit the market in October, also gets a 46/36T crankset, available in black and silver, plus cantilevers with enhanced mud clearance. Compatible front derailleurs will be available as well, with top pull or down pull cable routing and a clamp band or braze-on. There will be an optional cable adjuster.
