Following a leak on Cube’s website, Shimano has confirmed in a statement shared exclusively with BikeRadar that the drop-bar version of Cues will be released in “early 2025”.
Spotted on the new Cube Nuroad Pro, the unreleased drop-bar levers complement Shimano’s existing flat-bar Cues components.
Intended primarily to offer affordable 1x groupsets, drop-bar Cues is expected to be specced widely on budget gravel bikes. It will also replace Shimano’s budget-oriented Tiagra, Sora and Claris road bike groupsets.
When will drop-bar Cues be available?
Other than confirming it will arrive in early 2025, Shimano remains tight-lipped on when exactly we should expect to see its new Cues drop-bar groupset hit the market.
So what can we infer from the timing and other goings-on at Shimano HQ?
Despite its focus on compatibility, Cues stands apart from Shimano’s existing products, using a different cable-pull ratio and drivetrain technology from its road or gravel groupsets.
As such, its release is unlikely to be tied to any other anticipated Shimano launches (such as the long-awaited new XTR Di2 drivetrain or 1x GRX Di2 groupset, which is expected to borrow tech from XTR).
Instead, the timing is likely more prosaic, with Shimano and its OE partners introducing a new groupset to tempt would-be customers into buying a new bike as spring rolls around.
Expect to see entry-level model year 2025 gravel bikes with Cues from many brands – and, if we’re lucky, the odd unintentional leak revealing more details before the official launch.
What else do we know?
Although Shimano declined to share details on the groupset’s availability, pricing or specifications, Cues is likely to be priced below Shimano’s enthusiast-oriented GRX groupsets.
The Cube Nuroad Pro – which has since been removed from Cube's site – is specced with an existing Cues RD-U6000-GS rear derailleur, strongly suggesting drop-bar Cues uses the same cable-pull ratio as its flat-bar counterparts.
Already seen on a range of urban and electric bikes, Cues uses Shimano’s Linkglide technology to offer increased longevity and smoother shifting under load.
Full response from Shimano
"Thank you for your inquiry about the Shimano Cues drop handlebar. Shimano works closely with our OE [original equipment] partners to ensure new product information [presented] to the market is accurate.
“While we appreciate the enthusiasm for Shimano Cues, we do not want to comment on speculations regarding its availability, pricing or specifications until everything has been finalised and is ready for launch.
“The product has since been removed from the OE’s website and more information will be shared in early 2025.”
