The top of the line offering from Shimano is aimed firmly at top-level riders and competitive cyclists, and is simply one of the best chainsets that money can buy.
The cranks are cold forged as a hollow section, the pedal end closed in a further forging action before being joined and finished.
The outer chainring features hollow sections where it mates to the crank. The result is a level of stiffness that really translates through the pedals.
Overall, as you’d hope for the money, it’s a system that is stiff and light, with excellent shifting, even when using chains other than Shimano’s.
The chainset weighs 658g, has a heel clearance of 7mm and comes in lengths of 165, 170, 172.5, 175, 177.5 and 180mm.
This article was originally published in Cycling Plus magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.