Global giants, Shimano, have announced two new group-sets to hit our stores this summer.
Shimano have been on the bicycle scene since the 1920s with the production of free wheels. Since then, they’ve continued to grow into a global brand, producing high-quality performance products for all disciplines of bike.
Today, Shimano announced their latest updates to their mountain bike groupsets: The SLX M7000 and the Di2 Deore XT.
SLX M7000 Group-set Gets a Makeover
The mid-range group-set has had a makeover, and compatibility options to suit a variety of all-mountain purposes have been improved.
With revised cranksets, derailleurs, cassettes, shifters, levers, rotors and hubs, the new Shimano SLX M7000 will be hitting the stores later this summer.
Shimano have really considered all styles of mountain riders with the improved SLX group-set by offering a single chainring for simplicity and technical power houses, a double chainring for a wider range of gear options and cross-country riders, and a triple chainring option for more recreational and less experienced riders.
Those going for the single ring option will have the choice of a 30T, 32T or 34T chainring in the front coupled with the choice of either a 11 – 40T, or 11 – 42T cassette in the rear.
The double ring option will have a closer gear ratio for smoother transitions with a 10T capacity in the front: 34-24T, 36-26T and 38-28T. The rear cassette will have a 11 – 40T range, weighing 467g.
Lastly, the triple ring combination will have 40-30-22T set-up to provide efficient and optimal performance for recreational riders. This will also have a 11 – 40T cassette in the rear, the same as the double.
The bottom bracket has been improved on with better sealings to reduce water, grit and grim worming its way in.
The Shimano Rapidfire Plus shifts are ergonomically designed and they’ll allow riders to downshift three gears in one stroke, making for quick and efficient indexing throughout the ride.
Shimano’s SLX group-set will have the same standard of incredible braking power, making it responsive and reliable for every trail and ride condition.
Overall, the re-invented and improved SLX M7000 group-set looks great, versatile, affordable with some promising improvements. For a mid-range group-set, this is very exciting.
