The RAPIDFIRE PLUS shifter release lever is commonly called a trigger because it is operated like a pistol, by pulling toward the grip. The release lever of RAPIDFIRE PLUS shifters from SHIMANO ALIVIO to XTR can be operated in this same manner but adds the ability to activate a release shift by pushing with the thumb.

Rear wheels are easier to remove with a mounting option for SHIMANO SHADOW RD and SHIMANO SHADOW RD+. The direct mount feature is designed to suit a wide range of contemporary frames with large-section chainstays, in particular mountain bikes with thru-axle dropouts.  Allows for flexible frame design No special tooling requirement (M10x1 Mount bolt, without e-clip) Easier to install rear wheel

DCL stands for DUAL CONTROL LEVER. It has brake and shifting functions in the system and enables easy operation.  Ergonomic innovation is probably more critical to the higher standard performance than the added gearing. The shift internals borrow the robustness from our MTB technology and are so smooth and effortless that one finger shifts front and rear are possible.  Indeed, shifting is the ultimate act of SHIMANO TOTAL INTEGRATION, and simply has to be experienced to be understood.

HG-EV cassette is for rider-tuned gear combination & cadence management. We provide optimal 11-speed drivetrain gear ratio; you can choice wider and closer gear combination available to match various riding disciplines. HG-EV cassette is obtained 11-speed gear without compromising the 10-speed durability and improved HYPERGLIDE shifting.

The inner outer plate, designed for better contact with gear teeth, allows smooth shifting even under high load conditions. In addition, the chain has achieved a pedaling efficiency of 0.6% higher.   In order to obtain good gear shifting performance, this chain has a forward side and a reverse side, and the sides are marked so that the chain will face the correct way when installed.

Further evolution of shifting performance  A directional mountain bike specific 10-speed HG-X chain means smoother shifts, lighter weight and greater overall performance.   HG-X directional chain: Outer side is optimized for front shifting and inner side is optimized for rear shifting.

Silky driving, accurate shifting  HG-X11 directional chain realize more smoother shifts and greater overall performance.  Right and left sides are optimized for front and rear shifting respectively.

The OPTICAL GEAR DISPLAY tells you which gear position is selected while riding your bike. You can see how many gears you can select either on the low side or top side, which makes shifting control easier.

OPTISLICK cables feature a minimal and uniform electrically coated layer that improves cable routing efficiency and provides excellent corrosion resistance.

The secret is polymer coating that when viewed under a microscope looks like a series of tubes wrapped around the cable. This means less surface area rubbing the internal housing liner and it holds grease longer. Main benefits are significantly less shifting effort and the feeling of a quicker shift action also improved braking power with remarkably less brake lever effort.

SHIMANO QUICK-LINK can be installed tool-free or conveniently with our optional connecting and removal pliers. ・Wears and functions like other links on the chain ・SIL-TEC surface treatment

Mountain bikers have used RAPIDFIRE PLUS since 1985. RAPIDFIRE PLUS is still a winning choice from a wide range of riders from XC racers to freeriders. RAPIDFIRE PLUS is suited to quick shifting, giving riders the ability to downshift three gears in one stroke. RAPIDFIRE PLUS shifters from DEORE to XTR all feature 2WAY-RELEASE, which means release shifts by pull of the index finger or push of the thumb.

Less distraction quiet drive train   Rear derailleur stabilizer reduces chain slap      Simple solution for chain drop   Lighter and more efficient than roller type chain device

SHIMANO’s ultra-low friction surface treatment   Superior to simple coating, SIL-TEC is an advanced plating process that improves system performance through the use of imbedded fluorine particles. SIL-TEC products run smoother and wear longer in all conditions.

Integrated crank arm and bottom bracket  Increased rigidity with less weight  Wider bearing positioning  Rigidity is enhanced and pedaling force is efficiently transmitted  Precision Bearings  Low maintenance and simplified installation

Hollow technology on outer chainring   High rigidity hollow structure cuts down on weight yet maintains strength. Better power transfer and quicker and more precise front shifting

Hollow forged crank arms  A lightweight crankset not only reduces the bike’s weight, but decreases rotating mass to aid in acceleration.  The challenge is to reduce the weight of the crank without reducing its strength and rigidity.  SHIMANO’s advanced forging technology has solved the problem through the HOLLOWTECH crank.   Just like high quality frame tubing, a hollow crank arm can provide amazing strength and rigidity at very lightweight.

To meet customer needs in the best possible way, SHIMANO has developed the press-fit bottom bracket, staying focused on our final goal: total performance in pedaling.   The bottom bracket axle is steadily supported by the wide placed bearings on the basis of HOLLOWTECH II technologies providing highly-efficient power transfer.

The CENTER LOCK system makes an easy rotor installation possible with spline mount and a lock ring. The lock ring mounting system reduces the total working hours by shortening the amount of time of both installation and de-installation. In addition, the secure fixing by the spline mount enhances precision and rigidity while improving braking efficiency.

The dual-pivot design realized a lightweight, compact and durable braking system. Dual-pivot caliper brake have made considerable progress in reduction of tolerance and deflection as well as in durability. They have achieved firm and instantaneous braking response while assuring longer service life. Moreover, the brake pads have an improved durability of 100% to help enjoy high-response braking over longer periods.

SHIMANO’s MONO-BODY caliper is machined from a single cold forged block in order to maximize stiffness. A perfect balance of stiffness and weight, the MONO-BODY caliper is a component of our linear response hydraulic disc brake system. Linear response equals strong power and superb controllability.

SLR stands for SHIMANO Linear Response. The NEW SUPER SLR design makes use of a friction-reducing mechanism in the caliper, lever and cable that improve response and modulation.  Also for the lever, the SERVOWAVE mechanism is adopted to provide quick contact of shoe to rim and longer stroke from the initial braking effect for better control.   SLR is the essential factor in the SHIMANO dual-pivot caliper that deliver more braking power than conventional side-pulls.

“ONE WAY BLEEDING” was developed for quick and easy prevention of air in our hydraulic system. We have streamlined the oil route throughout the system to prevent air bubbles from being captured in the system.   One way oil routing plus a funnel tool with mineral oil provides an easy and clean bleeding system.

Brake lever is equipped with a reach adjust mechanism. The distance from handlebar grip to lever can be adjusted to suit any hand size, type of riding and individual rider preferences.

When you pull a SERVOWAVE brake lever, initial pad travel is fast, so little lever movement is needed to bring the pads into contact with the rotor. The power multiplication factor then increases rapidly at the pad-to-rim contact so more of the lever stroke is used to apply greater braking power with improved control.

Optimum braking response is achieved with a slight toe-in (around 0.5 mm) of the brake shoe. By integrating a convex washer to the fixing bolt, adjustment of toe-in is much easier.

Shimano cup & cone bearings use angular contact to effectively displace lateral and vertical loads for smooth rotation and excellent durability. Plus, their design makes them easier to adjust and service.

Aerodynamic performance is affected by wind direction. To create the D2 rim, SHIMANO engineers considered both frontal and cross winds, aiming to achieve optimal performance in real-world riding conditions. Extensive prototype testing, in the wind-tunnel and on the road, proved that a wide rim shape with a deep tire bed performs best across a wide range of conditions. At yaw angles ranging from 0 to 15 degrees, the SHIMANO D2 rim profile reduces air drag better than others aero shape rims. This rim design also boosts lateral wheel stiffness and offers improved vertical compliance for increased control, comfort and durability on the road.

The tool-less type thru-axle skewer system optimizes rigidity and weight balance and enables easy operation with a reliable internal cam mechanism. The 15 mm thru-axle system is 15% stiffer torsionally and 25% stiffer in transverse shear than a traditional 9 mm quick release front axle system. High rigidity is secured while keeping the optimum weight balance. The E-THRU axle hub system minimizes the distortion of suspension while maintaining lightweight for riding around sharp corners at high speed.

Hubs feature internal o-rings and a grease sleeve that helps maintain grease levels and increases service life.

The OPTBAL rear wheel spoke system features 21 spokes—14 on the drive side and 7 on the non-drive side.  Cassette spacing in today’s wheels produces unbalanced tension in traditional 1:1 spoke systems. This unbalance is intensified with the 11-speed cassette, producing nearly double the tension on the drive side spokes. Generally high and low tension spokes have respectively tendency toward breaking down and coming loose spoke nipples. Unbalanced tension affects durability and strength. The OPTBAL design rebalances spoke tension, enhancing wheel rigidity and strength for a more durable wheel.

D-FLY builds on the capabilities of the E-TUBE wiring and electronics found in the latest SHIMANO DI2 electronic shifting systems for road bicycles.  This wireless component adds another dimension to the DI2 experience by wirelessly connecting riders to their DI2 data through a cycling computer.