New SORA R3000 groupset heads up the early-season releases bringing premium features to sports/fitness riders

Shimano releases its new SORA R3000 groupset, SORA-grade mechanical disc brakes and E-THRU road wheels as the first part of its new 2017 road bike products.

As Shimano’s first-class 9-speed road bike groupset, SORA is pitched towards sports/fitness cyclists. With its durability and affordability it is also a perfect groupset for winter or urban commuting bikes. Now with technology adopted from higher level groupsets, both new starters and enthusiasts will feel comfortable with the features that 9-speed SORA R3000 introduces.

Aesthetic appeal

New SORA R3000 4-arm cranksets, shifters, levers, brakes and rear derailleurs take on the sleek two-tone black-grey gloss finish of Shimano’s upper tier groupsets to create complete an attractive and sophisticated road bike.

Multi-purpose groupset

SORA’s advantage over its rivals comes in its option for offering affordable and reliable drop bar and flat bar components for different riding styles.

Sleek and lighter weight 4-arm double (FC-R3000, 50-34T) or triple (FC-R3030, 50-39-30T) cranksets follow the eye-catching look first unveiled with DURA-ACE 9000. Together with 9-speed STI Dual Control Levers featuring clean and neat internal cable routing, SORA R3000 will complete any sporty-looking race bike.

Alternatively for urban flat bar bikes, components include 5-arm 2x9 (FC-R3000-CG, 50-34T) or 3x9 cranksets with trouser-protecting chain guards (FC-R3030-CG, 50-39-30T), Rapidfire Plus gear shifters (ST-R3000/30) and brake levers with Optislick cables (BL-R3000).

Whether for city riding or competitive events, SORA R3000 just made things a whole lot safer with 20% increase in rim brake performance over its previous incarnation. Dual-pivot BR-R3000 calipers with quick release cable levers make getting wheels in and out a breeze.

Big range

The compact 50-34T or 50-39-30T crankset can now be combined with a large range 11-34T cassettes, an accommodating rear derailleur and a long arm front derailleur. Spinning up hills suddenly got easier with two extra teeth over the previous SORA, while the small 11T sprocket makes sure you have enough high-end range to put the power down.

SORA R3000: The most attractive and robust 9-speed groupset yet

With multiple riding styles and shifting and braking technology cascaded down from its big brothers, new SORA R3000 just became Shimano’s most attractive and robust 9-speed groupset yet. Products are expected to hit the market from April onwards.

OTHER NEW ROAD COMPONENTS

Meanwhile disc brake technology continues to trickle down through the road bike market with flat-mount SORA grade mechanical disc brake calipers (BR-RS305) which can be combined with steel or stainless steel disc brake rotors (SM-RT81-SS/S & RT54-S).

Continuing at the mid-range level, Shimano RX31 12mm wheelsets and AX720 hubs adopt E-THRU technology from mountain bikes bringing quick-release closing style from mountain bikes, creating a stronger wheel locking system with the added benefit of easier adjustment.