Shimano GRX groupset with mechanical brakes for CX/Gravel

Asked by: Tina Grant

Can I use Shimano GRX on a road bike?

Shimano’s GRX gravel components are derived from road bikes, so they are highly compatible with road bike parts. Specifically, the drivetrain is basically officially compatible with the last two generations of components with the same number of steps.

What is the difference between GRX 600 and GRX 810?

The 810 is a hollow crank, while the 600 is forged. There is some evidence of the hollow cranks coming apart in salty environments, but it’s lighter. Interestingly enough most of the weight savings is in the left arm. I noticed when I put a 810 power meter left arm on my 600 crank.

What is Shimano GRX equivalent to?

Basically, there are 3 levels of Shimano GRX: RX800 equivalent to Ultegra, in a mechanical version and Di2, 2×11 or 1×11 drivetrain. RX600 equivalent to the 105, 2×11 or 1×11 drivetrain. RX400 equivalent to Tiagra 2×10.

Can you use a road groupset on a gravel bike?

We must stress from the beginning – Tiagra is a road groupset, not a gravel groupset like Shimano GRX for example, although it’s perfectly suitable for light gravel riding.

What is the difference between GRX 600 and GRX 800?

The key difference between the GRX 800 chainsets and the GRX 600 chainsets is that GRX 800 uses Shimano’s Hollowtech II hollow crank arm technology to reduce the weight.

What is the difference between GRX and 105?

GRX will take a cassette that goes up to 42 teeth on its largest cog (provided you go for the RX812 rear derailleur) whereas 105 caps out at 34 teeth (again, with the right ‘cage’ derailleur). For completeness (and I know you were itching to ask), the 1x option is only available for the 11-speed version of GRX.

What is the difference between GRX 400 and 600?

GRX-400 is a mostly complete groupset, but doesn’t have its own cranksets. While GRX-600 has crankset options, it doesn’t have its own derailleurs or brake calipers. So it’s a bit mix-and-match to compare: Brifters: Identical weight for GRX-400 and GRX-600, only difference is the number of gears.

How good is GRX 400?

Overall, we’ve been hugely impressed by the quality, price, reviews and features of Shimano GRX 400 2×10 Speed Disc Brake. We’d say that as long as it fits your budget and meets your expectations in terms of features/spec…it’s a really strong contender. That’s why we’ve scored it a massive 9.2/10 overall.

What does the GRX clutch do?

Quote from video: This is a grx-400 10 speed. So this is a clutch rear derailleur as you can see with a clutch lever on it so on and off what that does is if it's set off it's a normal derailleur. So it's easy to push.

Can I use Shimano 105 for gravel bike?

Shimano designed their GRX groupset primarily for gravel and adventure riders. But, its wide range of options gives it the versatility to be used by cyclocross rider and bike packers too. But components of the Shimano 105 groupset are also used for off-road riding.

What is the difference between Shimano GRX and Ultegra?

Quote from video: The ultegra levers are also smoother they've got a smooth finish whereas grx has these rubber fins that give you added grip then another big difference is the fact that shimano so the grx.

Is GRX 11 or 12 speed?

11 speed

While Shimano’s Dura-Ace and Ultegra groups have moved on to 12 speed, GRX is still 11 speed. Note that you don’t have to have Di2 to get GRX, because GRX still has a mechanical shifting option. That’s in sharp contrast to SRAM, where it’s all or nothing – there’s no mechanical shifting option on XPLR AXS.

What is Shimano’s best groupset?

Shimano 105 is considered Shimano’s first performance groupset, and for many people it is the best option in combining performance, value and longevity. Ultegra is next and is very similar to Dura-Ace in terms of performance, though Dura-Ace is lighter.

What cassettes are compatible with GRX?

GRX utilises 2 types of cassette, the double system will use a narrower spread road range cassette in ratios of 11/32 or 11/34. The 1x system will be equipped with an MTB style cassette with a wider ratio of 11-42 or thereabouts.

How do Shimano GRX shifters work?

Quote from video: So you get to the rotor quicker can start scrubbing speed quicker. But then upon a definite press you're getting more firmer. And direct modulation. So it's increased stopping power with greater.

What is the difference between Shimano GRX and Ultegra?

Quote from video: The ultegra levers are also smoother they've got a smooth finish whereas grx has these rubber fins that give you added grip then another big difference is the fact that shimano so the grx.

What chain does GRX use?

Shimano’s new GRX gravel / cyclocross crankset in an RX810 40t 1x option. The both Di2 and mechanical variations use Ultegra chains and road cassettes, along with Deore XT cassettes in 1x format.

Is Shimano GRX compatible with SRAM?

Dropper support for 1× mechanical groupsets



If you’re looking to fit a dropper to a SRAM-equipped gravel bike, the new levers should make doing so much easier, and this change brings SRAM’s mechanical offerings up to speed with Shimano GRX, which already supports droppers.

Can you mix and match Shimano components?

It is possible to mix and match as long as you get components from the same generation. For example: 9000 Dura Ace, 6800 Ultegra, and 5800 105 are all cross compatible. Each have 11-speeds in the rear, use the same cable pull per shift and use the same front derailleur design.

Will an XT cassette work with GRX?

No, the fact that the GRX shifter and derailleur shift on an XT cassette means nothing about the cable pull of the derailleur other than that it is matched to the lever so that it will shift on cassettes with that same spacing between the cogs.

Is GRX compatible with deore?

According to Shimano, GRX is compatible with dura-ace, Ultegra and 105. No mention of Deore derailers.