Shimano is bringing its GRX groups up to date and up to speed with a few on-the-fly additions.
GRX was updated last summer with the new 1×12 Di2 wireless group and the summer before that with the 2x Di2 groups. So, what’s new new? New chainrings and new cranksets.
Big rings rule
GRX launched with completely reasonable, in our opinion, gearing. 40 and 42-tooth chainrings are enough for a good majority of riders. But, for those of you out there holding frighteningly fast average speeds, Shimano’s adding both 44 and 46-tooth chaining options.
Shimano says the new chainrings are fully compatible with existing GRX cranksets, including 1x and 2x configurations across both 600- and 800-series GRX groups. Which covers just about all the recent releases, and the mechanical groups that arrived just before the electronic ones.
Short cranksets for everyone
One of the biggest new trends in drop-bar riding, whether that is on the road or beyond the pavement, is the rush to run shorter cranksets. When GRX launched, that trend was just emerging and, ever safe, Shimano stuck with the traditional trio of 170 mm, 172.5 mm and 175 mm crank arm lengths.
Now, GRX RX810 is getting two more options. 165 mm and 160 mm cranks join the party. Shimano says this expands fit options, opens up a more efficient pedaling motion and supports higher cadences during long, sustained efforts. There are plenty of other after market crank options in these lengths already, but now your crank set can match the rest of your group with the official GRX 810 finish.