Shimano brings 12-speed shifting to the Deore range with the M6100 series, making big range gear ratios available at a lower price point. Alongside the new groupset come revisions and updates to the M5100 11-speed and M4100 10-speed groupsets both benefitting from the trickle-down effect. Also launched are the brand’s largest e-bike batteries and a host of new components.
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Everything you need to know about new 12spd Deore
The new crankset comes in a choice of 170 or 175mm crank lengths and either a 30t or 32t chainring although bigger rings from SLX, XT, or XTR can be fitted. There’s also a choice between three Q-factors of 172mm, 178mm, and 181mm.
The new Microspline cassette is made from 12 steel sprockets and comes in a 10-51t ratio. It features Hyperglide+ tech for super smooth shifting.
Shifting the gears is the M6100 mech. It uses Shadow RD+ tech which reduces chain slap and aids chain retention.
The new shifter also benefits from many of the features found on the brand’s pricer kit. The shifter comes kitted with Rapidfire Plus and 2-way release. It also comes available with I-SPEC EV which offers a range of adjustments to suit its position to the riders liking.
Finishing off the groupset is the M6100 brakes. There’s a two pot option for light trail and XC riding, and a four-pot version for gravity based riding. Both brakes benefit from Servowave technology which results in quicker pad/rotor engagement, greater power, and a shorter free stroke.
For those who still stand by their 2x groupsets, updates have been made to the brands 2×11 and 2×10 offerings. Unfortunately, they don’t get some of the 12-speed shifting tech but Shimano promises great shifting performance from the HG cassettes and chains.
The derailleurs are matched specifically to each groupset to ensure the best shifting. Both mechs get low profile designs to reduce the chances of impact and they both get Shadow RD+ tech.
Both 11 and 10-speed shifters come with a band or I_SPEC EV positioning for a tidier cockpit. The right had lever gets Rapidfire Plus which enables a rider to drop three gears in one throw and 2-Way Release which allows riders to quickly dump gears for climbs.
While the M4100 brakes don’t get the Servowave trick, the lever features an extra handlebar contact point for a stiffer feeling brake, quicker brake engagement and a shorter free stroke. Like the M6100 brakes, there’s a choice of two pot or four pot calipers.
New batteries
Along with the drivetrain updates, Shimano has introduced three new e-bike batteries to it’s lineup, including internal and external versions of the brand’s largest ever 630kw capacity battery. The new high-performance BT-E8036 becomes Shimano’s largest integrated battery with a range-expanding 630Wh capacity. The BT-E8035-L integrated battery has the same dimensions but comes with a smaller 504Wh capacity and a faster 4-hour charging time (80% charge in 2.5 hours).
As well as the two downtube integrated options, the new 630Wh BT-E8016 becomes Shimano’s largest external battery, coming with a new fitting port, the BM-E8016 battery mount.
Flat mount brake caliper and new Deore wheels
Adding to Shimano’s hefty round of updates are flat mount options for the SLX, XT and XTR brakes to make use of new frame designs. The XTR version is available for 140mm and 160mm rotors while the SLX and XT can work with up to 180mm discs.
With the new 12-speed groupset, there’s a new Microspline tubeless Deore wheelset. It brings 29″ and 650b options in 100/142mm or 110/148mm spacings. A 29″ wheelset with 148mm spacing is set to weigh in at 2,230g. There’s also two new entry level Microspline freehubs available.
New XTR crank
And finally, there’s a new XTR crank which is designed to provide the perfect chain line for 157mm O.L.D hubs and to accommodate bigger tyres while keeping a relatively narrow Q-factor. This is achieved by using the low profile arms usually found on the XTR FC-M9100 series. The result gives riders the benefit of a wider chain line without effecting the biometrics of pedaling. The FC-M9103-1 is a direct mount Hollowtech II unit with Dynamic Chain Engagement+ chainrings for greater chain retention.
