We can be pretty sure that Shimano will launch a 13-speed groupset soon, and a listing on a German retailer website appears to confirm it.
This was first reported, as far as we know, by a Reddit user a few days ago and also picked up by Bikeradar yesterday.
The listing on Bike-Discount has now been removed, but it did list “Shimano 13-speed” as a freehub body option on new DT Swiss G 1800 Spline gravel wheels.
We’ve known for some time that Shimano is likely making the jump to 13-speed simply because it holds loads of patents where 13-speed cassettes are shown. That’s not proof in itself – patent applications are made for all sorts of products that never make it into the real world – but with Campagnolo already producing several 13-speed options and SRAM offering 13-speed wireless electronic groupsets tailored for gravel riding under its XPLR line, it would be strange if Shimano wasn’t working on it.
Shimano 13-speed patent comp (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
> New patent suggests Shimano 13-speed electronic groupsets are coming — here’s what we know so far
The Bike-Discount listing isn’t far short of cast iron proof that 13-speed Shimano is on the way. When buying the new DT Swiss wheels, customers were asked to make a selection:
Freehub body (choose variant)
- SRAM XDR (AXDR)
- Shimano HG11s (ASF11)
- Shimano MicroSpline 12s (ASL12R)
- Shimano 13-speed (ASL13R)
It would be hard to think of an admin error that could have magicked up a standard that’s not going to exist. Naturally, Shimano is staying tight-lipped.
The exact form of Shimano 13-speed is harder to guess. The DT Swiss G 1800 Spline wheels are designed for gravel, so it’s not surprising that both Shimano HG (used for road applications) and Shimano Micro Spline (used for mountain biking) freehub options are available. Shimano’s GRX gravel groupset uses both HG and Micro Spline.
Why’s that relevant? Because we can’t really be sure if the ‘Shimano 13-speed’ freehub body option refers to road or gravel products – or both.
The product codes used on the Bike-Discount listing give us a clue. ASL12R is Shimano’s designation for the current Micro Spline freehub used by GRX 1×12. Following the same naming protocol, it’s likely that ASL13R is an evolution of ASL12R rather than an entirely new interface.
Dura-Ace, Shimano’s top-level road groupset is certainly due an update, the current version having been unveiled back in 2021. And Shimano’s new Dura-Ace wheels have the designation WH-R9370, whereas the current-generation Dura-Ace is R9250/R9270, suggesting that a new-generation groupset is in the offing.
> Shimano launches lighter, more aero Dura-Ace wheels
On the other hand, Shimano has launched a number of GRX 12-speed products over the past few years, while both SRAM and Campagnolo have offered 13-speed gravel components for some time. Shimano would doubtless like to follow suit sooner or later.
Beyond that, we’re just guessing. We’d say that Shimano is very likely to launch a new Dura-Ace groupset in the next few months, and that it’s likely to be 13-speed. Will it share a freehub standard with a new 13-speed GRX groupset? Or does this Bike-Discount leak refer only to a new GRX setup? We simply don’t know.
Plus, of course, it’s not just a case of adding an extra sprocket. There’s not a whole lot of spare space back there, which means alterations to the specs of other components.
Would you value 13 speeds for off-road riding, particularly if you run 1x? Would you want a 13-speed setup on the road, or is 12 (or fewer) plenty? Or are you playing the long game and waiting for 20-speed from one of the big brands?
If you have a theory about what’s going on, please let us know in the comments.
26 thoughts on “Shimano 13-speed leak on retail website suggests a possible new freehub standard”
They’ve missed the perfect chance to promote the new grouppo at the TdF. Now it doesn’t really matter when they release it.
BTW it’s just pathetic how they’re pushing another standard for no valid reason. Corporate greed at its absolute worst.
My wallet told me it’s not excited about this news! I’m currently riding Ultegra 2×11 and told myself I won’t even consider buying a new bike unless it’s 1x with a 13 speed cassette. With 13 speeds, a 1x can deliver nearly identical gear ratios without huge gaps between gears.
@PoorInRichfield Not really true. A typical Sram 1x system might be a 52t chainring with a 10/36 cassette. so your lowest gear is still 52f – 36r (or 13:9) whereas a 2 x system with 13 speed would give you just as many top end gear but also , if using a semi compact 52/36 chain set, you could have a 36 to 36 lowest gear (so a 1:1 ratio) which many amateurs would find extremely useful while still having enough ‘speed’ gears on the flat. The weight of a from derailleur is marginal so its not a penalty for the ability to have a bigger range if useable gears.
@Smoggysteve Not to mention cross-chaining and increased gaps between gears typical for 1x drivetrains.
@Smoggysteve I used the online gear calculator that compares what I have to what I want. When cross-chaining gears and duplicate gear ratios are removed from the 2×11 setup, a 1×13 with the correct cassette can nearly mirror what I have. The issue will be weather or not Shimano gives us more than one option for the cassette.
@PoorInRichfield
1. I never mentioned cross chaining.
2. “a 1×13 with the correct cassette can nearly mirror what I have.”
Shimano generally do at least 2 or 3 cassette variations. Especially at 105 / Ultegra level. So that probably wont be an issue. And since thay aint cheap, having 1 cassette that can cover everything from potentially 10t to 36t like Sram do but with the added capacity to have a1:1 ratio or very close to it is something that many people would find very appealing
@PoorInRichfield Except the 1×13 has even thinner sprockets again than the 2×11, which will wear a little quicker. And, despite the thinner sprockets, the 13 will be slightly wider – combined with the single front ring, your chain will be pulled out to greater angles in your higher and lower gears. Again, a bit more friction, a bit more wear.
Why would it be wider ? It will be the same width
@Jaijai I don’t think it’s the same width. The fact they’re changing the hub body standard suggests it’s wider. If the cassette were the same width, they’d have used the existing same-width hub.
Same reason SRAM had to go XD -> XDR, they needed just shy of 2 mills more width for the cassette (which they got by taking that material off the hub, past the cassette interface).
As we all know, Shimano dropped the ball years ago. 1×13 is already the new standard and SRAM has the market cornered. Shimano shifters make no sense with 1x either unless it’s mechanical + 13 speed mechanical is too fine an adjustment.
Unless Shimano 13 is a super refined 2x electronic group it makes no sense. Shimano 1x GRX mechanical is their only differentiator. + It would be smarter for Shimano to work with Classified on mainstreaming their hub for say, 1×15 e-speeds.
@GravelIsNothingNew Huh what?
Think about it.
Shimano are just playing catch up. They no longer innovate. Their only unique groupset is GRX mechanical and that’s by accident.
SRAM dominates 1x and 2x electronic.
Campy is playing catchup too
They’re all too expensive.
Now while Shimano is asleep, we just need an awesome new Chinese brand to blow them all out of the water.
@GravelIsNothingNew
What a load of bullshit.
@GravelIsNothingNew I don’t agree that Shimano don’t innovate, or that SRAM dominate. They might get more OEM spec these days (unsure of the actual numbers) but there’s more to it than that. And not all of us want £350 rear mechs or electronic shifting. It’s all just chasing sales based on minor spec additions and I’m not sure either brand is truly winning right now.
It will be 2x for road .Sram push 1 x on road bikes because their FDs are garbage ,000.1mm out and it starts throwing the chain .
I don’t know why people keep pushing this conspiracy theory. 1x is popular with consumers, including me. I live in Berkshire and have had a 1x gravel bike for 9 years and works never go beck to 2x For my road bike I still have 2x but on faster group rides I’ve noticed I barely touch the smaller ring. For my next road bike therefore I am seriously considering a 1x.
That said, if I lived in Majorca, Alpes Provence etc 2x def makes more sense on the mountains we don’t have in the UK.
@Jaijai I totally agree with you and I tell people this frequently. Ever since SRAM’s first 2×10 road groups, their front derailleurs (and chainring shifting ramps) have been rubbish (not shifting, slow shifting, over-shifting, being super-sensitive to setup, etc.). It’s obvious that SRAM gave up making their FDs better and just started pushing 1x as a solution to their inadequacies. If you’re using Shimano, there’s no reason to not have a front derailleur because they always work great and give more gearing choices/advantages/efficiencies.
Did Shimano really need to promote a new 13s group at the (male) Tour? Pogi thumped the opposition using a mere 12 speeds. But yes, the TdF is a shop window and if Shimano didn’t promote 9300, it’s not ready.
As the article notes there isn’t much space back there for 13 speeds with current hub standards so no surprise if Shimano needs a new freehub design. Perhaps they also want to support a 10t smallest sprocket.
@Miller Pogi did not need R9300 to win. But he would’ve won on a 9-speed CUES, as drivetrains barely make a difference.
Pogi did not need the new Shimano. But the new Shimano did need Pogi – for promotion.
As much as I can see the logic of 1x – 2 rings are better than 1, we all know that 😉
Much as I can see the logic of velcro – glue is better then velcro, we all know that 😉
You only need one ring – with that you can rule all the others.
@mdavidford But you can only bind them in the darkness – which ruins your aero because of the headlamp.
It will be another wheel option ,much like Dura Ace wheels being MS only .
The cassettes will all be compatible,just another stand alone if youre buing a wheelset
Maybe Shimano will do the same with 13 speed road as on CUES, the largest sprocket is dished inward and hangs slightly in bound of the free hub, so the 11 speed CUES fits on a 10 speed free hub
Exactly the stunt Shimano pulled when they belatedly went from 10 speed to 11 speed, creating instant redundancy for everyone who had 10 speed wheels and wanted to upgrade. They never even offered a freehub to retrofit older wheels. It’s either deliberate planned obsolescence or reflects a chaotic design philosophy.