The Japanese drivetrain and component giant has developed a new range of CUES 9-, 10-, and 11-speed gravel bike groupsets with interchangeable components. There’s a value 8-speed option, too, and a compact derailleur and brake rotor option for junior riders on 20-inch wheels. 

If you love the feel and durability of Shimano components but can’t quite afford GRX or even Deore for your gravel bike build, the new CUES drop bar range is a deal.

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Lots of standardisation and chain interoperability

2025 shimano cues drop fd.jpg, by Liam Mercer

Some of the clever compatibility features that Shimano engineers have integrated with the drop bar CUES range are common derailleur pulleys, cassette sprockets and chains. 

The new CUES drop bar drivetrains promise excellent durability using Linkglide chains, with a lifecycle of three times that of conventional chains. Riders who want the ultra-efficiency and shifting crispness of Shimano’s Hyperglide chains need not worry. All the CUES drivetrain components are compatible with 11-speed Hyperglide chains.

Several chainring and crank options

For riders who value the simplicity of single chainring gravel riding, there are 40- and 42t options, running a 50mm chain line, for the CUES 9-, 10- and 11-speed drivetrain configuration. These 1x set-ups feature three crankarm lengths: 170mm, 172.5mm, and 175mm. 

Desire a greater spread of rations and smaller steps in between on your gravel or adventure bike? Shimano’s CUES also offers a dual chainring set-up with two options, 46-32t and 50-34t. Ideal for bike-packing adventure gravel riders who need to haul bikes laden with frame bags up steep climbs and along long, flat road sections. 

Crank options for the CUES 2x drivetrains (9- or 10-speed), are a two-piece with four crankarm lengths: 165mm, 170mm, 172.5mm, and 175mm. A Hollowtech 2x crankset option offers three crankarm lengths: 170mm, 172.5mm, and 175mm. Both of Shimano’s CUES 2x cranksets run a similar 47mm chainline. 

2025 shimano cues drop caliper.jpg, by Liam Mercer

Better brake levers 

CUES shift and brake levers are shaped to accommodate a broad spectrum of hand sizes, accounting for the more demanding nature of gravel-riding terrain and the influence of rolling across corrugated unpaved roads at speed. 

The CUES development team has used inspiration from Shimano’s performance road bike groups to shape levers that are more ergonomically intuitive for a greater spectrum of riders regarding hand size and shape. That should help with brake modulation and control on those loose, high-speed, gravel descents. 

Brakes matter when descending a long fire road or navigating a singletrack link-trail on your weekend all-terrain ride. Shimano’s CUES brake system is optimised for 160mm rotors – the prevailing size gravel riders use. Gravel bike frame and fork compatibility promise to be excellent, too, with the flat-mount callipers eliminating the annoying search for specific spacing adaptors. 

ESSA 8-speed and junior rider bits

2025 shimano cues drop rd.jpg, by Liam Mercer

The value hero in Shimano’s new drop bar range is the ESSA 1x8 option. Developed for riders who want drop bar aero positioning for their active commuting and dual-purpose fitness riding, Shimano’s ESSA is based on the HYPERGLIDE design. Compatible with 6-, 7-, and 8-speed Hyperglide chains, the ESSA group features a wide range 11-45T cassette. 

The reach of technical benefits with Shimano’s new CUES range goes beyond adult gravel bikes or 1x8 commuter needs. There's also an ultra-compact short-cage derailleur for junior riders on 20-inch wheel frames, with 30% better ground clearance. 

Cassette options for the CUES short-cage derailleurs are 11-36T (9-speed) and 11-39T (10-speed). The enhanced clearance with these compact derailleurs should give junior riders on 20-inch frames great shifting confidence with reduced risk of derailleur terrain strikes on rocks and roots. 

There’s also a junior spec CUES brake update, Shimano bringing a value 140mm rotor with six-bolt pattern fastening to market.

• shimano.com

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