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First Look: New Shimano 105 11-Speed Group, Plus New Mechanical + Hydraulic Road Disc Brakes!

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Shimano 105 11 speed 5800

It may be April 1st in Japan, but the new Shimano 105 is no joke. Equipped with many of the features that blew us away with the new Dura Ace and Ultegra mechanical drivetrains, the 11-speed 105 5800 group is sure to bring budget performance to the next level. Shifting is lighter, braking is better, there are more gearing options, and even a new asymmetric chain. The outgoing 105 group was an impressive workhorse, but the new 5800 group makes it even harder to justify spending more.

However, the 105 group isn’t the only news here – there is an entirely new shift/brake system. One that offers hydraulic disc brake performance without having to pony up for electronic shifting.

See the new 105 group plus the first mechanical/hydraulic road system from Shimano next…

Shimano 105 5800 11 Speed

ST-5800_R_S_01 ST-5800_R_L_01

When Shimano introduced Dura-Ace 9000 mechanical, it’s safe to say it changed the way people viewed Shimano’s mechanical drive trains. The shifting was incredibly light and crisp, and provided some serious competition to the company’s own electronic groups. That same light action shifting made its way down to Ultegra, and now 105. The 5800 series borrows the compact lever shape of its more expensive siblings with shorter shift strokes that deliver what Shimano calls the “lightest and easiest front shifting Shimano has ever made. ” Like the rest of the group, shifters will be available in black or silver and include the same polymer coated shift cables from Ultegra 6800.

RD-5800-GS_S_01RD-5800-SS_L_01

FD-5800_F_S_01 FD-5800_F_L_01

In order to meet their shifting goals, both the front and rear derailleurs have been tweaked not only to allow for 11 speeds, but lighter action as well. To get there Shimano added a new spring balance and cable pitch for the rear derailleur along new derailleur geometries for “robust adjustability.” Rear derailleurs will be offered in two cage lengths, the SS which allows for cassettes up to 28t, and the GS gets you up to a 32t. The front derailleurs are equipped with a redesigned pull arm and spring mechanism for improved shift accuracy and an extremely light touch. Like the other 11 speed groups, the FD-5800 has a new lower trim position that will help decrease chain drop.

CS-5800_STD_11-28T_01

CN-HG600-11_STD_01

There is more to the new 105 level HG600 chain than just 11 speed compatibility. The chain is going back to an asymmetric design with outboard plates designed specifically to aid front shifting, and inboard plates to improve rear shifting. The new chain design, which will also find its way into the new Ultegra level HG700 chain, is based off of the HG-X 10 speed mountain bike chain design and has been shown to offer better shifting while also running quieter thanks to the Sil-Tec coated inner links. The HG600 and HG700 will be compatible with all 11 speed road groups.

The new HG600 chain will ride on the new CS-5800 11 speed cassette that will be offered in 12-25, 11-28, and 11-32.

FC-5800_S_50-30_01

Going forward, it looks like the asymmetric 4-bolt chainring bolt patten will become standard with Dura-Ace, Ultegra, and now 105. The standard makes running compact and standard chainrings on the same crank possible, and also means 105 rings will fit Dura Ace cranks and vice versa. Chainrings will be offered in 53-39, 52-36, and 50-34. Something that hasn’t been covered much is the new bottom bracket tool standards for Shimano’s Dura-Ace and Ultegra cranks. Both require an adapter that fits the old standard outboard BB tool and fits over the BB cup, but Ultegra and Dura Ace require two different adapters. The new 5800 105 group apparently doesn’t have its own BB, so it will use the Ultegra SM-BBR60 which has slightly bigger cups than the DA 9000 BB.

PD-5800_L_01

Under your feet the PD-5800c pedals get updated for “increased lifespan,” which must mean internal changes because they look extremely similar to the 5700c.

HB-5800_S_01 HB-5800_L_01

FH-5800_L_01 FH-5800_S_01

11-speed means new hubs, so fans of the Shimano cup and cone design will be happy to see both black and silver 5800 hubs.

BR-5800_L_01 BR-5800_S_01

Shifting isn’t the only area that got some attention with the redesign, as the 5800 group now offers the same impressive braking found on Ultegra and Dura Ace. The new SLR-EV calipers use a symmetrical dual pivot design with twin bearings at the pivots for reduced friction. They also offer a 10% increase in power in a package designed to clear high volume 28mm tires.

BR-5810-F_L_01 BR-5810-R_L_01

Shimano 105 brakes will also be offered in the BR-5810 aero brakes, which use a direct mount twin post front brake, and the under-the-chainstay rear brake caliper.

The new 105 group will be available for order this coming June, so you won’t have to wait until 2015!

Shimano RS685 Mechanical Hydraulic System and new RS785 Caliper

ST-RS685_R_STD_01BR-RS785_LRT99_01

For even more power and control, Shimano is expanding their hydraulic brake options with the new RS685 mechanical hydraulic system. Yes, Shimano’s hydraulic road disc brakes are no longer Di2 only. If you’ve been holding out on upgrading to Shimano’s hydraulic road stoppers because of the price, the RS685 offers a mechanical, 11-speed alternative. The 11 speed part is key though, since this isn’t an E-tube electronic system, you can’t just program it to work on 10 or 11 speed cassettes. RS685 is 11-speed only, but will work with any Shimano 11 speed road system. Like the ST-R785 shifters, the ST-RS685 are a non-series component but are considered Ultegra grade.

Shimano says the lever shape is based on the ST-9000 shape, and is impressively slim for a hydraulic lever. The lever includes 10mm of reach adjustment to fit a variety of hand sizes.

BR-RS785_LRT99_01

The RS685 levers will be paired with the new RS785 caliper, a completely new part distinct from the R785 and arguably a more road-specific unit. The caliper gets a new inboard, in-line connector in lieu of an outboard banjo fitting to make cleaner routing possible. The caliper is backwards compatible with the ST-R785 Di2 levers and includes resin ICE Tech brake pads. Metallic pads will be available after market. Resin pads of course offer a quieter, smoother braking, but metallic pads offer increased bite, especially in wet/muddy conditions.

Like the R785, the RS685 caliper is designed to work with the RT99 Freeza Centerlock rotor in 140mm size front and rear, regardless of rider weight. More stopping power can be had by fitting 160mm rotors as well. The Freeza rotors take the Ice Tech concept up a level with the aluminum extending from its steel clad surroundings to form a cooling fin on the inside of the rotor. Shimano claims the rotor alone reduces heat by 150 degrees.

The updated BR-RS785 caliper is expected to be available in June 2014. The ST-RS685 levers won’t be available for order until August 2014 – hopefully just in time for ‘cross season.

Pricing:

5800 MSRP
BR-5800 Brakes  $104.99
CS-5800 Cassette  $69.99
FC-5800 Cranks  $199.99
FD-5800 Front Derailleur  $39.99
RD-5800 Rear Derailleur  $64.99
ST-5800 Shift/Brake Levers  $289.99
CN-HG600 Chain  $34.99
SM-BBR60 Bottom Bracket  $29.99
TOTAL  $834.92
Road Hydraulic Disc Brakes
BR-RS785 Caliper Only $74.99
ST-RS685 Brake/Shift Lever Only $549.99
ISTRS685 + BR-RS785 Kit Brake/Shift Lever + 2 Caliper Set $699.99

Bike.Shimano.com

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60 Comments
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J Train
J Train
10 years ago

Wow.

Tony
Tony
10 years ago

well now. The SRAM boys better have something darned amazing in their rebuilt hydraulic road.

badbikemechanic
badbikemechanic
10 years ago

SHIMANO IS THE BEST!

Graves
Graves
10 years ago

Hey guys, remember SRAM?

Mayhem
Mayhem
10 years ago

So what exactly are the differences between the new 105 5800 and Ultegra 6800? Simply cheaper materials (less carbon fiber, lower grade aluminium, etc.) and not as much machining time spent on finer details and minimizing weight? Functionally they do seem really close.

Mayhem
Mayhem
10 years ago

So what exactly are the differences between the new 105 5800 and Ultegra 6800? Simply cheaper materials (less carbon fiber, lower grade aluminium, etc.) and not as much machining time spent on finer details and minimizing weight? Functionally they do seem really close…

Mindless
Mindless
10 years ago

CIRCLE JERK!

Chader
Chader
10 years ago

Yes, Mindless. Progress is for suckers.

jimmy
jimmy
10 years ago

If you’re buying your own, get this instead of Ultegra or DA and then throw the extra money at wheels.

Fattylocks
Fattylocks
10 years ago

Wow is right, Shimano really covered all the bases.

Harrison
Harrison
10 years ago

Incredible.

Debate has raged on Bikeforum for months trying to predict Shimano’s next move. It looks awesome. This brings multiple questions to my mind immediately:

1.) Will Pioneer Power Meters now be available on Shimano 105 cranks?
2.) Are these parts just heavier variants of 6800?
3.) How does shifting compare with 6800?

Very exciting. I’ve thought about ditching my 6700. Upgrade kits for 6800 aren’t horrendously expensive, but having the option to upgrade for less is always tempting.

Ck
Ck
10 years ago

Glad to see this, even if I prefer SRAM. This is a huge improvement to the complete bike, and especially the cyclocross bike market. Hell, I feel slightly compelled to build a 5800 disc cross bike myself now.

Tyler
Tyler
10 years ago

Now, if Shimano will actually regulate their MAP pricing, my bike store will actually be able to make a profit off of selling these…DA FC-9000 is already 30% off there. Will be a matter of days before this ‘new’ product is discounted by the lot of these industry killers.

*cough* Jenson USA / Wiggles / Chain Reaction *cough*

Aaron
Aaron
10 years ago

Perfect. Can’t be happier. Great job Shimano.

Fattie
Fattie
10 years ago

Any world of disc compatible 11 speed hubs? Would love to expand that market. It may necessitate something like the levers though: non series, 135 or 130, Ultegra quality would be great. Cup and cone works awesome for gravel grinding bikes.

CampagDude
CampagDude
10 years ago

Nice stuff. All proven tech, somewhat. Im interested in the weights versus Ultegra

Tyler
Tyler
10 years ago

Im lost… how can the new shifter that combines mechanical shifting with hydraulic braking be the same shape as a standard mechanical shifting and braking? where is the master cylinder

kyle
kyle
10 years ago

that is a handsome looking crank!

kurti_sc
kurti_sc
10 years ago

comment on the gearing. why keep the 11t with 28T and 32T cogs? Anyone interested in running a 32T is not going to worry about having an 11T and would much rather have better spacing where it counts in the climbing range. Anyone! I’m speaking for everybody, btw. 😉
I think Campy offers a 13-29 cogset. Wow, that makes sense for people thinking about climbing gears. I’m not so concerned about out pedaling a 50×13 on a 10% decline, but I am looking to work with more gears on the way up.
Just to clarify, I’m an average old dude. No one is interested in my cycling ability. No one cares that I can pedal 40mph or 44mph on the descent. And certainly no one cares if I can climb any quicker or easier, but dang, I sure will feel it if I can keep better rhythms myself and climb a little quicker or easier. C’mon Shimano. At least the 105 gruppo should be aimed at regular joes and jills.

CXisfun
CXisfun
10 years ago

@Fattie: Shimano already has a pretty affordable option with the CX75 hubs.

aaron
aaron
10 years ago

the rs685/785…finally. i am having a frame built, and was putting it off because i really did not want to own a bike that required a battery. call me old school, but enough stuff in my life has batteries. the performance of the Di2 is great, but just…can…not…do…a…bike battery thing.

august can’t come soon enough.

IvanMTB
IvanMTB
10 years ago

So evolution is simple as I can see. 130mm going to be obsolete standard, 135mm old MTB will be new road…

Shame, so many nice frames worthy converting into disc, so few hubs…

Cheers!
I.

wheelguy
wheelguy
10 years ago

@aaron: I’m totally with you. I want hydraulic road, but don’t want more things that require batteries. Thank you Shimano!

John
John
10 years ago

Here’s hoping this will prod a *certain* bike manufacturer from Waterloo, Wisconsin into building a version of their carbon “endurance race” bike with disc brakes, for those of us more interested in centuries and gran fondos than racing…

Andy
Andy
10 years ago

11 speed only for the hydro levers? Screw that. I guess I’m a curmudgeon now since I don’t want to have to upgrade EVERYTHING just for one more useless cog.

ghammer
ghammer
10 years ago

Funny thing is, I was a campy guy before i became a sram guy. used to be that cheapo campy was superior to cheapo shimano. after my recent *bad* experience with 2011 veloce, looks like shimano may get a chance. the roles have inverted here: lower rung shimano is now vastly superior to veloce. good for them, maybe it’ll wake up campy people.

now let’s see what sram is gonna do. new lever shape and 11spd for rival? we know sram is coming up with electronic shifting – we might even see it during the Tour.

but good for shimano. they deserve everything good thing they get these days. and someone said it just right: set your main rig up with shimano 105 11, then apply the savings to wheels. GENIUS. go shimano go.

Ilikeicedtea
Ilikeicedtea
10 years ago

@Andy

WAAAAAAAAH!

You can’t please everybody.

Chris
10 years ago

Shimano 105 has always been the go-to groupset for triple drivetrains. So where is the 5803 triple. I was also really hoping for a 5873 electronic triple group. Any news on that?

Tim
Tim
10 years ago

I think I am the only person who would love to see a fully mechanical disc brake with Ice-Tech pads and Freeza rotor.

Dockboy
Dockboy
10 years ago

@Andy: If you want Hydraulic disc with 10 or fewer rear cogs, why not run TRP Hylex? Retroshift has version coming out combining their off-the-front shifters and the full-hydraulic discs. If you go with this, it’ll likely be lighter and simpler mechanically.
Plus, you can expect it to cost less to convert to, since you won’t need new derailleurs, cassette, and chain to go with your new controls and calipers.

Moby
Moby
10 years ago

Shimano is nailing road discs. I’m starting my second week on Di2 Hydro (upgraded my custom Ticycles Ultralight road disc frame that I’ve run the last 2 years with Ultegra Di2/BB7 to DA 11 speed and Hydro, the old stuff is going on a gravel frame). The brakes are a big difference. I could get my BB7s to perform pretty good (one shop commented they were the best they had felt) but to do so I was constantly adjusting them. I installed the hydro setup, squeezed the lever, torqued the bolts and was done. No rubbing and perfect lever travel. I’m running 160 front/140 rear rotors on DT240 centerlocks. Much lighter lever effort. Modulation is much better as well.

I was originally thinking of Spyres on a new fast recreational bike for my wife, but after riding my Di2 hydro and seeing this I will certainly do 105/hydro.

John
John
10 years ago

Don’t want to upgrade all your wheels for 11 speed? Run the 11-28 cassette on your ten speed free hub, leave the 11 tooth off though. Just install a 12 tooth lock ring against the 12 tooth. Use limit screws and it works perfectly, just aredundant clock in the Shifter. Hydro disc mechanical shift ten speed 105.

Philly_steen
Philly_steen
10 years ago

@John.

That’s cool, but aredundant isn’t really a word, so…What?

john2
john2
10 years ago

John> that was brilliant, haven´t thought about that! thanks.

maddogeco
10 years ago

I would have purchased the F out of these brakes until i read its 11 speed. will an 11 speed cassette fit on most 10 speed hubs? i cant be bothered replacing my hub, cassette, derailleur and chain, just so i can have better brakes

John
John
10 years ago

Is it just me, or does height of the SRAM mechanical hydro shifters look freakishly tall compared to these new ST-RS685 shifters? Too bad they won’t be available August.

Moby
Moby
10 years ago

Those also look a lot smaller than my Di2 hydro levers, which don’t look much smaller than SRAM’s. Maybe these are a v.next cylinder design for Shimano?

Moby
Moby
10 years ago

The faceplate is different and the height above the top of the lever looks shorter than my Di2 hydro.

Nicko
Nicko
10 years ago

No mention of 105 Di2. Surely it wouldn’t be difficult to include this as an option. I guess if you really want it you can get a Di2 rear derailleur and right hand shifter and you’re away. This could be a “Di2 lite”. Di2 on the front chainring is a nice to have as the majority of shifts happen on the cassette. You could get the best bit of Di2 at a lower price. It would be nive to see manufacturers releasing bikes with this option. I think they would sell well.

Derek
Derek
10 years ago

I don’t see any way that the levers will be smaller than the Di2 version since they have to leave room for the shifter mechanism as well. Maybe it’s just a mock-up? We’ll see once there are some more official photos.

K11
K11
10 years ago

@aaron (with lowercase a) well said sir.

NOT a weight weenie, but the mechanical/hydro full group, has got to be lighter than the Di2.

ranggapanji
ranggapanji
10 years ago

CX75 only came in 28 spoke hole drillings. guess I have to wait for 135mm, QR version of XTR 11-speed hubs.

v_yongki
v_yongki
10 years ago

@ranggapanji. You must wait for XTR M9000 in next 3 month

roadmech
roadmech
10 years ago

@John

What about the Boone? That was just introduced by a certain bike company in Waterloo WI.
Its also offered in disc and is endurance geometry

But when does it ship
But when does it ship
10 years ago

Careful, “available to order” does NOT mean ready to ship! I’ll be shocked if this stuff is obtainable in whatever combo a given user might need before fall. Shimano is certainly in a heyday of design lately, but availability has suffered significantly with their us distribution changes in the last 12 months. New tech don’t mean a thing if you can’t get your hands on it…

Bas
Bas
10 years ago

great stuff… But: no triple?

Tom
Tom
10 years ago

Dear Shimano, can you please make a crankset that is not hideous.

Mike
Mike
10 years ago
mikethebike
mikethebike
10 years ago

In my area are enough hills with serious climbing 3-4 km with 10-20%. With 2000-4000km per year in the legs I like my triple crankset. Only this way i could keep a nice cadence over 70.
I´ll stay with the old 3×10 drivetrain. I Think kurti-sc has explained the cog-top perfectly. I am not riding to win races, I am riding because I want to have fun and go up some mountain roads (slowly).

BreatheEasy
BreatheEasy
10 years ago

“The standard makes running compact and standard chainrings on the same crank possible”

Wow, and here’s me thinking it was at all possible to put 52 outer and 39 inner on an old compact crankset before Shimano invented a new standard to make it so…

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