Posted at: Jan 8, 2021
The following is a summary of Shimano's GRX lineup of components for gravel roads, its features, and the advantages and disadvantages of choosing GRX.
Table of contents
Sponsored Link
Shimano’s GRX is a component grade for “gravel road bikes,” a new genre following road bikes and MTBs.
The difference between gravel road and regular road bikes is the expected riding environment.
While road bikes are designed to be ridden on painted roads and MTBs are designed to be ridden on rough roads such as mountains, gravel road bikes are designed to be ridden on both “painted roads” and “some rough roads. It is positioned between a road bike and a MTB.
GRX is a component optimized for such gravel, so it features a good combination of road features and MTB features.
Shimano’s road bike composite currently has seven grades, including DURA-ACE, ULTEGRA, and others.
Shimano's brand and grade of components for road bikes and how to identify them
A summary of Shimano's road bike component brands, grades and how to identify them. The model numbers and features of each are also included.
On the other hand, as of 2021, Shimano’s only gravel component is the GRX grade, and within GRX,
There are three lines of Shimano gravel components: GRX Di2 (electric component), GRX 11-speed, and GRX 10-speed.
The differences between the three lines are the “number of speeds,” “electric component,” “single front,” and “dropper post operation.” All lines use hydraulic disc brakes, and there are no caliper brakes, which are standard on road bikes, or V-brakes, which are common on MTBs and other types of bikes.
| model | model number | shift speed | electric component | front single | dropper post operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GRX Di2 | RX-815 | 1x11s、2x11s | ○ | ○ | x |
| GRX 11-speed | RX-810、RX-600 | 1x11s、2x11s | x | ○ | ○ |
| GRX 10-speed | RX-400（Some parts are RX-600 series） | 1x10s、2x110s | x | ○ | x |
What is the difference between GRX and road bike components?
The difference between GRX and road bike components is as follows.
GRX supports larger tires than road bikes, wide-ratio sprockets and chainrings, and lever shapes optimized for rough roads.
However, GRX can be mixed and matched with road bike components, and Shimano’s compatibility chart shows that the GRX series is basically compatible with current road bike components as long as they have the same number of gear shifts.
In addition, sprockets and BBs are shared with those for road bikes,
This means that it is possible to use road bike parts with GRX.
The wide compatibility with road bike components allows for a high degree of flexibility.
Road bike components that can be combined with GRX for gravel
Shimano's GRX series of gravel components can be used in combination with other road bike components, including tips on how to mix and match.
Sponsored Link
All GRXs have hydraulic disc brakes and are compatible with wide ratio sprockets, making them closer to MTB components than to road bikes. However, the riding style is based on the assumption that the bike is used with the same drop handlebars as a road bike, so the riding comfort is that of a road bike, not an MTB.
The shape of the STI lever, compatibility with dropper posts, and chainring spcket gear settings are optimized for rougher roads than road bikes, and the ability to cruise faster on paved roads than MTBs is a major advantage, allowing for a wider range of riding styles.
GRX is compatible with front single (front single speed), which makes it easy and reduces shifting problems such as chain drop.
In addition, front single is easy to maintain and easy to shift gears, making it easy to ride.
Advantages and disadvantages of front single
The "front single" without front shifting is being increasingly adopted in MTB and gravel road bikes. This section summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of the front single.
Since GRX is still a new “gravel road” genre component, there are only three options in the GRX series, and the disadvantage is that it does not cover a wide range of “entry to pro use” like a road bike.
In terms of parts prices, it is a little below 105 grade, so it is not a grade that hobby users can hardly afford like DURA-ACE, but users who want an entry-level bike may feel their choices are a little limited.
All GRX STI levers are hydraulic disc brake models, so the frame and wheels on which they are mounted must also be disc brake compatible models.
Of course, it is possible to integrate GRX into a current caliper brake-oriented road bike to make it gravel-spec, but if you want to have everything GRX, you will need to replace the frame and wheels, and the upgrade cost will be high.
We have looked at Shimano’s GRX.
Gravel road itself is a genre that has been gaining momentum in the past few years, so Shimano’s GRX is in a sense “the grade of the future”.
There is a lot of freedom in customization, such as turning a road bike into a gravel spec bike, or having GRX components from the start, so we are looking forward to the future.
Sponsored Link
Gravel bikes have been rapidly gaining in popularity over the past few years. But what is the difference between a standard road bike and a gravel bike? We have compiled a list of tips on how to recognize a gravel bike and what to look for when choosing one.
Componenent summary of major manufacturers for gravel road
Gravel bikes have been rapidly gaining in popularity over the past few years. While the number of complete bikes has been increasing, component makers have also started to offer specialized components for gravel bikes.
Shimano's GRX lineup of gravel road components and features
The following is a summary of Shimano's GRX lineup of components for gravel roads, its features, and the advantages and disadvantages of choosing GRX.
SENSAH's components for MTB and gravel
This is a summary of Chinese bicycle parts manufacturer SENSAH's components for MTB and gravel. It also includes the equivalent Shimano componentry grade and compatibility with Shimano parts.
Points to check when converting your road bike to gravel road bike
Gravel roads are becoming more and more popular as they can be enjoyed both on paved roads and slightly off-road. In this article, we have compiled a list of points to check when converting your current road bike to gravel.
Three points to keep in mind when changing the size and thickness of your bicycle tires
Tire customization is a fun way to change the riding experience for a cost of about $100. When replacing tires, there are three points to keep in mind when changing the size and thickness of your bicycle tires.
Road bike components that can be combined with GRX for gravel
Shimano's GRX series of gravel components can be used in combination with other road bike components, including tips on how to mix and match.
Shimano's GRX lineup of gravel road components and features
The following is a summary of Shimano's GRX lineup of components for gravel roads, its features, and the advantages and disadvantages of choosing GRX.
Road bike components that can be combined with GRX for gravel
Shimano's GRX series of gravel components can be used in combination with other road bike components, including tips on how to mix and match.
Points to check when converting your road bike to gravel road bike
Gravel roads are becoming more and more popular as they can be enjoyed both on paved roads and slightly off-road. In this article, we have compiled a list of points to check when converting your current road bike to gravel.
Componenent summary of major manufacturers for gravel road
Gravel bikes have been rapidly gaining in popularity over the past few years. While the number of complete bikes has been increasing, component makers have also started to offer specialized components for gravel bikes.
Advantages and disadvantages of front single
The "front single" without front shifting is being increasingly adopted in MTB and gravel road bikes. This section summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of the front single.
Features of TPU tubing and advantages and disadvantages of using it on road bikes and MTB
TPU tubes are gaining attention as the third force in bicycle tires. We summarize its features, advantages and disadvantages of using it on road bikes and MTBs, and major manufacturers.
Summary of Shimano mechanical brake levers for MTB and cross bike
Shimano mechanical brake levers are now few and far between. The following is a summary of the current model lineup, specifications, and compatible components.
Summary of electric components for MTB
This section summarizes the types of electric components for MTB and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Types of MTB dropper seatposts from major manufacturers and points to consider when choosing one
The dropper seat post is becoming a "must-have" part for MTB. Here we summarize the lineup, specifications, and features of dropper seatposts for MTB from major manufacturers, as well as a comparison of each manufacturer and points to consider when choosing a dropper seatpost.
SRAM Component Grades and Compatibility Summary for MTB
This section summarizes the grades, features, and compatibility of SRAM's Eagle series of components for MTB, as well as the electric component AXS and the latest component, Eagle Transmission.
SRAM's MTB sprockets and compatibility, summary of points to consider when choosing
SRAM components are being increasingly adopted in entry-grade MTB. In this issue, we summarize SRAM's sprockets for MTB and points to consider when choosing one.
MTB suspension fork interchangeability standard! You definitely want to check when replacing.
When it comes to serious MTB customization, suspension fork upgrades are the way to go. However, there are various standards for MTB suspension forks, and if you choose the wrong one, it may not work at all.
Summary of 12-speed sprockets for MTB that can be used with Shimano Free (HG spline)
We have put together a 12-speed sprocket that is not part of Shimano's 12-speed lineup for MTB. With this one, it is possible to convert to 12-speed with a conventional Shimano free (HG spline) without upgrading the wheels.
Shimano MTB sprocket and wheel (free body) compatibility summary
This section summarizes the compatibility of Shimano's sprockets and wheels (free bodies) for MTB, which are a mixture of old and new standards, the latest Micro Spline and the previous HG spline, and what to look out for when purchasing.
End width? Boost? MTB end standards and what to look out for when buying an MTB.
Detailed explanation of MTB end standards! What is the boost standard? What is the end width that fits your MTB, points to keep in mind when buying an MTB, etc.
MTB wheel standards and how to choose one without fail.
The following is an overview of MTB wheel standards, their compatibility, and how to choose the right wheel for you.
What is a Tire Insert? Advantages and Disadvantages
This section summarizes what tire inserts are and the advantages and disadvantages of using them, which have been attracting attention along with the spread of tubeless tires and have recently been used in professional road racing.
Summary of Shimano disc brake pad types and compatibility
This section summarizes the types of Shimano disc brake pads, the differences between models, and compatible brake calipers.
TPI, Compound, Tread? Understanding Bicycle Tire Specifications
When looking for items to upgrade your road, MTB, or gravel bike tires, technical terms such as TPI, compound, and pattern appear in the descriptions. At first glance, tire specifications may seem difficult to understand, but if you keep only the important details in mind, your tire selection will be enhanced.
What is a torque wrench? Advantages and disadvantages of torque management
A torque wrench is a useful tool to have if you want to properly maintain your road bike or MTB. The following is a summary of what a torque wrench is and the advantages and disadvantages of torque management.
The bead won't come up! How to raise the bead on tubeless tires
Bead raising" is an essential task with tubeless tires. However, there are times when it is easy to raise the bead, and other times when it does not raise at all despite your best efforts. In this issue, we will introduce a method to raise the bead of a tubeless tire that will not raise, considering the cause.
What is bicycle disc rotor distortion? What causes it and how to correct the distortion
If you hear a strange "shuffling" noise coming from the disc rotor area of your disc brake bicycle, it could be disc rotor distortion. This section summarizes why disc rotor distortion occurs and how to correct the distortion.
Tubeless is reassuring to have! Summary of air pumps with booster/boost function
The booster simplifies bead raising, which is the most difficult part of tubeless installation. We have compiled a list of air pumps with booster(boost functions) that are reassuring to have one.
What is hookless rim? Advantages, Disadvantages and Points to Consider When Choosing
Many "hookless rim" wheels are lightweight and cost-effective. What is hookless? We have compiled a list of advantages and disadvantages of hookless, as well as points to keep in mind when choosing.
What is the ASTM standard for bicycle wheels?
What is the ASTM standard for bicycle wheels? We have compiled a list of points to note when choosing a wheel.