Shimano’s PRO line of bicycle components is growing. Readers may be familiar of the brand’s handlebar, stems, seat posts and saddles from our numerous bike Profiles of bikes from Mathieu van der Poel and Jonathan Page, just to name a few.
Now the brand not only offers cockpit parts but also dropper posts and frame, saddle and handlebar bags under its one-year-old Discover line of Products.
While PRO officially unveiled details of these Products today, our readers got an early sneak peek at some of these Products last week:
PRO Discover Dropper Seatpost and Remote Lever
The new PRO Discover 27.2mm dropper post with 70mm of travel and a two-way drop bar lever that you can actuate with your thumb or index finger from the hoods or drops. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
Shimano’s PRO line adds two new seat posts to the Discover line. Judging from the response on social media, the Discover Dropper Seatpost and drop-bar lever looks is aimed directly at the gravel and monster cross crowd. It’s 27.2mm, has internal cable actuation and 70mm of travel.
The new PRO Discover 27.2mm Dropper post with 70mm of travel.
The post comes with a nifty two-way L-shape drop bar lever called the Discover Seatpost Remote that can be actuated from either the hoods or drops, with the thumb or index finger.
The new PRO Discover 27.2mm dropper post with 70mm of travel and a two-way drop bar lever that you can actuate with your thumb or index finger from the hoods or drops. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
It’s there when you need it from either position, but it also somewhat alters your grip when riding in the hoods (wrapping three fingers around the hood becomes difficult). Want the lever for your existing cable-pull dropper? PRO plans to sell it for $70 alone.
The new PRO Discover 27.2mm dropper post with 70mm of travel and a two-way drop bar lever that you can actuate with your thumb or index finger from the hoods or drops. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
It’s not Shimano’s first 27.2mm dropper post, but the first with internal routing. The Discover dropper post can also pair well with Shimano’s GRX dropper-specific left hydraulic brake lever, a nice match for any 1x Shimano mechanical drivetrain.
The post weighs 417g, is 350mm long and only comes in zero setback. The Discover dropper post costs $300.
Discover Adds Vibration-Absorbing Carbon Post
New PRO Discover cockpit components and bags. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
Not everyone wants a dropper for their drop-bar, off-road riding. Any rider more concerned with weight or vibration might be more interested in the carbon Discover post. PRO says its addition of Dyneema fiber helps add strength, save weight and add a bit more flex.
The new carbon PRO Discover post with Dyneema fiber weighs just over 200g and is said to absorb vibrations well.
Its test reveal up to 1cm of flex in extreme situations. While the average rider will never come close to seeing such compliance, the post could take the edge off cyclocross, gravel or road cycling.
The new carbon PRO Discover post with Dyneema fiber weighs just over 200g and is said to absorb vibrations well.
While it may take the edge off your ride, its price might shock the budget-conscious. The 216g (27.2mm) post will set you back a cool $300. It’s available in 27.2 and 31.6mm diameters.
PRO Adds Lightweight Flare with Discover Carbon Handlebar
While the Discover line from PRO already has two alloy handlebars with 12-degree and 30-degree flare, it now has a lightweight carbon handlebar that sheds grams and splits the difference in flare.
New PRO Discover carbon handlebar with 20-degree flare. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
The newest Discover Carbon Handlebar has a 20-degree flare, a short 75mm reach and shallow 110mm drop and weighs just 205g. The top of the handlebar has a 5-degree back sweep and a flatted ergonomic shape.
There’s also an accommodation for internal routing of hoses and cables.
New PRO Discover bar has 12 degrees of flare, 5 degrees of back sweep, and provisions for internal hose/cable routing.
The bar comes in 40, 42 and 44cm widths. PRO says the bar is noticeably more compliant than its alloy bars, and also saves around 70g over the alloy Discover models.
As you might guess, the Shimano brand says its levers are optimized for the new Shimano GRX Di2 and mechanical levers but work great with other brake levers and shifters. The carbon bar costs $330.
New PRO Discover bar has 12 degrees of flare, 5 degrees of back sweep, and provisions for internal hose/cable routing.
There’s also a new Discover alloy stem, the first stem in the Discover line. It comes in 70-110mm sizes and a 6-degree angle. The alloy stem is $80.
The PRO Discover alloy stem.
Pack Light with Smaller Discover Bags
New PRO Discover bags includes a small frame bag, saddle bag and handlebar bottle bag. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
While Shimano released large-capacity saddle, frame and handlebar bags under PRO’s Discover line last year, it has expanded its offerings by downsizing its new models.
New PRO Discover bags includes a small frame bag, saddle bag and handlebar bottle bag. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
There’s a small saddle bag to carry your survival essentials to get you back home, a small-size frame bag that doesn’t fill your entire main triangle (or will work with smaller frames) and a bottle (or bear spray or camera lens) bag for easy access from the handlebar. The bottle bag has a price of $35, the frame bag $65 and the seat bag $55.
New PRO Discover bags includes a small frame bag, saddle bag and handlebar bottle bag. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
PRO Heads Offroad with Its Stealth Saddle
The new PRO offroad version of the Stealth saddle uses stainless steel rails, dual density paddings, a closed cut-out and armored rear edge. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
Lastly, PRO’s popular short, stubby Stealth saddle has followed the Discover line to the dirty side and now comes in an off-road version. The Stealth Off-Road saddle adds thicker dual-density cushioning, a rubberized armored rear edge and a closed cut-out for those muddy cyclocross days.
The new PRO offroad version of the Stealth saddle uses stainless steel rails, dual density paddings, a closed cut-out and armored rear edge. photo: Shimano
The saddle comes with stainless rails, comes in two widths (142mm and 152mm) and is listed at just 195g at a cost of $150.
For all the new components and bags, availability is expected to be in November.
Stay tuned for a review on some of these items.
More info: pro-bikegear.com
