First Look: Shimano’s New Ultegra R8000/R8070 – What’s In Store for Cyclocross and Gravel Cyclists?

It's been long been rumored and inevitable after Shimano unveiled R9100 Dura-Ace, but now the Ultegra groupset has received an update. There's some interesting news that should please some of our cyclocross and gravel readers. The official press release info should be everywhere you look, including here (down below), but we've got a few editorialized observations of the changes that might be relevant to our off-pavement readers:

1. Shadow rear derailleur. Ever dump the bike drive side and bend your derailleur hanger, and then shift into your spokes? Whether that was in Bieles or in your local park, the new lower profile Shadow Ultegra R8000 rear derailleur should reduce those instances. (Too bad there's not a clutch version, but if you're riding Di2, the Deore XT and XTR Di2 rear derailleurs are still compatible.)
   

   Shimano's new Ultegra R8000 component group brings Shadow into the road/cyclocross/gravel limelight, but there's still no Shadow Plus clutch. © Cyclocross Magazine

2. More gear options, while old wheels are thrown an 11-speed lifeline: Shimano adds a new Ultegra and Deore XT-level wider range 11-34t HG800 cassette, which adds a 2-tooth bigger low gear. HG800? Yes, it's confusing, as Ultegra cassettes are R8000 while Deore XT are M8000, while Tiagra is HG500, but them's the names.Two teeth alone might not sound like big news, but for anyone with older "10-speed" wheels, this is bigger-than-two-teeth news. The new 11-34t cassette means you can grab your old 10/9/8-speed road or mountain bike wheels and use them on your 11-speed drivetrain without a massive 11-40t, 11-42 or 11-46t cassette (and mountain bike rear derailleur) or adaptor. It's also an interesting option to turn old 10-speed freehub wheels into viable options for 1x drivetrains, even with SRAM components.
3. Synchro and Semi-Synchro: Can't figure out when to change chainrings up front? Let the brains of Shimano and Di2 to the thinking and heavy lifting for you. It's worked on the mountain bike side, so cyclocross and gravel racers can now enjoy semi-brainless double chainring shifting when they're seeing blurry from the effort.
4. Improved chainring clearance: If you're running disc brakes and quick releases (or 135mm thru axle spacing) and short chainstays, Shimano did its geometry homework to help you out. The company has revamped its chainring tooth profiles to offer increased "clearance between chain and leading teeth" for better chainline without increasing Q-factor.
   

   Shimano's new Ultegra R8000 component group has shifted its chainring tooth profiles to better accomodate 135mm axle spacing and short 41cm chainstays without increasing Q factor. © Cyclocross Magazine

5. Ultegra family welcomes new members, ejects wheels: Ultegra has often relied on "Ultegra-level" components for "unique" situations, whether it was short-reach R700 STI levers, R785 hydraulic disc brake Di2 levers, RS685 hydraulic disc brake STI mechanical shift levers, CX70 cantilevers or R785 and R805 hydraulic disc brakes. Consumers feeling incomplete without the Ultegra logo on their components can now enjoy full Ultegra branding on hydrulic brake/shift STI levers and (flat mount) disc brakes. While the Ultegra family welcomes these products, officially making them "mainstream," there wasn't room for everything. Ultegra wheels are spun off into "Ultegra-level" products RS700 (rim brake) and RS770 (disc brake) carbon tubeless clincher products. They're QR specific though, but with a very nice internal cam quick release at that. Thru axle riders will still have to look to Shimano's mountain side for hoops.
6. Front derailleur headaches reduced: Gone is the long-lever arm that would rub against big tires while in the big chainring. While the previous front derailleur shifted well once fully dialed, setting up often required limit screw tricks to dial in cable tension. New Ultegra inherits the new Dura-Ace's front derailleur updates, with a built-in cable tension adjustment.
   

   Where did my arm go? Shimano's new Ultegra R8000 component group features a redesigned front derailleur and chopped off the long arm for the cable clamp. This helps avoid annoying tire rub with fat tires and short chainstays, as we've experienced on a Niner RLT RDO. There's also built-in cable tension adjustment. © Cyclocross Magazine

7. We're not ignored! Just the fact that Shimano's press release uses the words "mixed terrain" is a big step. They realize riders like us exist, and had us in mind with a few of these changes. Progress!

See the official release and details below. Subtitles are our own.

Shimano New ULTEGRA R8000 Road Components Deliver Industry’s Widest Range, Most Versatile Performance Road Group

OSAKA, Japan (June 8, 2017) – Employing the latest technologies from elite DURA-ACE R9100 road components and through its proven System Engineering approach, Shimano’s ULTEGRA R8000 series delivers refined rider ergonomics, increased shifting performance and confident control in all riding conditions. Featuring expanded Rider Tuned gearing configurations, more shifting and braking choices and the power of Shimano’s E-Tube Project customization, ULTEGRA R8000 is designed to meet the specific needs of the broad spectrum of performance road cyclists.

From road racing to mixed-terrain adventures, ULTEGRA R8000 is more versatile than ever before. Available with either Di2 electronic or mechanical shifting, each system is also available in either rim brake or hydraulic disc brake options. Expanded Rider Tuned gearing options—including Shimano’s widest-range new 11-34T performance road cassette—enhance drivetrain versatility. ULTEGRA R8000 also utilizes Shimano’s low-profile SHADOW Rear Derailleur design for optimal shift performance and a sleek appearance. For Di2 shift systems, Shimano’s SYNCHRO and SEMI-SYNCHRO Shift programming continues to open up new possibilities.

Ultegra Drivetrain Updates:

FC-8000 Crankset delivers increased efficiency and frame compatibility

The FC-R8000 HOLLOWTECH II Crankset receives numerous technologies from Dura-Ace R9100 along with shaping which further enhances ULTEGRA’S 4-arm design. Shimano’s Rider Tuned chainring combinations offer multiple gearing configurations via a singular BCD platform for excellent versatility. With redesigned chainring tooth profiling first introduced for DURA-ACE R9100, the ULTEGRA FC-R8000 Crankset is optimized for the latest disc brake frame designs without the need to increase q-factor.

• Optimized lightweight crank arm design produces excellent power transfer efficiency
• Redesigned chainring tooth profiling increases clearance between chain and leading teeth to provide compatibility with frames featuring 135mm O.L.D. and 410mm chainstay length
• Crank arm lengths: 165mm, 170mm, 172.5mm, 175mm
• Rider Tuned gear combinations: 46-36T, 50-34T, 52-36T, 53-39T
• Weight: 674g (170mm, 50-34T)

CS-R8000 and CS-HG800-11 Cassettes further expand gearing choices

The R8000 cassette features an increased range of high-performance gearing combinations, providing further rider choice. As with DURA-ACE R9100, the new 11-30T ULTEGRA Cassette increases gear range while remaining compatible with the new short cage rear derailleur options.

With the addition of the new 11-34T CS-HG800-11 cassette, ULTEGRA further expands gearing options for riders of any terrain. Designed to fit both MTB- and road-specific (with spacer) wheelsets, mixed terrain riders are provided with more wheelset options than ever before.

• CS-R8000 Gear combinations/Weight: 11-25T (232g), 11-28T (251g), 11-30T (269g), 11-32 (292g), 12-25T (243g), 14-28T (300g)
• CS-HG800-11 Gear combinations/Weight: 11-34T (335g)

Give Me Five Brakes:

Rim brakes feature sleek design, improved performance and increased tire clearance

Shimano’s legacy of industry-leading rim brake performance continues with ULTEGRA R8000. Redesigned Dual-Pivot and Direct Mount models feature new technologies and sleek designs, resulting in improved stopping power and efficiency with clearance for 28C tires.

There are rim brake options:

1. BR-R8000, Dual-Pivot Brake Caliper
2. BR-R8010-F, Direct Mount Type Brake Caliper for Front
3. BR-R8010-RS, Direct Mount Type Brake Caliper for Rear
4. BR-R8010-R, Direct Mount Type Brake Caliper (Under Bottom Bracket option)

• Precise contact feeling with balanced rigidity, weight and stopping power
• New design features additional stabilizer between brake arms to reduce deformation and improve efficiency
• Sleek design with a narrower gap between arms
• Wider clearance with larger tire sizes (up to 28C)
• Weights:
  • BR-R8000: 182g (Front), 178g (rear)
  • BR-R8010-F: 174g
  • BR-R8010-RS: 172g
  • BR-R8010-R: 160g

Dedicated ULTEGRA-quality disc brake performance

Utilizing a lightweight and sleek flat mount design, the BR-R8070 Hydraulic Disc Brake Caliper features premium stopping power and aerodynamics for road applications. The new RT800 rotor offers new ICE TECHNOLOGIES FREEZA construction with even greater heat management for confident performance on the longest descents.

BR-R8070, Hydraulic Disc Brake Caliper

Shimano's new Ultegra component group finally embraces its own disc brake, with a flat-mount hydraulic R8070 brake. © Cyclocross Magazine

• Increased rider control in all conditions
• Sleek Flat Mount design integrates seamlessly into a road bike’s aero profile
• Weight: 140g (Front), 140g (Rear)

SM-RT800, CENTER LOCK Disc Rotor

• New ICE TECHNOLOGIES FREEZA construction provides better heat management than previous designs
• Sizes/Weights: 140mm (106g), 160mm (127g)

Mechanical Shifting Systems:

Refined Dual Control Levers and derailleurs deliver lighter action and improved precision

ULTEGRA ST-R8000 Dual Control Levers have further refined shift performance with improved ergonomics with both mechanical rim brake and hydraulic disc brake options. The new FD-R8000 mechanical front derailleur utilizes the new link construction first introduced with Dura-Ace R9100 for easy setup and fine-tuning adjustments without the need for specialty tools. The RD-R8000 rear derailleur utilizes Shimano’s SHADOW RD design, which allows for more stable shifting performance and a lower profile to minimize exposure to damage.

Shimano's new Ultegra R8020 lever for mechanical shifting and hydraulic disc brakes. © Cyclocross Magazine

ST-R8000, Dual Control Lever (2x11-speed) and ST-R8020, Hydraulic Disc Brake Dual Control Lever (2x11-speed)

• Redesigned internal shifting unit for quick and intuitive shifting
• Increased reach adjustment range
• Even lighter front shifting when paired with redesigned FD-R8000
• Slimmed-down hydraulic internals (ST-R8020) for similar ergonomics between disc and rim brake configurations
• Weight: 438g (ST-R8000, Pair), 550g (ST-R8020, Pair)

FD-R8000, Front Derailleur (2x11-speed)

• New construction matches the force curve of the hand more naturally to reduce effort at the end of shifting
• New design allows for more flexible cable routing design
• Integrated cable tension setting for precise set-up and tool-free adjustment
• Redesigned for disc-specific frames, accommodating a wider gear pitch without sacrificing shifting performance
• Weight: 92g (Direct Type), 106g (Clamp)

RD-R8000 SHIMANO SHADOW RD (11-speed)

• Shimano SHADOW RD low-profile design increases shift stability and reduces crash vulnerability while providing a sleek integrated appearance
• Two cage length options provide wide range of gearing compatibility
  • RD-SS covers: 11-25T to 11-30T
  • RD-GS covers: 11-28T to 11-34T
• Weight: 200g (RD-R8000-SS), 210g (RD-R8000-GS)

Di2 Shifting Systems:

Unparalleled Di2 shifting performance for all braking solutions

From aspiring road racers to those who prefer epic rides off the beaten path, ULTEGRA Di2 precise shifting performance is highly versatile with multiple braking and gearing configurations. With refined designs inside and out, both the hydraulic disc brake and rim brake Dual Control Lever options deliver the same improved ergonomics and increased reach adjustment range. ULTEGRA ST-R8050 and ST-R8070 Dual Control Levers also provide more tactile feedback from shift operation for a more intuitive feel, even when riding with winter gloves. Paired with Shimano’s E-Tube Project and compatible with SYNCHRO SHIFT technology, R8000 is the most customizable ULTEGRA group ever created.

Shimano's new Ultegra R8070 Di2 lever for hydraulic disc brakes. © Cyclocross Magazine

ST-R8050, Di2 Dual Control Lever (2x11-speed) and ST-R8070, Di2 Hydraulic Disc Brake Dual Control Lever (2x11-speed)

• More defined tactile feedback and clearer separation between shift buttons support a more intuitive shift operation, even with thick riding gloves
• Each switch has the option for multi-shift ON or OFF
• Programmable function of ST top button remote switch for either third-party cycle computer or shifting operation
• Slimmed-down hydraulic internals (ST-R8020) deliver near-identical ergonomics across disc and rim brake dual control lever options
• Increased reach adjustment range and free stroke adjustment
• Weight: 295g (ST-R8050) Pair, 360g (ST-R8070) Pair

ST-R8060, Di2 TT/Triathlon Dual Control Lever (2x11-speed)

• Reduced drag through a more aerodynamic design
• Slimmer profile for improved rider ergonomics
• Single switch design specifically engineered for use with SYNCHRO Shift
• Weight: 138g (pair)

New low-profile SHADOW derailleur designs boosts shifting performance

The new ULTEGRA RD-R8050 Di2 Rear Derailleur was totally redesigned featuring Shimano’s SHADOW RD architecture. The low profile design delivers a sleek appearance while improving shift performance and minimizing potential damage to the derailleur in the event of a crash. The FD-R8050 Front Derailleur delivers powerful and precise shift performance even under high pedaling torque. Combined with Shimano’s SYNCHRO SHIFT programming and E-TUBE PROJECT customization, ULTEGRA Di2 offers a highly intuitive shifting experience.

FD-R8050, Di2 Front Derailleur (2x11-speed)

Shimano's new Ultegra R8000 component group with its R8070 Di2 front derailleur, Synchro shift compatible. © Cyclocross Magazine

• Quick and smooth front shifting under high pedaling torque
• Programmed control of chain guide
• E-TUBE customization with SYNCHRO and SEMI-SYNCHRO Shift compatibility
• Redesigned for disc-specific frames, accommodating a wider gear pitch without sacrificing shifting performance
• Weight: 132g

RD-R8050 Di2 SHIMANO SHADOW RD (11-speed)

• Shimano SHADOW RD low-profile design increases shift stability and reduces crash vulnerability while providing a sleek integrated appearance
• Shimano SYNCHRO Shift capability
• Two cage length options provide wide range of gearing compatibility
  • RD-R8050-SS covers: 11-25T to 11-30T
  • RD-R8050-GS covers: 11-28T to 11-34T
• Weight: 242g (RD-R8050-SS), 249g (RD-R8050-GS)

Wheels: Bye Bye Ultegra, Hello Ultegra-Level

ULTEGRA-Level wheels for rim and disc-brake systems

Two new lightweight wheelset—the tubeless carbon-laminate WH-RS700 rim brake wheels (which replace the Ultegra WH-6800) and the tubeless WH-RS770 disc brake wheels with road e-thru axles.

Shimano's new Ultegra R8000 component group sheds the Ultegra brand on wheels, while shedding rotating weight at the same time. Carbon rim, tubeless, disc and rim brake options. © Cyclocross Magazine

New hubs (HB/FH-RS700/770) encourage faster acceleration with a weight saving of almost 60g compared to a pair of Ultegra 6800 hubs, whilst the rims use a new rigid but lighter carbon lay-up procedure to create a rim brake wheelset that comes in 80g lighter than its predecessor.

• Weight: WH-RS700 (1,568g/Pair), WH-RS770 (1,639g/Pair)

See the full photo gallery of the new Ultegra R8000+ group below.

Shimano Ultegra R8000/R8020/R8050/R8070 Component Group Photo Gallery: