While we all knew it was coming, Shimano has quietly announced today with minimal fanfare the arrival of the all-new Deore mountain bike drivetrain. As Shimano always does, it’s trickled technology down the line from the most recent XTR M9000 groupset. That tech first made its way into the Deore XT M8000 groupset, and then last year, into the SLX M7000 groupset.
Now it’s Deore’s turn to get a facelift, and it brings with it updated technologies to the budget-oriented end of the market. The basics? Deore M6000 remains 10-speed for now, and you’ll only be able to get 2×10 and 3×10 drivetrain options. A big 11-42t cassette option joins the range to expand gearing options though, and there are Boost-compatible options for hubs and cranksets too
No word as of yet if there’ll be a 1x option, but our guess is that a single-ring option will join the range in the not too distant future…
Read on for the full press release from Shimano;
DEORE M6000 series
Designed around the concept of performance and leisure, new Deore M6000 is for trail riders and MTB enthusiasts, MTB commuters and outdoor leisure riders who need daily durability to cope with rough roads, rain, sand and the worst that nature can throw at you.
Deore M6000 remains as a 10-speed groupset but with some innovative features for confident, smooth, flexible riding with limitless possibilities.
The 2×10 drivetrain (FC-M6000) adopts the family look of XTR, XT and SLX drivetrains with a sleek four-arm Hollowtech II one-piece composite design in 3 size options (38-28T, 36-26T, 34-24T) and an alternative 3mm outboard Boost version. Meanwhile the 3×10 drivetrain takes on a unique, aggressive look offering 40-30-22T for a wide range of riding styles. Both drivetrains combine with a new wider range 11-42T 10-speed Dyna-Sys cassette (CS-HG500) as well as three other 11-36/34/32T cassette options.
2×10 and 3×10-speed gear changes are handled by a Shadow RD+ derailleur in the rear (RD-M6000-GS) offering improved chain stability and retention. Up front, three derailleur swing options (top, down and side) can be combined with five types of mount options (high, low, direct mount, e-type and a new mid-type) to offer cable routing and/or satisfy new manufacturing requirements such as rear suspension or tyre clearance.
Shifting operation comes from Rapidfire Plus shift levers (SL-M6000) with a visual display for gear choice. Control comes from new hydraulic brakes with Servo wave high power levers (BL-M6000) and heat insulated callipers (BR-M6000) designed to accommodate Ice Technologies brake pads.
Hubsets (HB-M6000/10, FH-M6000/10) complete the group with a 100x15mm E-Thru axle option at the front and centre-lock mounts for easy rotor installation.
Additional MTB components
Wheel line ups are expanded with two new 29” and 27.5” Deore XT Boost-spec wider e-thru options. The front wheels are stiffer with a 10mm width expansion and a 110×15 e-thru axle whilst rear wheels are 6mm wider with 148×12 axles. New rear e-thru axles (AX-MT700 and AX-MT500) are also added with smaller housing, lighter weight and greater clearance for frame and brake callipers.
In terms of drivetrains, designed at SLX level is a new wide range 11-46T cassette (CS-M7000) for 1×11 set- ups.
At a similar grade to the new Deore group comes a new 2×11 two-piece 36-26T front crankset (FC-MT600) with abrasion-resisting teeth and Dyna-Sys shifting in Boost and Standard dimensions, as well as a new closer step 2×10 36-26T front crankset (FC-MT500). Combined with the FC-MT500 crankset is a hydraulic disc brake set (BR-MT500) offering a non-series version of the Deore BR-M6000 hydraulic brakes. New pedals (PD- ED500) too offer a Deore-grade double-sided light action SPD model.
New drivetrain options for Alivio, Acera and Altus
At Alivio (M4000) and Acera (M3000) level riders covering trail and urban short-to-middle distances now have the option of a 2×9 speed 36-22T (FC-M4050 two-piece or FC-M3000 square-type) crankset with 3mm outboard chain line to fit larger tyre sizes. New 9-speed 11-36T Hyperglide cassettes (CS-HG400/201-9), light- action shifters (SL-M4010/M3010-L) and side swing front derailleurs (FD-MT400-E/D) with increased tire clearance complete the groupsets.
Meanwhile at Altus level (M2000) a new ninth-speed MEGALITE gear puts you in command of your stylish 3×9 drivetrain. The 40-30-22T chainset combines with a new large sprocket on the 11-36T rust-resistant cassette (CS-HG200-9/201-9) and a new rear derailleur with Shadow RD technology gives it a low profile position out of harm’s way.
The new components will become available in April/May of 2017.
Comments (4)
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So Shimano CAN make a ten speed 11/42 cassette! Could be interesting to me if it’s not too ridiculously heavy
Why would they make a 11/42 cassette but not a single ring crank? Still lost at sea when it comes to 1x.
11/42 10spd! Assuming my existing mech can cope this is A GOOD THING.
They already do several 1x chainset options that would work well with this.