True to form, Shimano has trickled down the technology and aesthetics of its latest Dura-Ace and Ultegra groupsets to the component group of the proletariat. The new Shimano 105 R7000 group ushers in a host of refinements that make this budget-friendly group even more appealing. We’ll delve into the highlights by component.
Significant mechanical and aesthetic trickle down from Dura-ace and Ultegra
Available in black and silver finishes
Wider range gearing
Improved lever ergonomics
Available this summer
ST-R7000, ST-R7020 and ST-R7025 Dual-Control Levers
The new 105 Dual-Control levers for mechanical/rim and hydraulic disc brakes
This new group has three different dual-control levers. All share the same streamlined look of the higher end Ultegra R8000 levers with slimmed down hydraulic internals, improved ergonomics and 15mm of reach adjustment.
The ST-R7000 levers are the go-to for rim brakes or cable-actuated disc brakes.
The new ST-R7020 Dual-Control levers are the first hydraulic disc brakes at the 105 level. These replace the non-series RS-505 brake levers, which worked well but had bulges for the hydraulic internals that some riders found awkward in hand.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Rounding out this trio is the ST-R7025, which is a hydraulic Dual-Control lever with 4mm less reach to the lever blades. This is sure to be a hit with juniors, women and any riders will small hands.
ST-R7000 pricing: $234.99
ST-R7020 pricing: $309.99
ST-R7025 pricing: $314.99
(UK and Australian pricing have yet to be confirmed)
BR-R7000 series brakes
There is now a flat-mount caliper for 105
Accompanying the new hydraulic levers is a new BR-7070 disc brake caliper. The new caliper attaches via Shimano’s flat mount standard. It uses the same brake pads as Dura-Ace and Ultegra.
(UK and Australian pricing have yet to be confirmed)
Along with this new caliper is the SM-RT70 rotor, already used in the SLX line. The rotor will be available in 160mm as well as a 140mm version.
SM-RT70 rotor pricing: $33.99
(UK and Australian pricing have yet to be confirmed)
If disc brakes aren’t your thing, fear not. Shimano is still offering plenty of options for rim brake riders.
The 105-level rim brake has clearance for 28mm-wide tires
The company has improved tire clearance on its latest generation of stoppers to fit 28mm tires. Shimano offers the BR-R7000 series brakes in versions for direct mount front, seatstays, and chainstays configurations.
BR-R7000 rim brake pricing: $94.99 (pair)
(UK and Australian pricing have yet to be confirmed)
FC-R7000 crankset
Without the logo, its hard to tell a difference between 105 and Ultegra cranksets
The centerpiece of the new 105 kit is the FC-R7000 crankset. It features the same look of Dura-Ace and Ultegra with hollow alloy arms and a new 160mm crankarm option.
If black isn't your thing, remember that Shimano offers 105 in a silver finish
Riders can choose from 160, 165, 170, 172.5 and 175mm lengths.
Chainring combinations are 53/39t, 52/36t and 50/34t.
FC-R7000 crankset pricing: $159.99
(UK and Australian pricing have yet to be confirmed)
CS-R7000 and CS-HG700-11 cassettes
Accompanying the crankset are a wide range of cassette options.There are now 105-level cassettes in 11-25, 11-28, 11-30, 11-32 and the wide-range CS-HG700 11-34t version.The CS-HG700-11 version will also fit on 10-speed freehub bodies with a spacer.
CS-R7000 cassette pricing: $50.99
CS- HG700-11 cassette pricing: $55.99
(UK and Australian pricing have yet to be confirmed)
FD-R7000 front derailleur
The new Shimano 105 is more compact, allowing for improved tire clearance for cyclocross and gravel bikes
The latest 105-level front derailleur benefits from the design of the latest Dura-Ace front derailleur. Shimano claims it requires less effort to initiate upshifts and improved cable routing options.
FD-R7000 front derailleur pricing: $39.99
(UK and Australian pricing have yet to be confirmed)
RD-R7000 rear derailleur
Last but not least, we have the new 105 rear derailleurs. The new rear derailleur uses Shimano’s low-profile Shadow parallelogram design. Shimano claims the design reduces crash vulnerability and improves shift performance.
Shimano offers this rear derailleur in a short cage (SS) version for 11-25 to 11-30t cassettes as well as a medium cage (GS) model for wider range 11-28-11-34t cassettes.
RD-R7000-SS rear derailleur pricing: $52.99
RD-R7000-GS rear derailleur pricing: $57.99
(UK and Australian pricing have yet to be confirmed)
BikeRadar’s take
The latest 105 group has a lot of hits in terms of performance for the price. There also appear to be a few misses.
Two notable chainring combinations aren’t supported by the R-7000 series. There’s no 46/36t combination for cyclocross racers. Additionally, the 48/32t sub-compact gearing that’s seeing wide spec on gravel and adventures bikes isn’t supported.
