Long lasting performance

LINKGLIDE SHIFTING TECHNOLOGY

Shimano LINKGLIDE sets a new standard for smooth and reliable shifting. Its robust original design delivers far greater durability and smooth shifting for long-lasting performance.

LINKGLIDE DELIVERS
LONG-LASTING PERFORMANCE

3X More Durable

Drivetrain durability is essential for high torque e-bikes and daily riders who might ride in the same gear for months or years at a time. LINKGLIDE provides smooth and decisive shifting that lasts longer than ever before.

LINKGLIDE's re-designed cassette teeth have a substantially thicker base and a unique chamfer that drastically improves wear resistance in high torque applications. This increase in cassette durability prolongs smooth driving performance and lengthens the amount of time before chain skips caused by wear start to happen.

Increased Longevity / Less Skipping

PREVIOUS* x300% 1x 2x 3x

Test condition: keep chain rotating under muddy conditions
on drivetrain without shifting. The average data of 11T, 13T, 15T.
*PREVIOUS = HG(HYPERGLIDE)

Robust Teeth Design

A major advantage of the LINKGLIDE platform is that the robust teeth shape provide excellent durability and improved wear resistance.
This is very important because riders who often buy bikes at this level, choose bikes with gearing but may forget to shift or maintain their bikes as often as they should.

PREVIOUS* 1200 shifts = Loss of performance 5000 shifts = Shift smoothness retained

*PREVIOUS = HG(HYPERGLIDE)

3X Smoother

LINKGLIDE provides smooth shifting while pedaling for a consistent and confident ride experience.
LINKGLIDE's optimized gear gate design makes shifting smoother with significantly less shock.

LINKGLIDE delivers up to three times smoother performance by improving the chain's flow between cogs. This smoother handoff reduces the stress of shifting shock for more seamless and enjoyable riding.

Smoother pedaling from start to finish Crank idling angle during up/outward shifts (lower = smoother)

Deflection ( 67% less deflection ) PREVIOUS*

Test condition: repeated inward and outward shifting.
The average data of 11T, 13T, 15T
*PREVIOUS = HG(HYPERGLIDE)

LINKGLIDE's optimized shifting gate design that creates a smoother handoff between cogs to avoid the jumps that can impact shifting and pedaling smoothness.
This design improvement is especially pronounced on outward shifts where pedaling shock is more noticeable due to the larger forces involved.

I-SPEC II

Simple structure with narrow brake lever clamp band

More space on handle bar and cleaner appearance.

	Shifter	slide adjust range (mm)	OPTICAL GEAR DISPLAY spec	Recommended brake lever	rotation angle adjust range (degree)
Right	SL-M9000-IR	12	-	BL-9000 BL-M9020	15
	SL-M8000-IR	12	-	BL-M8000	15
	SL-M7000-IR	12	-	BL-M7000	-
	SL-M6000-IR	-	-	BL-M6000	-
	SL-U8000-IR	-	-	BL-U8000	20
	SL-U8000-IR	-	✔	BL-U8000	20
Left	SL-M9000-IL	12	-	BL-9000 BL-M9020	15
	SL-M8000-IL	12	-	BL-M8000	15
	SL-M7000-IL	12	-	BL-M7000	-
	SL-M6000-IL	-	-	BL-M6000	-
	SL-U8000-IL	-	-	BL-U8000	20
	SL-U8000-IL	-	✔	BL-U8000	20
✔ = Yes

RAPIDFIRE PLUS

Mountain bikers have used RAPIDFIRE PLUS since 1985. RAPIDFIRE PLUS is still a winning choice from a wide range of riders from XC racers to free riders. RAPIDFIRE PLUS is suited to quick shifting, giving riders the ability to downshift three gears in one stroke. RAPIDFIRE PLUS shifters from SHIMANO DEORE to XTR all feature 2-WAY RELEASE, which means release shifts by pull of the index finger or push of the thumb.

RAPIDFIRE PLUS MONO

RAPIDFIRE PLUS MONO LEVER provides intuitive and simple front control that empowers riders to shift both up and down with a single lightweight and compact lever.

RAPIDFIRE PLUS MONO LEVER’s simple and intuitive lever operation allows riders to shift both up and down with a single lever. It supports front double shifting with natural finger positioning and intuitive shifting operation while maintaining a solid grip on the handlebar.
2-WAY RELEASE functionality delivers instantaneous push & pull movements to help riders respond quickly and accurately to rapidly changing conditions.

The OPTICAL GEAR DISPLAY tells you which gear position is selected while riding your bike. You can see how many gears you can select either on the low side or top side, which makes shifting control easier.

2-WAY RELEASE

The RAPIDFIRE PLUS shifter release lever is commonly called a trigger because it is operated like a pistol, by pulling toward the grip. The release lever of RAPIDFIRE PLUS shifters from SHIMANO ALIVIO to XTR can be operated in this same manner but adds the ability to activate a release shift by pushing with the thumb.

OPTISLICK

OPTISLICK cables feature a minimal and uniform electrically coated layer that improves cable routing efficiency and provides excellent corrosion resistance.

• Horizontal movement follows the chain direction
• Smooth & efficient front shifting effort

Improved Routing Efficiency

Cable Route Efficiency

More tire clearance for larger wheels

• No linkage behind seat tube
• Freedom to reduce chainstay length

Added design flexibility shorter chainstays improve bike control

50% More Powerful Outward Shifting

Wider Chainstay Angle Increases Traction Range

Because the moving pivot section is set at a higher position and combined with a shorter link, the rigidity is higher; so quick and light shifting is possible.
TOP SWING Front Derailleur

DYNAMIC CHAIN
ENGAGEMENT+

SPECIAL GEAR TEETH FUNCTION

SHIMANO’s DYNAMIC CHAIN ENGAGEMENT+ is a special gear teeth profile designed for use in single-chainring configurations for XC, enduro, and trail riding.
It gives more chain retention and smoother pedaling - even over bumpy terrain. Chain retention of any gear will reduce abrasion and wear out.

HOLLOWTECH Crank Arm

Hollow forged crank arms

A lightweight crankset not only reduces the bike’s weight, but decreases rotating mass to aid in acceleration. The challenge is to reduce the weight of the crank without reducing its strength and rigidity.
SHIMANO’s advanced forging technology has solved the problem through the HOLLOWTECH crank.
Just like high quality frame tubing, a hollow crank arm can provide amazing strength and rigidity at very lightweight.

HOLLOWTECH II technology

Providing the best balance of stiffness, strength, weight and rotating performance

The concept of HOLLOWTECH II technology is focused on producing a superior crankset which will maximize a rider’s power transfer. The rigidity of the crankset ensures pedaling efficiency while its weight, a key element of the crankset, you want light, aids in cycling longer distances over which the rider needs to pedal more. Naturally, SHIMANO strove for the optimum balance between the conflicting needs of stiffness while producing a lightweight crank.
HOLLOWTECH technology is an ultra-lightweight hollow crankarm created by SHIMANO with the company’s own proprietary forging technology that also maintains rigidity. The addition of HOLLOWTECH II technology integrates the bottom bracket axle with the right crankarm for more stiffness and a weight savings to achieve a high-dimensional balance. Its outboard bottom bracket bearing system provides better weight distribution and more pedaling stability, allowing for more efficient power transfer.
The HOLLOWTECH II crankset has been developed by pursuing the optimum balance of stiffness & rotating performance in a lightweight and beautiful crankset design.

24 mm diameter axle and bearings

Why choose the 24 mm axle and bearings for the HOLLOWTECH II crankset? The diameter of the bottom bracket axle and bearings was of primary importance for the development because the bottom bracket axle area is tied to such key elements as stiffness, strength, weight and rotating performance.

What’s important is the total balance of crankset

In addition, taking the crankset as a whole, the total balance of crankarm rigidity, axle stiffness, bearing position and others is essential. Indeed, the crankset is designed by careful consideration of the total balance of those elements to prevent breakage.

Outboard Bearing

For most frames with 68 mm bottom bracket shells, HOLLOWTECH II with 24 mm axle can set the bearing position outside of the frame to provide better weight distribution and more stability.

High Precision Sealing

Moreover, HOLLOWTECH II crankset has a high-precision sealing in the bearing area to increase durability maintaining the excellent rotating performance for long periods.

24 mm diameter axle and bearings provide optimum balance for the crankset

After studying all these problems thoroughly, we made the decision to adopt the 24 mm diameter axle and bearings, which have the optimum balance, for the HOLLOWTECH II crankset. In addition, an examination of the total crankset, including the crankarm and gears, proves the optimum balance of rigidity, weight and rotating performance for the ultimate transfer of power to your bike. HOLLOWTECH II is simply the most optimized crankset design on the market.

SHIMANO
SHADOW RD+

Less distraction quiet drivetrain

Rear derailleur stabilizer reduces chain slap

Simple solution for chain drop

Lighter and more efficient than roller type chain device

SHIMANO
SHADOW RD

The mechanism rear derailleur, SHIMANO SHADOW RD, is intended for more aggressive riding. Its super low profile design carries many benefits. Because of its low profile and single tension construction, the derailleur does not hit the chain stay in rough riding conditions. The result is smooth and silent performance.