best shimano groupset for gravel bike Shimano GRX 600 1x11-Speed Gravel Groupset – Condor Cycles

best shimano groupset for gravel bike Shimano GRX 600 1x11-Speed Gravel Groupset – Condor CyclesShimano's GRX range of groupsets has become the most popular option for gravel riding. Thanks for the wide range of options available for different types of riding as well as at different price point. GRX600 is an 11 speed groupset, equivalent to Shimano 105 road groupset. This groupset has a single front ring, a double chainset version is available, view more groupset bundles here. Shimano GRX600 Hydraulic Brake and Shift Levers Side by side with a

Shimano's GRX range of groupsets has become the most popular option for gravel riding. Thanks for the wide range of options available for different types of riding as well as at different price point. 

GRX600 is an 11-speed groupset, equivalent to Shimano 105 road groupset. This groupset has a single front ring, a double chainset version is available, view more groupset bundles here.

Shimano GRX600 Hydraulic Brake and Shift Levers
Side-by-side with a Shimano 105 road lever, the overall shape and design of the RX600 is very similar, although there are subtle differences, for example in the precise sculpting of the lever blades. Compared to Shimano’s glossy 105 road levers, the RX600s also have a more muted, grippy finish that feels a bit like the soft-touch plastic you get in modern car interiors. Shimano added dampening so that RX600 is quieter and less prone to rattling over really rough ground.

Shimano GRX600 Rear Derailleur
Shimano supply the RD-812 Rear Derailleur, this is a derailleur is also used on the higher tier, GRX800 groupset. The derailleur is designed specifically for use with single chainsets as it is has the right swing arm length for a wide cassette range often chosen by riders who have a single front ring.
The rear derailleur has an integrated chain stabilizer mechanism, the SHIMANO GRX derailleur provides a quieter experience and shifting security and precision on mixed terrain. For rides on smooth surfaces, the derailleur features and ON/OFF switch for the chain tensioner. 

Shimano GRX600 Single Ring Chainset & Bottom Bracket
The RX600 crankset uses a an asymmetric four-arm design and is made from aluminium alloy. It’s based on Shimano’s familiar Hollowtech II bottom bracket standard, which is available in both threaded and press-fit (BB86) options.

Bottom brackets are shared with the road range, and the crank splits into two parts with the axle fixed to the driveside. Unlike the road cranks, which feature a closed-off axle, GRX uses an open design, with a hole in the driveside. GRX cranks have a chainline that’s 2.5mm wider than that of Shimano’s road cranks. (Chainline is the distance from the centre-line of the bike to the middle of the chainring on a 1× setup, or to a point halfway between the two chainrings on a 2× crankset.) This increases tyre clearance and works better with the wider rear spacing found on some gravel bikes.

Shimano GRX600 Brake Calipers

GRX brake calipers are all flat mount. The brake caliper supplied with this groupset uses resin pistons and easy tool access and joint system for installation. The calipers fit all types of rotor. Rotors are not included and are available in three sizies, 140mm, 160mm and 180mm sizes available. (Your choice will be dictated by your frameset.

Shimano GRX Cassette and Chain
There are no dedicated GRX cassettes and chains per se, these are simply borrowed from Shimano’s road and mountain bike ranges. That means no compatibility pitfalls, as long as you stay within the recommended tooth ranges and match the number of gears.

The larger 11-speed cassettes, such as the 11-34, will fit on a 10-speed freehub (or an 11 with an extra spacer), a bonus if you’re upgrading an older bike.

This groupset uses M7000 SLX Cassette and HG601 chain. The cassette has a light weight minimal design sprocket carrier. Hyperglide sprockets have a computer designed tooth configuration with contoured shift gates, resulting in a crisp smooth shift even under load. Close ratio gearing allows a more efficient use of energy through finer cadence control. The sprockets are cut away and drilled to reduce weight without reducing rigidity.