There were a slew of announcements today from Shimano including many components as well as more powerful batteries for e-bikes.
Yet there will be little of interest to those of us with high-end road setups. Nevertheless, the most interesting announcement to me was that of a wider adoption of 12-speed technoilogy. I was expecting 12-speed to make its way to the Dura-Ace or Ultegra road brands but instead, we’ve seen it extended from Shimano’s top-end MTB ranges to just about everywhere else instead! Notably here are the new 12-speed introductions
- XTR FC-M9130-1 is a 1×12 lightweight, direct mount Hollowtech II crankset
- A new 12-speed double (2×12, 36-26T) Deore crankset to come later in 2020
- The E-bike crankset SM-CRE80-12-SB chainring comes in 34T or 36T (1×12)
All told, that gives fourteen 1×12 cranksets (three each from XTR, DEORE XT, SLX and DEORE, plus two non-series options) and ten 2×12 cranksets (two each from XTR to SLX and again two non-series options). I’ll offer odds on anyone that wants them for Shimano NOT bringing 12 speed to Dura-Ace and Ultegra, it’s a question of “WHEN?” rather than “IF?”
https://the5krunner.com/2019/09/27/42832/
Last Updated on 22 January 2026 by the5krunner
My favourite kit and nutrition
- Injinji – Runners protect your toes. Avoid discomfort and minor injury. Run more. Run faster. I use them.
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter — The small adapter that keeps your charging cables tidy. Essential for race day. I use one.
- Garmin charging puck — the fastest and most reliable way to top up your Garmin before a session. I use one.
- Ravemen FR300 — Front light that mounts directly under your Garmin or Wahoo head unit. Keeps your bars clean and your beam pointed where it matters. I use one.
- Body Glide – The blue anti-chafe stick that all swimmers and many runners use. I use it.
- Maurten — The race nutrition trusted by elite athletes. Gels and drink mixes engineered to be easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Garmin Varia RTL515 — A radar rear light that alerts you to vehicles approaching from behind. Pairs with your Edge or Garmin watch. I use this model.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2 — The power-meter pedals most serious cyclists choose. Accurate, easy to move between bikes. I use this model.
- Garmin Forerunner 970 — A serious choice for a pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Polar H10 — My daily driver for accurate, waking HRV readings.
- Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3 — The bike computer that has the feature Garmin lacks: usability. I use mine on most rides.
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tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. ID
