Shimano Dura-Ace R9300 spotted at the Vuelta: 13 speed, still semi-wireless
A new Shimano Dura-Ace groupset has been spotted on Alpecin-Premier Tech’s bikes at the Vuelta a España in Monaco. The groupset is expected to launch as Dura-Ace R9300 and brings several changes to Shimano’s top road groupset.
The biggest update is a move from 12 to 13-speed.
13-speed cassette
Look closely, and the cassette in the photos definitely has 13 sprockets, bringing Dura-Ace in line with SRAM and Campagnolo’s latest top-level groupsets.
Shimano already offers a 9-45t 12-speed cassette with its XTR mountain bike groupset, but a 9t road sprocket would be difficult to use within UCI gearing limits. A 10t sprocket would give Shimano the same smallest gear as SRAM.
The new cassette also appears to require a new freehub body. Riders with a standard Shimano HG freehub would therefore need to change the freehub to use the new cassette.
Alloy crankset and new power meter
The crankset looks similar to Shimano’s current Dura-Ace design. It uses bonded alloy construction rather than the carbon-fibre cranksets SRAM and Campagnolo now use at the top of their ranges.
The chainrings (not shown) are less familiar. They have visible bolt covers and do not appear to use Shimano’s usual hollow-forged, spider-integrated design. It’s unclear whether these are test parts or indicate a change to the production design.
The crank arm also contains a new power meter, with no visible branding (likely will be R9300p)
Still semi-wireless
R9300 retains Shimano’s semi-wireless electronic layout.
The shifters communicate wirelessly with the derailleurs, while a cable still connects the rear derailleur to the bike’s internal battery. This is essentially the same arrangement used by the current R9200 groupset.
New shifter button
The new shifter keeps a similar overall hood shape to the R9200, but the shift button has been redesigned.
Instead of being hidden beneath the hood rubber, the new button appears to sit on the inside face of the hood and protrudes slightly. There also appears to be a small LED behind it.
The new design should make the button easier to locate by touch while riding.
Rear derailleur changes
The rear derailleur appears to use a revised mounting arrangement. Other reports suggest a UDH-style hanger with an anti-rotation pin, although the photographs could not confirm that detail.
More new Dura-Ace parts
The R9300 groupset follows other recent Dura-Ace developments. Shimano launched its Dura-Ace R9370 wheel range in July 2026 and has also shown prototype Dura-Ace pedals.
If R9300 becomes the next-generation Dura-Ace groupset, its key changes will be the move to 13-speed, a revised cassette and freehub, updated shifters and power-meter technology, while Shimano continues with its semi-wireless electronic system.
Quick answers
Is the new Dura-Ace confirmed as 13-speed?
Photos of the spotted groupset show a 13-sprocket cassette, but Shimano has not officially confirmed the design or its name.
Will the new Dura-Ace be fully wireless?
No. The spotted groupset keeps Shimano’s semi-wireless layout, with wireless shifters but a cable-connected rear derailleur and internal battery.
Last Updated on 3 October 2026 by tfk the5krunner
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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
Xtr 9-45 is 12sp, not 13sp