Here’s What We Know About the Newly Leaked Shimano CUES Dropbar Groupset

It looks like German bike manufacturer Cube has inadvertently leaked a drop bar version of the Shimano CUES groupset.

Shimano CUES is one of the most important groupsets Shimano makes right now. That’s not because it is as lightweight as Dura-Ace, or as gravel-ready as GRX. Rather, it’s because it is an affordable 1x drivetrain made for bikes that just about anyone can buy. And now, it looks like a drop bar version is right around the corner.

Credit to BikeRadar for first sniffing this one out first. Here is everything we know about this latest groupset, and why I can’t wait to get my hands on this groupset.

Here’s what we know about Shimano CUES for drop bar bikes

Shimano originally released its CUES groupset in 2023. CUES took the convoluted mess of Altus, Acera, and Alivio flat bar groupsets and molded them into one streamlined (albeit still somewhat convoluted) groupset. It wasn’t a perfect transition–you can thank a pandemic bike boom partially for that–but Cues promises an entry-level group that is easy to work on.

The existing CUES groupset lineup features three tiers: U8000 with an 11-speed cassette, U6000 with a 10-speed or 11-speed cassette, and U4000 with a 9-speed cassette and a front derailleur. While there are 2x drivetrains available, CUES is focused on offering affordable 1x drivetrains that work together without needing to cludge anything together.

As for this unreleased drop bar version? The new bit is the Shimano CUES BR-U6030 shift lever. The spec sheet indicates that it is a hydraulic disc brake, and the shape looks an awful lot like Shimano’s existing hydraulic brake levers with mechanical shifting.

We would be surprised if the shift/brake levers are a dramatic change in shape or design from Shimano’s other levers, including its Tiagra hydraulic levers.

Elsewhere, the spec sheet indicates that this bike is using a CUES RD-U6000-GS rear derailleur. This is paired with a CUES LG400 11-50T 11-speed cassette. Then there’s a non-Shimano 1x crankset, here from a company called Acid and using a 40t chainring.

All of this is stuff that is already available, with just the drop bar lever being the new bit.

What this tells us is that BR-U6030 drop-bar levers use the same cable-pull ratio as Shimano’s flat-bar equivalents. Its 11-speed 1x designation places it directly in between Shimano GRX 10-speed groups and GRX 12-speed groups already available. The cable pull, however, is unique to CUES.

So this new drop bar group takes that entry-level tech and slots in below Shimano GRX. And that makes perfect sense, as Shimano is in the midst of phasing out its entry-level Claris, Sora, and Tiagra drop bar bike groupsets.

Why does a new Shimano CUES groupset matter?

CUES is an acronym, which stands for ‘Creating Unique Experiences.’ It’s not ideal, but trust me, that’s the most disappointing part of this new group.

Where CUES deviates from all of the aforementioned groupsets is in its approach. Those groups relied on trickle-down tech from the high-end groups. CUES features technologies built specifically for the non-competitive set… or most of us.

The most impressive bit is the unity between CUES. Despite there being a choice of 9, 10, and 11-speed cassettes, all the shifters use the same cable pull ratio. That means that theoretically, you can replace a more expensive CUES U8000 derailleur with a cheaper U4000 derailleur without issue.

Better still, you could use an 11-speed shifter on a 9-speed CUES cassette and have no issues, so long as your limit screws are properly dialed in.

All CUES drivetrains use the same chain regardless of the number of speeds on the cassette. Chain replacement should then be easier for folks who don’t live and breathe bike nerd stuff. And if you started with a 9-speed bike and wanted to slowly upgrade to 10 or 11-speed, you can do it without needing to replace the chain, cassette, chainrings, or really even the derailleur.

Shimano GRX, Ultegra, and Dura-Ace might get all of the attention from most folks, but it is CUES that Shimano relies on. How much? Shimano claims that as much as 40 percent of all bikes sold worldwide will have CUES drivetrains. Not 40 percent of all Shimano bikes. 40 percent of ALL bikes.

This leak does beg the question of what happens to 10-speed Shimano GRX RX400 10-speed drivetrains. That groupset features a 2×10 gearing option with a dedicated clutch for gravel riding. Does that continue on, or will CUES eventually replace it?

Expect Shimano CUES to be on the bike that your neighbor getting into cycling is likely to buy at the local bike shop. Except now, it’ll be on drop bar bikes soon enough.

How much will Shimano CUES for gravel bikes cost?

That we don’t know. What we can assume, however, is that it will be inexpensive. That’s largely due to the cost of CUES components already for sale, as well as the price of this leaked Cube gravel bike.

A Shimano CUES U8000 11-speed group with a flat bar shifter, derailleur, and 11-speed cassette comes in at $289. Add in a crankset and bottom bracket, and you’re knocking on the door of $452.

A Shimano CUES U4000 9-speed flat bar shifter, derailleur, and 11-speed cassette comes in at $151.

This Cube Nuroad Pro runs €1,199/£1,199, or about $1,330. That nets you an 11-speed Shimano CUES 1x drivetrain, hydraulic disc brakes, tubeless-ready wheels, and Schwalbe G-One Allround tires.

That’s great value for money for any new bike that’s designed to be ridden frequently. That’s doubly good considering how well we know CUES already functions on drop bars.

Now, why does this matter to you? Simply put, I think Shiano CUES is the best groupset most bike nerds haven’t ridden. It’s shifting isn’t as quick as electronic groupsets, but it is consistent and reliable. Better still, it’s easy to work on, easy to replace, and should prove to be quite durable.

It isn’t the lightest, most performance-oriented groupset you’ll find. But it will feel like a revolution for anyone moving from Shimano’s previous entry-level groupsets. I can’t wait to ride the drop bar version myself.

(Update with comment from Shimano: Shimano is constantly in development of new products but does not comment on rumors, innuendo, or speculation about products whether they are in development or not.)