While the dust has yet to settle around Shimano’s brand-new XTR Di2 Wireless mountain bike groupset – which our sister magazine ENDURO has already tested thoroughly – the Japanese manufacturer is already turning its attention to the gravel segment. With the launch of the GRX RX827, Shimano bring their popular gravel-specific groupset into the wireless era. At first glance, the update may seem modest – after all, it’s only the derailleur that’s been replaced. But it’s precisely this detail that could have far-reaching consequences.
Just a week after American rival SRAM launched its new RIVAL and FORCE XPLR 1×13 groupsets, which offer a wider gear range and long-standing mullet compatibility, Shimano’s update feels almost like a delayed counterattack. This, despite the fact that Shimano only revised their gravel-specific lineup last year – though genuine leaps in innovation have remained elusive.
So is the RX827 essentially a technological trial balloon – and perhaps even a quiet signal that a wireless DURA-ACE or ULTEGRA could be on the horizon? Shimano are staying vague for now. But one thing is clear: the cables have disappeared. And with them, perhaps, the final barrier on the road to a fully wireless future for drop-bar bikes.
Just a Rebranded XTR Derailleur? – A Closer Look at the New Shimano GRX Di2 Wireless
It may look like an XTR – and in many ways, it is. But the arrival of the new GRX Di2 Wireless marks more than just a simple rebranding exercise. With this launch, Shimano introduce their first fully-wireless 1×12 Di2 groupset designed specifically for gravel use – a significant milestone for drop-bar enthusiasts.
At the heart of the system is a redesigned derailleur with an integrated battery. With this move, Shimano are saying goodbye to the traditional Di2 frame-mounted battery and fiddly internal cable routing in the gravel segment. Instead, the power source now sits directly inside the RD-RX827’s housing – protected, removable, and externally rechargeable, much like SRAM’s approach. Shimano claim a range of 700 to 1,000 km per charge, depending on riding style and shifting frequency. Self-charging systems like Shimano’s new Q’Auto remain off the table for gravel, at least for now.
As usual, the system can be customised via the E-Tube app and is compatible with all 12-speed wireless shifters – whether from the GRX, DURA-ACE, ULTEGRA, or 105 Di2 series. Flat-bar riders are covered too: the RX827 works seamlessly with XTR and DEORE XT levers. The result is a flexible ecosystem that finally brings Shimano closer to SRAM’s modular approach – but without the requirement for a UDH. The RX827 can be mounted on virtually any frame, including older models.
Technically, the GRX derailleur closely mirrors the XTR: the low-profile, wedge-shaped design is intended to deflect impacts rather than snag. In the event of a collision, the servo motor automatically disengages and resets itself.
Also new is the chain management system. Instead of relying on a clutch mechanism, Shimano use a dual-spring construction to increase chain tension. Whether this holds up under rough, real-world conditions remains to be seen. What’s clear is that the RX827 is offered exclusively in an SGS long-cage version, compatible with 10–51T cassettes. Paired with 40 or 42-tooth chainrings, the setup feels a bit limited, especially for riders looking for more customisation. Expanding these options would have been a welcome move.
At 449 g, the RX827 derailleur is around 10% heavier than the XTR version, which tips the scales at 408 g – but with a retail price of €489.95, it’s significantly more affordable than the XTR derailleur, which costs €664.95. So the question “Why not just go for XTR?” is certainly justified – but not without context.
The new GRX RX827 isn’t a gamechanger for racers; it lacks the fine-tuned gearing options and customisation some riders demand. A 10–51T cassette does offer an enormous range, but with only two chainring options available, fine-tuning is limited – at least straight out of the box. Riders chasing maximum weight savings or looking to run smaller cassettes like a 9–45T might be better served by the XTR with a short cage. Which raises the question: why doesn’t Shimano offer the short cage format for gravel as well?
Then there’s the emerging playground of mullet setups. What was once a DIY workaround is now a fully supported option. Combine a GRX chainring with an MTB cassette – and optionally flat-bar shifters– and you’ve got yourself a rugged, wireless adventure bike with either drop or riser bars. Shimano’s new GRX Wireless makes it possible.
On a different note, Shimano have also introduced a new XT derailleur alongside the latest XTR, and it looks and performs strikingly similar to the GRX RX827. It’s only available with a long cage, uses much of the same housing design, includes the same integrated battery setup, and sits in a similar price bracket. If you’re not too fussed about the gravel-specific branding, the new XT derailleur could be a compelling alternative—depending on availability.
First Ride: The New Shimano GRX Di2 Wireless
We had the chance to take a quick spin with the new GRX derailleur – here’s our first impression.
As expected from Shimano, shifting is fast and precise. Gears change without hesitation or grinding. Only when shifting up under load do the gears produce a noticeable clunk. Still, the new GRX Di2 Wireless remains impressively quiet overall – the derailleur’s motor is totally quiet. Configuration is done via Shimano’s familiar E-Tube app.
Removing the battery takes a bit of care: a small lever must be flipped and a cover removed – the latter can be easy to misplace on the go. Compared to a central battery housed in the frame, the process is slightly more finicky but it completely eliminates the need for internal cable routing.
The derailleur is solid and also holds its own against the XTR version in purely visual terms. Thanks to the integrated battery, both look noticeably more substantial than their predecessors.
Conclusions
With the new GRX Di2 Wireless, Shimano bring wireless mullet setups to gravel bikes for the first time – a small but significant step toward greater modularity and a more future-proof ecosystem. In our test, the new derailleur impressed with quiet, precise shifting performance. But while gravel has now gone wireless, road fans are still waiting for an update. Whether Shimano can deliver its signature Di2 quality without cables in the road segment remains to be seen.
More info at shimano.com
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Words & Photos: Jan Fock
