Shimano posted two applications in late January, WY7-3GK1 for a rear derailleur and WY7-927A for a wireless module (shifter). Unfortunately, the most interesting parts of the applications, including photos of the components being approved, are hidden behind a confidentiality agreement between the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) and Shimano, but there is still much that we can glean from the news.
What we already know
Until now, Shimano has never released a set of wireless groups for use on or off the road. Shimano made the first foray of mountain biking in electronic displacement with Di2, a wired system that was launched at the XTR level in February 2015 with the XT version 22 months later, in November 2016. The system never took off massively and although it was being run by the XC World Cup riders, you didn’t used to see it on many bettors’s bikes. This is supported by the fact that we have been in the service life of the current XTR for more than two years and it remains only mechanical.
The next big jolt came in February 2019, when SRAM launched its wireless AXS system. SRAM had been supplying the wireless eTap powertrain for road bikes for several years, but this was the first time that the completely wireless shift was brought to mountain bikes.
With SRAM well ahead in the lead without cables, it seems very likely that Shimano has been working on a project for a few years and we are becoming increasingly convinced that Shimano is likely to abandon some type of wireless transmission this year. This is supported by patents for a Dura Ace wireless group (road) and an electronic dropper post registered by Shimano in the past three months.
What can we say about the application?
As we said above, the confidentiality agreement between Shimano and the FCC prevents us from seeing exactly what is going on here, but there are still some clues scattered everywhere. First, the only things that are approved are a diverter and a module. This crucially means no front derailleur and suggests the possibility that this is a wireless version of the XTR and not a road group. Yes, some road bikes are now traveling the 1x power train route, but professional riders have only been involved with the setup and with limited success. We cannot see Shimano launching what would be a top-of-the-line product without the riders displaying it at the highest level.
Other things to note are that both components work at the same frequency (2,478 Mhz), so they are most likely part of the same product line. They also operate with Bluetooth, which will likely be used for software updates and configuration control, and ANT + for communication between devices.
When can we expect more news?
Well, the earliest we are guaranteed to know more is 180 days from now (July 26), when the confidentiality agreement is terminated between Shimano and the FCC. However, Cycling Tips are also speculating that something may happen earlier. Shimano is celebrating its 100th anniversary in March 2021 and has been preparing for it with a series of videos and a mini-site, with a countdown to … something. What is the best way to celebrate this anniversary with a product that takes you from the mechanical to the wireless era?
Alternatively, if a new group of wireless XTR groups is joining, we have no doubt that Shimano-supported drivers will test it out until the racing season. We’ll be keeping an eye on professional bikes between now and the start of the season to see if we can detect anything out of the ordinary. We contacted Shimano for more information, but they told us that they “keep their mouth shut about rumors and suggestions”. We will update you with more information as soon as they arrive.