Until now, Hyperglide, or HG for short, was the benchmark in the shifting sector. Shimano has perfected this technology, which ensures extremely quiet and fast shifting. However, this technology reaches its limits on e-bikes, as the chains, sprockets and rear derailleurs have to withstand high loads due to the high torques of the motors.

Internal Shimano tests are said to show that Linkglide cassettes are three times more durable than comparable Hypgerglide cassettes in dirt-prone conditions. Three times less wear means that the chain slips less, the drop in performance is less and can therefore be ridden significantly longer before replacement is necessary. At the same time, Linkglide ensures a smooth and stable shifting function both when shifting up and down.

The newly introduced components include Deore XT 1x11-speed and Deore 1x10-speed shifters, derailleurs, chains and cassettes. Each of these components will be marked with a Linkglide logo, making it easy to distinguish them from the regular Deore XT and Deore parts. Important to know: Regular and Linkglide components are not compatible with each other due to the different gear ratios.

Linkglide cassettes

The teeth of the Linkglide cassettes have a new shape that helps to reduce wear under high loads. A more robust and thicker base of the teeth reinforces the area where wear is most severe, while a similarly modified shape of the tooth tips and special chamfers optimize the retention of the chain on the teeth as well as the easy release of the chain when rolling off.

In addition, the shifting aids have been optimized, allowing the chain to glide smoothly and jerk-free onto the larger or smaller sprocket when shifting up or down. This reduces the familiar shift jerk, which is often accompanied by a certain latency until the power is restored. This also maintains a smoother pedal stroke when shifting, which ultimately not only improves efficiency, but above all riding comfort and further contributes to wear reduction.

Deore XT 1x11-speed cassettes (CS-LG600-11) weigh 780 g and come in a gear ratio of 11-50T. The Deore 1x10-speed version (CS-LG600-10) weighs just 634 g and is available with a gradation of 11-43T.

Linkglide rear derailleurs

New Deore XT (RD-M8130-SGS) 1x11-speed and DEORE (RD-M5130-SGS) 1x10-speed rear derailleurs are available for shifting on the new Linkglide cassettes. Both are characterized by the same smooth shifting performance as the regular Deore XT and Deore rear derailleurs and, like them, are equipped with Shimano Shadow RD+ technology, which ensures stable chain guidance thanks to its friction mechanism.

Linkglide shift levers

The new Linkglide component system also includes new shift levers. The Deore XT 11-speed version is available either as an I-SPEC EV (SL-M8130-IR) or as a clamp version (SL-M8130-R), while the Deore 10-speed levers (SL-M5130-R) are designed exclusively for clamp mounting, but are equipped with an optical gear indicator. All models feature Shimano's 2-Way Release and Rapidfire Plus technologies, while the Deore XT models also have Instant Release functionality.

Linkglide chains

The new Linkglide (CN-LG500) 11/10-speed chain is being introduced as a so-called "E-Bike Rated" product and thus represents a cheaper alternative to Shimano's other "E-Bike Rated" chains CN-HG601-11/701-11/901-11. All of these chains are compatible with the Linkglide system, as is the "E-Bike Designed" model CN-E8000-11.

Filip Scholliers, Shimano MTB product planner, comments on the new parts: "When we develop components, it is always our goal to ensure the smoothest and most seamless shifting possible. But the question of how to reconcile sporty performance and increased durability for new areas of use presented us with an interesting challenge. We found that less experienced users in particular often ride in the same gear for long periods of time and under high loads. This naturally puts a lot of strain on the components. In addition, shifting under high drive loads also increases wear and tear. In the end, we had a very simple answer to this: simply offer the consumer both. With Linkglide, our goal was to create a component system that offers smooth and gentle shifting performance while being extremely durable. Therefore, our focus was to make the cassette as robust as possible. Our Hyperglide+ technology offers performance or competition-oriented cyclists very light components and extremely fast gear changes, while Linkglide will be another option specifically for greater durability in the future."

Linkglide and Hyperglide are not compatible

According to Shimano, Linkglide will be found in particular in bicycles intended for beginners or everyday riders who place particular value on comfort and low maintenance intensity and are less focused on the fast shifting performance or low weight of Hyperglide+ components.

Linkglide components will also be available as individual parts from specialist retailers. However, the Deore XT and Deore components with Linkglide technology are not compatible with other Shimano component systems. Anyone wishing to convert current 11-speed or 10-speed systems to Linkglide must therefore replace the cassette as well as the rear derailleur, levers and (optionally) the chain with the corresponding Linkglide components.

bike.shimano.com