Shimano have just released images of their latest touring bike groupset – T8000, and it looks great! As with most things touring, there’s not too much new technology to report, which is sensical given Shimano is attempting to achieve the best reliability and durability amongst touring groupsets.
One thing is for sure though – the finish and classic styling of this latest iteration is exceptional.
Shimano has decided to stick with 10 speed chains and cassettes, unlike their XT mountain bike groupset which was recently updated to 11 speed. This is presumably because many bike shops globally will not have stepped across to 11-speed MTB options yet.
The cassettes for this groupset are a direct carry over, using existing 10 speed models in 11-32t, 11-34t & 11-36t options. The 11-36t compatibility is actually new for 2017, as the derailleur’s capacity has been modified slightly to accommodate the two extra teeth. That will give you one extra gear inch for when your climbs really ramp up.
Unfortunately there is no STI gear shifter option with this groupset, despite the fact that so many tour with road handlebars. Luckily J-Tek and Wolf Tooth have come to the party with a ratio-changing pulley to mate 10 speed STI shifters with the XT T8000 touring derailleur. Another option to look at is using are Gevenalle thumb shifter levers which have been designed to work with MTB parts, or alternatively substituting in an old 9-speed MTB derailleur which is compatible with 10-speed STI shifters.
The XT Hollowtech II crankset features an outer gear guard, which will protect your pants from collecting the grease from your chain. It’s available in the same chainring sizes as before; 48t/36t/26t.
The dynamo hub looks to only offer a new finish over the outgoing T-785. It can be assumed that internally, the hub is likely the same. The XT hub is a bit of a winner at the price point it is.
One of the highlights of the new groupset is the pedal update. The T8000 pedals are now running replaceable pins to replicate the feel of a high-end flat pedal. I’ve completed over 30,000km on my current T780 pedals and will be looking to replace them with a set of these when the time comes! It’s my experience that you can’t beat Shimano pedals on durability.
The shifters and derailleurs have received minor updates only. The derailleur has changed to a lower profile ‘Shadow’ mounting system, and has received minor adjustments to its capacity to accommodate that bigger 11-36t cassette.
The T8000 hydraulic brake levers employ a long blade so you can enjoy the additional power of two or three finger braking. It’s my experience that Shimano XT brake calipers are the business too, if you indeed wanted hydraulic disc brakes on your touring bike.
The Jtek Shiftmate is excellent but so is Wolf Tooth’s TANPAN which fits directly into the derailleur fitting. I’ve used both and my vote is for the Tanpan.
Have you indeed positive experiences with the Shiftmate. Neither myself nor my LBS could get the correct model to work with Dura Ace barend shifters and last gen Shimano XT 10-speed derailleur.
For the time being I switched to Microshift BS-M10 barend shifters and I could not be happier about their performance.
Still would like to know where I went wrong with the Jtek. Any ideas?
I was using the Jtek Shiftmate number 6 – the straight line version. It was OK but seemed to require frequent adjustments. After several dozen shifts and a day or so (cable stretch) everything seemed to level out and all was great. The Tanpan, however, worked better from the beginning. Accuracy of machining? The cable routing? (Note: the Tanpan is MUCH better vis a vis cable routing). No matter, the Shiftmate SHOULD work perfectly as radius / dimensions / circumference should provide an exact shifting distance.
Just use an old shimano 9 speed rear derailer. I’ve been using mine forever with a 36 on the back, in 10 speed with Durace STI on the front. I am pretty sure you mentioned this in your previous solutions for road shifter/mtb compatibility.
Besides the pedals I’m just not feeling and love from Shimano. The xt dyno hub an OK add to the lineup.
Ever try to find a 9 speed let alone a 10 speed chain in non tourist Peru? Innovation would be friction brifters which shift up to 9 speeds. (Campag and a really nice FD ratchet action on many of their gen 2 ergo products. ) No canti/V break option and hydrolic disc made me lol.
Unfortunately, this groupset is never going to be a round-the-world tourers dream. The reason is this: there’s probably 10000 bike tourers who’ll ride the Rhine bike route in Germany for every tourer who rides through Peru. It’s simply a numbers game for Shimano!
the crank look like an el cheapo tourney
I found 9 speed Shimano chain all through South America: Not in every town but but I change my chain every 1500 miles or so so as not wear the pinions out of shape. I also carry a chain tool so can always make a repair so no need to carry a spare. I really hope that the 9 speed works on this group.
On the other hand I hardly ever found SRAM brake pads in South America: Avid BB7s are the most popular expedition brakes. I had to change the whole mechanisms despite setting off with 4 spare sets.
The standard chainrings should be 22. I’ve just fitted a 20T granny and stainless 32 middle.
Is this groupset available in the US? I only see it on international websites. My drivetrain on my Specialized AWOL is currently a 10sp XT “road” triple 24/34/44 paired with a 11-34 cassette shifted by Microshift BS-M10 bar end shifters. The 20-112 gear inch range is good, but on the road with 45 mm slicks I am always in the top chainring and near the top of the cassette. Ideally I think I want the XT 26/36/48 crankset for touring on the road with slicks and swap back to the 24/34/44 crankset and 2.0″ mountain tires for bikepacking.
I’m uncertain whether it will be available in the USA, but perhaps drop into your local bike store and see if they can make an enquiry. The market for this groupset is largest in Europe, so buying online will probably be your best bet.
Surprising that Shimano does not seem to include a v-brake option for the Trekking XT. As Alex said, the biggest market for this “gruppo” are trekking/touring bikes in Germany, and rim brakes are very much alive and kicking around here. I predict many manufacturers might decide to go for the still popular (at least in Germany) Magura hydraulic rim brakes if no v-brake option is offered. Or go for Avid vbrakes…
Although not part of the trekking groupset, Shimano has XT v-brakes available for those manufacturers who prefer rim brakes. But perhaps this move to hydraulic disc brakes indicates where the industry is heading?
The problem with yet more sprockets on a hub (10) is a) replications of ratios from different combinations of chainring/sprocket, b) sprockets closer together meaning less tolerance for chain misalignment (if your bike is heavily loaded and the frame is compliant this is likely – ‘ghost’ gear changes) c) thinner chain therefore weaker d) rear wheel dish.
And I wonder if the hubs come with a 36-hole option – 32 is not strong enough for heavy touring.
Think I’ll stick with my 3 x 8 speed. This still gives me a gear range of 20″ to 108″ and it’s cheap, robust and forgiving
Installed the crankset, 11-36 cassette, derailleurs and pedals on our touring bikes.
Just came back from Kyushu and Shikoku in Japan. Lots of Mountains. We were impressed, works smoothly.
Crankset are light. Pedals and derailleurs are superb. Prefer the Schmidt SON 28 dynamo.
and dont forget the xt 780 V brake !! PEOPLE THINK IM CRAZY BUT I STILL FIND OLD 739 AND 760 N.O.S. ON EBAY I LUV EM!! THOUGH THEY CAN BE LOUD !
Great to hear the T8000 is working well!
Old thread but anyone out there know how the trekking crank might work with Tiagra 4700 10 speed brifters? Would love to use the crank for the better touring ratio of 26-36-48 vs. the Tiagra 30-39-50. I would probably go with a 12-34 cassette and try to use the tiagra derailleurs as well as their cable pull is matched to the brifters. In the rear that would put you within spec with a 34t max big cog but slightly over in capacity at 44 with a specced max of 41.