Some of the biggest news from Sea Otter had to be the introduction of Shimano’s XT Di2. The trickle down of Di2 technology to the XT price point should make the system a lot more accessible, but it still suffers from range envy, especially compared with SRAM Eagle. Fortunately, if you already have Di2 XTR or plan on getting the XT group, there’s already a solution – the Shark. It turns out that OneUp’s radically wide adapter system works just as well on Di2 systems making OneUp claim it as the widest range, electronic drivetrain available…
Just like the mechanical drivetrain, the Shark system includes a new offset derailleur cage that repositions the stock pulleys. When used with their 50t cassette adapter, you can either run an 11-50t, or add in their Mini Driver system with the right hub to obtain a full 10-50t drivetrain. We’ve been putting more miles on the Shark XT mechanical system and other than the aforementioned noise when at the extreme chain angles, it has been working flawlessly.
OneUp also offers XTR M9000 narrow wide chainrings that not only fit the odd BCD of the cranks and offer an improved 49mm chainline for the Shark system, but are finished in a way to make them blend right in.
Gamut
Gamut also had some new narrow wide Shimano rings to show, and clued us in to a key difference between XT m8000 and XTR m9000. While the BCDs look similar, the XT ring is completely different and the two are not cross compatible thanks to a difference in how the rings attach to the chainring bolts. XTR rings are threaded for M9 hardware while XT rings use a standard chainring bolt set up. For the Gamut rings themselves, they are offered in black only because that’s the only color of the hard anodizing process which results in 50-100% more wear life compared to standard anodization. Offered in 30-36 and in even sizes, both rings sell for $64.99.
For their chainguides, you’ll start to see their iconic red frames fade away as they move to all black due to consumer demand.
Finally Gamut has a small update for the Podium pedals with new colors of pins, but also a stainless steel pin set in the works. New aluminum pins will be available in black, silver, red, and blue, and will be sold in sets of 40 for $20. As a side note, if you’re like us and got one of the very first sets of pedals (about 100 pairs according to Gamut), you may find that the aluminum pins mushroom and deform quite badly. Apparently a batch of pins snuck through without the proper heat treating which made them way too soft. If you are experiencing this, give Gamut a call and they’ll help you out.
Fouriers
If you haven’t seen Fouriers Sweet Spot handlebar tech before, it’s a little odd but it actually feels pretty good in your hands. The very end of the bar has a slight bend to it right in the middle of the grip. This is said to aid ergonomics and provide better leverage, but it also makes it difficult to use certain grips – like lock ons. Because of that, Fouriers is adding a lock on grip with a flexible core that allows the grip to contour to the Sweet Spot. Aluminum bars are available in low rise and 680, 760mm widths, and there is also a 720mm bar with a 17 degree back sweep, each sells for $90. The lock on grips will be available in June for $18.
Not to be left out, Fouriers also had some Shimano XTR and XT compatible chainrings in standard round, or oval shapes. The oval chainrings allow for three positions of adjustability with pricing set at $59.49 for XT and $66.49 for XTR compatible rings.
