Shimano’s 1×11 Cues offerings have been “damn well good enough” for a while, but does that translate to their latest drop bar offering? Cues unites all the 9/10/11 variants under a single cable pull ratio to maximize compatibility. Spencer tested the 1×11 iteration of this new drop bar groupset; see his thoughts below…
For anyone who has ever had to try to figure out which Shimano parts actually play together, the Cues announcement a few years ago was music to our ears. To achieve this, Shimano had to create a new 1:1 cable pull ratio to unite their Cues 9/10/11 speed groupsets. The whole smattering of components uses the same 11-speed Linkglide chain or any 11-speed chain you’d like. Seems simple, right?
I have enjoyed my time on the flat bar iteration of the 1×11 groupset, specifically the Deore XT Linkglide version. I think one of the greatest boons to this drop bar groupset is that it can work with the more robust Deore XT Linkglide derailleur to make your drivetrain last longer.
Shimano’s Linkglide tech extends the lifespan of their products. Linkglide trades weight and quick shifting for durability and longevity by thickening the cog plates on the cassette. Shimano claims that Linkglide cassettes should last 3x longer than their Hyperglide counterparts if chains are replaced at regular intervals. This focus on durability and longevity has had me converting any bike with an HG freehub to the Cues system to make my mechanical life easier. Up until last year, the only hangup was the lack of drop bar support. Then, at long last, Shimano announced the Cues drop bar groupsets spanning the 9/10/11 speed range. My prayers were answered.
Now, Shimano has released a 2×9 and 2×10 variant of the CCues drop bar groupsets, but since front derailleurs are dead to me, I won’t be detailing all the 2x options available with the new drop bar stuff. Indexed front derailleurs were never a good idea, and I refuse to excuse anything besides a friction-shifted front derailleur in 2026. I bet Cues 2x works great, but I ain’t gonna tell you about it.
Shimano Cues Price Breakdown
- ST-U6030-R Cues Shifter + Brake Lever: $300
- BR-U6030 Hydraulic Caliper
- BL-U6030-L Cues Brake Lever: $278
- BR-U6030 Hydraulic Caliper
- FC-U6030 -1 Hollowtech 2 crank: $80
- RD-U6000 Cues Rear Derailleur 11-speed: $69.99
- SM-RT54 Disc Rotors: $15
- CS-LG500-11 Cassette: $109.99
- CN-LG500 Chain with Quick Link: $22.99
- Total: $875.97
In the end, the 1×11 drop bar Cues isn’t necessarily cheap, but it does represent the premium high end of the lineup. I see that a lot of the price is wrapped up in the Dual Control levers mated to hydraulic calipers. Considering the longevity expected with the Linkglide technology, Cues should be a sound investment. Overall, the groupset feels more premium than I would have expected for a system that replaced the mid to low tiers of Shimano’s lineup.
Cues Hydraulic Dual Control Lever 11/ 10-speed Quick Hits
- The new blade design creates a shorter lever access
- Compatible with both 10- and 11-speed drivetrains
The crux of this whole new drop bar lineup is, of course, the Dual Control levers. The levers feel premium and far from cheap or chintzy. The right lever works just like any Shimano dual control lever you’ve ever used, and I instantly feel at home. I’ve always preferred the shifting motion of Shimano’s lever over the Double Tap that SRAM uses. Shimano’s control is etched in my brain and clicks in a way SRAM’s never has.
The hoods feature minimal texturing, which I prefer over the more textured GRX hoods. While the blade reach is shorter, they never felt overly small to my largeish paws. The hoods are like a nice handshake from an old friend, comfortable and familiar. I do wish the action on the downshift click was more robust, but that is as nitpicky as I’ll get.
The levers are compatible with 10 and 11 speeds by way of a small removable tab under the hood to limit the shifting capability. This makes having a single shifter for all the systems possible and minimizes SKUs in an already massive field of parts.
FC-U6040-1 Cues Crankset Hollowtech II
- 9/10/11-speed
- Chainring options: 40t, 42t
- Chainline: 50 mm
- Crankarm Lengths: 165, 170, 172.5, 175 mm.
- Dynamic Chain Engagement+ improves chain retention with its special gear tip shape
With only two chainring options offered from Shimano, you’ll need to go third party to get a smaller or larger chainring. Despite my proclivity towards smaller rings, I found the 40t ring paired with the large 11-50 cassette to be more than adequate for my riding. Plenty of gear for climbing and just enough gear for pushing on the flats. If you are quadzilla, you may want the 42t variant for maximum top end with that limiting 11t cassette cog.
BR-U6030 – Cues Flat Mount Hydraulic Disc Brake Caliper
- Specifically designed for 160 mm rotors
- Flat Mount hydraulic disc brake caliper eliminates the need for a separate adapter
- Lightweight 2-piston construction provides reliable braking performance
Per usual, I contain multitudes on the subject of these calipers. I love Shimano’s hydraulic brake feel, and that is intact here. On the other hand, I hate flat mount as a standard, but it doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon, and these brakes work “damn well good enough”.
RD-u6000 Cues Rear Derailleur
- 10 / 11-speed
- 50t max sprocket
This is the same derailleur I used on my last Cues flat bar review, and it once again passes the “damn well good enough” test. The only issue I’ve had with these Cues derailleurs is a cracked plastic washer that holds the B screw adjuster, a minor part, and the derailleur still functioned; it just required some care when removing and reinstalling. I wound up replacing it with the more robust Deore XT Linkglide derailleur as it shares the same 1:1 cable pull ratio. I love that the derailleur has a barrel adjuster, as I just went to great lengths to add one to a derailleur.
Hydraulic vs Cable Brakes
When I first got the email about the new Cues drop bar release, I groaned when I saw that the 1×11 groupset was exclusively hydraulic. I had become enamored with my Deore XT Linkglide paired with cable-actuated disc brakes for easy maintenance, and was saddened to see there would be no 1×11 speed option for cable-actuated brakes. At the time, I was also looking for a unicorn set of non-hydraulic AXS levers for a road bike build idea, I had cable actuated on the brain.
I can see Shimano wanting to create as premium an experience with their 1×11 Cues groupset with their famed hydraulic brakes, but I think the lack of a cable-actuated version was a missed opportunity. The lower tier U4000 Dual Control lever offered in 2×10 or 2×9 feature a dual control lever that actuates cable disc brakes. This all-in-one mentality of STI, brifter, dual control levers, etc., is one of the most constantly frustrating aspects of building drop bar bikes.
Who is Drop Bar Cues For?
Most people will encounter this groupset OEM when they purchase a new bike, and it will make a great complement to your new ride, I’m sure of it. Let’s see who this new groupset might be for outside of that eventuality.
You are a drop bar rider who wants wide-range 1x capability and the longevity of Shimano’s Linkglide technology. You don’t mind that Cues shifts slightly slower than GRX or Eagle. You also don’t mind having an 11t cog as your smallest possible cog. You won’t miss the minimal benefit of 12 speeds; you can coast down the hills and find the right gear. If these things ring true, then drop bar Cues might be for you.
Is it for road or gravel? Yes. While the large cassette of the 1×11 groupset appeals to gravel riders more than roadies, I found it just fine for both. I think we’ll see the 2×10 variants on road bikes that can still run front derailleurs in the future. As Drop Bar Cues occupies one of the few options for a wide range of 11-speed drop bar compatible groupsets, it will fill the niche space between 1×10 Microshift Sword and 1×12 groups from everyone else.
Conclusion
Drop Bar Cues brings Shimano’s Cues system full circle for all styles of riding. You can mix and match the derailleurs, cranks, and cassettes across the spectrum of parts. Everything works “damn well good enough,” and the Dual Control lever felt more premium than I was expecting. I’ve been enamored with the Cues lineup and especially the Linkglide technology since it came out, and the drop bar iteration is no different. If there were a 1×11 dual control lever that worked with cable disc brakes, this whole groupset would have been a home run for me. Nonetheless, I’m glad to see the whole CCues spectrum finally come together and unite riders and bikes across many disciplines.
Pros
- Wide range 1×11 drop bar groupset
- Linkglide technology for longevity
- Dual Control lever works with 10 and 11 speeds
- Classic Shimano controls and hydraulic feel
- Can work with parts from Deore XT Linkglide groupset
Cons
- Click when shift indexing could feel more robust
- 1×11 is only available with hydraulic brakes