as an amateur bystander, im just glad for a simplification of their product lines. I think there was way too many overlapping products with little gain on upgrading to the next equipment level. I really like modular mix and match abilities. even at a weight cost.
I bought my XT M770 crank back in 2008. I'm just replacing the Hollowtek 2 bottom bracket. The fella working on my bike said he's never heard a bottom bracket make the noises mine did. I should have replaced the bottom bracket a few years ago.
I really think the standout interesting piece from the entire CUES lineup is the U6000 double crankset with the 36-22T chainrings and matching FD. The opportunity to get a 669% gear range with the 11-45 cassette, low gear equivalent to a 30-61, and a clutched (U8000) RD all at a bargain price is gonna be really attractive to bikepackers and bike tourers. Especially when CUES compatible brifters get released.
@@twillyspanksyourcakes But the ability to combine 36-22 with 11-46 is a novelty. That being said, the climb that would require such a low gear would probably have to be vertical ;D But I actually like cues for the ability to get such ratios, and the fact that you could get 36t chainring and 11-50t cassette. If they ever introduce drop bar shifters that will work with MTB-line cues components, this will be a game changer . Mostly for drop bar bikepacking and touring bikes (so far still grinding uphill with 36/46 )
I have been using for four years now (it’s been available if you looked around). Easiest to setup, adjust and get riding I have ever seen. Absolutely the most robust design ever and bomb proof. An overhaul of an old but solid frame yields a $3500 new bike that can be ridden hard in just about any environment.
when I bought a complete set of shimano deore u6000, I had problems with squeaking in the bottom bracket area. until I figured out what it is. But the ride comfort, compared to my old drivetrain (sram x3 rear + shimano altus on the front), has improved a lot. thanks for the informative videos!
This looks like a great way for shimano to improve upon having such disparate sets and consolidate into one "entry level package" like they had with STX in the late 90s/early 00s. Anyone that rode STX in those years knew they were a GREAT groupset - even compatible with SRAM gripshift on bikes like the 1998 rockhopper base model. I rode that $450 (in 1998) bike for thousands of miles through rainy, muddy, rocky, dry, desert conditions - obviously upgraded from rigid to an Indy XC spring/coil/oil bath fork. I won many local XC races in Oregon and Washington on a steel frame/STX/Indy. I'm glad shimano is doing right by customers and introducing a nice kit that doesn't too forcefully push cosumers into the "quality vs price" problem.
Nice, this groupset will have a double use as boat anchors when you wear it out. Super useful! Shimano always thinking of the environment so we don't just throw stuff away when at end of life.
Eliminating Alivio, Altus, Acera, Sora, and Claris makes a lot of sense, but Deore 10-speed, Deore 11-speed, and Tiagra 4700 were affordable, rock solid components without these kinds of aggressive weight penalties. I'm really not seeing how these new products are an improvement, just a consolidation.
@@-Gothicgirl- yeah, exactly. Your 9speed derailleur gets damaged, and you can swap it for 11s, upgrading the remaining parts later, as the drivetrain gets worn out
I just picked up a mint praxis Cadet m24 OEM with bb for $80 cad Very good quality slightly lighter. Good Video. I remember Shimano had Oversized Red Derailleur Pulleys on the really cheap Walmart bikes.
So do I, from my years as a bike mechanic and personal use. There's a depth of engineering to Shimano that's not always present in Sram. Still run XT 11 speed on my Meta AM and it's perfect.
@@Ivan-oh6ug same with me, I work at a bike shop and theres a reoccurring theme with Sram, if there's a little play in the guide wheel on the derailleur, it ruins the indexing completely. As for Shimano, iv seen guide wheels warn down all the way to a smooth circle and it still shifts properly
I understand some guys would be attached to some of the outgoing groupsets, but I think cues are looking really good moving forward. In fact, I'm overlooking a 1x11 deore upgrade in favour of cues u6000. First time installing parts like this. I actually couldn't index a derailleur to save my life. I'll see how I fair!
I've been having so much success building cheap 1x9, 1x10, 1x11 wide range drivetrains all using the latest deore derailleur paired with the right speed shifter. So I'm a little worried what happens when they become displaced by cues with an incompatible pull ratio.
well, Deore M5100 is going away but Deore M6100 is not. Derailleur is exactly the same as you see here - ua-cam.com/video/SOV5Ejt9ce0/v-deo.html So we're good!
@@LoveMTB I know that but first I suspect the price of the derailleur will go up (unboxed OEM sell for about 30 usd now), second it will become hard to find the shifters.
Looking at the crank I see what they did there: make sure you have the same wear out problem as with octalink, which is making sure that the crank can't be taken off and on too many times until getting loose. Nice.
Definitely! I have a 3x9 in a tandem and CUES looks like the way to go (once the quality replacements vanish): it's HG-compatible and have the 32t, 1x cranks that match 46-32, 2x ones. 11-45 and 11-50 cassettes will be [almost] enough for summer and winter rides, respectively. I only hope the claimed three times longer durability will indeed be the case. PS Why didn't they make it 12sp (just to enable 11-12-13...)?
Thank you for your great sharing! I got Cues 11s U6000 setup lately. However now I am finding it's really hard to remove crankset. Please kindly let me know how to do crankset removal and tools needed if any? Thanks so much!
This new budget friendly shimano design is similar to the SRAM. Personally I like the design of the current shimano xtr crankset which I think it is also on the current xt. I personally think it is a better design. I have been using the xtr latest version for 2 months and no issues.
The preload ring isn't a SRAM patent. Easton/Raceface had a similar design which is almost identical to the SRAM DUB preload ring, long before SRAM introduced DUB. The Shimano design is their own which does not require a small 2/2.5mm box to pinch the lockring down. Shimano's is friction fit which IMO is a better design (no little bolt to strip).
@@trickystitch Don't know what you've been smoking but the XTR950 is a 20+ year old 8/9sp crank on a square taper bottom bracket that used a pin spanner to adjust preload, so by function cannot adjust preload with a collar on the shaft of the crank spindle.
I’m so excited to start seeing Shimano cues components for sale! I’ve been wanting to upgrade the alivio groupset on my commuter bike for a while now and cues seems perfect. The cues shifters will mesh perfectly with my ispec II deore brake levers. All I have to see is if the new cranks and bb will fit my bb shell. I think I will go for the 2x11 u 8000 as soon as it becomes readily available.
@@twillyspanksyourcakes explain to me how going from an octolink bb and 3x9 with no clutch to a hollow tech bb, 2x11 with a clutch and ispecii shifters to interface with my current brakes isn’t an upgrade.
The U6000 looks very good price wise and engineering wise with a robust linkglide rear cassette available. I like the new crank design only two Allen keys needed and very robust and easy to install. A full U6000 group set with U8000 four piston brakes and the new sealed bearing TC500 hubs would be a great mix. Linkglide and CUES is definitely biased towards E-BIKE use with weight a secondary consideration. 😎👍
@@LoveMTB Well obviously if you are a weight weeney you should be looking at Deore XT. Depending on price some great engineering such as the cranks and the new sealed bearing hubs with the 1:1 pull ratio across all CUES components. Maybe you should stick to reviewing high end components. CUES was designed for modularity and to keep midrange components reasonably priced. As well as to give E-BIKES a more robust drivetrain using linkglide cassettes. I don't think weight was a big consideration in the designs. I think CUES has lived up to expectations so far.
hopefully shimano gives the correct chainline spacing on this one. I recently bought a M5100x1 crankset which said it was compatible with 135mm qr rear and a 45mm chainline, well it turns out it isn't , it's a 50mm chainline so I had to buy some longer chainring bolts and add 2 flat washers in between the spider and chainring to bring the chainring closer to my frame. I'm still a bit pissed about that and I'm still not at 45mm, I'm about 2mm off.
I randomly found this crank today for the first time. And price wise it could be a solid replacement for my Decathlon Triban RC100, if it breaks. Just need to find out what bottom bracket works here, and if they'll make budget dropdown shifters.
That's an odd BCD with CUES I wonder if anything like a 52T would fit? I'm guessing not. For my purpose I need a 104 BCD and a 52T sprocket, so I can't use it, but I will use their cassette and derailleur. Thx for the vid!
Supposedly Shimano has optimized CUES for low cost E-bikes. Though with Altus and Acera going away I suspect the chinesium ebikes will probably switch to chinesium groupsets from Sensa or L-Twoo.
@@LoveMTB why though? Even in deore they didn't do short length cranks. I get know saint/zee cranks are short but they're a lil expensive maybe the could make shorter cranks on lower end/mid ends products.
Inter-compatability, added durability, & competitive pricing for the trade off for weight? If you're not into competition and pref longevity with the flexibility of parts for upgrading or replacing; I would go for cues.
What would be nice is a real in the flesh test of the HG chains on these crank sets. TBH, the move toe CUES killed the Alivio groupset off. It was the only groupset other than GRX to offer 2 x 9 46-30T cranks and now all I can see available is the CUES but that means changing the WHOLE groupset, levers and all to that and that is rather costly...
Hi! Im from the PH, do you have any idea on how to pull the crank out of the BB? mine's stucked. A video tutorial will be a lot of help. Thanks in advanced!
How can I remove the cranks once I've tightened them down? Even after I removed the bolt it seems it's using a compression fitting and it isn't allowing me to remove the cranks..
Too bad the chainring isn’t DM. Just seems to be a consolidation of the low end stuff but I doubt most of us on here would seek this groupset out for a build.
But they use the new crankset and chains which is not compatible with 'old' (maybe) 10/11s MTB or road chain. And I bought some 3x crankset & FD & shifters as the collections.
@@LoveMTB I have a 12 speed Deore here and I rarely use every gear, 10 is fine and I can still use my old shifters and derailleur etc so long as the cassette still has a _high_ high and a _low_ low, maybe we could just have 5! 😂
@@LoveMTB I definitely prefer to go up or down and try to avoid flat, you race though so more gears just makes sense! Do you have any race videos to post? BC BR perhaps?
New subscriber and I need a good drivetrain for my Fuji . It's a Franken bike but it's mine and it's just for road use . It's flat where I live so I don't need a ton of gears but I do like the range of these 1x drivetrains .
@LoveMTB no doubt . I was looking at srams cheapest one crankset included just under 5 bills . I bought the bike on Facebook marketplace for 250 bucks 😹😹😹
@LoveMTB my bikes a Fuji Absolute 2.3 . It's a cherry bike and I ride the crap out of it . I love it but I want a 1x drivetrain in either 9 10 11 or 12 speed . It's s 1x 9 speed but only gets 2 gears 😹😹😹
I always found 2 bolt system to be superior to anything else on the market. Still rocking full X01 eagle mechanical except for SLX crankset which is way better than most of sram DUmB offerings. Sadz theyre getting rid of that advantage
@@LoveMTB I believe they changed it cuz of logistics and warehousing. Retail package would be about 4 times smaller than classic 2 bolt left loose arm variant. OEM packaging difference will be even bigger imho. Perhaps 6:1?
Question about the ring on the crankset that takes out side to side slack: Doesn't it have some kind of a pinch bolt to secure the ring from loosening?
@@LoveMTB Interesting, so you just finger tight the axial slack? Sounds like leaving a loose bolt. I'll see for myself when Cues gets more widespread and buy a groupset for myself. Thank you for verifying that!
Great ask! If I can find a partner to help for sure. For now Bikecomponents only carries GRX, and I'm using an 11s groupset now. When the 12s is available I will probably do a deep dive.
Why are the new Linkglide not compatible with older 10 or 11 speed Shimano products? I haven't heard any statements that explain it explicitly. I'm really interested in buying the 10s Deore groupset for my ebike (I never use the granny gear, if I'm on a slope that steep I'm going to flip backwards) but want a shifter that can fit to I-spec EV brakes. Any chance the shifter internals can be transplanted into a 12s or older 11s I-spec 11 (some I-spec 11 can be modded to fit I-spec EV) shifter?
Most probably shifter internals cannot be used with other housing as their shape is different. As for "not compatible" I have to get my hands on the rest of the drivetrain to take a closer look 😉
CUES uses a brand new pull ratio that is consistent within it's lineup regardless of 9, 10, or 11 speed. It is completely incompatible with any other Shimano pull ratio. It's a downgrade in my opinion and floods the market with yet another Shimano incompatibility issue.
@@theshonen8899 ok, thanks. I get that Deore LG is a downgrade from my SLX/XT 12s drivetrain, but I want it for the short cage and the extra longevity won't go amiss.
@@LoveMTB thanks a lot, I just checked and even the chain-line in the same=52. I was worrying about HG technology of crankset and LG tech of the entire group set
I just bought a new ebike that has CUES U4000 9 speed derailleurs and a LINKGLIDE LG300, 11-46, 9 speed cassette. Specs say that the chain is a Shimano LG500 9/10/11 speed chain (one chain for three different speeds???). I like to carry a quick link, but what size is appropriate or best? Thank you.
I could use the Shimano Cues LG400 11-50T cassette with a Shimano Deore RD-M5100 rear derailleur - Shimano XT SL-M8000 I-SPEC II shifter and a KMC X11.93 11 speed chain ?
I'm so desappointed, I saw on Bike component's that the U4010-2 crankset was compatible with a BSA68 but it's not true, the spandle is to long, even using the plastic ring the side to side play is to important.... what did I do wrong ?!
@@guillaumeh8116 look up in my videos one that talks about Rocky Mountain upgrade, and I have another series about how-to build a bike from scratch. Take your time
I dont like this preload system because it makes the crankset wider. i‘m pretty sure they made this to fit all bottom bracket width with one crankset…i prefer the old system…
Thanks for a delightful sat morning watching lovemtb vids!!! Crank arms are my bane of existence right now here's why.I have a 2020 bulls monster e fs its ultra rare its the only full sus fat bike with the bosch cx motor,it came with 170mm cranks(to many pedal strikes),so I contacted bulls to see if I could get some 160mm cranks only to find the answer was no and they didn't even have a oem set to sell me.The left crank has more offset then any other crank arm made today,so if I break the left crank I get to throw my $6500.00 bike in the trash (thx for nothing bulls!!)I have contacted every manufacturer(5dev,raceface,fsa etc)and no one is willing to build me a one off set of cranks!!Does anyone know of a company or machine shop that would be willing to help me out?Cheers!!!
The problem with that kind of spindle design is destroying the other end of the BB, but I guess that was my tragedy because my mechanics tighten the preload cap too much😅
I'm interested in 10 speed with 32t crank and 11-48 cassette. I wonder about durability, because my 12 speedsucks in that matter. 2 months for a 6100 chain and it stretched to 0,5 % That's absurd. Too bad i can't change freehub that easily.
The strategy behind these seems a bit odd. Heavier, back to sort of octa-link, different preload. Fixed spider which limits how small the chainring can be. I was expecting something similar to rotor with a modular approach.
If you look at their target audience for these, road, hybrid, light mtb, probably cheap OEM groupsets for a ton of bikes, they probably did only what they needed to for now. The rest of the changes/ innovation will probably come out with the next generation MTB groupsets, whenever that is.
@@LoveMTB Thats fair I guess. I thought these components were meant to consolidate the crazy number of SKU's across low to midrange MTB, Gravel and Road. The dumbest thing Shimano did was change the cable ratio between road and mtb, thus needing even more SKU's when Gravel became a thing. Other than using a common chain, I honestly don't think this is the fix that everyone hoped for. It sounds like the whole mess will just get worse.
Thank you for the detailed introduction. I would also be interested in whether and which 12-speed chain would work with this Cues 1-speed chainring...🤔? The idea is, (based on your video ua-cam.com/video/COACxEtQUR8/v-deo.html ) to combine this crankset (but with a 42-tooth chainring), with a 12-speed cassette (a Sunrace 903), to achieve more continuous gear steps in the middle gearrange on my trekkingbike.
Thanks The 12s chains, definitely the Shimano 12s are proprietary, won't work well with everything. I have more testing to do and also look at the rest of the CUES drivetrain, more to come soon. So sorry don't have an answer now.
Im waiting for some company copy or buy idea from box one components prime 9 (1x9spd grupset with 11-50 cassette but please No in one Peace metal or in chester version ) wider chain than 11or 12 spd are stronger and more resistant for stretching..more clearance in cassete mean light but better faster clean simply..
Now I wonder if you will actually see these groupsets actually go on entry level hardtails that would normally have run something like Altus or Acera. Or will they just double down on the cheap and try to slap Tourney and 7 speed freehub onto $1000 bikes or run chinesium groupsets off Ali Express. It could also displace Deore 12s on budget build full sus bikes which would also suck since Deore 12s is great except for its shit grade crankset that loves to strip out. Still looks like a good option for converting entry level hardtails to 1x.
Just one thing... those Cranks are not HT 2, they are 2-Piece desing ;) To uninstall Sram cranks, you only need allen key, do I understand correctly that you need a special extractor for these Cues one? The same as for ISIS Spindle ? if so, it's poorly designed in my opinion, and Sram is better.
You're correct, 2 piece but they have the HT2 also in the lineup, what a mess! It's supposed to be simpler... With that shoulder on the spindle, you will not need the extractor, it comes right off.
@@LoveMTB Great, so now I'am waiting for XT 8200 cranks wiith that system. XTR still are to expensive;) 800 prabobly are HT 2, from that screenshot that you showed.
as an amateur bystander, im just glad for a simplification of their product lines. I think there was way too many overlapping products with little gain on upgrading to the next equipment level. I really like modular mix and match abilities. even at a weight cost.
I agree with you on the too many lines...Shimano recently released an 1 x 8 also, cheaper than this, the ESSA!
I'm still using Shimano XT M770 and M772 from over 10 years ago👍👍
Real workhorses!
I bought my XT M770 crank back in 2008. I'm just replacing the Hollowtek 2 bottom bracket. The fella working on my bike said he's never heard a bottom bracket make the noises mine did. I should have replaced the bottom bracket a few years ago.
I really think the standout interesting piece from the entire CUES lineup is the U6000 double crankset with the 36-22T chainrings and matching FD. The opportunity to get a 669% gear range with the 11-45 cassette, low gear equivalent to a 30-61, and a clutched (U8000) RD all at a bargain price is gonna be really attractive to bikepackers and bike tourers. Especially when CUES compatible brifters get released.
Great point!
@@clickbait2000 supposed to simplify…🤓
@@LoveMTB yeah, sure :-) also now you can't upgrade a cues based bike to SLX or XT without replacing a bunch of parts.
You do know that 2x setups on shimano mtb has been around since forever right? You speak as if it's some newly discovered sht
@@twillyspanksyourcakes But the ability to combine 36-22 with 11-46 is a novelty. That being said, the climb that would require such a low gear would probably have to be vertical ;D But I actually like cues for the ability to get such ratios, and the fact that you could get 36t chainring and 11-50t cassette. If they ever introduce drop bar shifters that will work with MTB-line cues components, this will be a game changer . Mostly for drop bar bikepacking and touring bikes (so far still grinding uphill with 36/46 )
since you have it already,
can you please test if the chainring is compatible with a 12s chain (like the M6100)
thanks
Excited to see your reviews covering the full Shimano Cues line up. Hope to see it soon.
Hope to get my hands on it soon!
I really like Hope too! Best brakes ever.
3:10 - shimano had been using the preload collar before - on XTR 970 series cranks.
Yes true, the only one and that's top of the line, not entry level pricepoint. Why I think it will trickle down to all MTB groupsets next
I have been using for four years now (it’s been available if you looked around). Easiest to setup, adjust and get riding I have ever seen. Absolutely the most robust design ever and bomb proof. An overhaul of an old but solid frame yields a $3500 new bike that can be ridden hard in just about any environment.
Thanks foe the feedback! I like CUES a lot as well
when I bought a complete set of shimano deore u6000, I had problems with squeaking in the bottom bracket area. until I figured out what it is. But the ride comfort, compared to my old drivetrain (sram x3 rear + shimano altus on the front), has improved a lot. thanks for the informative videos!
Thanks for sharing
This looks like a great way for shimano to improve upon having such disparate sets and consolidate into one "entry level package" like they had with STX in the late 90s/early 00s.
Anyone that rode STX in those years knew they were a GREAT groupset - even compatible with SRAM gripshift on bikes like the 1998 rockhopper base model.
I rode that $450 (in 1998) bike for thousands of miles through rainy, muddy, rocky, dry, desert conditions - obviously upgraded from rigid to an Indy XC spring/coil/oil bath fork.
I won many local XC races in Oregon and Washington on a steel frame/STX/Indy.
I'm glad shimano is doing right by customers and introducing a nice kit that doesn't too forcefully push cosumers into the "quality vs price" problem.
Nice, this groupset will have a double use as boat anchors when you wear it out. Super useful! Shimano always thinking of the environment so we don't just throw stuff away when at end of life.
🤣 good one
Eliminating Alivio, Altus, Acera, Sora, and Claris makes a lot of sense, but Deore 10-speed, Deore 11-speed, and Tiagra 4700 were affordable, rock solid components without these kinds of aggressive weight penalties. I'm really not seeing how these new products are an improvement, just a consolidation.
Consolidation = probably big cost savings for them also so that can be the big driver
The good is that All Cues parts can be swap even with different subgroups
@@-Gothicgirl- Yes and no. Same pull ratio, same chain, otherwise different speed depending on the groupset
@@LoveMTB Yeah different speeds but that's the only thing. And one cable ratio is a good thing. No converter needed anymore
@@-Gothicgirl- yeah, exactly. Your 9speed derailleur gets damaged, and you can swap it for 11s, upgrading the remaining parts later, as the drivetrain gets worn out
Somehow an Oktalink throwback (saving the distances) good video!
Yeah similar
I’ve been happy with micro shift with ixf cranks haven’t had any problems in 3 years of use .
yeah ixf jiankun rocks !!!
I just picked up a mint praxis Cadet m24 OEM with bb for $80 cad
Very good quality slightly lighter.
Good Video.
I remember Shimano had Oversized Red Derailleur Pulleys on the really cheap Walmart bikes.
I think it's exciting. My bet Much planing went into these by Shimano. They look sweet.
I still prefer shimano over sram components
So do I, from my years as a bike mechanic and personal use. There's a depth of engineering to Shimano that's not always present in Sram. Still run XT 11 speed on my Meta AM and it's perfect.
@@Ivan-oh6ug same with me, I work at a bike shop and theres a reoccurring theme with Sram, if there's a little play in the guide wheel on the derailleur, it ruins the indexing completely. As for Shimano, iv seen guide wheels warn down all the way to a smooth circle and it still shifts properly
I understand some guys would be attached to some of the outgoing groupsets, but I think cues are looking really good moving forward. In fact, I'm overlooking a 1x11 deore upgrade in favour of cues u6000. First time installing parts like this. I actually couldn't index a derailleur to save my life. I'll see how I fair!
I have 5 vids on this you’ll find one talking about installation 🤘
they should start making 155-165 mm crank length rather than 170 and 175
no
For Dwarfs?
I've been having so much success building cheap 1x9, 1x10, 1x11 wide range drivetrains all using the latest deore derailleur paired with the right speed shifter. So I'm a little worried what happens when they become displaced by cues with an incompatible pull ratio.
well, Deore M5100 is going away but Deore M6100 is not. Derailleur is exactly the same as you see here - ua-cam.com/video/SOV5Ejt9ce0/v-deo.html
So we're good!
@@LoveMTB I know that but first I suspect the price of the derailleur will go up (unboxed OEM sell for about 30 usd now), second it will become hard to find the shifters.
@@doncrescas yeah possibly
Looking at the crank I see what they did there: make sure you have the same wear out problem as with octalink, which is making sure that the crank can't be taken off and on too many times until getting loose. Nice.
Yeah one of my worries also. But maybe slight redesign learning from their prior designs? Time will tell…
Power Spline 2
@@LoveMTB Would you check whether this new crankarm fits the Octalink bottom bracket?
@@PrzemyslawSliwinski I would recommend this mini-series to be able to fully answer that question - ua-cam.com/video/wrw5BmumT-M/v-deo.html
@@LoveMTBThis series seems to be five-year-old. How can it address my question about the CUES - Octalink compatibility?
Spline interface reminds me of octalink. I’m looking forwards to getting my hand on one of these group sets in the future.
Definitely!
I have a 3x9 in a tandem and CUES looks like the way to go (once the quality replacements vanish): it's HG-compatible and have the 32t, 1x cranks that match 46-32, 2x ones. 11-45 and 11-50 cassettes will be [almost] enough for summer and winter rides, respectively.
I only hope the claimed three times longer durability will indeed be the case.
PS
Why didn't they make it 12sp (just to enable 11-12-13...)?
@@PrzemyslawSliwinski I guess to keep the 12s for their premium offering, for now anyway
@@LoveMTB If compatibility between tiers is "the name of the game", I am afraid the 12sp CUES version will not appear at all.
@@PrzemyslawSliwinski Exactly, all these use a 11 chain, thicker than 12s if you remember, all in the name of longevity maybe?
@@LoveMTB Hope so!
I gave a two hour lesson to six riders a month after receiving the components ordered . One block of tutorial for your five part mini - series .
Removable spider would be nice.
Probably available on the next MTB groupsets?
Thank you for your great sharing!
I got Cues 11s U6000 setup lately.
However now I am finding it's really hard to remove crankset. Please kindly let me know how to do crankset removal and tools needed if any?
Thanks so much!
Which crankset do you have? FC-U6000 or FC-U6010 ?
@@senorigor9439 hi bro. It is U6000.
This new budget friendly shimano design is similar to the SRAM. Personally I like the design of the current shimano xtr crankset which I think it is also on the current xt. I personally think it is a better design. I have been using the xtr latest version for 2 months and no issues.
Yeah only XTR uses this I bet next gen Groupsets will use it everywhere
Like they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Ha! I guess so...
The preload ring isn't a SRAM patent. Easton/Raceface had a similar design which is almost identical to the SRAM DUB preload ring, long before SRAM introduced DUB. The Shimano design is their own which does not require a small 2/2.5mm box to pinch the lockring down. Shimano's is friction fit which IMO is a better design (no little bolt to strip).
On Shimano XTR 950 cranks, that little 2.5mm bolt was there on the preload ring. Who knows?
@@trickystitch Don't know what you've been smoking but the XTR950 is a 20+ year old 8/9sp crank on a square taper bottom bracket that used a pin spanner to adjust preload, so by function cannot adjust preload with a collar on the shaft of the crank spindle.
Well low and behold, I had a look at my Xtr cranks and they're actually 970s 🙄 with a 2.5mm lock bolt. So yep, the stuff I smoke is good stuff 🤙
That’s perfect for e-bikes. 😊
It's LINKGLIDE so intended for that kind of use
That's unreasonably heavy even by bargain basement groupset standards.
I'm really interested to see what Shimano pull out of the bag next year though.
It’s got to be a new Groupset me thinks. We will see…
strength>weight
I’m so excited to start seeing Shimano cues components for sale! I’ve been wanting to upgrade the alivio groupset on my commuter bike for a while now and cues seems perfect. The cues shifters will mesh perfectly with my ispec II deore brake levers. All I have to see is if the new cranks and bb will fit my bb shell. I think I will go for the 2x11 u 8000 as soon as it becomes readily available.
You're not upgrading. Cues is the same spec as the lower ones. Upgrading would be replacing your parts with deore or higher
@@twillyspanksyourcakes explain to me how going from an octolink bb and 3x9 with no clutch to a hollow tech bb, 2x11 with a clutch and ispecii shifters to interface with my current brakes isn’t an upgrade.
@@twillyspanksyourcakes you got a response to that?
Salut super vidéo es-ce que je peux utiliser ce pédalier Shimano avec une chaîne basique ??
You should be able to 😏
The U6000 looks very good price wise and engineering wise with a robust linkglide rear cassette available.
I like the new crank design only two Allen keys needed and very robust and easy to install.
A full U6000 group set with U8000 four piston brakes and the new sealed bearing TC500 hubs would be a great mix.
Linkglide and CUES is definitely biased towards E-BIKE use with weight a secondary consideration.
😎👍
But HEAVY...
@@LoveMTB Well obviously if you are a weight weeney you should be looking at Deore XT.
Depending on price some great engineering such as the cranks and the new sealed bearing hubs with the 1:1 pull ratio across all CUES components.
Maybe you should stick to reviewing high end components.
CUES was designed for modularity and to keep midrange components reasonably priced. As well as to give E-BIKES a more robust drivetrain using linkglide cassettes. I don't think weight was a big consideration in the designs.
I think CUES has lived up to expectations so far.
Hi, do you think it would be posible to use Rival cranks on a MTB?
Yes as long as you keep in mind the limitations on the available chainrings. More here - ua-cam.com/video/eQIro27Ar6k/v-deo.html
I also hope you can write a review about the New Shimano Cues 11-speed Cassette soon. They seem to offer good benefits 🙏🏼
I’ll try. Where did you read about that???😊
Already scratched. 😢 Why black anodized?
hopefully shimano gives the correct chainline spacing on this one. I recently bought a M5100x1 crankset which said it was compatible with 135mm qr rear and a 45mm chainline, well it turns out it isn't , it's a 50mm chainline so I had to buy some longer chainring bolts and add 2 flat washers in between the spider and chainring to bring the chainring closer to my frame. I'm still a bit pissed about that and I'm still not at 45mm, I'm about 2mm off.
These are the same and it’s not 45 but 49?
Shimano should bring out a belt drive and make the Alfine hub thru axle compatible.
I randomly found this crank today for the first time. And price wise it could be a solid replacement for my Decathlon Triban RC100, if it breaks.
Just need to find out what bottom bracket works here, and if they'll make budget dropdown shifters.
Ok so from looking at the spindle, the old school cheap bottom bracket with square pins holding the cranks need to go out in my case.
Or do you know if shimano makes a gravel groupset which doesn't cost 3x of my bike?
Looking to stay one-by
AH this is not the 40€ cues crank I saw online, that one does use the old style bottom bracket. 130 bucks for a crank is too much for my bike.
@@Daniel-dj7fh yup have a video on square taper bb upgrade check it out
@@Daniel-dj7fh it shouldn’t be that much!
The only thing I like about Shimano is their crankset preload adjustment...thanks Shimano
I have them the bad part is there is no lock out the for the side play adjustment and you could latter find yourself with stuck cranks and repairs
I mentioned that in my video. Has not happened yet and we've used the CUES bike on and off the whole season.
That's an odd BCD with CUES I wonder if anything like a 52T would fit? I'm guessing not. For my purpose I need a 104 BCD and a 52T sprocket, so I can't use it, but I will use their cassette and derailleur. Thx for the vid!
@@colomacountry it’s an 11 speed chain so use with whatever chainring and crank you want
Great video! Great channel! Thank you!
If the components are much more durable, as claimed, then the weight penalty is not a big issue for me.
Guess we'll have to wait a while to be able to confirm that.
Supposedly Shimano has optimized CUES for low cost E-bikes. Though with Altus and Acera going away I suspect the chinesium ebikes will probably switch to chinesium groupsets from Sensa or L-Twoo.
the most important thing is that no one has really tested the real resource of this transmission yet.
would've love to have those cranks in 160mm ❤😊
Not available though…
@@LoveMTB why though? Even in deore they didn't do short length cranks. I get know saint/zee cranks are short but they're a lil expensive maybe the could make shorter cranks on lower end/mid ends products.
Inter-compatability, added durability, & competitive pricing for the trade off for weight?
If you're not into competition and pref longevity with the flexibility of parts for upgrading or replacing; I would go for cues.
I believe you summarized perfectly what Shimano was after with CUES!
What would be nice is a real in the flesh test of the HG chains on these crank sets. TBH, the move toe CUES killed the Alivio groupset off. It was the only groupset other than GRX to offer 2 x 9 46-30T cranks and now all I can see available is the CUES but that means changing the WHOLE groupset, levers and all to that and that is rather costly...
I believe it's their plan to kill Alivio with CUES
@@LoveMTB a real shame specially when i just upgraded to Alivio 😭
@@TheMozerfok It's ok, enjoy your new drivetrain!
@@LoveMTB oh you don't have to tell me that twice!
Hola se puede colocar un plato genérico más grande para reemplazar el 32 original?
I recieved four 8 x 1 ESSA sets a short time ago for testing .
Let us know what you think about those! Have not seen one in person yet.
Hi! Im from the PH, do you have any idea on how to pull the crank out of the BB? mine's stucked. A video tutorial will be a lot of help. Thanks in advanced!
Thanks for the video!
You bet!
Hello. Do you have a video on how to remove Cues Crankset? They stay in place like square taper and there's no available crank puller yet for this.
Crank puller is what I mention in the install video check it out. Standard ones work
looks like a decent entry level groupset. so far looks better then Sram SX. we will see though
Anything is better than SRAM SX...and I see that on top of the line Trek Marlin for instance.
SX is junk, as is NX 😂
How can I remove the cranks once I've tightened them down? Even after I removed the bolt it seems it's using a compression fitting and it isn't allowing me to remove the cranks..
Crank press/ extractor?
Durable groupset linkglide👍🏻👍🏻
Hope it lives up to the Shimano marketing hype!
not really. cassette will be more durable but the chain is the same thing. and the chain is the first to go usually!
Too bad the chainring isn’t DM. Just seems to be a consolidation of the low end stuff but I doubt most of us on here would seek this groupset out for a build.
Agree, but I bet we'll see a lot of this on the bikes in 2024!
Can the 11s Cassette work with a RD-M5100 Rear Derailleur? do they have the same spacing? they do seem to be the same RD
Don’t know yet have not seen it in person. Then there’s the pull ratio that can be different on this.
But they use the new crankset and chains which is not compatible with 'old' (maybe) 10/11s MTB or road chain.
And I bought some 3x crankset & FD & shifters as the collections.
11 speed is the future 👌🏻
-ish...?😆
@@LoveMTB I have a 12 speed Deore here and I rarely use every gear, 10 is fine and I can still use my old shifters and derailleur etc so long as the cassette still has a _high_ high and a _low_ low, maybe we could just have 5! 😂
@@ToddNZMTB Always depends on the terrain you ride. We use 10-50 or 10-51 and the least used cog is 10t, otherwise all others get their fair share.
@@LoveMTB I definitely prefer to go up or down and try to avoid flat, you race though so more gears just makes sense! Do you have any race videos to post? BC BR perhaps?
@@ToddNZMTB You can see some older local races on my channel. No stage race for me, my knees are shot so short and intense ok, long endurance nope.
Very interesting product ! Was wondering about chainring bcd and replacement? Kind of looks riveted! Thanks
Not at all, it has the Shimano asymetrical BCD 96mm
@@LoveMTB awesome , thanks !
New subscriber and I need a good drivetrain for my Fuji . It's a Franken bike but it's mine and it's just for road use . It's flat where I live so I don't need a ton of gears but I do like the range of these 1x drivetrains .
Welcome! CUES would be just what you need?😊
@LoveMTB no doubt . I was looking at srams cheapest one crankset included just under 5 bills . I bought the bike on Facebook marketplace for 250 bucks 😹😹😹
@LoveMTB my bikes a Fuji Absolute 2.3 . It's a cherry bike and I ride the crap out of it . I love it but I want a 1x drivetrain in either 9 10 11 or 12 speed . It's s 1x 9 speed but only gets 2 gears 😹😹😹
Is it possible to replace the Jockey wheel of my Old xt 11s rd with 12s Shimano Pulley?
They are bigger
I always found 2 bolt system to be superior to anything else on the market. Still rocking full X01 eagle mechanical except for SLX crankset which is way better than most of sram DUmB offerings. Sadz theyre getting rid of that advantage
Yes it is unfortunate
@@LoveMTB I believe they changed it cuz of logistics and warehousing. Retail package would be about 4 times smaller than classic 2 bolt left loose arm variant. OEM packaging difference will be even bigger imho. Perhaps 6:1?
@@Silkl4sh Never thought of it that way but you're correct, I would say about 1:4
Is this compatible with the M4100 groupset?
Question about the ring on the crankset that takes out side to side slack: Doesn't it have some kind of a pinch bolt to secure the ring from loosening?
Actually there isn't! SRAM has one but maybe it is looser in their case, this is a fine thread. Good questions
@@LoveMTB Interesting, so you just finger tight the axial slack? Sounds like leaving a loose bolt. I'll see for myself when Cues gets more widespread and buy a groupset for myself.
Thank you for verifying that!
No worries, I"ll be running a u6000 on a beater bike over the winter so I'll be able to repport back@@Triplex5014
Anyway you’d start similar deep dives into road bike components as well?
Great ask! If I can find a partner to help for sure. For now Bikecomponents only carries GRX, and I'm using an 11s groupset now. When the 12s is available I will probably do a deep dive.
Why are the new Linkglide not compatible with older 10 or 11 speed Shimano products? I haven't heard any statements that explain it explicitly. I'm really interested in buying the 10s Deore groupset for my ebike (I never use the granny gear, if I'm on a slope that steep I'm going to flip backwards) but want a shifter that can fit to I-spec EV brakes. Any chance the shifter internals can be transplanted into a 12s or older 11s I-spec 11 (some I-spec 11 can be modded to fit I-spec EV) shifter?
Most probably shifter internals cannot be used with other housing as their shape is different. As for "not compatible" I have to get my hands on the rest of the drivetrain to take a closer look 😉
CUES uses a brand new pull ratio that is consistent within it's lineup regardless of 9, 10, or 11 speed. It is completely incompatible with any other Shimano pull ratio. It's a downgrade in my opinion and floods the market with yet another Shimano incompatibility issue.
@@theshonen8899 ok, thanks. I get that Deore LG is a downgrade from my SLX/XT 12s drivetrain, but I want it for the short cage and the extra longevity won't go amiss.
Hello! Can I use Deore M5100 crankset with Cues chain, rear derailleur u6000 and casette?
yes 💯 make sure you get the cues derailleur/cassette and shifter to make it work right though.
@@LoveMTB thanks a lot, I just checked and even the chain-line in the same=52. I was worrying about HG technology of crankset and LG tech of the entire group set
Same chsin so all good! Have a couple of more vids about CUES...@@lollol2283
@@LoveMTB how many rings should I install on hallotech 2 for cues u6000?
Not sure I follow your question@@lollol2283
can I use deore xt linkglide 11 speed derailleur to a deore xt m8000 shifter?
I just bought a new ebike that has CUES U4000 9 speed derailleurs and a LINKGLIDE LG300, 11-46, 9 speed cassette. Specs say that the chain is a Shimano LG500 9/10/11 speed chain (one chain for three different speeds???). I like to carry a quick link, but what size is appropriate or best? Thank you.
I have a series of these videos on CUES check them out. You have an 11 speed chain
@@LoveMTB Thank you.
Is the 11s chainring cross compatible with Shimano Deore 11s?
Yea definitely they use the same chain!
@@LoveMTB i mean not the chains but the chainring
Yes they are compatible. As an example I mentioned that they use the same chain ;)@@procopiobucaio8840
Any idea about the torque spec for the cranks?
It is 35 - 50Nm and I usually use 40Nm
So you cant replace the chainring ?
Yes definitely
It looks like tech to the right direction but seems the prices are high?
Lets see if they going down soon and really become great .
You mean prices for this groupset? It's like 400 cad with cranks
@@LoveMTB Yes , for this group set.
Prices are always high at the beginning but drop afterwards.
@@trelosenario Got it
I could use the Shimano Cues LG400 11-50T cassette with a Shimano Deore RD-M5100 rear derailleur - Shimano XT SL-M8000 I-SPEC II shifter and a KMC X11.93 11 speed chain ?
Yes, that will work great!
I'm so desappointed, I saw on Bike component's that the U4010-2 crankset was compatible with a BSA68 but it's not true, the spandle is to long, even using the plastic ring the side to side play is to important.... what did I do wrong ?!
For 68 mm BB shell you need spacers on both sides, two on drive dude one on non drive side
@@LoveMTB yes I got spacers but to install them I have to remove the crankset but I don’t see how to do it, even with a crank puller…?
@@guillaumeh8116 look up in my videos one that talks about Rocky Mountain upgrade, and I have another series about how-to build a bike from scratch. Take your time
I dont like this preload system because it makes the crankset wider. i‘m pretty sure they made this to fit all bottom bracket width with one crankset…i prefer the old system…
I hear you, looks pretty bulky vs sram
I hope its available on 155mm.
Post probably not. They east to limit the skus on these so 170 and 175
Wasn't there a crappy XTR 3rd or 4th gen that was the same as these cranks. Bits falling off the drive side
Yeah the current XTR 12s uses a similar design
Guano!
Can i use this crank on may deore drivetrain?
Which Deore?
@@LoveMTB 10s deore
@@LoveMTB im using kmc x10 116L chain
@@LoveMTB using m5100 crank now
It will work just fine but it is NOT an upgrade of what you have currently just to be clear.@@JeffreyPerez-n5b
Thanks for a delightful sat morning watching lovemtb vids!!! Crank arms are my bane of existence right now here's why.I have a 2020 bulls monster e fs its ultra rare its the only full sus fat bike with the bosch cx motor,it came with 170mm cranks(to many pedal strikes),so I contacted bulls to see if I could get some 160mm cranks only to find the answer was no and they didn't even have a oem set to sell me.The left crank has more offset then any other crank arm made today,so if I break the left crank I get to throw my $6500.00 bike in the trash (thx for nothing bulls!!)I have contacted every manufacturer(5dev,raceface,fsa etc)and no one is willing to build me a one off set of cranks!!Does anyone know of a company or machine shop that would be willing to help me out?Cheers!!!
Which one is better? Deore M5100 or Cues U6000? Which one should I get? They're in the same price range in our country.
cues
The problem with that kind of spindle design is destroying the other end of the BB, but I guess that was my tragedy because my mechanics tighten the preload cap too much😅
Still not sure why the Big S doesn't do carbon cranks....
Not really that impressed. It got heavier than the current m5100 crankset. Definitely going to stock up some m5100 groupset...
Hurry up those are going away!😆
Hi, coming from a 38t 1x10 set up, can I switch to 36t rings?
Will the cues fits the marin larkspur 1?thanks in advance
It should
@@LoveMTB thank you for a quick response... What crank do you recommend if I will replace the stock crank of marin larkspur 1?
@ check out my Trek Marlin upgrade video or Rocky Mountain worth upgrading videos
I'm interested in 10 speed with 32t crank and 11-48 cassette. I wonder about durability, because my 12 speedsucks in that matter. 2 months for a 6100 chain and it stretched to 0,5 % That's absurd. Too bad i can't change freehub that easily.
these are hardened steel it's gonna last
@@growingup4487 Already on Deore 5130 and 11-43. Works flawessly :)
Mhh the tooth of the spindle and the Cover on the drive side looks like from shimano octalink taken
Yeah they're always re-using their designs, aren't they?
@@LoveMTB why not? That Design was really good working
I like that they created new parts with the price going down instead of up.
I’m more princess then that to use the CUES😂, but I like there move!👌
these are not Hollowtech?
Nope
The strategy behind these seems a bit odd. Heavier, back to sort of octa-link, different preload. Fixed spider which limits how small the chainring can be. I was expecting something similar to rotor with a modular approach.
If you look at their target audience for these, road, hybrid, light mtb, probably cheap OEM groupsets for a ton of bikes, they probably did only what they needed to for now. The rest of the changes/ innovation will probably come out with the next generation MTB groupsets, whenever that is.
@@LoveMTB Thats fair I guess. I thought these components were meant to consolidate the crazy number of SKU's across low to midrange MTB, Gravel and Road. The dumbest thing Shimano did was change the cable ratio between road and mtb, thus needing even more SKU's when Gravel became a thing. Other than using a common chain, I honestly don't think this is the fix that everyone hoped for. It sounds like the whole mess will just get worse.
@@davidh7414 I kind of agree with the mess part...
Thank you for the detailed introduction. I would also be interested in whether and which 12-speed chain would work with this Cues 1-speed chainring...🤔?
The idea is, (based on your video ua-cam.com/video/COACxEtQUR8/v-deo.html ) to combine this crankset (but with a 42-tooth chainring), with a 12-speed cassette (a Sunrace 903), to achieve more continuous gear steps in the middle gearrange on my trekkingbike.
Thanks
The 12s chains, definitely the Shimano 12s are proprietary, won't work well with everything. I have more testing to do and also look at the rest of the CUES drivetrain, more to come soon. So sorry don't have an answer now.
Im waiting for some company copy or buy idea from box one components prime 9 (1x9spd grupset with 11-50 cassette but please No in one Peace metal or in chester version ) wider chain than 11or 12 spd are stronger and more resistant for stretching..more clearance in cassete mean light but better faster clean simply..
This crankset its better than Shimano deore 1x11 crankset???
@@Charisiou I don’t like it as much…
Well, hopefully, Shimano, Mike catch up at some point! Eagle all the way!
Now I wonder if you will actually see these groupsets actually go on entry level hardtails that would normally have run something like Altus or Acera. Or will they just double down on the cheap and try to slap Tourney and 7 speed freehub onto $1000 bikes or run chinesium groupsets off Ali Express. It could also displace Deore 12s on budget build full sus bikes which would also suck since Deore 12s is great except for its shit grade crankset that loves to strip out. Still looks like a good option for converting entry level hardtails to 1x.
I am convins it is their goal, we will see when new 2024 bikes come out.
Just one thing... those Cranks are not HT 2, they are 2-Piece desing ;)
To uninstall Sram cranks, you only need allen key, do I understand correctly that you need a special extractor for these Cues one? The same as for ISIS Spindle ? if so, it's poorly designed in my opinion, and Sram is better.
You're correct, 2 piece but they have the HT2 also in the lineup, what a mess! It's supposed to be simpler...
With that shoulder on the spindle, you will not need the extractor, it comes right off.
@@LoveMTB Great, so now I'am waiting for XT 8200 cranks wiith that system. XTR still are to expensive;)
800 prabobly are HT 2, from that screenshot that you showed.
@@COOLBIKEyt Yes they seem to be. Have not seen one in person though.
What's the point of going into SRAM direction? I used to like Shimano, but if they are going to copy SRAM, I'm bying SRAM.
I'm sure that's not how they talk about it, probably called innovation 😆
What does "aggressively priced" mean...?? cheap, expensive....?
Low price usually