Shimano Ultegra RX First Look | What Is A Clutch Mech & What's It For?

Do you like to veer off smooth tarmac on your road bike, race cyclocross or delight in exploring gravel? We asked Ollie to investigate Shimano's new clutch rear mech, the Ultegra RX, to see whether it could benefit riders of these disciplines.

Subscribe: http://gcntech.co/subscribetogcntech
The GCN Shop: http://gcntech.co/8j

In association with Shimano.

In Spring 2018 Shimano launched this, the RX rear derailleur at the Ultegra level. It’s a first for them on the road because it features a so called clutch mechanism, and in this video we’ll explain what exactly that is, what it’s for, and when you might need one. With the help of a white cloth. Firstly, to the workshop.

There is a carefully balanced amount of spring tension in a rear derailleur. Too much and you’ll add unnecessary resistance to the chain, not enough, and you’ll get chain slap all over the place any time you encounter a bump.

With road groupsets increasingly being put to use on bikes that predominantly tackle off road, be it cross, gravel or whatever, they now have to handle larger forces acting on the mech, from bigger and repeated bumps. Hence the introduction of this. Chain management.

As I said, this is a first for Shimano on the road, because the technology comes from their mountain bike derailleurs, where it’s been in fact since Shadow Plus was released in 2011. It’s designed to reduce chain slap, and therefore reduce the chance of your chain coming off, as well as adding welcome silence to your bike.

It does this by resisting forces that pull the derailleur downwards, so a bump from the road pushing the bike up, or the weight of the chain flapping up and down.

Now, you might think that it does it by pulling the derailleur up with more force, ie with a stronger spring, except that it doesn’t. Contrary to popular opinion, it’s not a stronger spring, it’s actually a band that increases friction, and only in one direction. Let me show you how it works.

If you enjoyed this video, make sure to give it a thumbs up and share it with your friends. 👍

If you'd like to contribute captions and video info in your language, here's the link - http://gcntech.co/8i

Watch more on GCN Tech...
📹 Gravel Tech at Eurobike http://gcntech.co/graveltech

Music: Mind - Mar Vei
Straight Out The Basement 3 - Axel Ljung
Toasted - Dylan Sitts
Turnaround - Tigerblood Jewel

Photos: © Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images & © Bettiniphoto / http://www.bettiniphoto.net/

Brought to you by the world’s biggest cycling channel, the Global Cycling Network (GCN), GCN Tech goes deeper into the bikes, kit and technology stories that matter.

GCN Tech is utterly obsessed with seeking out and showcasing the best in bikes, tech, products and upgrades. Everywhere. Every week. From news and rumours, first ride exclusives, how-tos, the weekly GCN Tech Show, pro bikes, set-up tips and more, we geek out over the tiny details that can make the big differences to you.

With years of racing and industry expertise, we also bring you instructive maintenance videos to hone your mechanical skills, as well as behind the scenes factory tours and in-depth analysis of kit chosen by the pro peloton to keep your finger on the pulse of cycling’s latest technological innovations.

Engage with us every week on the channel and across social media – we’re here to answer every question you’ve got on cycling tech.

Suscribirse a GCN en Español: http://gcn.eu/Suscribirse
Facebook - http://gcntech.co/gcntechfb
Instagram - http://gcntech.co/gcntechinsta
Twitter - http://gcntech.co/gcntechtweet