Gravel Grinder News: Leaks From Shimano, Tease From Cannondale

Enhanced image. (Courtesy of Cannondale social media)

New Aero Cannondale Gravel Bike?.

Over the weekend a Cannondale post on Bluesky social media (and other channels) showed a shadowy image of what looks like a gravel bike with a decided lean to aero. 

In the image you can see a few details that would perhaps lead to this being a new gravel bike. There is the definite lack of a front derailleur, for one thing, and that sculpted, thin section seat tube near the bottom bracket points to a way to allow for more comfort over rougher roads like gravel. 

Also notable is the "three-pack" bosses on the down tube, something you probably would not put on a road racing bike. The tires seem to be skin wall and while it is hard to tell, there is a hint of knobs there, again indicating a gravel bike/cyclo cross bike vs a road racing bike. 

Finally, Cannondale indicated in their teaser that this was going to be an "X-rated release". Cannondale has traditionally used the "X" designation for its cyclo - cross bikes. However; Cannondale has also used the same frame for both CX and gravel so this may also be an instance where this is a new aero gravel bike AND a new CX bike. 

Stay tuned....

As seen on various websites recently

Shimano XTR Leaked?.

Over the past week or so many online sources have been showing what is believed by many to be the next Shimano XTR derailleur. 

Featuring what appears to be a fully wireless design, the rear derailleur has a battery in the parallelogram, and the front derailleur battery appears to be of a different size in images I have seen. 

While this may point to a new update coming soon to Shimano's flagship MTB group, many believe that GRX stands to gain similar design cues soon as well. Could we see a new GRX 13 Di2 with a completely wireless derailleur and shifter design? 

Time will tell. Traditionally these leaks happen in the months leading up to Sea Otter, where Shimano has released its MTB and Road updates in the past. If any news on GRX is coming, it most likely would be released or teased at Unbound, and then fully released in the Summer.  

Comments: While aero road design and techy, fully electronic "gizmo" drive trains are seemingly what the racers want, and what the big component brands are willing to give us, this always begs the question: "What about us Regular Folks?" 

Many people do not care for, or want a fully aero gravel/road bike or a technological wonder for a drive train. Simple, easy to maintain, and FUN bicycles with long-lasting, low-cost maintenance drive trains have a place. I know that many might point to CUES as being an example of the drive train I am thinking of, but that is not quite it really. 

Once upon a time, way back during the Interbike days, Gary Fisher opined to me that what the regular folks want/need is a drive train made with the eye to quality and function that the first XTR group had in 1992. 100% mechanical, but the very highest precision, beautifully anodized parts that had great durability and service life. 

He wasn't wrong then, and he isn't wrong for us in 2025. I'd like to see a complete group with a "better than" CUES level of execution that was 100% mechanical. But that is probably a pipe dream....