Shimano Granted Another FCC Wireless Approval for Derailleur & Control

Dec 17, 2021 at 5:19
by James Smurthwaite  
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Shimano has been granted Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval for a wireless derailleur and control. The FCC regulates communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable across the United States and approval is required to ensure it complies with their standards before it can be released.

Spotted by mtb-news.de, this is the second FCC approval Shimano has been granted this year following WY7-3GK1 a rear derailleur and WY7-927A a wireless module (shifter) posted in January , which turned out to be for the new Dura-Ace Di2 R9200 and Ultegra Di2 R8100, released at the end of August.

Once again, the details on this new groupset are locked away behind a confidentiality agreement but we can definitely wildly speculate as to what might be going on here. Of course, our first thought is that this could be the first hint of a wireless Di2 version of the current XTR groupset. Shimano last updated the XTR groupset back in June 2018, which will mean it hits its four-year anniversary right around the time the confidentiality agreement runs out on this filing. Shimano's doesn't currently have any wireless shifting in their mountain bike drivetrain lineup, whereas SRAM now has AXS capabilities on three of its offerings, XX1, X01 and GX. Shimano generally adopts new technologies later than SRAM but they must certainly be feeling the pressure to have their own wireless groupset now we're two years on from AXS' introduction. It's surely a question of when, not if, Shimano drops a wireless mountain bike groupset.

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Shimano wireless? Surely it's coming soon but it might not be from this filing.

Are there any other possibilities for what this could be? Of course there are. Firstly, both components work off the same frequency (2,478 Mhz) as the Dura Ace and Ultegra groupsets released earlier this year. This could just be Shimano's favored frequency or it could be that they are bringing the technology down to 105 level in their road line up. To me this doesn't make a huge amount of sense as it's doubtful they have recouped the cost of R&D enough to trickle down the technology. Instead, it seems more likely that this is just a similar technology to the current road groupsets and could share the 'wiredless' method of wireless controls linking to a central battery that controls the derailleur using wires.

The second thing to notice is that the filing is for a 'dual control' lever. We read that as a lever that operates the brakes and well as the gears. There are no prizes here for pointing out that Shimano has produced Dual Control mountain bike brakes in the past but we highly doubt they're returning to that technology in 2022. Instead, we'd look to their GRX gravel groupset to be the alternate possibility for what the dual control levers operate.

Whatever the case, the confidentiality agreement will end on 15 June 2022 so put that date in your diary for a potential release of this new technology. You can check out the FCC filings for the derailleur, here, and the control, here.

Shimano said, "Shimano is constantly working on the development of new products. However, we do not comment on rumours or speculation about products, whether they are in development or not."

Author Info:
jamessmurthwaite avatar

Member since Nov 14, 2018
1,770 articles

129 Comments
  • 98 3
 Finally wireless brakes!
  • 23 5
 by 2029 all bikes will be 80% battery
  • 1 1
 WOW, I had to take a double look. Holy shit! It finally came true!
  • 41 0
 @dmob319: 60% of the time, it works every time!
  • 7 0
 @dan23dan23: So, if your ride is 50% up and 50% down, and it works 60% of the time - that works for me if it works 100% of the time on the downhills.
  • 95 2
 Hydraulic brakes are already wireless.
  • 32 0
 @nickfranko: tubeless brakes then
  • 2 9
flag CSharp (Dec 17, 2021 at 11:30) (Below Threshold)
 OK, I had to really look on this hose-less brake. It more or less looked like a pair of 91xx brake piston on the handlebar. If it's wireless (hose-less), why does it need a piston reservoir or one that look one? Shimano can get rid of that whole thing and just make a receiver/transmitter that's way smaller so you don't have to worry about breaking that part off on a crash. Tuck that transmitter under the handlebar!
  • 8 0
 @CSharp: Surely you're overthinking the obvious photoshop job and that the hose is just not in frame... or is your sarcasm just over my head? Confused
  • 1 0
 @thook: LOL, fake news!
  • 1 0
 @CSharp: whoosh!
  • 1 2
 Oops forget to charge me up - No brakes on today ride baby!!!
  • 1 0
 @CSharp: IF they’re going wireless braking they will need some sort of feed back. Otherwise you’d grab full brake every time. The master cylinder could house some sort of resistance feed back device. I like the idea but doubt it will be a thing.
  • 1 0
 them photoshop skillz
  • 1 0
 @Tt31979: They could make a wireless braking system pretty "tuneable" to get just the right lever feel. At the bottom I guess there would be a strain-gauge that would measure your input and map that to the actual braking force. After that, the sky is the limit to how you want to tune brake lever feel. With springs (or maybe even a hydraulic circuit in the lever/master-cylinder you could probably get pretty close to a regular hydraulic feel. Alternatively you could go full F-16 and have very little travel travel at all at the lever. People are pretty adaptable, and after an initial period of bitching, tend to adjust well.

But just to draw my line in the sand, it would be a loooong time before I would be interested in putting any electric gizmos on my bike (I've even taken off the tiny bike computer/gps that I once had). I'm not racing, so any fractional improvement to performance by electro systems is negligible. It doesn't improve convenience since I would have to charge batteries. Reliability/durability is all that is left, and I'm still on the fence on those.
  • 1 0
 @nickfranko: Touche
  • 43 0
 Hopefully an electronic headset, I could definitely see myself buying an electronic headset, for sure need that power steering.
  • 13 1
 You have inspired me. Let's add a motor to it for handsfree bar spins.
  • 7 0
 We can adjust the head angle with an app on our phones...lol
  • 3 0
 I’d prefer my power steering to be driven by a belt from the cranks. Add another belt to an alternator to charge the rest of my bike.
  • 24 8
 Imagine if you will - everyone has them - and during a WC XC race - everyone's bike starts shifting from just one dude's shifter.
  • 4 0
 Hacking into them isn’t far fetched. About a decade ago a company hacked into numerous automotive systems via TPMS and were able to control other functions like ABS, traction control, steering wheel control (on the cars that parallel park themselves). All in closed course conditions, they caused cars to have serious accidents
  • 1 2
 @neimbc: this is exactly what I was thinking. I’m no scientist but this could surely happen right? If they are all on the same frequency?
  • 1 0
 That was basically what happened with the Mavic Mektronic system in the ‘90s. Except it was radar guns and power lines.
  • 1 0
 @DizzyNinja: Now that'd be mean. If you really want to prank your friends that's genius.
  • 1 1
 @ElDebarge: Surely the system would incorporate encryption and device pairing? Its not like you hear about millions of people getting their phones hacked through bluetooth?
  • 1 0
 @kylar: I have a fond memory of trying to hold a pace line while hysterically laughing as our buddy’s brand new Mavic equipped bike shifted like it was possessed. He took off the group that night and went back to his DA setup. I kinda wish I knew what happened to those parts.
  • 1 0
 @st-lupo: How does Bluetooth hacking work? ... If the cybercriminals can replicate a trusted network, they can trick your device into connecting to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices that they control. The hackers can then bombard your device with malware, spy on you and even steal your data from your text messages and apps


www.pandasecurity.com › ha...
How hackers are targeting your phone through Bluetooth - Panda Security
  • 1 0
 @ElDebarge: Yowtch! I didn’t know about that one. It seems though that the BT attacks work due to a poor design to the handshaking procedure during pairing. So I guess most people would do pairing at home, one time. Once encryption is setup on the end-points an in-situ attack would be pretty much impossible?
  • 6 0
 "Firstly, both components work off the same frequency (2,478 Mhz) as the Dura Ace and Ultegra groupsets released earlier this year"

Reading too much into this. Probably Shimano efficiency using the same radio chip. 2.4Ghz is an unlicensed band that can be used without purchasing the spectrum. Bluetooth, RC cars, etc. all use it.
  • 2 1
 Also Wi-Fi and microwaves. Imagine riding past someone’s house and your shifting starts acting wonky from someone’s microwave which is emitting noise across the whole band.
  • 11 3
 Shimano Di2 is legit. I wasn't sure when I splurged on my road bike, but I am glad I did.
  • 5 1
 I do have to agree with you. I put Di2 on my gravel bike and it is fantastic. I am still on the fence about going electronic on my MTBs though. While I have only destroyed 5 or 6 rear derailleurs in 30 years of riding off-road, the expense to replace is what always crosses my mind.
  • 1 15
flag CSharp (Dec 17, 2021 at 11:33) (Below Threshold)
 @Offrhodes: You must be a dentist if you can afford to replace 5 or 6 Di2 derailleurs!
  • 29 1
 @CSharp: Without complications, it would be three root canals, five fillings, and maybe one extraction. Easy day, riding by 3pm.
  • 8 5
 @CSharp: I hate to be the one to point this out but Di2 was not out 30 years ago...
  • 6 1
 Di2 is nice but if building a bike oneself I'll go with etap every time. I've got a road bike with Di2 and now two with etap. The Di2 build took a remarkably long time. Lots of futzing with wire routing, dealing with multiple junction boxes and the seat-tube battery. If you've got all the right pieces, it's still a multi-hour process. And god help you if your frame isn't built with Di2 in mind. Compare that to etap. It's literally a 10 minutes process. Screw the bits on, sync them together, and done. And thus far at least SRAM has done less artificial crippling of their components than Shimano.
  • 18 1
 @ridingofthebikes: @ridingofthebikes: I hate to be the one who points this out but you understand he's been RIDING for 30 years... where he broke 5 derailleurs, so now he hesitates to buy an expensive one on his MTB bike.
  • 2 0
 I’ve had Di2 on my XC bike since it first came out on XTR and it’s brilliant! My battery died the other day so I had to stick my old mechanical XTR on and I seriously miss the Di2! Could definitely do with being wireless though!
  • 1 7
flag CSharp (Dec 17, 2021 at 12:58) (Below Threshold)
 @ridingofthebikes: Still a dentist if you can still afford a set Big Grin
  • 3 0
 @Jo-rides: You win for having actual reading comprehension.

@CSharp: And just to clarify I am the exact opposite of a dentist. I am a government employee.
  • 4 0
 @CSharp: I'm poor. It's about priorites.
  • 1 0
 @igxqrrl: I hear ya, it was a huge pain in the ass. But..., how may times are you building up your bike from scratch compared to how many hours you get to ride it? Once it's set up, you're good to go for years.
  • 1 0
 @igxqrrl: 100%. I just built a bike with AXS for this exact reason. I have two Di2 bikes and the one time I had to take one bike apart to get the stupid malfunctioning battery out, and then put it all back together was nightmare. If Shimano went wireless I would likely go back though even though I think electronic takes the edge away from Shimano in shifting since my main gripe with SRAM has always been how their shifters feel like garbage. The AXS is really great.
  • 1 0
 For everybody that has Di2/AXS and loves it: what exactly is it that you love about it? Is it the different push-button feel? Does it really shift that much better than a well adjusted hyperglide + system? Does it buzz your taint every 5 miles to let you keep track of your performance?

And is the improvement with electric shifting about the same as the improvement with AXS droppers?
The dude that sold me my frame also wanted to sell me an AXS dropper. After I tried it and he told me the price, I just laughed.
  • 1 0
 @st-lupo: For the Di2 on my gravel bike the things I love about it are:
1. it never misses a shift in any weather
2. Not that a mechanical shifter takes much effort, but the effort to shift Di2 is even simpler. Below freezing rides and a push of a button, no missed shift
3. shifting performance does not degrade over time, no housing and cable to get gunked up
4. For me the shape of the Ultegra hoods is just fantastic. I prefer SRAM on my mtn bike and did not like the shape of previous Shimano road levers/hoods, but the Di2 fits my hands perfectly.
Those are my main reasons. I would really like to try AXS on a mtb so I can campare to the GX Eagle I have.
  • 5 0
 Wouldn't the dual lever be shifting and dropper not shifter and brakes.... didn't read the patent or msot of the article ....but this make more sense in my uniformed keyboard warrior mind.
  • 4 0
 i think it's not gonna be amazing if shimano makes another di2 system with WIRED batteries. like.... does that not literally defeat the purpose of *WIRELESS* shifting...? cutting the direct connection between the derailleur and replacing that connection with batteries and wires does not give you wireless shifting that makes sram's wireless stuff so great. I even put a gx axs kit on my shimano XT chain and cassette and it has been the best upgrade i've made in years
  • 3 0
 Wish the opportunity was taken to use the frame to integrate wired systems and centralized battery to run all servos. Then just attach components which provide contact points and plug in your controls into a hub. Would make for a reliable package that wouldn't require batteries at multiple locations
  • 6 1
 Well done Shimano for creating a time machine that allows travelling to 4 years ago.
  • 3 0
 If only...I would tell myself to stockpile anything and everything.
  • 2 1
 @noapathy: Bitcoin.
  • 2 0
 I think road cycling accidentally solved a different technical issue in mountain biking than they were intending. Electric shifting does nice micro adjustments to front derailleurs. But most mountain bikes dont have front derailleurs. Electric shifting actually solves a different technical issue for some mtb riders. If you happen to be inspired by the guys throwing barspins and tailwips on mountain bikes, electric is the solution shift cable stretch issues.
  • 1 0
 It also solved the fact that maintaining cables covered in mud and water, inside housing is terrible.
  • 1 0
 @warmerdamj: thats valid, but im not convinced, i believe those conditions affect derailleurs long before they affect cables and housing.
  • 1 0
 @live4trails: Well they don't? That's why people replace/service their cables and housing annually vs replacing their derailleur.
  • 1 0
 @warmerdamj: i thought about it. your absolutely right.
  • 2 0
 Existing Solution: Shimano 12-speed components with Hyperglide+ (chain and cassette), combined with a Sram AXS derailleur and "controller".

All the advantages of Shimano shifting, combined with Sram electronic shifting and rear clutch. I have it on my current enduro bike, and it works flawlessly.
  • 1 0
 I thought that the shifting still isn't *quite* as good as it is with a shimano mech (there was a Bikemag article on it) any more thoughts on this? Really tempted to try this on my XC bike, since I absolutely love Hyperglide shifting, but already lost two mechs to the clutch seizing up. Do you still use SRAM jockey wheels?
  • 2 0
 @Paluzas: I do use the Sram jockey wheels. It's a stock, standard GX AXS derailleur and shifter combo.

Personally, I've found zero drawbacks to the combo system matching the AXS to the XT HG+. The mechanic that set it up did have to do a bit of tinkering, but seemed to suggest that it was no big deal. Otherwise, it just works. Smile
  • 1 1
 The Shimano shifting alone would be worth the wait. Sram AXS shifts like clunky sh*t! Installed it for about 2 months and quickly threw my XTR drivetrain back on. Sold that SHAM AXS pronto.

I’ll gladly stick with the cable for now..lol
  • 18 18
 Too little too late, Shimano. Even your new Dura Ace 9250 is heavier than Red AXS, more expensive, isn't even fully wireless and still suffers from the problem of not having a battery that is easily removed on the fly should you need to do so. New XTR Di2 will be doing nothing special enough to warrant choosing it over Eagle AXS unless you're just a Shimano fanboy/fangirl. lol
  • 45 32
 sram sucks.
  • 6 13
flag ridingofthebikes (Dec 17, 2021 at 11:45) (Below Threshold)
 also the "i'm a fan boi here are the stats why I'm better and SCREW you other fan bois of other brands" is a ugly look.
  • 12 7
 @ridingofthebikes: I never said I wasn't a SRAM fanboy, but there are also just clear facts why AXS is a better system than the new Di2.
  • 7 11
flag nzandyb (Dec 17, 2021 at 12:49) (Below Threshold)
 @ridingofthebikes: OMG thank you!! I was so close to buying Sram, but you totally convinced me otherwise. @seraph hey dumb dumb, you should forget about Sram because this guy here clearly knows what he's talking about when he says "sram sucks".
  • 5 2
 @nzandyb: pfeww, Glad I could help someone. It's so hard for people to think for themselves these days. cheers.
  • 2 0
 @seraph: diry facts bro. don't hurt my feelings.
  • 4 3
 @seraph: I agree, SRAM just does it better... lighter cassette with only 1 alloy cog (softer metal that will wear faster), XTR has Ti cogs and 3 alloy cogs to achieve the same weight.
  • 1 3
 @seraph: don't know why you want to have that useless axs on a bike but okay I guess Shimano bis worse here.

By the way i had for some time an AXS drivetrain on my Enduro and it worked bad like the loweend Shimano cable accuratet one so I dunno..
  • 1 2
 This is hilarious, you're just a SRAM fan boi calling out people who have an equal hard on for Shimano. It's obviously not too late and XTR di2 will do just fine when it comes out wireless. How exactly is one wireless system better then the other? Its just a wireless signal being sent to a motor at this point.
  • 2 0
 @warmerdamj: I already outlined why AXS is better than Di2. Did you not read my original comment? Beyond that my point was that new 12-speed MTB Di2 can't really bring anything to the table that AXS doesn't already do.
  • 2 0
 @seraph: I would say both is crap. It's still a deraileur for MTBs ist just meh.
  • 1 0
 I'd like the SRAM designs, but manufactured by Shimano.
  • 1 0
 @seraph: I obviously read you comment and it's just your opinion, its not any actual facts. You can put Shimano batteries in lots of places if they need to be accessed and Shimano doesnt have to "solve anything" AXS already didnt solve anyway. People need drivetrains and people want choices, both have a huge customer base and obviously both will sell fine, the mtb market is huge. Anybody who thinks either will not be successful for any reason is completely out to lunch.
  • 2 0
 With all this $$$ electronic who cares the Microshift stuff is looking better and better with a less gimmicky, worry free option.
  • 2 0
 Heyyyyy, that brake doesn't have a lever..... bran controlled brakes are next.
  • 9 8
 We already have brain control, it's called the media.
  • 6 0
 Raisin Bran is good for you.
  • 2 0
 My turds are controlled by bran too. Love new tech!
  • 3 0
 It’s 105 trickle down. Most road mags are sure of it
  • 1 0
 Why are the short term confidential documents not published by now? I suppose the confidential agreement ended on 15/06/2022.
  • 21 21
 I know the image is current stuff without the cables. But I bet Shimano maintains a more traditional feeling shifter combined with HG+ shifting- glad I waited. First isn't always better.
  • 50 5
 That’s wild,
you just congratulated yourself on waiting for a product release that hasn’t actually happened, and you know nothing about. Might not even be a mountain bike group set….wild
  • 3 22
flag TheOriginalTwoTone (Dec 17, 2021 at 11:02) (Below Threshold)
 @onawalk: Thanks I will. Better than buying a rushed to market product.
  • 7 3
 @TheOriginalTwoTone: Says a guy who's never used AXS, and don't give me the "Yes I have, I rode a buddy's bike" BS.
  • 9 0
 @TheOriginalTwoTone: interesting, you believe AXS was rushed to market? Based on everything I’ve read, and people I e spoken to, AXS seems to be great, expensive-yes, but great.
Whether you believe AXSis good or not, my comment was more directed on your ability to hype yourself based on absolutely no info, other than what you believed would possibly come out, maybe sometime in June….

Cool though man, keep on keeping on
  • 5 17
flag TheOriginalTwoTone (Dec 17, 2021 at 13:03) (Below Threshold)
 @DBone95: Don't need to, Sram 12 speed was a rush job and everyone that's honest knows it.
The wide narrow larger cogs causes the chain to ride up every so often and it has to slip into sync.
That's not engineering, that's a get it out the door band-aid.

Now take all the complaints about the AXS paddles and why they had to release an upgrade kit.
  • 10 0
 @TheOriginalTwoTone: exactly! And the Covid vaccine is being used for mind control.
  • 2 0
 @TheOriginalTwoTone: Think I'll need to take mine back as it has never done that - mechanical or wireless...looks like I've a faulty product as it works each time every time...
  • 2 0
 @gserrato: if you where vaccinated you wouldn't even be able to type that....I have already forgotten what I just read....something about outside+ caused the omnicron mutation....
  • 1 0
 @pink505: Bill Gates...wireless Shimano mind control...Omi-Chronic...behind paywall.
  • 1 0
 @ShoodNoBetter: That's a lie and you know. It happens, there is no way it doesn't.
  • 1 0
 This is f*cking hilarious, WW3 here over whether SRAM or Shimano puts the same $5 generic motor in their own plastic encasement with a wireless signal better.
  • 1 0
 Soooo 2016, Shimano. What's next, 1x drivetrains and 12-speed?
  • 2 1
 SRAM reading this & laughing their tits off...
  • 2 2
 you'll be getting your anti Hillary ads directly to your brakes prior to the 2024 election.
  • 1 0
 honestly it looks like XTR shifter without cable
  • 1 0
 Ask this Shimano hate, surely you must love shifting under load?!
  • 1 0
 Shimano used to be the best but now just a bad joke.
  • 1 0
 Shimano axis 12.5 speed
  • 7 7
 Holy clone tool buddy
  • 6 8
 I'm not interested until they figure out their horrendous clutch mech in their 12sp derailleurs
  • 1 6
flag ridingofthebikes (Dec 17, 2021 at 11:47) (Below Threshold)
 You just need to replace it with the previous 11 speed and your all good to go!
  • 7 1
 In my experience my Shimano 12sp has worked pretty flawlessly. I've naver had a problem with the clutch, or anything else for that matter.
  • 5 6
 @ConMan05: seems to be an issue for whiny people.
  • 5 4
 @ridingofthebikes: I've gone through two of their derailleurs and a few clutch mechs for each one and I know it isn't just me. It's not a huge problem but it was a problem I never had with Sram's stuff.
  • 6 3
 @ConMan05: first ride and my Deore 12 speed clutch failed and the chain chewed up my brand new bikes chainstay. My other bike has NX Eagle and it’s been fine.
  • 2 1
 At least Shimano has an adjustable, serviceable, replaceable clutch. I switched to Shimano for that reason.
  • 3 4
 I miss the days when bikes were 100% mechanical
  • 4 0
 Most still are.
  • 1 2
 Yes, please!
  • 1 3
 Oooooooo la la!
  • 2 4
 Can't stand this brand
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