I was just wondering if anyone had any experience of it yet? On paper at least, replacing the current praxis alba 48-32 with the 40-26 (https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/product/ ... 010-2.html) looks like an affordable option for reducing my gravel bike gearing. I think I've thought of the issues but not sure if I've missed something:

I'd have to get a new bottom bracket but the current one is knackered anyway.
Cues works with any shimano 11 speed chain (either linkglide or HG).
The cues crankset is non-boost so the chainline should be manageable.
I'd have to lower the front derailleur by about 15-16mm according to https://www.wolftoothcomponents.com/pag ... ooth-count

It'll probably weigh more and the chainrings aren't replaceable but unless I'm missing something I think it'll work.

No immediate knowledge of the cues group sorry but some experience of setting up a low cost "super compact" 46-28t.

What front mech and shifter are you using at the moment? You might find that as the chain wheel diameter is a lot smaller the front mech will have a large gap at the rear affecting the shifting (also looks aesthically iffy) or to get it low enough it will hit the chainstay. An MTB mech might solve this but may not work with your shifters...

I found with mine using a road mech with old 105 shifters anything smaller than 46t started to be problematic. If you want more info on my set up just ask.

Why not just fit a mtb crank which could easily have that gearing / chainrings?

Edit using 50/34* and a 42 mullet rear (.so stretching capacity into ill.advised territory).i had to use a bar end front mech ahifter to avoid rubbing ( friction so very adjustable)on front mech ( in some gears ).SRAM setup though. Essentially extremes are dooable but not perfect ( done 5000 + miles like this but chain length is critical and small small does not work)

* pancake flat 15 mile commute or biggish hills the other way hence needing some range

PaulB2 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 20, 2024 12:00 am chainrings aren't replaceable

In what sort of crazy world is that progress? You wear a chainring out and you have to chuck the whole chainset away? I've seen this on very bottom end groupsets, but this is the mid range Deore replacement right?

I wasn't in the market, but will try to remember to avoid next time I am.

Danofthewoods wrote: ↑Thu Jun 20, 2024 9:42 am I found with mine using a road mech with old 105 shifters anything smaller than 46t started to be problematic. If you want more info on my set up just ask.

It’s a 105 front and rear mech and the shifters are non-series (I don’t think they introduced 105 hydraulic brifter’s until the year after)

thenorthwind wrote: ↑Thu Jun 20, 2024 10:44 am

PaulB2 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 20, 2024 12:00 am chainrings aren't replaceable

In what sort of crazy world is that progress? You wear a chainring out and you have to chuck the whole chainset away? I've seen this on very bottom end groupsets, but this is the mid range Deore replacement right?

I wasn't in the market, but will try to remember to avoid next time I am.

Cues is a very broad church. The U4000 range is the low end but has the chainring sizes I wanted. This is more the alivió replacement. The U6000 range is the deore / sora equivalent, has replaceable chainrings but only supports 36-22 for mtb or 46-32 for gravel.

Lazarus wrote: ↑Thu Jun 20, 2024 9:43 am Why not just fit a mtb crank which could easily have that gearing / chainrings?

That’s what cues is…

I don’t think shimano ever produced a 11 speed double crankset between 38 and 46. The last 40 I found was a 10 speed in a double. The modern 11 speed mtb cranksets would actually reduce my gear range because they only have 10 tooth difference because they’re designed to work with a larger range on the cassette - if I’m going to have to change the rear derailleur and cassette as well as the crankset it’s back to the drawing board

It's nuts that Shimano STILL don't make a mid or higher range chainset with a 30-42 / 28-42 ratio or similar. Esp for Cues, plus when they make FDs that work so well and their main rival doesn't. 32-46 with an 11-45 is a great range but what do I really need 46-11 top gearing for on a bike that is using wide ratio Cues? I'd just end up with gearing on either ring where I don't use either end of the cassette that much.

I've heard good things from both a bike shop owner and a mate who does bike guiding and has seen a few machines with Cues. I think they do an XT equivalent too. Once I run out of assorted 10speed XT bits on the fat bike, that's probably where I'll end up.

I've never been that fussed about shimano cranks - just use Race Face.

PaulB2 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 20, 2024 1:24 pm It’s a 105 front and rear mech and the shifters are non-series (I don’t think they introduced 105 hydraulic brifter’s until the year after)

Not familiar with Cues, but assuming it's essentially an MTB chainset then a road front mech might not shift too well because the chainrings will be +5mm further outboard. You could try a GRX front mech as GRX chainrings are +2.5mm out.

FWIW I think the 'neatest' low range 10/11 speed gravel solution is a GRX 46/30 chainset with a 11-40 MTB cassette, assuming your shifters are the 'new' Shimano cable pull

Isn't the idea with Cues that it's a return to the good old days when you could mix and match Shimano components?

. The modern 11 speed mtb cranksets would actually reduce my gear range

Get new rings and presumably we all have one spare in the parts bin or get second hand cheap. 104 bcd is 26 ( absolute black) to whatever you want.
I agree its daft they dont do essentially mtb gearing for drop bar but its nit hard to do yourself.

PaulB2 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 20, 2024 1:38 pm Cues is a very broad church

Ah, guess that's my ignorance. I didn't realise there was more than one level within it.