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Japan

SHIMANO

The standards most drivetrains are built around

Shimano appears more often on this site than any other manufacturer, and for a structural reason: its standards are what other parts are designed to fit.

Where it appears here

Chains, cassettes, brake pads, gear cables and pedals. Five products across five families, which is the broadest spread of any brand in this catalog.

What it is genuinely good at

Compatibility that is stated rather than implied. A Shimano cassette for a Shimano drivetrain removes the freehub question entirely. A Shimano pad designated B01S/B03S/B05S fits a documented list of calipers. On a site where most returns are fitment errors, that matters more than a specification advantage.

Published figures. The HG 40 chain publishes its link count and its weight; almost no chain listing does either.

Where it is ordinary

Its entry products are competent rather than remarkable, and frequently cost more than an equivalent from a smaller maker. The B05S resin pads in this catalog are the best-selling brake pad here and are outspecified by the Alphatrail alternative, which publishes a compatibility list and a kilometer figure that Shimano does not.

What to know before buying

Speed count and freehub standard are the two figures that decide whether a Shimano part fits your bike. Count the sprockets, and establish the freehub body from your wheel manufacturer.

Every SHIMANO part we have reviewed

  • Shimano 105 CS-R7101 silver 12-speed road cassette

    SHIMANO 105 CS-R7101, 12-speed, 11–34T

    Shimano’s 105 12-speed cassette in 11-34T, the widest range on this page, for an 11 or 12-speed freehub body.

    Speeds
    12
    Range
    11–34T — a 3.09× spread
    Weight
    361 g (12.7 oz) stated; 499 g (17.6 oz) on the shipping record
    Chain
    HG 12-speed
    Freehub body
    11 or 12-speed
    Group
    Built for 105 Di2
    Finish
    Silver
    Price
    $79.95 — the most expensive here
    Cog tooth list
    Not published
    Construction
    Not published
    Lock ring
    Not published
    Amazon reference
    B0CKXQTXF7
    EAN
    0192790822662
    • The widest range on this page, 11-34, and the only 12-speed
    • Twelve sprockets keep the steps small across a 3.09× spread
    • Publishes 361 g (12.7 oz) in its text and 499 g (17.6 oz) on its shipping record

    Best for: A 12-speed Shimano road drivetrain wanting a 34-tooth climbing gear

    Check price on Amazon
  • Shimano HG 40 bicycle chain in its box

    SHIMANO HG 40 chain, 116 links, 7/8-speed

    Shimano's workhorse chain for 7 and 8-speed drivetrains, supplied at 116 links and around 300 g (10.6 oz), compatible with single, double and triple chainrings.

    Speed compatibility
    Rear 6/7/8-speed, front 1/2/3-speed
    Link count
    116
    Weight
    approx. 300 g (10.6 oz)
    Amazon reference
    B0017XXGCI (identical on 6 markets)
    EAN
    4032191635750
    • Published link count and weight, which almost no chain listing gives
    • Explicit front compatibility as well as rear — single, double and triple
    • One hundred and sixteen links may need shortening substantially on a small frame

    Best for: Replacing a chain on a Shimano 7 or 8-speed drivetrain with the part it was designed around.

    ≈ $75
    Check price on Amazon
  • Shimano BR-6700 Ultegra road caliper brake pad set

    SHIMANO BR-6700 holder and insert, road caliper

    A Shimano BR-6700 Ultegra road caliper pad set with a stiff alloy holder and a replaceable cartridge insert.

    Type
    Road dual-pivot caliper pad set
    Construction
    Alloy holder with replaceable cartridge insert
    Fits
    All Shimano road calipers, and many other brands
    Reference
    BR-6700
    Replacement insert
    R55C3 cartridge shoes, on this page
    Price
    $16.28 — the most expensive here
    Weight
    Not published
    Pad dimensions
    Not published
    Rim material
    Not stated
    Insert part number
    Not published
    Amazon reference
    B003RLNFGK
    EAN
    0689228332348
    • A replaceable insert, so the next change costs a fraction of this one
    • An alloy holder, which resists the twist that misaligns a pad
    • Three bullets, one of which is a reference number

    Best for: A Shimano road caliper needing the holder as well as the pad

    Check price on Amazon
  • Shimano R55C3 silver cartridge brake shoes for road calipers

    SHIMANO R55C3 cartridge shoes, pair, 41 g (1.4 oz)

    A pair of Shimano R55C3 cartridge brake shoes at 41 g (1.4 oz), the replaceable insert for a BR-6700 road caliper holder.

    Type
    Cartridge insert for a road caliper holder
    Model code
    R55C3, in the BR-6700 family
    Weight
    41 g (1.4 oz) the pair — the lightest rim shoe here
    Contents
    2 pieces
    Color
    Silver
    Goes into
    The BR-6700 Ultegra holder on this page
    Listing description
    In Spanish, and names a seller as maker
    Dimensions
    Not published
    Compound
    Not published
    Rim material
    Not stated
    Amazon reference
    B00523Z83E
    EAN
    4524667944317
    • The correct refill for a Shimano BR-6700 road caliper holder
    • 41 g (1.4 oz) the pair, the lightest rim shoe in this survey
    • Three bullets, none of them a specification

    Best for: Replacing worn inserts in a Shimano BR-6700 road caliper holder

    Check price on Amazon
  • Shimano BR-CT91 black cantilever brake shoes, pair

    SHIMANO BR-CT91 shoes, 50 × 16 mm (1.97 × 0.63 in), pair

    A pair of Shimano BR-CT91 cantilever brake shoes, 50 by 16 mm (0.63 in), naming the thirteen Shimano brakes they fit.

    Type
    Cantilever shoes, front or rear
    Length
    50 mm (1.97 in)
    Width
    16 mm (0.63 in)
    Weight
    30 g (1.1 oz) a piece — 60 g (2.1 oz) the pair
    Materials
    Rubber and steel
    Rim
    Aluminum
    Fits
    13 named Shimano brakes, two of them -E e-bike models
    Bike type
    ATB/MTB and road
    Contents
    2 pads
    Listing bullets
    In German, and one contradicts the description
    Post type
    Not stated
    Amazon reference
    B001W4WWNG
    EAN
    0784427643292
    • Names thirteen compatible brakes, which no other shoe here does
    • The only rim shoe in this group to publish both length and width
    • Its five bullets are in German on an English listing

    Best for: Any of the thirteen Shimano cantilever or roller brakes it names

    Check price on Amazon
  • Shimano CS-HG50 silver 8-speed bicycle cassette

    SHIMANO CS-HG50, 8-speed, 11–32T, 300 g (10.6 oz)

    A Shimano CS-HG50 8-speed cassette in 11-32T at 300 g (10.6 oz), with a corrosion-resistant steel lock ring named in its description.

    Speeds
    8
    Range
    11–32T
    Weight
    300 g (10.6 oz)
    Lock ring
    Corrosion-resistant steel — named in the description
    Chain
    Narrow 8-speed HG
    Finish
    Nickel plated, silver
    Technology
    Hyperglide, contoured shift gates, cut-away sprockets
    Identical twin
    CS-HG51 on this page, same bullets, $25.26
    Cog tooth list
    Not published
    Freehub body
    Not stated
    Amazon reference
    B00D9LFQ4M
    EAN
    4524667103189
    • Names its lock ring and its chain standard, which the cheaper twin does not
    • Hyperglide shift gates for shifting under load
    • $5.24 more than the CS-HG51, with the same five bullets

    Best for: An 8-speed bike where the lock ring has to come in the box

    Check price on Amazon
  • Shimano CS-HG500-10 silver 10-speed bicycle cassette

    SHIMANO CS-HG500-10, 10-speed, 12–28T, 300 g (10.6 oz)

    A close-ratio 10-speed cassette, 12-28T at 300 g (10.6 oz), with five single-tooth steps for fine cadence control.

    Speeds
    10
    Range
    12–28T — a 2.33× spread, the narrowest here
    Cogs
    12-13-14-15-17-19-21-23-25-28
    Single-tooth steps
    Five
    Weight
    300 g (10.6 oz)
    Construction
    Light weight spider
    Standard
    DYNA-SYS
    Group
    Deore M6000, per the description
    Freehub body
    Not stated
    Lock ring
    Not published
    Amazon reference
    B00WLFTBFW
    EAN
    4524667328193
    • Five single-tooth steps — the finest cadence control on this page
    • A published cog-by-cog tooth list
    • Nothing below 28 teeth, the narrowest spread here

    Best for: A 10-speed road or trekking bike on rolling ground, ridden at a steady cadence

    Check price on Amazon
  • Shimano CS-HG51 8-speed bicycle cassette

    SHIMANO CS-HG51, 8-speed, 11–32T, 300 g (10.6 oz)

    A Shimano CS-HG51 8-speed cassette in 11-32T at 300 g (10.6 oz), with nickel-plated Hyperglide sprockets.

    Speeds
    8
    Range
    11–32T — a 2.91× spread
    Cogs
    11-13-15-18-21-24-28-32
    Weight
    300 g (10.6 oz)
    Finish
    Nickel plated; the description says chrome-plated steel
    Technology
    Hyperglide, with contoured shift gates
    Group
    Alivio, per the description
    Chain
    Narrow 8-speed HG
    Identical twin
    CS-HG50 on this page, same bullets, $30.50
    Freehub body
    Not stated
    Lock ring
    Not published
    Amazon reference
    B005OCL43Q
    EAN
    4032191471303
    • $5.24 cheaper than a cassette with the same published specification
    • Publishes its cog-by-cog tooth list
    • Nothing published distinguishes it from the dearer CS-HG50

    Best for: An 8-speed hybrid or mountain bike needing a 32-tooth climbing gear

    Check price on Amazon
  • Shimano PD-EH500 dual-sided pedal showing SPD mechanism and flat platform

    SHIMANO PD-EH500 dual-sided SPD pedals

    The best-selling pedal here: Shimano's PD-EH500 with SPD on one face and a flat platform on the other, cleats included.

    Type
    Dual-sided — SPD one side, flat the other
    Included
    Cleat set
    Platform
    Metal, better grip in the wet
    Entry
    Light binding for frequent clipping in and out
    Amazon reference
    B07FTB9MCW (identical on 6 markets)
    EAN
    0689228866317
    • Rank 2,121, the best-selling pedal in this hub
    • One pedal for cycling shoes and for normal shoes, which is exactly what a commuter needs
    • The most expensive pedal here

    Best for: A commuter or touring bike ridden sometimes in cycling shoes and sometimes in whatever you happen to be wearing.

    ≈ $82
    Check price on Amazon
  • Shimano HG51 silver 8-speed bicycle cassette

    SHIMANO HG51, 8-speed, 11–28T

    A Shimano HG51 8-speed cassette in 11-28T, in chrome-plated steel with drilled cogs.

    Speeds
    8
    Range
    11–28T — a 2.55× spread
    Finish
    Chrome-plated steel, per the description
    Cogs
    Drilled to save weight
    Group
    Alivio
    Price
    $24 — the cheapest here
    Listing bullets
    One: "8-Speed"
    Weight
    Not published
    Cog tooth list
    Not published
    Lock ring
    Not published
    Freehub body
    Not stated
    Amazon reference
    B005DTWRUE
    EAN
    0689228675698
    • The cheapest cassette on this page, at $24
    • Plated steel rather than bare, per the description
    • One bullet on the whole listing, reading "8-Speed"

    Best for: A flat 8-speed commute, or a derailleur that cannot take a 32

    Check price on Amazon
  • Shimano B05S resin disc brake pads with their retaining springs

    SHIMANO B05S resin pads, 2 pairs

    The best-selling brake pads on this site: two pairs of Shimano B05S resin pads for the B01S, B03S and B05S caliper family.

    Quantity
    2 pairs, B05S
    Compound
    Resin
    Caliper family
    Shimano B01S / B03S / B05S
    Amazon reference
    B07KPGTX84 (identical on 6 markets)
    EAN
    0729389197940
    • Rank 152 — comfortably the best-selling brake pad here
    • The manufacturer's own part, so caliper compatibility is not an interpretation
    • Resin fades sooner than metal on long descents

    Best for: Shimano brakes on a bike used in town, where quiet and cold bite matter more than heat resistance.

    ≈ $70
    Check price on Amazon
  • Shimano M65T black cantilever bicycle brake shoes

    SHIMANO M65T cantilever shoes, 60 mm (2.36 in), pair

    A pair of 60 mm (2.36 in) Shimano M65T cantilever brake shoes at 48 g (1.7 oz), with a compound blended for wet and dry use on aluminum rims.

    Type
    Cantilever brake shoes
    Length
    60 mm (2.36 in)
    Weight
    48 g (1.7 oz) the pair
    Rim
    Aluminum — stated
    Compound
    Blend for wet and dry, matched hardness
    Contents
    1 pair
    Reference
    Y84F98100
    Width
    Not published
    Post type
    Not stated — smooth or threaded
    Compatible brakes
    Not listed
    Amazon reference
    B0081B69ZA
    EAN
    4032191027524
    • Describes metering — how proportionally the braking follows the lever
    • States the rim material it is made for, which five of seven here do not
    • Does not say whether the post is smooth or threaded

    Best for: A cantilever-braked tourer or cyclocross bike on aluminum rims

    Check price on Amazon
  • Shimano CS-HG200 8-speed cassette showing its sprocket stack

    SHIMANO CS-HG200 cassette, 8-speed, 12–32T

    The entry cassette here: Shimano's CS-HG200 in 8-speed with a 12 to 32 tooth range, for Shimano 8-speed drivetrains.

    Speed
    8-speed
    Tooth range
    12–32T
    Compatibility
    Shimano 8-speed drivetrains
    Amazon reference
    DE B097278T63 · US B00NZ4F5IK · GB B00NZ4F5IK · FR B00NZ4F5IK · IT B00NZ4F5IK · ES B00NZ4F5IK
    EAN
    4524667602361
    • The manufacturer's own part for its own 8-speed drivetrains, so nothing is left to interpretation
    • A 32-tooth largest sprocket, which is a genuinely useful climbing gear on a city or trekking bike
    • A 12-tooth smallest sprocket rather than 11, so slightly less top-end speed

    Best for: Replacing a worn 8-speed cassette on a city, trekking or older mountain bike.

    ≈ $23
    Check price on Amazon
  • Shimano black brake cable and housing set with ferrules

    SHIMANO Brake set: 5 mm (0.20 in) housing, 2 × 1.6 mm (0.08 × 0.06 in) cables

    A complete brake cable set with 2,200 mm (86.6 in) of 5 mm (0.20 in) housing and two stainless 1.6 mm (0.06 in) inner cables of different lengths.

    Use
    Brake, road or mountain
    Housing
    Ø 5 mm (0.20 in), 2,200 mm (86.6 in), slick polymer lined
    Inner cables
    2 × Ø 1.6 mm (0.06 in) stainless — 1,000 mm (39.4 in) and 2,050 mm (80.7 in)
    Ferrules
    4
    Cable tips
    2
    Weight
    45 g (1.6 oz)
    Price
    $15.49 for a whole bike
    Frame donuts
    Not included
    Ferrule diameter
    Not published
    Bend radius
    Not published
    Amazon reference
    B0050LUBZ8
    EAN
    0689228603004
    • Every length and diameter published — five figures and two counts
    • Two different cable lengths, so neither has to be cut down to size
    • No frame donuts, which the Hyakoz set on this shelf includes

    Best for: Rebraking one bike completely, front and rear, in a single purchase

    Check price on Amazon
  • Shimano XT CS-M771 silver 10-speed bicycle cassette

    SHIMANO XT CS-M771, 10-speed, 11–32T, 285 g (10.1 oz)

    Shimano’s XT 10-speed cassette, 11-32T at 285 g (10.1 oz), built on two aluminum carriers with an alloy lock ring.

    Speeds
    10
    Range
    11–32T
    Cogs
    11-12-14-16-18-20-22-25-28-32
    Weight
    285 g (10.1 oz) — the lightest cassette here
    Construction
    6 rings on a spider, 3+3
    Lock ring
    Alloy
    Freehub body
    Shimano 9/10 and SRAM
    Chain
    Dyna-Sys, HG-X profile
    Derailleur
    Optimized for Shadow
    Use
    Mountain
    Shimano model
    CS-M771 (CS4122 is a distributor code)
    Ratio spread
    Not published (11–32 is 2.91×)
    Amazon reference
    B003EB05FM
    EAN
    0689228428652
    • The only listing here to publish its freehub body standard
    • 285 g (10.1 oz) with the widest 10-speed range on this page
    • $59 — only the 12-speed 105 is dearer here

    Best for: A 10-speed mountain bike on a Shimano 9/10 or SRAM freehub, wanting a 32 for climbing

    Check price on Amazon
  • Shimano gear cable coiled with its end cap

    SHIMANO Gear cable, 1.2 mm (0.05 in) × 2100 mm (82.7 in)

    The cheapest item in the European catalog of this site: a genuine Shimano gear cable at 1.2 mm (0.05 in) × 2100 mm (82.7 in), galvanized and supplied with an end cap.

    Diameter
    1.2 mm (0.05 in)
    Length
    2100 mm (82.7 in)
    Finish
    Galvanized
    Included
    End cap, usable front or rear
    Amazon reference
    B0013UQ0RI (identical on 6 markets)
    EAN
    0641702425045
    • Rank 399, and the cheapest thing on this entire site
    • A genuine Shimano part, so the nipple shape and diameter are correct for Shimano shifters
    • A cable only — no housing, no ferrules beyond the single end cap

    Best for: A gear cable replacement on a Shimano drivetrain, which is one of the cheapest ways to restore shifting.

    ≈ $10
    Check price on Amazon

Prices quoted in these summaries are dated readings. The live price is shown next to each product.