The 12-speed gear groups have become the standard on mountain bikes, especially since SRAM revolutionized the market with its Eagle single chainring technology. Thanks to their wide range of gears and ease of use, these groups have transformed the experience for MTB riders, allowing them to tackle demanding climbs and technical descents with greater control and precision.
On road bikes, the transition to 12 speeds has been slower. For years, 11-speed cassettes have dominated the market, but that is starting to change with the arrival of the new Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 semi-wireless. This group introduces an advanced option for road cyclists seeking a wider range of gears without losing efficiency in transmission.
Shimano was slow to join the trend of 12-speed road groups, but has finally launched its revamped Shimano Dura-Ace and Ultegra Di2, two drivetrains that stand out for their wireless shifting system in the shifters, although they retain an external battery and cables to power the derailleur motors. In addition, they incorporate new 12-speed cassettes with 11-30D and 11-34D ranges, providing greater versatility for different route profiles.
This advance allows Shimano to compete directly with the 12-speed Campagnolo and SRAM groups, expanding options both for road cyclists and for those seeking high-performance components for their mountain bikes.
Below, we present a detailed analysis of the best 12-speed transmission groups currently available on the market, both for MTB and road cycling.
Shimano Dura-Ace R9200: 12 speeds, faster and more precise
The new Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 12-speed shifting system combines wireless shifter operation, which eliminates cables from the handlebar-stem assembly, with a wired circuit to ensure a constant power voltage to move the derailleurs. This combo reduces the rear derailleur operation time by 58% and the front by 45% without risk of interference or blockages. Thus, the new generation of Shimano Dura-Ace still uses the external battery, which can be installed inside the seat tube and guarantees 1,000 km of autonomy between charges. The shifters, meanwhile, are powered by coin or button-type batteries that last about a year and a half. On the other hand, by dispensing with the junction box, the battery level can be checked thanks to a luminous LED indicator integrated into the rear derailleur. In addition, a port has been included in this derailleur from which the entire system can be charged.
Most notable components of the new Shimano Dura-Ace R9200
Levers
They have changed design to enhance better ergonomics and handling for the cyclist in unfavorable conditions (rain, cold, etc). The tip is now higher, curved inward to improve grip and control. Additionally, the shifters are now more laterally separated from the brake lever, aiming to make it easier to shift up and down with gloves or wet fingers.
Cassette
This is one of the standout pieces of the new Dura-Ace. It features Hyperglide+ design, which improves chain retention—a solution inherited from MTB groups—and retains the small 11-tooth cog. The ranges announced so far are 11-30T and 11-34T. It also debuts a new spline pattern for installation, which is also compatible with the 11-speed freehubs from the previous Dura-Ace wheels.
Cranksets and chainrings
It's also worth highlighting the cranksets and chainrings. The cranksets are offered in two versions, with or without a power meter, and are made of aluminum. The crank-based power meter uses ANT+ and Bluetooth technology for data connection and has improved sensor accuracy by 1.5%.
Chain
The Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 12-speed group uses the same chain as the current Shimano XTR 12-speed. This solution simplifies inventory requirements for shops and makes it easier for cyclists to acquire.
Shimano Dura-Ace mechanical, will there be a new version?
Shimano has gone all-in on its electronic and semi-wireless shifting technology for its high-end road group, and it doesn't seem like there's room anymore for a mechanical version. The previous conventional version has been removed from its catalog.
Shimano Ultegra R8100: also 12-speed and semi-wireless
The Japanese brand's mid-high range road group has also been updated, sharing all the innovative Di2 shifting technology from the new Dura-Ace. The only difference is the construction and materials used in the manufacturing of the components, which results in more weight. Likewise, it is worth noting that it also offers the option to purchase the crankset with a power meter. A first-time addition for the most desired and reliable group for touring cyclists.
Campagnolo Super Record EPS
Campagnolo began to bet three years ago on 12-speed drivetrains and double chainrings for road bikes with its high-end Super Record. And this development option has ended up reaching its mid-high and mid-range, with the Record and Chorus, respectively. All of them are mechanical groupsets, except for the EPS version of the Super Record. Its operation is similar to the previous version of the Shimano Dura-Ace Di2, with wires connecting derailleurs to the battery and shifters. It also features a control unit that is placed under the stem or on the top tube. It incorporates a multiple shift function, which can be customized through the My Campy mobile app thanks to its Bluetooth connectivity. Its development options are 50/34, 52/36, and 53/39 chainrings and cassettes with 11-29, 11-32, and 11-34 ranges.
Campagnolo Super Record
This is Campagnolo's high-end mechanical groupset, with a long history of more than 40 years both in the market and in competition. It stands out for its reliable and fast shifting thanks to the approach of the pulley superior to the smallest cogs on the cassette or its split crank system, which makes the most of any combination of the 24 available speeds. The levers, for their part, incorporate the characteristic double curvature design with the one lever-one action shifting mode. Its chainring options are 50/34, 52/36, and 53/39, and the available cassettes are 11-29, 11-32, and 11-34.
Campagnolo Record
The second high-end groupset available from Campagnolo also adopts the 2x12, with components that are somewhat heavier than Super Record but incorporating the same shifting technologies and development options as the Super Record. In the market, it would compete directly with the Ultegra, although the Record does not have an electronic shifting option.
Campagnolo Chorus
This is the only mid-range mechanical groupset for road bikes with a 12-speed cassette available on the market. It appeared two seasons ago as the affordable option among Campagnolo's high-end groupsets, inheriting some of its most advanced shifting technologies, such as the Ultra-Shift multiple cog shifting with a single action. Its Ergopower levers also stand out, whose design is also present in the Record and Super Record groupsets, as well as carbon cranks, which are a real luxury in a mid-range drivetrain group.
SRAM Red eTAP AXS
Now we move on to SRAM, where 12 speeds arrived on the road and became established thanks to the completely wireless AXS shifting technology. An ecosystem that completely dispenses with cables and relies entirely on its communication protocol between components and ANT+ connectivity for data transfer from the power meter. In addition, compatibility between components among high-end or mid-range groupsets is total. The high-end version used in competition by some professional teams is the Red eTAP AXS. It introduces the option of single or double chainring and relies on its 12-speed cassettes and 10-tooth small cog as a hallmark and key differentiator from the competition.
SRAM Force eTAP AXS
From now on, it will be the direct rival of the new 12-speed semi-wireless Ultegra group. The SRAM Force derailleur is a version with heavier components than the Red, with 1x12 or 2x12 combinations. It has recently added the new XG-1270 cassette, expanding the range options to five: 10-26t, 10-28t, 10-30t, 10-33t, 10-36t.
SRAM Rival eTAP AXS
This is the latest addition to SRAM's 12-speed road transmission lineup. A mid-range wireless group with a wide-range cassette that has no competitor on the market. It uses the same interchangeable AXS batteries as the Force and Red groups. Although the complete set is heavier, adding 300 grams more than the SRAM Force AXS. As for gearing, it can be set up as 2x12 or 1x12 on road bikes, gravel or cyclocross. The available cassettes have ranges of 10-30, 10-36, and 10-44.
Rotor 1x13: when 12 speeds are not enough
Shimano, Campagnolo, and SRAM are the main manufacturers of road bike groupsets. And all three offer 12-speed cassette transmissions in different ranges. However, they are not the only ones. There are other manufacturers on the market who go even further with their proposals to leave 11-speed systems in the past. This is the case of the Spanish manufacturer Rotor, which has a 13-speed groupset.