Shimano has announced its Clean Cockpit design will be made available for a wider range of mid-spec flat-bar hybrid and mountain bikes. The new Clean Cockpit shift levers will be available in 9, 10 and 11-speed variants for CUES-compatible bikes.
Clean Cockpit was introduced when higher-spec CUES components were launched in 2023 and enables hydraulic brake and shift levers to be more closely aligned with the handlebar. In turn, this allows for better lever placement, cleaner cable routing and a tidier-looking cockpit.
It's likely to be a boon to bike designers because it will enable them to port design features from higher-spec mountain bikes and hybrid bikes to lower-priced models more easily.
Although the changes to the new components are small, they’re an example of Shimano’s trickle-down of its component enhancements to lower-spec groupsets. For example, it has just launched Deore M7200 and M6200 mechanical MTB components, with tougher derailleurs and updates to the brakes and shifters.
Shimano has also recently launched the Deore XT M8200 groupset, again with mechanical shifting, but with the Shadow ES rear derailleur profile of its electronic groupsets. It has a revised shifter architecture.
There have also been recent launches of new, lighter drop-bar CUES components, offering better options for lower-tier road bikes and borrowing tech from its higher-performance groupsets.
Shimano says the new Clean Cockpit brake lever models work with its Optical Gear Display when it’s part of a shift lever with the display under the handlebar. Alongside the new Clean Cockpit options, it will continue to offer its current range of brake levers, which work with shift levers where the gear display is shown above the handlebar.
Availability of Shimano's new Clean Cockpit components will vary by geography, but expect to see tidier cable routing appearing on mid-spec bikes as bike brands update their ranges.
