How do you announce a new groupset in style? Give it to the world’s best frame builders and let them do their thing.
That’s exactly what Shimano did for its new GRX Limited groupset, providing 1x, 2x, and drop bar configurations of the 11-speed mechanical group to 10 premier frame builders from Portland to Boston to the UK, then bringing all those bikes together at Unbound Gravel for a mini handmade bike show.
With no new mechanical features or updates, Shimano GRX Limited isn’t a new groupset per se. Rather, it’s a new brushed and polished silver finish for GRX 800, the highest end mechanical group in the GRX family. As the name implies, it’s a limited release and will only be available as complete groupsets from aftermarket retailers and frame builders like the ones featured here.
Take a closer look at the 10 builds below, and be sure to swing by the All Things Gravel expo June 2 and 3 to see them in person if you are in Emporia, Kansas, for Unbound Gravel.
English Cycles, based in the Pacific Northwest, consistently produces some of the most imaginative and elegant frames around. This steel frame is no exception.
Where else will you find a fork like that?
…or chainstays for the matter?
English Cycles has opted for the 2x version for this build.
Those are some beautiful brake levers.
This steel bike comes from Mariposa Bicycles out of Toronto.
This Mariposa build uses the 1x version of GRX Limited.
The brushed finish is on every component, even the brake calipers.
We’re suckers for this color scheme.
Boulder’s Mosaic Cycles created this dropbar 1x titanium frame.
GRX Limited includes a flat bar shifting/braking option.
There’s a lot of tire clearance available on this bike.
Speedvagen out of Portland, Oregon, brings its usual flavor to this 1x steel build.
This bike took a detour through Haight-Ashbury on its way to Emporia.
Hailing from Hailsham, United Kingdom, Enigma Bikes has given this titanium frame a polished finish to match the GRX Limited groupset.
Painted-to-match bottle cages are a nice touch.
…as is the matching PRO cockpit.
…and even a PRO seatpost with a silver seatpost collar.
Custom bikes aren’t limited to steel and titanium. Low Bicycles out of San Francisco has created an aluminum frame for the showcase.
That’s some aggressive flare.
The build is complete with new GRX carbon wheels that feature an internal rim width of 25mm and hit the scales at under 1,500 grams.
Watertown, Massachusetts-based Seven Cycles made this titanium Evergreen S gravel frame for the showcase.
Take a closer look at that rear dropout.
A brushed finish PRO stem and handlebars complements the GRX Limited components.
Angel Cycle Works from A Coruña, Spain, created this titanium Pro Gravel frame for the showcase.
No detail is too small. Angel Cycle Works includes its name on the seatpost.
Dropped chainstays help keep tire clearance high while still fitting a reasonably sized chainring.
Austin, Texas-based Chumba created this Terlingua Steel with GRX Limited 2x.
The stainless steel sliding Paragon Machine Works dropouts are a thing of beauty.
The contrast of dark green frame and silver components is an all-time classic.
Those brake levers really catch the sun.
Firefly Bicycles out of Boston created this titanium All Road model with 2x GRX Limited.
Firefly integrates a derailleur hanger into the dropout.
Even as 1x gains traction in gravel, there still remain many riders who prefer 2x.