We are pleased to announce that, following a special invitation from Shimano, Circles will begin sales of the limited-production GRX Limited Polish Edition groupset starting Friday, July 29th at 10:00 AM.
SHIMANO’s Direction as Seen Through the GRX Limited
The GRX Limited is positioned as a new challenge for Shimano. It has been treated as a top-secret special project, utilizing a completely different philosophy in its production, promotion, and sales methods. As production and supply have been focused on Shimano's primary market, North America, the amount available in Japan is extremely limited. It is said that there are currently only about 20 sales channels domestically, primarily centered around handmade frame builders.
In other words, this is not just a rare "limited edition product," but a new marketing test case for the cycling industry giant, Shimano, and represents their first real approach toward the communities fostered by local bike shops.
In fact, over the last 15 years since the fixie bike boom of a previous era, new values and users have emerged in the sports bike scene. It is not always the latest specs that are the best; we see a demand for bike builds that are practical for one's lifestyle, possess a sense of fashion, and touch on the emotional aspects that cannot be measured by numbers. Circles exists within this surge, and we take pride in being one of the shops that has helped cultivate this new side of the bike industry.
We spend our days engaging with "bicycles" in a realm far removed from (or perhaps having given up on?) the so-called "spec supremacy / spec competition" that has exhausted development and sales in other industries. We continue to propose lifestyles and new ways of playing that are only possible because of bicycles. It is clear that the cyclists within this culture are exactly whom Shimano wants to hear from, and they intend to apply these insights to future product development and their communication strategy as a brand.
For us, this is the start of a dream-like initiative for a culture-oriented bike shop, where Shimano is providing full-scale support to the world we have long envisioned. We are very much looking forward to their future approaches.
How to Purchase
The base of these components is the GRX series, which can be considered one of Shimano's biggest success stories in recent years, but they are a specially finished, limited-production product featuring a silver polished appearance that has become quite rare lately.
Regarding sales, because we strongly envision these for custom-ordered bikes or handmade frames, we are using a slightly specialized method. Basically, sales are based on in-store purchases and assembly onto new frames, though upon request, we can handle assembly onto brought-in frames or replacement from existing components.
（We can accommodate requests for shipping/assembly for customers who are further away via email or phone, so please feel free to consult with us.）
While sales conditions are very limited, if the timing and opportunity are right, why not install these special components onto your beloved bike?
The Perfect Equipment For Adventurer.
The full details of the SHIMANO GRX Limited were announced on June 1st (US time), and it is still fresh in our memories how handmade builders across the U.S. built up show bikes and announced them simultaneously that very same day.
https://theradavist.com/shimano-silver-grx-limited-review/
The off-road market in the U.S. is massive, and the best-selling products for our U.S. sales division, SimWorks USA, are all aimed at gravel, adventure, and off-road touring. GRX, a component group specialized for off-road/gravel riding, can truly be called the most trendy and technically reliable component group available right now.
Modern, But Classic…
Last weekend, at the OMM LITE / BIKE event held in Hakuba/Otari, Nagano, we exhibited several concept bikes equipped with this groupset. Being the first silver component group from Shimano in a long time, it became the center of attention for many adventure cyclists and trail runners who have started showing interest in bikes, and we received many questions and had a very successful showing.
In terms of specs, it follows the same specifications as the regularly sold GRX RX-810 groupset and has no special mechanisms, but it goes without saying that it is a perfect match for the steel and titanium bikes that many handmade frame makers around the world, and Circles in particular, focus on proposing. It is very impressive how installing the GRX Limited on a frame with modern geometry evokes a somewhat classic atmosphere.
Regarding Sales of GRX Limited
The GRX Limited is not sold individually and is only available as a full groupset.
※ Other than the color, the specs are the same as the regular black models, but since this is a limited edition product, we apologize that purchase is limited to the full groupset.
- 1x Groupset
- 2x Groupset
You can also choose the appropriate crank length for each.
【1x Specification】
Price: ¥156,215 (tax included)
【1x Groupset Contents】
- Crank: FC-RX810-1 (40T only)
➡︎ Available in 170mm / 172.5mm / 175mm - Lever/Brake: ST / BL-RX810, BR-RX820
- Rear Derailleur: RD-RX812
- Cassette Sprocket: CS-M8000 (11-42T only)
- Chain: CN-HG701 116L
- Brake Rotor: RT-MT800 (160mm Center Lock only)
【2x Specification】
Price: ¥166,243 (tax included)
2x Groupset Contents
- Crank: FC-RX810-2 (48-31T)
➡︎ Available in 170mm / 172.5mm / 175mm - Lever/Brake: ST-RX810, BR-RX820
- Front Derailleur: FD-RX810
- Rear Derailleur: RD-RX810
- Cassette Sprocket: CS-HG8001 (11-34T only)
- Chain: CN-HG701 116L
- Brake Rotor: RT-MT800 (160mm Center Lock only)
Important notes common to both groupsets:
- You cannot choose the tooth count for front chainrings or rear sprockets.
- Brake rotors are 160mm Center Lock type with internal serrations only. Please purchase external serration lock rings separately if needed.
- For replacement parts, please order standard GRX repair parts.
Other specifications and features are no different from the regular black GRX.
Detailed information can also be found on the SHIMANO GRX Limited page.
Before You Purchase
- Purchases are only accepted on the condition that assembly is performed by Circles or Culture Club.
- As this is a limited edition product, it is only available while supplies last. We cannot accept special orders from the manufacturer.
- Given recent manufacturing conditions, please be aware that there may be unavoidable delays between payment and delivery, so please place your order with time to spare.
- Sold as a groupset only. Please note that individual parts cannot be purchased separately.
While this is an extremely hard-to-find set of components, for those of you seeking both the shifting and braking performance that Shimano is known for, alongside a modern-classic style, please know that this is a one-time production run. If you miss this chance, you will never have the opportunity to get it again, so we hope you will consider it. If you have any concerns regarding brake caliper standards or other questions, we would be delighted if you would rely on the "Circles Knowledge Base"—please feel free to consult with us!
