The GRX 810 Clutch Debate: On or Off for Pavement Riding?

written by Danny G.

Let’s face it, cycling is one of those hobbies that will make you question every decision, even the most trivial ones. You’ll debate tire pressure, handlebar position, and whether or not your bike’s frame needs one more layer of carbon fiber.

And one of the possible questions is whether you should leave the clutch of your GRX 810 rear derailleur on or off.

Shimano, in their infinite wisdom, said it’s okay to leave the clutch off when you’re riding on pavement. On the one hand, every cyclist seems to have an opinion – and that opinion sometimes contradicts Shimano’s.

The Shimano GRX 810 Clutch: What Is It?

The GRX 810 clutch is a fancy little contraption designed to prevent your chain from bouncing around like a jackhammer over rough terrain. In theory, it’s a godsend for gravel and off-road riding, where you want to avoid that soul-crushing clank of chain slap as you ride over rocky terrain.

The clutch adds tension to the derailleur, which stabilizes the chain, but also requires a bit more effort to shift. For road riding on smooth pavement, though, the extra tension might not be needed. So Shimano says, Hey, it’s okay to turn it off.

The reasoning here is simple – on the road, the extra tension isn’t necessary, and it could even make shifting feel a bit sluggish.

Riders find that leaving the clutch off makes their shifting feel a bit lighter and smoother on the road. Without the additional tension, the derailleur shifts more fluidly, which could be important during those quick, on-the-fly shifts while riding on smoother surfaces.

The Real-World Experience: Testing the Clutch

I did a little experiment, for “science”, naturally. I set up the GRX 810 of a friend with the clutch both on and off and hit the road (a short commute to get a burger and maybe approach a cute girl – just kidding – or am I?).

Here’s how things turned out:

Test ConditionClutch OnClutch Off
Shifting Smoothness8/109/10
Chain SlapMinimalAlmost none
Effort to ShiftSlightly harderEasier, but still fine
Overall Comfort7/108/10

I’ll be honest – the difference was marginal. Yes, the clutch did make the chain a little quieter, but when it came to shifting, I couldn’t really feel much of a difference.

The reality is that most riders, unless they’re dealing with particularly rough gravel or loose terrain, won’t feel a significant difference in shifting effort when the clutch is engaged.

Shimano’s own advice of turning the clutch off on smooth pavement makes sense – if the clutch isn’t actively improving your ride, why keep it on?

But there’s also a contingent of riders who believe the clutch should remain on for consistency’s sake. They like the extra security it provides, especially when transitioning from gravel to pavement without having to stop and manually adjust the clutch.

For them, the peace of mind of not worrying about chain slap outweighs the slight increase in shifting effort.

Storage and Maintenance

There’s also the issue of storage. Shimano doesn’t seem to have a definitive stance on whether the clutch should be turned on or off when you’re storing your bike.

Smart riders recommend keeping the clutch off during storage, as it prevents unnecessary tension on the derailleur mechanism. This is particularly useful if your bike is going to be in storage for an extended period. Others simply leave it on, trusting that any excess tension won’t cause significant wear if left in place.

One thing’s for sure: regular maintenance is key. If you do choose to leave the clutch on, ensure that the clutch mechanism is serviced properly. Grease can dry out, causing the clutch to stiffen and become less effective. Regular checks can keep things running smoothly.

Final Words

At the end of the day, it’s not really about Shimano’s blessing or anyone else’s advice. It’s about what works best for you. Some riders keep the clutch on all the time because they like the security it offers. Others turn it off because they prefer a smoother ride on pavement. Neither is wrong, and both can coexist in the world of cycling.

If you’re the kind of rider who wants to micromanage every little thing, go ahead and experiment with the clutch. But if you just want to ride your damn bike and get on with your life, take Shimano at its word.

And remember, just because your bike doesn’t talk back doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its own opinion. Just be prepared for that awkward moment when you realize you forgot to engage the clutch halfway through your ride. Your bike will forgive you. Eventually.

Danny G.


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