5 Reasons Bicycle Manufacturers Are Phasing Out 11 Speed Models

11-speed bikes are now a relic of the past, apparently. Not too long ago, it was the crown jewel of the cycling world.

You’d walk into a shop, see that beautiful 11-speed drivetrain gleaming in the sunlight, and know you’d made it in life.

But now? Now, it’s like the middle child at a family reunion, awkwardly standing between 10-speed’s forgotten grumble and the flashy 12-speed that demands attention like a toddler on a sugar rush.

So, what’s the deal? Why are we suddenly seeing the bike world discard 11-speed models like last season’s fashion?

Don’t panic just yet; it’s not a conspiracy, but there are some good reasons behind this shift that even your local bike shop doesn’t want you to know.


1. 12-Speed Took Over Faster Than a Pro Rider on a Downhill

Let’s be honest. 12-speed is everywhere now. If you haven’t seen a 12-speed bike in the wild, you probably live under a rock.

Bicycle manufacturers know what the people want, and they want more gears, more options, and more shiny parts.

As 12-speed bikes became the new standard, manufacturers realized they could make the same hubs work for both 11 and 12 speeds (thanks, Shimano).

And voila! 12-speed went from a luxury option to a regular feature on mid-range bikes.


2. Profits Over Pedals: 11-Speed Doesn’t Bring in the Dough

Now, I’m not saying bike companies are out here selling their souls for a buck, but when you’ve got a choice between 11-speed and 12-speed, and the 12-speed costs more (and gives you an extra cog to brag about), guess what happens.

A quick look at the math will tell you that manufacturers love to sell more expensive bikes. The fact is, if 12-speed works on the same hub, why make 11-speed anymore? It’s all about streamlining the production process, and that means fewer 11-speed models and more of that sweet, sweet 12-speed cash.


3. The Compatibility Game is Getting Old

Remember when 11-speed was “the future,” and you’d happily switch out your old 10-speed parts, knowing you’d never look back? Now, every time you go shopping for a new drivetrain, you’re stuck trying to decide if your bike will be compatible with the latest 12-speed setup.

The industry realized that 12-speed can fit that same space, so 11-speed just became an unnecessary complication. Bike shops love a good upgrade cycle. They don’t want to deal with your old 11-speed headaches when they can sell you 12-speed solutions with zero hassle.


4. 12-Speed Is the New Flex

Let’s face it: cycling has always been about flex. And what better way to flex than with a 12-speed drivetrain? You can sit at the café with your 12 gears, sip your overpriced espresso, and talk about how smooth your shifting is (even though you never actually use half of those gears).

For those looking to make a statement, 12-speed is the king, and 11-speed is just… well, last season’s flex. It’s about looking modern, looking sharp, and keeping up with the trends. This isn’t about utility; it’s about showing the world that you’ve “upgraded.”


5. It’s Not You, It’s the Market: The Rise of the Mid-Budget Bike

Okay, let’s say it together: mid-range bikes are the bread and butter of the industry. Shimano’s CUES system, a combination of 10, 11, and 12-speed drivetrains, is pushing 11-speed further into the background.

Why? Because 11-speed is being relegated to budget-conscious cyclists who, frankly, don’t care about bleeding-edge tech.

Shimano is already phasing 11-speed out in favor of cheaper and more practical options for mid-range bikes. People buying in the entry-to-mid-level price range are going for simpler solutions – fewer parts to break, easier to maintain, and easier to stock.

They don’t need the complexity of 11-speed when 12-speed (or even 10-speed) can do the job just fine.


The Bottom Line: The Death of 11-Speed Isn’t Personal

Let’s not get sentimental about it. It’s not that 11-speed was bad or that we’re betraying our trusty old gears. It’s just that the bicycle industry has evolved, like it always does, with trends and fads rolling in and out faster than a caffeine-fueled critic at a bike shop sale.

As newer, shinier gear sets take over, 11-speed is left sitting in the corner, like that guy who still rocks a Nokia flip phone while everyone else talks about their 5G plans.

So, what do you do if you’re stuck in the 11-speed era and feel like an old man on the porch yelling at the kids on their 12-speed bikes?

Well, here’s the good news: 11-speed bikes aren’t going anywhere yet. You can still buy them, still love them, and still ride them into the sunset.

Just don’t expect them to be the shiny new thing. In the world of cycling, being the middle child isn’t always a bad thing—unless, of course, you’re looking to win that next Strava segment.


Speed Comparison Tables

Table 1: Speed Compatibility – 10, 11, and 12-Speed

SpeedRear Hub CompatibilityGear RangePopular Models
10Works with standard hubsModerateShimano Tiagra, SRAM Apex
11Requires wider hubsBroadShimano 105, SRAM Force
12Compatible with 11-speed hubsExtendedShimano Ultegra, SRAM Red

Table 2: 11-Speed vs 12-Speed – What’s the Real Difference?

Feature11-Speed12-Speed
Number of Cogs1112
Gear RangeSlightly narrowerWider, more range
CompatibilityLimited to specific hubsWorks with 11-speed hubs
Cost of ComponentsCheaper, still availableExpensive, newer tech
Shifting SmoothnessReliableSmoother, more precise

In the end, if you can still get parts, enjoy the ride, and you’re not concerned about your bike looking like it was pulled from a “last year’s” shelf, then who cares?

Rock your 11-speed with pride, my friend. But don’t expect the industry to hold the door open for you much longer.

Danny G.


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