Shimano patent suggests it's about to revolutionise its gearing system

Shimano might be looking to expand its gear ratios

Shimano nine-tooth sprocket design drawing
(Image credit: USPTO)

Bike component manufacturer Shimano might have plans to introduce its first ever nine-tooth sprocket on a 12-speed cassette, a new patent has revealed. 

Dated 3 November 2022, the US patent application is titled ‘rear sprocket assembly and lock device’ and comes with attached drawings of a 12-speed cassette, with a smallest sprocket counting just nine teeth. 

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Tom Davidson
Senior News Writer

Tom joined Cycling Weekly as a news and features writer in the summer of 2022, having previously contributed as a freelancer. He is the host of The TT Podcast, which covers both the men's and women's pelotons and has featured a number of prominent British riders.

An enthusiastic cyclist himself, Tom likes it most when the road goes uphill and actively seeks out double-figure gradients on his rides.