SHIMANO R7020 vs. R8020 – Comparison of 2023

Are you trapped in the battle of Shimano R7020 and R8020 and feeling confused? Well, we’re not surprised as both of them are amazing cycling group sets that you can purchase to enhance your cycling experience.

Since both of these remarkable sets feature many great attributes, it can get overwhelmingly confusing to choose one.

Thus, we have taken it upon ourselves to research and present you with an article that will get you to make the right decision.

So, without further ado, let’s take a look at what these sets have to offer and how they differ from each other.

SHIMANO R7020 vs SHIMANO R8020

Shimano R7020

The brand new Shimano R7020 dual control lever is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced.

After going through a full redesign, it became slimmer, and it features a better grip for enhanced riding experience. This lever sports a shape of a mechanical lever.

It features a similar hood contour, design, and textured appearance. The wider body of the hood, particularly at the bottom, really helps to provide a much better grip, especially if it is wet. And the setup process is relatively simple.

You will find that the brakes already come with the hose and other parts attached, which cuts down a lot of work for you.

After the installation process, you really don’t have much to worry about. Once you start riding the bike, you will notice how powerful and easy it is to modulate the brake.

The brakes will deliver you with massive stopping power for whenever you are in need of it.

What you will love about this brake, though, is how much control you will have over your bike thanks to the 11-speed control lever. You won’t require to apply a lot of pressure to get this bad boy going.

Furthermore, it will successfully make difficult roads easy to ride just by being reliable and easy to manage.

When it comes to shifting, we found that the shorter throw has made the upshift relatively easier, which helps to improve the overall performance of the lever.

However, we did find the set to be a little expensive, so if you’re planning to purchase this, do look around before placing the order.

Finally, it can be concluded that the R7020 by Shimano has really excelled at making up for the previous version.

With this device, you won’t just get a reliable lever and brake but also a stylish one.

Related Guide: Top Wheelset Under $500

Shimano R8020

If you’re looking for a highly reliable lever and brake set that can be used on a professional level, then look no further.

The R8020 is the latest generation of the Ultegra, which means it’s even better than the renowned R8000.

And the R8020 features a mechanical shifting and has been specifically made for hydraulic disc brakes. It features the ergonomics of Shimano’s premium line, the Dura-Ace.

To create this device, Shimano has used aluminum and carbon to ensure durability – in which they succeeded.

The R8020 claims to have a functioning lifespan of 3 years, but users have reported that it lasts even longer.

Moreover, the front shifting of the lever is comparatively lighter and offers the user a more extensive range of reach adjustment.

These features, hand in hand, deliver the user with more control over the speed, direction, and brake. You can also expect to get added stroke adjustment.

In terms of aesthetics, you can rely on this set to add style and class to your bike. Its simple yet elegant design really manages to set this bike apart from the rest.

Amazingly, Shimano has created a chain set system that features its Hollowtech technology, which helps to reduce weight without compromising the stiffness.

The new and improved rim brake calipers were added to the R8020 to offer top-tier power. If compared to the previous generation, these calipers are sleeker, stiffer, sturdier, and heavier.

Don’t worry about the extra weight, though, as it helps to keep the bike more secure on the road.

Finally, we think it’s safe to say that the R8020 truly is a superb set. There’s little to nothing to criticize, and the price point surely seals the deal.

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Shimano R8020 or R7020 STI Shifter?

While both of them are great choices on their own, one is likely to be a better option for your personal needs. Thus, let’s take a look at what sets these two apart:

Shifters

Both of these group sets feature stylish shifters that will certainly add a bling factor to your bike.

The shifters included in the R8020 is about 50g lighter and features a newer and improved profile.

This profile will allow you to brake by just using a finger, whereas you’d need two fingers for the R7020’s box profile shifters.

Related Guide: Edge 130 vs 530

Chainset

Both the sets feature the new unevenly spaced 4 arm designed chains. This innovative design helps to decrease the weight of the chain while increasing the stiffness.

While both of them sport a very similar chainset, the R7020’s outer chainrings have been built in 1 piece, while the R8020 features a 2-piece construction. The R8020’s chainsets are also lighter than the R7020.

Brakes

Both of these sets come with the same dual-pivot brakes – the same materials and functions.

The only thing that differentiates them is the weight, where the R8020 is around 30g lighter than the other.

Suggested comparison: SHIMANO M520 vs. M530 vs. M540

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here we have the most commonly asked queries regarding the Shimano products:

Final Words

If you’ve been with us from the beginning of the Shimano R7020 and R8020 article, then I think we will come to the same conclusion – these two models aren’t very different.

While the factors that set them apart are minor, yet they are enough to categorize them into two different segments.

And we can conclude that the R7020 is a robust gear for daily use, whereas the R8020 is the perfect budget-friendly group set for professionals.

Related resource: Shimano R7020 vs R7025