Interchangeable derailleur cages rarely get people excited, but the feature on Shimano's GRX RD-RX822 GS actually matters for gravel riders who change their minds about gearing. If you start with this medium-cage derailleur for racing with a 10-45T cassette, then decide you want the climbing range of a 10-51T setup for bikepacking, you can swap to the SGS long cage without buying a whole new derailleur. That flexibility is new for this generation of GRX and worth knowing about before you commit to a drivetrain configuration.

The RD-RX822 GS pairs with Shimano's 12-speed MTB cassettes, specifically the 10-45T range that works with Micro Spline freehub bodies. This is the setup Shimano calls "Unbeatable" in their marketing, designed for riders who want tight gear steps for racing and fast group rides rather than the extended climbing range of wider-ratio cassettes. Paired with a 40T or 42T chainring, you get a gear spread that keeps you in the optimal cadence range whether you're grinding into a headwind or soft-pedaling through a recovery section.

Shadow RD+ technology tucks the derailleur mechanism closer to the frame, which improves ground clearance and protects the unit from impacts when you clip a rock or drop the bike on its drive side. The integrated chain stabilizer addresses a problem you've probably experienced if you've ridden rough gravel on a road-style drivetrain: chain slap. The friction clutch maintains tension on the chain through bumps and chattery descents, keeping things quiet and reducing the chance of a dropped chain when you need to accelerate out of a corner. An ON/OFF switch lets you disengage the stabilizer for easier wheel removal during flat repairs or when you're loading the bike into a car.... Read More