Following a leak on Cubes website, Shimano has confirmed in a statement shared exclusively with BikeRadar that the drop-bar version of Cues will be released in early 2025.Spotted on the new Cube Nuroad Pro, the unreleased drop-bar levers complement Shimanos existing flat-bar Cues components.Intended primarily to offer affordable 1x groupsets, drop-bar Cues is expected to be specced widely on budget gravel bikes. It will also replace Shimanos budget-oriented Tiagra, Sora and Claris road bike groupsets.When will drop-bar Cues be available?Expect to see Sora, Claris and Tiagra components phased out in favour of Cues on budget gravel bikes. - Russell Burton / Our MediaOther than confirming it will arrive in early 2025, Shimano remains tight-lipped on when exactly we should expect to see its new Cues drop-bar groupset hit the market.So what can we infer from the timing and other goings-on at Shimano HQ?Despite its focus on compatibility, Cues stands apart from Shimanos existing products, using a different cable-pull ratio and drivetrain technology from its road or gravel groupsets.Cues uses a different cable-pull ratio from Shimano's existing gravel, road or mountain bike groupsets. - Kaden Gardener / Our MediaAs such, its release is unlikely to be tied to any other anticipated Shimano launches (such as the long-awaited new XTR Di2 drivetrain or 1x GRX Di2 groupset, which is expected to borrow tech from XTR).Instead, the timing is likely more prosaic, with Shimano and its OE partners introducing a new groupset to tempt would-be customers into buying a new bike as spring rolls around.Expect to see entry-level model year 2025 gravel bikes with Cues from many brands and, if were lucky, the odd unintentional leak revealing more details before the official launch.What else do we know?The offending Cues-equipped models have been removed from Cube's site, although they're still live on some retailer sites. - CubeAlthough Shimano declined to share details on the groupsets availability, pricing or specifications, Cues is likely to be priced below Shimanos enthusiast-oriented GRX groupsets.The Cube Nuroad Pro which has since been removed from Cube's site is specced with an existing Cues RD-U6000-GS rear derailleur, strongly suggesting drop-bar Cues uses the same cable-pull ratio as its flat-bar counterparts.Already seen on a range of urban and electric bikes, Cues uses Shimanos Linkglide technology to offer increased longevity and smoother shifting under load.Full response from Shimano"Thank you for your inquiry about the Shimano Cues drop handlebar. Shimano works closely with our OE [original equipment] partners to ensure new product information [presented] to the market is accurate.While we appreciate the enthusiasm for Shimano Cues, we do not want to comment on speculations regarding its availability, pricing or specifications until everything has been finalised and is ready for launch.The product has since been removed from the OEs website and more information will be shared in early 2025.