Which Groupset?

Oddly, I'm really finding it difficult to replace the rear wheel with GRX810 rear derailleur. Clutch is off, angle of mech looks ok. Cassette clashes with the cage and I literally have to force it in. Is anything obviously off?

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Can't you just pull it back out the way with one hand?

I can but it's stiffer than most. Problem is it starts to pull out of the way but stops short of what I'd expect, I cannot pull it any further. Also towards the end of its travel it moves sharply towards the lower end of the cassette which is 11-42, causing the interference between the derailleur and the large sprockets.

Is your chain too short ?

I wouldn't say it's a problem, I find getting wheels in and out of Shimano clutched bikes always a bit fiddly.

Yes, it's possible chain is too short, I'll slip the chain off at front and see if that works.

Best value 1X11 speed shifter/derailleur combo for a budget flat bar commuter? Mostly for the road but it may end up on some bumpy pathways now and then. I have a long cage 5800 mech in my spares but i'm not sure what magic would be required to get it to work with an 11 speed MTB shifter. Also not sure what MTB shifter to go for.

Or is 10 speed better value?

There are road pull 11 speed flat bar shifters, so you can use your 5800 mech but they're quite pricey, but I'd probably pick up whatever MTB 11 speed stuff you can find, deore is fine but SLX is nicer, XT, especially the shifter is best but it all works well, deore shifter is a bit plasticy, can mix and match the lot.

Cheers. Any idea how well the SLX/XT stuff would work with road ratios? Don't think i'll go bigger then 11-34 with something like a 38/40 up front.

I got recently a SRAM NX 11 groupset from AliExpress for £105. Shifter, 42t cassette, chain and derailleur.
Deore 10 speed is a great budget option too.

Nice, cheers.

Last one, will the deore/slx/nx/xt RD work sufficiently well with a normal front ring or do I need a NW to not be dropping chains all the time?

I don't think dropping chains even if it's only occasionally worth the potential savings. Get a cheap NW from eBay/AliExpress, or a chain guide.

whats the proper name of the circular domed shape washer in this picture (part of the Ultegra shifter clamping)? and where can I find one ?

Find Shimano Tech Docs or whatever it's called these days and enter the part number (ST-6800 for ex), you'll find a drawing with all the specific part numbers. Google that, bob's your uncle.

EDIT: here

AFAIK, you can only buy the whole clamp band as a set.

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/gear-spares/shimano-ultegra-st6800-clamp-band-unit-238mm-to-242mm-y00e98050/

This is for st-6800 but SJS likely sell the one you need.

Edit: Just noticed the watermark on your image... doh.

ah thanks, I might take the gamble and hope the washer is the same size!

think SJS sell the one I need but it's £35!!

edit @Lolo missed your edit, perfect, found correct one on sjs

https://www.bikeradar.com/features/shimano-dura-ace-r9200/

Wasn't everyone trying to make the brake hoods smaller, and now Shimano are making them bigger again?

Like what they did with mobile phones, you can go too far.

Shimano make mobile phones too?

I presume they use a really long wire on those

The cranks look like 10 year old MTB cranks

Still has wires and looks like the Tesla cybertruck, great work shimano

"They" being manufacturers, but now you know I'm googling "Shimano mobile phone"

Hoods also look like the van schip bars