Oversized pulleys have become increasingly popular among professional cyclists looking to improve their performance. As the name implies, oversized pulleys utilize larger jockey pulleys which have smoother chain routing and upgraded bearings to reduce drivetrain losses. Visually they are also hard to miss as the pulleys can be nearly twice the size of the stock pulleys. Token’s Shuriken oversized pulleys offer a well designed affordable upgrade for a variety of drivetrain configurations. In this review we’ll specifically be looking at the Token Shuriken oversized pulley for the Shimano 105 R7000. Not only is this one of the few oversized pulleys designed for Shimano 105 (they are typically reserved for more premium components), but at $179, it is also well priced. The more affordable price point of this Shimano 105 variation means the pulley bracket is constructed from aluminum instead of carbon fiber, but still offers TBT upper bearings (ceramic balls + titanium coated races) and lower premium bearings (carbon steel).
The Token Shuriken for the Shimano 105 R7000 is a well priced oversized pulley for those looking to upgrade their drivetrain.
| Rating | 8.6/10 |
| Retail Price | $179 |
| Measured Weight (in g) | 64 |
| Likes | + Installs in less than 5 minutes + One of the few options for Shimano 105 |
| Dislikes | – Minimal gain – Only available in Black finish – Costs more than stock 105 derailleur |
| Where to Buy (US) | Token |
UNBOXING
Token packs the Shuriken Oversized Pulley in a sleek black box with a large front window to show off the pulley. In the box you’ll find:
- Shuriken Oversized Pulley
- Instruction manual
FIT & FINISH
Shuriken in the Token Shuriken oversized pulleys is actually a Japanese word that translates to “hidden hand blade” or better known as throwing stars / ninja stars. Visually, the large diameter 19 tooth bottom pulley actually like a ninja star with its intricate CNC aluminum design. Despite the larger size of the housing and pulley, the Shuriken weighed in at 64g (below the 66g Token claims) which is slightly less than the 66g our stock pulley weighed in at. The pulleys are hollowed out to keep the weight down and feature Token’s Conti-Wave machining that claims to reduce chain noise by minimizing the contact surface against the chain.
To keep the price of this Shimano 105 variation, Token uses TBT bearings in the upper pulley and their premium bearings in the lower pulley (as opposed to using TBT bearings on both pulleys). They both spin smoother and feel nicer than the stock Shimano 105 bearings. The combination of the larger diameter of the pulley and upgraded bearings mean the pulleys rotate at a lower rotational speed and reduce drivetrain losses. Unlike other companies, Token is much more realistic in terms of performance gains and highlights the reduction in pulley drag of the system compared to stock Shimano components.
ON THE ROAD
Installation is straightforward and only requires a simple hand tool and a few minutes. Removing the stock pulley is as simple as removing a single screw and sliding out the pulley and the retaining spring and dust cap. After you’ve swapped over the spring and cap to the new Token Shuriken, it slides back into place. The shifting isn’t even affected with the swap, although you may need to add a link or two to the chain in some situations. On the road, the oversized pulley felt as smooth as the stock 105 and shifted well. Unfortunately, our body isn’t well calibrated enough to notice much performance gain with the oversized pulley. While we don’t doubt there are some performance gains with the oversized pulley, it wasn’t enough to be noticeable on our rides.
THE VERDICT
Overall, we found the Token Shuriken Oversized pulley to be a sleek and quick drivetrain upgrade. Installation only requires a few minutes, and doesn’t even need any derailleur adjustments. The Shuriken oversized pulley is also one of the few available for the Shimano 105 R7000 derailleur and is well priced. Even though we found the performance gains to be minimal for normal riding, the oversized pulley is a great visual upgrade and has smooth shifting. The oversized pulleys and aluminum construction give the Shuriken Oversized pulley a premium and aggressive appearance that can set your bike apart. This means for most riders, the Shuriken and other oversized pulleys may be more of a visual upgrade but don’t underestimate the benefits of looking fast.
Disclaimer: The product for this review was provided by Token. The views expressed on this website are solely those of the authors and are here to help people make an informed choice before a purchase. The authors or the blog itself does not get any monetary compensation from the product manufacturer or third-party websites/vendor links that are posted here.