Shimano makes a variety of groupsets throughout mountain, highway, gravel, and commuter bike types. They vary in value from a few hundred {dollars} to nicely into 4 digits.
They embrace conventional cable-driven shifting expertise and new digital, cable-free elements shortly turning into ubiquitous in biking. And with totally different identifiers like Ultegra, Deore, and 105, it may be difficult to to discern which is greatest for you.
This rundown will contact on some entry-level elements, however we are going to give attention to Shimano’s off- and on-pavement efficiency groupsets lineup. All Shimano groupsets on this explainer characteristic hydraulic disc brakes.
Shimano Mountain Bike Parts
Shimano makes a whopping 10 totally different groupsets of various high quality and price that would doubtlessly dangle off a mountain bike. However we are going to solely cowl the 4 groupsets that the majority GearJunkie readers could be serious about. These groupsets are discovered on specialty cross-country, path, and enduro class mountain bikes, not bikes present in malls.
The real contenders for Shimano start within the 11- and 12-speed choices, which embrace Deore, SLX, Deore XT, and XTR. These drivetrains are dependable path groupsets that keep very comparable traits however fluctuate barely in options and supplies the upper up you go.
Deore
The Deore groupset sits on the most approachable degree of Shimano’s core MTB element spec. It’s accessible with a 10-, 11-, or 12-speed cassette. The 12-speed model is offered as a 1x, with just one entrance chainring, whereas the 10- and 11-speed choices generally is a 1x or 2x setup.
The 12-speed cassette attaches to a Shimano Microspline freewheel physique and helps a 10-51t vary on the cassette. The ten- and 11-speed choices match the Shimano HG free hub physique.
SLX
The SLX is a step above Deore. It’s a 12-speed groupset that’s round 200 g lighter than the SLX and about $100 costlier. The SLX and Deore groupsets characteristic single-click upshifting slightly than multiple-click on the XT and XTR fashions. That characteristic makes operating by gears extra shortly on the higher-end groupsets simpler.
Deore XT
The XT groupset strikes towards a extra refined setup. It comes outfitted with a 12-speed cassette with a 10-51t vary cassette with both a single or double chainring choice. Shimano nonetheless affords an 11-speed model with an 11-50t cassette.
A big change with the XT in comparison with different fashions is the introduction of a multiple-click shifter. This permits the upshifting of multiple gear with a single stroke of the shifter paddle, making this drivetrain extra conscious of abrupt modifications within the terrain.
The XT groupset can be accessible in a Di2 digital shifting mannequin in 1×11 and 1×12 setups, however Shimano specifies them for e-MTBs.
XTR
XTR is the cream of the crop for Shimano’s MTB groupsets.
Just like the XT, XTR shifters have multiple-click options, and Shimano affords a Di2 electrical shifting model. XTR additionally has an growth ring match for the underside bracket, which is totally different from all different Shimano mountain bike groupsets, which use conventional cinch attachments. It is available in a number of drivetrain choices, together with 1x and 2x setups.
Shimano Mountain Bike Groupset Pricing
Shimano Deore groupsets begin at round $200 for drivetrain elements and steadily enhance in value all through the lineup. Digital elements are costlier than conventional cable-driven methods. The varied element teams enhance in value from there, with XTR groupsets commanding a value north of $1,300.
Shimano Street Groupset Hierarchy
Shimano’s highway groupset vary begins with choices for extra informal riders. The eight-speed Claris, nine-speed Sora, and 10-speed Tiagra mark the model’s entry factors.
Nonetheless, these are usually not thought of high-performance fashions. They start within the 11- and 12-speed vary and embrace 105, Ultegra, and Dura-Ace fashions. Our explainer will solely give attention to these three Shimano highway groupsets.
105
Shimano’s newest 12-speed 105 sequence is available in mechanical and Di2 digital shifting variations. Each mechanical and digital drivetrains might be arrange as 1x or 2x with cassettes that embrace an 11-34t or 11-36t cassette and 50/35t or 52/36t chainrings.
Shimano says the 105 line is made for newer riders prepared to start driving extra severely.
Ultegra
Shimano Ultegra is firmly within the class of higher-end elements. The newest model of Ultegra, the R8100 Collection, is constructed across the 12-speed, all-electric Di2 system. It’s accessible in 1x or 2x setups with 50-34 or 52-36 chainrings and cassettes starting from 11-30t to 11-34t.
The newest mannequin can be accessible with the brand new Ultegra energy meter.
Dura-Ace
Shimano’s prime highway groupset line is Dura-Ace. The Japanese model says the most recent 12-speed R9200 Collection is the quickest groupset it has ever designed.
Just like the Ultegra, Dura-Ace employs the all-electric Di2 system however is lighter.
Pricing
Shimano highway groupsets begin at $200-300 and steadily progress to nicely over $1,000, relying on a spectrum of choices that may swing a value by a whole lot of {dollars}. An entire Dura-Ace groupset goes for about an MSRP of $2,000.
Shimano Gravel
GRX
Shimano’s gravel-dedicated GRX line fills the void for these the place neither road- nor MTB-specific setups will do the job.
The GRX groupset consists of ergonomic designs to make driving over chunky terrain extra conformable and a rear derailleur clutch to cut back chain drops and slap.
Shimano affords GRX in 11-speed Di2 digital groupset or 10-speed, 11-speed, or 12-speed mechanical variations. Shimano affords 1x and 2x methods. The 1x setup is offered with a 40t or 42t chainring, whereas 2x choices are available both 48-31t or 46-30t chainrings.
The GRX rear derailleurs additionally are available two choices with a most low gear of both 34t or 42t, the bigger of which is suitable with MTB cassettes.
Full GRX groupsets go for greater than $1,000.
