The Ultimate Guide to Road Bike Groupsets

Consisting of the cranks, chainrings (front cogs), chain, cassette (rear cogs), brakes, derailleurs best road bike deals and shifters a groupset is a closed circuit that propels your bike and brings it to a stop again. As you work up the groupset hierarchy, materials change, components decrease in weight and often increase in price as a result. With that in mind, there are a number of things to be aware of when it comes to the engine room of your bike, including the features of electrical and mechanical drivetrains, things to look out for any other differences you may come across on your search for the perfect groupset.

The Difference Between Mechanical and Electronic Groupsets
Each major groupset provider offers multiple mechanical and electronic options with different names and operating procedures. In the electronic shifting variants, Campagnolo has ‘EPS’ which stands for ‘Electronic Power Shift’, Shimano has ‘Di2’ which stands for ‘Digital Integrated Intelligence’, and SRAM have ‘AXS’, which stands for ‘Access’. Campagnolo and Shimano both use wires that actuate the front and rear derailleur via the trigger at the shifters. SRAM eTap was the first completely wireless groupset, which now uses a proprietary protocol called AXS. This works in a similar way to ANT+ or Bluetooth to communicate between the shifters and derailleurs as well as other products in the SRAM AXS product family.

Mechanical shifting works via cables that are attached to the shifters, and run via the frame (internally or externally) to the front and rear derailleurs. Moving the shift lever pulls or releases cables, which then activates the derailleurs to either shift up or down. The benefits of mechanical shifting come in the form of a weight reduction, decreased cost and a more “natural” shift feel. Conversely, the downside of mechanical shifting is that is as often not as flawless as it relies on the cables to be in perfect working order. Additionally, frames with long frame tubes and acute angles can make installing cables difficult and decrease the performance of the whole system if it’s not regularly adjusted.

Electronic shifting works via wires attached to the shifters and derailleurs that transfer a signal, or via wireless technology similar to Bluetooth or ANT+ devices. The benefits of electronic shifting are the precise shifting, the lack of deviation from the set adjustment, easier shifting at the lever, decreased cable routing difficulty, programmable shifting, and downloadable information on shifting habits and efficiency. The downside of electronic shifting is the system breaking down if batteries are not charged, increased price and generally heavier weight when compared to their mechanical counterparts.

Shimano

The clear market leader, Shimano has the largest range of road-specific groupsets and is a favourite with professional teams too. Shimano pioneered the STI (Shimano Total Integration) lever, which is the most commonly used lever today. The ingenious system allows the user to change gears up or down and brake with one hand. The right-hand lever controls the rear derailleur and front brake (brake orientation can change based on country), while the left-hand lever controls the front derailleur and rear brake. The STI lever allows for multiple shifts and means never having to move your hand position to slow down or change gears. To operate, the brake lever swings inwards to pull the derailleur in one direction, with a smaller shift lever sitting behind the brake lever which releases the cable for the derailleur to go the opposite direction.

Most of Shimano’s groupsets are designed to work together (as long as they share the same number of gears), making it possible to mix componentry, although for optimal performance it’s best to keep uniformity.

Claris: Claris is Shimano’s entry-level groupset best suited to recreational or fitness bikes. It has an 8-speed cassette and comes in either a double or triple crankset providing a multitude of gearing options. The triple is available as a 50 / 39 / 30 tooth crankset, while the double is available in a traditional 50/34 tooth compact set-up or a smaller 46 / 34 option. Claris uses simple and intuitive dual control levers with gear indicators so you’ll always know what gear you’re in without having to check the cassette at back. Claris also has an option for flat bar road bikes, a purpose-built shift lever known as ‘RAPIDFIRE Plus’.

Sora: Sora adds an extra gear over Claris, as such is typically the type used on entry-level road bikes. With a number of 9-speed cassettes on offer, a maximum cog size of 30T outback and refinements made to shift quality and durability, Sora represents great value. Sora has a different aesthetic to Claris, more in line with other performance-orientated options in the Shimano product lineup. With the latest R3000 iteration of Sora, both 4 and 5-arm cranksets are also offered in double and triple configurations. Additionally, Sora offers ‘RAPIDFIRE Plus’ shift levers for use on flat bar road bikes as well as front and rear hubs.

Tiagra: Appearing on many entry-level road bikes, Tiagra scores another cog with the 10-speed groupset represents a sound combination of durability and performance. The groupset is also the first in the hierarchy to score in series disc brake compatibility, with both levers and callipers on offer. The crankset is also available in a double and triple, with up to a 34T sprocket available on the rear cassette providing a huge range of gears. In order to accommodate the larger sprocket, Tiagra’s rear derailleur comes in a long and short cage option. The options for cranksets increase by one, with a ‘mid-compact’ 52/36 gear option available, which has proven popular in upper-tier groupsets.

105: Considered Shimano’s first step into the performance-orientated groupset market and 105 is largely referred to as the “working man’s groupset” and is traditionally the most popular groupset option in the lineup. Overhauled in 2022, 105 R7100 is aimed at the entry to intermediate level road rider. With that in mind, 105 is equal parts durable and reliable and features much of the same technology found on the more expensive Ultegra and Dura-Ace groups.

As a 12-speed groupset, 105 features 12 cogs on the cassette, the same as its more expensive siblings, allowing riders to mix and match components between the three groupsets. 105 features its own in-series flat-mount hydraulic disc callipers to complete a full disc-specific groupset option. The rear derailleur will suit cassettes up to 11-36T, while endurance focussed 50-34t and 52-36T cranksets are also offered.