A road bike groupset is the collection of components that make you stop and go — in other words, the drivetrain, shifters and brakes. Plenty of companies make bike components, but the market is dominated by three giants: Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo. Let's look at each of them in turn…
- Shimano reviews and buying advice
- SRAM reviews and buying advice
- Campagnolo reviews and buying advice
Despite the differences between the brands, the components all do the same job, even if there are some subtle variations in how they approach their specific tasks. We'll start this buyer's guide by explaining the different groupsets available, then go into greater detail on the individual components, and how they differ between brands. We finish by explaining the benefits of the more expensive groupsets, and flag up some compatibility issues.
Road bike groupset hierarchies
Shimano
Shimano is the oldest and most widely used of the three main brands. It began life in Japan in 1921 when Shozaburo Shimano decided to start making freewheels in a rented corner of a demolished celluloid factory. Fast-forward to today, and it's become so successful that Shimano now accounts for half of the global bike components industry.
ADVERTISEMENT
The range starts with the budget-priced Claris, which is usually found on the most affordable bikes available. Claris is an 8-speed system (eight gears at the rear) combined with either a double or triple crankset.
Next is Sora, which can also be found on entry-level bikes and is a 9-speed system available in either standard double cranksets or a wide-range triple.
SRAM
Campagnolo
Road bike groupset components
Crankset / chainset
- The standard double crankset is most commonly used by pro riders, and consists of a 53t big ring and 39t small ring.
- The semi-compact crankset – or pro-compact – is 52/36t. This gives you a slightly easier climbing gear while still retaining big top gear. It is a popular option among competitive amateur riders.
- The compact crankset is 50/34t. It has become very popular with thanks to its combination of easy gearing and low weight.
- The super-compact crankset offers an even lower gear range on double chainrings (typically 48t/32t). These are becoming popular with gravel riders and bikepackers who want low, closely spaced gearing
- The triple is an older type commonly seen on vintage road bikes and touring bikes. It offers a wide range of gears, but at a weight penalty. It combines a 50t outer ring, a 39t middle ring and an inner ring that has just 30 teeth. It is popular with touring cyclists who value a super-small 'granny ring' when loaded down with panniers.
- The single-ring crankset – also known as 1x (pronounced 'one-by') – has only one chainring. To compensate for the loss of the smaller, inner ring, they are often matched with a wider-range cassette.
Road bike shifters explained
Brakes
Road bike derailleurs explained
Road bike cassettes explained
Road bike chains explained
Road bike bottom brackets explained
What do I get with a more expensive road groupset?
Weight
Durability
Performance
Additional features
Component compatibility issues
You can read more at BikeRadar.com
via BikeRadar All the latest from BikeRadar.com http://ift.tt/1xhkWAc
No comments:
Post a Comment