by Stan Purdum
Good bicycles aren’t inexpensive, but there are significant price differences from one model to another, some of which is determined by the level of components used on the bike.
In a general sense, “components” can refer to all the individual parts that are assembled to create a bicycle, from the frame to the wheels, but in bicycle jargon, components refer primarily to the parts that propel the bike and make it stop — the elements that comprise the drivetrain and the braking system. These include the derailleurs, gear cassettes, chains, crankset (chainrings plus crank arms), bottom brackets, shifters and brakes. The frame, fork, wheels, handlebar, seatpost and saddle, while essential pieces of the bike, are identified just by their part name and are not counted as components.
On a bike, even on some brand-new ones, the individual components may come from a variety of manufacturers, but the leading component makers also sell theirs in sets, called “groupsets,” and they offer full groupsets in various quality and performance tiers.
Before the advent of electronic shifting, the higher the tier of the groupset, the less it weighed. But the electric motors and batteries have added weight to the upper tiers, though within the electronic tiers, the higher the level, the less it weighs. Since the higher-level (and thus more expensive) groupsets shift smoother, have a higher number of gears and offer superior braking, one way riders upgrade their existing bikes is by installing a higher-level groupset.
While there are many bike component makers, one of the pioneers and now a leader in the industry is Shimano, whose sales constitute an estimated 70–80% of the global bicycle component market by value.
For road bikes, Shimano currently offers several different groupsets for road bikes, from very high end to entry level. But even the lower-tier sets keep getting better; Shimano introduces its innovations in the higher tiers, and then, with each new generation, those improvements trickle down to the lower ones. The company has separate groupsets for gravel and mountain bikes, and some road riders mix in some components from those for special purposes on their road bikes, but here, we are focusing on the road-bike sets.
We have not attempted to list the prices for each groupset, as they vary a good bit from one seller to another, but we have indicated the price bracket of bikes on which those groupsets may be found. We represent the entire groupset with a photo of the rear derailleur, for reference.
Starting at the top of the line and working down, Shimano’s road-bike groupset are as follows:
(If you’re looking for the gravel groupset hierarchy, it’s here.)
Dura-Ace R9200
Weighing it at just over 5.37 pounds for the full groupset, the Dura-Ace R9200 offers electronic, semi-wireless shifting over a 2 x 12 shift system. Designed for maximum speed, the Dura-Ace offers 53/39T and 54/40T chainring combos to accommodate the pace of pro-riders. Your choice of rim or disc brakes.
New bikes that come with the Dura-Ace R9200 groupset installed cost $12,000 and up.
- Weight: 5.37 pounds
- Shifting: Electronic, semi-wireless
- Speeds: 2 x 12
- Chainrings: 50/34T, 52/36T, 53/39T, 54/40T
- Cassettes: 11-30T, 11-34T
- Brakes: hydraulic disc / rim
Learn more here: https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/product/component/dura-ace-r9200.html
Ultegra R8100
This groupset is only one step below the Dura-Ace 9200 and only a fraction of a pound heavier. Since it is functionally similar to its more expensive cousin, it should meet the speed needs of all but pro-racers.
New bikes that come with the Ultegra R8100 groupset installed cost around $7,000 and up.
- Weight: 5.98 pounds
- Shifting: electronic, semi-wireless
- Speeds: 2 x 12
- Chainrings: 50/34T, 52/36T
- Cassettes: 11-30T, 11-34T
- Brakes: hydraulic disc / rim
Learn more here: https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/product/component/ultegra-r8100.html
105 F7100 Di2
Here’s 2 x 12 speeds and electronic shifting at a lower price and a wider gear range. Di2 stands for “Digital Integrated Intelligence” — Shimano’s version of electronic shifting. Di2 provides instant, accurate, lightning-fast shifts the first and every time. This groupset is backwards compatible with 11-speed freehubs, meaning you don’t have to buy new wheels if you upgrade.
New bikes that come with the 105 Di2 groupset installed cost around $3,500 and up.
- Weight: 6.6 pounds
- Shifting: electronic, semi-wireless
- Speeds: 2 x 12
- Chainrings: 50/34T, 52/36T
- Cassettes: 11-34T, 11-36T
- Brakes: hydraulic disc only
Learn more here: https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/product/component/shimano105-r7100-di2.html
105 R7000 Mechanical
This is the tier at which Shimano groupsets revert to mechanical shifting and leave the 12-speed system behind, offering 11 instead, but the 105 R7000 series is still a great set of components at a price that is a much smaller shock to your wallet.
New bikes that come with the 105 R7000 groupset installed cost around $1,600 and up — though this is a price range where the manufacturer may mix in components from other manufacturers to achieve the lower price.
- Weight: (R7020) 5.45 pounds
- Shifting: mechanical
- Speeds: 2 x 11
- Chainrings: 50/34T, 52/36T, 53/39T
- Cassettes: 11-28T, 11-30T, 11-32T, 11-34T, 12-25T, 14-28T
- Brakes: rim or hydraulic disc
Learn more here: https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/product/component/shimano105-r7000.html
Tiagra 4700
The Tiagra is a 10-speed groupset, and the first tier in Shimano’s current road-bike offerings to include your choice of a two- or three-crankset option. And the latter provides a wider gearing range.
New bikes that come with the Tiagra groupset installed cost around $1,200 and up — though components from other manufacturers may be mixed in to achieve the lower price.
- Weight: (4720) 6.23 pounds
- Shifting: mechanical
- Speeds: 2 x 10 or 3 x 10
- Chainrings: 48/34T, 50/34T, 52/36T, 50/39/30T
- Cassettes: 11-25T, 12-28T, 11-32T, 11-34T
- Brakes: rim or hydraulic disc
Learn more here: https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/product/component/tiagra-4700.html
Sora R3000
This groupset is pitched toward sport and fitness riders and is available in your choice of 2 x 9 or 3 x 9 cranksets and comes with rim or mechanical disc brakes.
New bikes that come with the Sora R3000 groupset installed cost around $1,000 and up — though components from other manufacturers may be mixed in to achieve the lower price.
- Weight: unavailable
- Shifting: mechanical
- Speeds: 2 x 9 or 3 x 9
- Chainrings: 50/34T, 50/39/30T
- Cassettes: 11-32T, 11-34T
- Brakes: rim or mechanical disc
Learn more here: https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/product/component/sora-r3000.html
Claris R2000
Claris is an 8-speed system combined with your choice of a double or triple crankset. It comes with rim brakes only. Shimano says the Claris lends itself to sport riding, long touring, town cruising and commuting.
New bikes that come with the Claris R2000 groupset installed cost around $750 and up — though components from other manufacturers may be mixed in to achieve the lower price.
- Weight: unavailable
- Shifting: mechanical
- Speeds: 2 x 8 or 3 x 8
- Chainrings: 50/34T, 50/39/30T
- Cassettes: 11-32T, 11-34T
- Brakes: rim
Learn more here: https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/product/component/claris-r2000.html
Tourney A070
This is the basic set that comes in your choice of 2 x 7 or 3 x 7. Shimano says it’s good for urban cycling.
New bikes that come with the Tourney A070 groupset installed cost around $500 — though you may find even lower priced bicycles with some Tourney components mixed in.
- Weight: unavailable
- Shifting: mechanical
- Speeds: 2 x 7 or 3 x 7
- Chainrings: 50/34T, 50/39/30T
- Cassettes: 11-32T, 11-34T
- Brakes: rim
Learn more here: https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/product/component/tourney-a070.html
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Stan Purdum has ridden several long-distance bike trips, including an across-America ride recounted in his book Roll Around Heaven All Day, and a trek on U.S. 62, from Niagara Falls, New York, to El Paso, Texas, the subject of his book Playing in Traffic. Stan, a freelance writer and editor, lives in Ohio. See more at www.StanPurdum.com.
Ultegra?