Help me! Road Bike Part Grades for Dummies

[tulip]

+1 Liza.

Think of it like cars.

Shimano = Toyota

Sora = Yaris

Tiagra = Corolla

105 = Camry

Ultegra = Avalon

Dura-Ace = Lexus

[F8th637]

+1 Liza.

Think of it like cars.

Shimano = Toyota

Sora = Yaris

Tiagra = Corolla

105 = Camry

Ultegra = Avalon

Dura-Ace = Lexus

Where does Deore fit into this? Putting it like this is very helpful, tulip. Thanks!

[Zen]

Where does Deore fit into this? Putting it like this is very helpful, tulip. Thanks!

it doesn't. That list is road bike .
Deore is MTB (Toyota Truck.

[F8th637]

it doesn't. That list is road bike .
Deore is MTB (Toyota Truck.

Oh, very interesting! Had no idea! Thanks, Zen!

[Andrea]

Don't forget about SRAM! SRAM Website

Rival
Force
Red

The main difference is weight/material that the parts are constructed out of. As with Shimano, there will be some difference in durability and shift quality as well. Personally, I think that for a person looking for the best quality at the lowest price, it doesn't get much better than Rival! I am building an all-out race machine, so I've got Red ordered, but before that came out, Force was the top of the line choice for SRAM.

Now, any Campy lovers want to speak up?

[mimitabby]

I was thinking of speaking up but didn't know how to grade my sports cars...
maybe later

[tulip]

I only focused on Shimano because that's what Idealmuse asked about. I agree with Zen that Deore XT is a Tundra and Deore is a Tacoma PreRunner.

I'm not up on my Maserti models, otherwise I'd give Campy a try.

EDIT: but I am up on my Audi/VW models for Campy comparison (from high to low)

Record = Audi RS4 Cabriolet/S8
Chorus = Audi S4 Cabriolet/S6
Centaur = Audi A4
Veloce = VW Passat
Mirage = VW Jetta
Zenon = VW Polo

[Idealmuse]

2200 = Matchbox?



Thanks both of you. That was helpful. Going to try and find a good book and read read read.

[Fredwina]

Where does Deore fit into this? Putting it like this is very helpful, tulip. Thanks!

let's try this (and I may get it wrong )
Dura-Ace XTR
Ultegra deore XT
105 deore LX
Tiarga Deore
Sora Alivo
2200 Acera
? altus
? Tourney(*mart level)

[Zen]

i like that, Fredwina.

I think I'll clip it out and carry it around for quick reference

[alpinerabbit]

Then there's the new Ultegra SL.

Which I am getting on my new ride. That would be the "turbo" version of Ultegra/Insert car of choice, with metallic paint or summat.

Except that I'm installing an SRAM cassette. So I am, GASP! Mixing brands!

Shimano only provides road cassettes up to 27 cogs.
Campy up to 29. What I had so far.
SRAM cassettes go up to 28 and that's what I'm getting.

So other than weight, I guess gearing options will be something to look out for?

I always thought or Record/DuraAce = Porsche and Chorus/Ultegra = BMW (although Chorus a higher series BMW than Ultegra).


Now what is Triple vs. Double vs. Compact???


May I also add that I visually detest the dial thingy on XT shifters?

[tulip]

And the BEST thing is that they are all NO EMISSION vehicles!

[Andrea]

^Alpinerabbit- If you're not planning on sprinting to win races or achieving break-neck speeds on descents, I'd say the compact is the way to go! The crank I'm replacing on my bike this afternoon is a compact, and I really liked it except for when I'd max it out in either of those previously mentioned situations

Just to widen your options, FSA makes a 52 tooth chainring that will fit a compact BCD (bolt circle diameter- the part that attaches the crank to the rings). So, if you wanted a huge range of gears, you could go with a 52/36 compact in front (rather than the typical 50/36) and the gearing of your choice in back (personally, I'm a fan of an 11/26). I was going to go with that setup until I fell in love with the Red group & got a killer deal on a build kit.

[alpinerabbit]

Thanks dear,

I was mainly commenting on "componentry vs. car nomenclature". Perhaps regular double is a tuned Ford Mustang, Triple is an SUV and compact double is... well I'm not that into cars. Something small that goes up mountains, anyway.

I am set on what I want - getting 50-34 / 12-28. Even better for the mountains I climb / the power I have compared to these ambitions - 36-26 would not be enough. I am not at all worried on the high end - 50 is peachy for me.
I disliked Shimano shifters so far because of the bug antennae-like wiring. Now I am getting Nokon cables and they just hide away. Almost like my old Campy.