gear grades

[joanna]

Can anyone help me with the grades of gears? And what is the one I should aim to get on a new bike?

Ie. where does Shimano 2300 fit in? I pretty much know the grades for mountain bike gears - but not road bikes.

Hope this makes sense - hayfever has made my head fuzzy!

 

[TheDoctor]

Lowest - 2300 - Sora - Tiagra - 105 - Ultegra - Dura Ace - Highest.

 

[Trickydicky]

Three main brands in Road Gearing Shim (Shimano), SRAM and Campag (Campagnol)

They each have their advantages and dissadvantages.

But here are the list in order of quality/price

Shim:
2300
Sora
Tiagra
105
Ultegra
Dura Ace

SRAM:
Apex
Rival
Force
Red

Campag:
Xenon
Veloce
Centaur
Athena
Chorus
Record
Super Record

I think this is correct for Campag, i know there is another group set at the lower end called mirrage but not sure exactly where it fits in.

TD

 

[jay clock]

I have two road bikes - one with 2200 shifters and Sora rear mech (I think that 2200 was the old version of the 2300). The other is Ultegra. To be honest they are both great.... They work, the gears change and every time I look at some expensive upgrades on the winter bike I can't face the idea because it really won't make much difference.

The frame however makes a massive difference!

 

[youngoldbloke]

re Campag: Mirage came above Xenon, and both can be found on new bikes offered for sale, but are now no longer manufactured, leaving Veloce (roughly=Tiagra/105) as the Campag entry level.

 

[joanna]

thanks for the replies - first and foremost - the quality and fit of the frame are the things that should be at the forefront when buying a bike? I've been thinking of getting the Spec Secteur - but the cheapest one (all I can afford) has Shimano 2300. But on the Spec Sirrus Elite for less money the gearing seems to be better specced with it's rear mech being Shimano Deore. I think Deore is the equivilant to Tiagra??

I might be wrong - but it seems that entry level road bikes have poorer quality mechs then hybrids at equal prices? Still learning all about this - and been doing a bit of research, so not sure.

Having said all this - my bike at the moment is fitted with the lowest quality mechs - and they seem to work fine. I'm just a bit confused as the how important it is to get good quality mechs, and whether it should be a factor to consider when shopping for a bike.

 

[Moodyman]

I'm just a bit confused as the how important it is to get good quality mechs, and whether it should be a factor to consider when shopping for a bike.

Unless you're racing, which I don't think you are..... a mid-range rear mech is worth getting. The front mech, performs a basic function so an entry level one will suffice.

Things to look for in a bike - frame and fork, wheels (actual hoops not the tyres) & hubs (I like the Shimano cup and cone for self-servicing). Also, mid-range shifters and mid-range brakes.

For the average cyclist, mid-range offers the best bang for buck. By mid-range I mean Sora- Tiagra-105 or Deore-Deore LX/SLX-XT.

Not sure what the SRAM/Campag equivalents are, but you get the idea.

 

[Herzog]

.

thanks for the replies - first and foremost - the quality and fit of the frame are the things that should be at the forefront when buying a bike?

Yep . Get the best frame/wheels combo you can afford. The mechs/brakes etc. can all be upgraded easily using Ebay for little cost.

 

[Garz]

For the average cyclist, mid-range offers the best bang for buck. By mid-range I mean Sora- Tiagra-105 or Deore-Deore LX/SLX-XT.

Mid-range?

Sora, Tiagra are almost bottom so when describing that term I would say for shimano 105 is the best bang for buck value.

It's harder to compare cross brand (105 with Rival for e.g.) as for a fair comparison you would have to own all three types and use it on the same machine which most people have not and seem to plug their current choice.

 

[TheDoctor]

Do remember that even basic stuff is pretty good.
My carbon bike had Sora on it - the old 8-speed one, which is much the same as 2300. I took that bike up Ventoux. It worked perfectly.
The groupset is not so important, the wheels and frame are more important, but the engine is paramount.