Confused About Road Bike Components?
Confused About Road Bike Components?
by Kayceebikes
In the last few years, the popularity of road biking has soared. Lots of people have been fascinated by Lance Armstrong’s success at the Tour de France. Perhaps we’re all getting a little older, and we long for the fun of cruising without the technical demands of off-road riding. Maybe everybody already has a mountain bike! In any event, many people these days are looking to purchase a road bike. And, many of them are looking puzzled. Purchasing a road bike is a process that involves both head and heart. The frame material and geometry, the quality of the wheelset and the components, even the color of the bike all contribute to your enjoyment and satisfaction in riding it. Many factors affect how the bike fits and feels and performs under you. Let’s talk about components. Components (also known as “group sets” or “gruppos”) are the various pieces that form the shifting and braking system on the bike. Even though two road bikes may look essentially the same, identical frames equipped with different component groups can differ greatly in price. For example, Bianchi is one of very few bike manufacturers that offers both Shimano and Campagnolo conponents on its different models. In 2005, Bianchi used the same cromoly steel frame and carbon fork on four different bikes! However, each bike is equipped with different components and different wheels. The retail prices range from about $1,200 to $1,800. The difference in price results from the differences in components and wheels. Let’s try to sort out the differences in components alone, and forget about wheels for the moment.... There are two major manufacturers of road components, Shimano (Japanese), Campagnolo (Italian). Just this year, SRAM, formerly only a manufacturer of mountain bike components, developed its own road components as well. SRAM's new groups are called Force and Rival, and they will start appearing as original equipment on bikes very soon, on a few 2006 models. However, SRAM will be used more extensively on 2007 biek models. So, for the moment, let's limit our discussion to the big two, Shimano and Campagnolo ("Campy"). We'll touch briefly on SRAM components later.
Shimano is better known, because it also manufactures mountain bike components. However, Campagnolo actually invented many of the component designs (such as the moving parallelogram used universally on rear derailleurs) that have been refined over the years since the 1930s. Both manufacturers produce high-quality components.Both Shimano and Campy have several levels of componentry. Here are the levels, arranged from least expensive to most:
SHIMANO2200Sora Tiagra 105Ultegra Dura-Ace
CAMPAGNOLOXenonMirageVeloceCentaurChorusRecord
Each group set comes with a 9 or 10-speed rear cog set, and a choice of traditional double or compact double or even triple front chainrings to provide a total of 18 to 30 gears. For 2007, all Campy groupsets will have 10-speed cogsets. Why does Campy Record cost about three times as much as Shimano 105? In general, better components cost more because they are lighter in weight, made from more exotic materials to more exacting standards, finished more elegantly, and are smoother and more precise and crisp-feeling. You bought your mountain bike based on what suited your riding style and frequency, and your budget. Even though you knew that Shimano XTR would outperform Shimano Alivio, you may have found Alivio to be adequate for your riding style. Alivio has served you well. Likewise, decide on a road bike budget, and check out how much “bang for the buck” you can get. Watch for component mixing. Most people look first at the rear derailleur. But check all the components (shift/brake levers, front derailleur, brakes, cranks, bottom bracket) in addition to the rear derailleur when comparing one bike to another. Some manufacturers mix components on a bike. The less visible parts, such as the front derailleur or bottom bracket, may be a step below the level of the rear derailleur. Sometimes bike manufacturers will use a different brand crankset (such as Ritchey, TruVativ or FSA) with an otherwise all-Shimano or Campy group set. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but if you’re not familiar with a brand, ask a lot of questions. If you want an opinion as to why an Ultegra-equipped bike might be the best choice for you, ask the question at your local bike shop. Why should you consider a Campy-equipped bike? There are pros and cons, and a good shop will discuss them with you and make unbiased recommendations. Take the time to evaluate what you need in a road bike. Get expert advice. Make sure you test ride different bikes equipped wtih different components so that you can compare for yourself what performs and feels better for you, within your bike-buying budget.
Note, Campagnolo has changed its crank/bottom bracket configurations for 2007, eliminating the old square taper press fit set-up (which Shimano abandoned about three years ago on its upper-end groupsets). The result is a bulletproof integrated crank and bottom bracket, featuring lighter weight, greater stiffness, and simply fool-proof installation. If you haven't tried Campy, this is a great time to give it a second look.
SRAM's two new groupsets, Force and Rival, are intended to compete against Shimano's Dura Ace and Ultegra groups (or roughly, Campagnolo's Record and Chorus groups). SRAM has been producing high-quality mountain bike components for many years. With the more recent popularity of road biking, a road component group from SRAM is a natural progression. SRAM did not enter the market until its groupsets were totally developed, and thoroughly tweaked and tested. Initial reviews ahve been generally very good. The shifting mechanism is different from both Shimano and Campy, and for those accustomed to Shimano or Campy, there is a bit of a learning curve with SRAM's single lever shifting for both up and down shifts. However, the new shift mechanism becomes quite intuitive quite quickly. For those who have never ridden road bikes, there would be nothing to re-learn. No triple chainring set-ups are available with SRAM, but a regular double 53-39 and compact doubles (50-36 and 50-34) will afford a wide range of gearing. There is no "trimming" or micro-adjusting of the SRAM front derailleur on the fly, so its initial adjustment and set-up must be very precise. Since roadies value both tradition and technology, it will be interesting to watch how the SRAM groups are received. In any event, it is great to have an additional choice in component manufacturers.
Please visit my ebay store called the Bike Boutique for killer road bike deals!
by Kayceebikes
In the last few years, the popularity of road biking has soared. Lots of people have been fascinated by Lance Armstrong’s success at the Tour de France. Perhaps we’re all getting a little older, and we long for the fun of cruising without the technical demands of off-road riding. Maybe everybody already has a mountain bike! In any event, many people these days are looking to purchase a road bike. And, many of them are looking puzzled. Purchasing a road bike is a process that involves both head and heart. The frame material and geometry, the quality of the wheelset and the components, even the color of the bike all contribute to your enjoyment and satisfaction in riding it. Many factors affect how the bike fits and feels and performs under you. Let’s talk about components. Components (also known as “group sets” or “gruppos”) are the various pieces that form the shifting and braking system on the bike. Even though two road bikes may look essentially the same, identical frames equipped with different component groups can differ greatly in price. For example, Bianchi is one of very few bike manufacturers that offers both Shimano and Campagnolo conponents on its different models. In 2005, Bianchi used the same cromoly steel frame and carbon fork on four different bikes! However, each bike is equipped with different components and different wheels. The retail prices range from about $1,200 to $1,800. The difference in price results from the differences in components and wheels. Let’s try to sort out the differences in components alone, and forget about wheels for the moment.... There are two major manufacturers of road components, Shimano (Japanese), Campagnolo (Italian). Just this year, SRAM, formerly only a manufacturer of mountain bike components, developed its own road components as well. SRAM's new groups are called Force and Rival, and they will start appearing as original equipment on bikes very soon, on a few 2006 models. However, SRAM will be used more extensively on 2007 biek models. So, for the moment, let's limit our discussion to the big two, Shimano and Campagnolo ("Campy"). We'll touch briefly on SRAM components later.
Shimano is better known, because it also manufactures mountain bike components. However, Campagnolo actually invented many of the component designs (such as the moving parallelogram used universally on rear derailleurs) that have been refined over the years since the 1930s. Both manufacturers produce high-quality components.Both Shimano and Campy have several levels of componentry. Here are the levels, arranged from least expensive to most:
SHIMANO2200Sora Tiagra 105Ultegra Dura-Ace
CAMPAGNOLOXenonMirageVeloceCentaurChorusRecord
Each group set comes with a 9 or 10-speed rear cog set, and a choice of traditional double or compact double or even triple front chainrings to provide a total of 18 to 30 gears. For 2007, all Campy groupsets will have 10-speed cogsets. Why does Campy Record cost about three times as much as Shimano 105? In general, better components cost more because they are lighter in weight, made from more exotic materials to more exacting standards, finished more elegantly, and are smoother and more precise and crisp-feeling. You bought your mountain bike based on what suited your riding style and frequency, and your budget. Even though you knew that Shimano XTR would outperform Shimano Alivio, you may have found Alivio to be adequate for your riding style. Alivio has served you well. Likewise, decide on a road bike budget, and check out how much “bang for the buck” you can get. Watch for component mixing. Most people look first at the rear derailleur. But check all the components (shift/brake levers, front derailleur, brakes, cranks, bottom bracket) in addition to the rear derailleur when comparing one bike to another. Some manufacturers mix components on a bike. The less visible parts, such as the front derailleur or bottom bracket, may be a step below the level of the rear derailleur. Sometimes bike manufacturers will use a different brand crankset (such as Ritchey, TruVativ or FSA) with an otherwise all-Shimano or Campy group set. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but if you’re not familiar with a brand, ask a lot of questions. If you want an opinion as to why an Ultegra-equipped bike might be the best choice for you, ask the question at your local bike shop. Why should you consider a Campy-equipped bike? There are pros and cons, and a good shop will discuss them with you and make unbiased recommendations. Take the time to evaluate what you need in a road bike. Get expert advice. Make sure you test ride different bikes equipped wtih different components so that you can compare for yourself what performs and feels better for you, within your bike-buying budget.
Note, Campagnolo has changed its crank/bottom bracket configurations for 2007, eliminating the old square taper press fit set-up (which Shimano abandoned about three years ago on its upper-end groupsets). The result is a bulletproof integrated crank and bottom bracket, featuring lighter weight, greater stiffness, and simply fool-proof installation. If you haven't tried Campy, this is a great time to give it a second look.
SRAM's two new groupsets, Force and Rival, are intended to compete against Shimano's Dura Ace and Ultegra groups (or roughly, Campagnolo's Record and Chorus groups). SRAM has been producing high-quality mountain bike components for many years. With the more recent popularity of road biking, a road component group from SRAM is a natural progression. SRAM did not enter the market until its groupsets were totally developed, and thoroughly tweaked and tested. Initial reviews ahve been generally very good. The shifting mechanism is different from both Shimano and Campy, and for those accustomed to Shimano or Campy, there is a bit of a learning curve with SRAM's single lever shifting for both up and down shifts. However, the new shift mechanism becomes quite intuitive quite quickly. For those who have never ridden road bikes, there would be nothing to re-learn. No triple chainring set-ups are available with SRAM, but a regular double 53-39 and compact doubles (50-36 and 50-34) will afford a wide range of gearing. There is no "trimming" or micro-adjusting of the SRAM front derailleur on the fly, so its initial adjustment and set-up must be very precise. Since roadies value both tradition and technology, it will be interesting to watch how the SRAM groups are received. In any event, it is great to have an additional choice in component manufacturers.
Please visit my ebay store called the Bike Boutique for killer road bike deals!
posted by Ranchrider at 10:06 AM
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