(D.M. Procida) said:Is there somewhere that will inform me what the quantitative (as in:
better, lighter, stronger) and qualitative (as in: which one is suitable
for which application) features of the various groupset classes are?
I see Tiagra, Sora and what-not written all over the place, but I don't
know what they actually mean.
I compiled a list for myself for the 2007 Shimano range of products with
the marketing blurb underneath it. Two ranges: road and mtb, listed from
most expensive to most affordable. You can expect weight order to be
lightest to heaviest.
FWIW it is my experience that all Shimano's groupsets perform
adequately, including the cheapest lines.
You might want to try stating what you are looking for since there are
differences between groupsets that are not evident from this list.
Shimano products 2007
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Road range
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Dura-Ace 7800
Performance without compromise
Dura-Ace 7803 - Triple
Dura-Ace Triple
Ultegra 6600
Ultegra defines the "New Spirit of the Sport"
Ultegra 6603 - Triple (52-39-30) (10 speed)
Proven in your neighborhood and on the world's greatest road courses.
Shimano 105 - 5600
From Shimano's experience in pro road racing - Shimano 105
Shimano 105 - Triple (50-39-30) (10 speed)
From Shimano's experience in pro road racing - Shimano 105
Tiagra (triple: 52-42-30) (9 speed)
Components for a new generation of recreational road bikes
Sora
For the more casual sport-recreation road bike
2200
Affordable components to inspire more people to enjoy road cycling
MTB range
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XTR
The benchmark of cross country component design
Deore XT
The tradition of shimano MTB components
Deore LX
High-energy components that are at home on or off the road
Saint 135
Heavy duty MTB components for bikes with 135mm rear hub spacing
Saint 150
Heavy duty MTB components for bikes with 83mm BB shell & 150mm rear
hub spacing
Hone
Affordable All-Mountain & enduro MTB components
Deore
High-perfomance components for serious cycling fun
Alivio
Great performance and great MTB fun, on or off-road.
Acera
8-speed recreational components
Altus
Responsive MTB-style components
Tourney
Looks and performance for entry model sport bikes
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Membrane