Originally Posted by Rdrcr

Where do hybrid bikes fall into in reference to parts? Do they use road or mtb parts usually? I'm asking cause I am about to receive my new bike and will be upgrading parts eventually. thanks

Originally Posted by grindr82

I am interested in learning more about this hierarchy. I am currently looking at a bike with these specs:

FD SHIMANO M191, 34.9 CLAMP

RD SHIMANO ACERA

CRANK SHIMANO M171 48/38/28

SHIFTERS SHIMANO ALTUS

The price point on this bike is $725.....are the components on the same level?

Originally Posted by grindr82

I am interested in learning more about this hierarchy. I am currently looking at a bike with these specs:

FD SHIMANO M191, 34.9 CLAMP

RD SHIMANO ACERA

CRANK SHIMANO M171 48/38/28

SHIFTERS SHIMANO ALTUS

The price point on this bike is $725.....are the components on the same level?

Originally Posted by Rdrcr

Fuji Absolute 3.0

Originally Posted by grindr82

I am interested in learning more about this hierarchy. I am currently looking at a bike with these specs:

FD SHIMANO M191, 34.9 CLAMP

RD SHIMANO ACERA

CRANK SHIMANO M171 48/38/28

SHIFTERS SHIMANO ALTUS

The price point on this bike is $725.....are the components on the same level?

Originally Posted by Rdrcr

Fuji Absolute 3.0

Originally Posted by jsdavis

Are you sure you have the price right? The website says $589 which is more in line for the components you've listed.

Originally Posted by jsdavis

So what am I supposed to take away from that video? Since the video is posted by SRAM, I wouldn't believe that it is unbiased. Click on the link for the user who posted it, and it says SRAM at the top.

Is the Shimano part moving because it's supposed to?

Originally Posted by Rdrcr

Fuji Absolute 3.0

Originally Posted by EdgewaterDude

Good information. I think mixing and matching road and MTB components creates a lot of confusion.

Originally Posted by Rdrcr

Where do hybrid bikes fall into in reference to parts? Do they use road or mtb parts usually? I'm asking cause I am about to receive my new bike and will be upgrading parts eventually. thanks

Originally Posted by grindr82

Its the Cannondale Quick CX4 heres the rest of the info from the website:

Frame
Quick CX Rigid, Optimized 6061 alloy, SAVE, 1-1/8" head tube

Fork
Fatty Rigid Disc

Crank
Shimano M171 48/38/28

Bottom Bracket

Tange Cartridge

Shifters
Shimano Altus

Cog Set
Sunrace CSG66 11-32, 8 spd

Chain
KMC Z82, 8-speed

Front Derailleur
Shimano M191, 34.9 clamp

Rear Derailleur
Shimano Acera

Rims
Maddux DC3.0, double wall w/eyelet, 32 hole

Hubs
Cannondale C4

Tires
Continental Double Fighter II, 700x37c

Pedals
Quick Reinforced Composite w/ Kraton inserts

Brake
Tektro Novela mechanical disc, 160/160 mm

Handlebar
Cannondale C4, 6061, 25mm rise, 620mm

Stem
Cannondale C4, 1-1/8", 31.8, 12 deg

Headset
Tange 1-1/8"

Spokes
Stainless Steel XD Black, 15g

Grips
Cannondale Urban Ergo

Saddle
Cannondale Quick CX Ergo

Seat Post
Cannondale C4, alloy, 31.6 x 350 mm

Shifters
Shimano Altus

Is it truly over priced? I get so lost with all of this.

Originally Posted by xoxoxoxoLive

This information is for those people who are looking to buy a new bicycle or are wanting to upgrade their old one. Understanding these gradings will give you greater knowledge of what makes a bike the price and style that it is...

Originally Posted by shwanskee22

Really great breakdown of all the product lines. I also found this list with sram and shimano mtb component rankings, the two of these really helped me understand what I want on my bike.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by no1mad

Full disclosure time- you wrote that "list" and you also own the site.

Originally Posted by xoxoxoxoLive

This information is for those people who are looking to buy a new bicycle or are wanting to upgrade their old one. Understanding these gradings will give you greater knowledge of what makes a bike the price and style that it is.

MOUNTAIN BIKE PARTS
LEVEL 1 (entry level)
SIS-5 speed/6 speed/7 speed.
ALTUS-7 speed.
ACERA-7 speed/8 speed.
The above (3) are mainly used on bikes that are used on weekends,bike path riding and some commuting bikes.
LEVEL 2
ALIVO-7 speed/8 speed.
DEORE-9 speed.
These (2) are used a lot by people who commute most days as well as for bikes which are ridden on weekends. This componentry is suitable for off road use and is generally a good starting point for racing components.
LEVEL 3
DEORE LX-9 speed.
LX is a very good quality component which is well weighted and designed. LX is mainly used for serious recreation and racing. As well as for those people who want a very stable and strong commuting bike.
LEVEL 4
DEORE XT-9 speed.
XT is once again a very smooth and reliable group set, used on many racebikes as well as top end town bikes. XT is remarkably strong and very durable as well as being a delight to use.2004 saw a big change in LX when the hollow tech 2 crank set was introduced, as well as the introduction of the rapid shift levers
LEVEL 5
DEORE XTR-9 speed.
XTR is predominately used on top end race bikes. It is very light and smooth, however it does require some maintenance as it is such a precision made component.XTR also has the Hollow tech 2 crank set with an awesome disc brake and wheel set being available.
The above groupsets are how the bicycle industry group the qualities of parts, meaning the parts on the bike such as gears, brakes, hubs, cranks etc., to a bike. For example a bicycle with an Alloy frame and ALIVO components will vary in price from $500-$700 depending on the other components such as rims, handle bars, seats and forks.

ROAD BIKE PARTS.
LEVEL 1 (entry level)
SIS.
SORA.
SIS is not found on many road bikes now. However Sora is extremely popular. Many general commuting and entry level road bikes will be Sora equipped. Sora has STI levers and a very reliable gear and braking system, without being too pricey. Sora is a 8 speed group set and will come on bicyles ranged between $700-$1200.
LEVEL 2
Tiagra.
Tiagra is the first road group set that is 9 speed. Tiagra is used a lot by road cyclists that want the reliablity and smoothness of 9 speed without the price tag.
LEVEL 3
105.
This is a very commonly used component set a lot of top road bikes and training bikes will be equipped with 105 as it is exceptionally smooth in its changes and a very durable and reliable group set. 105 is also a 9 speed group set and its body predominantly made of alloy, thus making it very light. People who want good stuff that will last this is it.
LEVEL 4
ULTEGRA.
Once again used a lot for top end racing. Not often used for training bikes, however it is durable enough to do so. Very smooth and very light on its actions. This means changes with little effort.
LEVEL 5
DURA ACE.
The top of the line. Fairly expensive for the general rider.Dura Ace has been converted into a 10 speed system, with massive changes to the levers and crank sets, both so much smoother and lighter to use.

Just for those wondering.