chuckygetlucky

I am curious to what groupset is suitable for a clyde. I notice that shimano groups have different levels and prices but do they offer strength or just reduced weight as the price increases. I see this is the hierarchy of shimano but i am more curious if a heavier groupset would actually be stronger or if the lighter sets are stronger. Any input would be appreciated for my future purchases.

Shimano Road, from the top down: Dura Ace, Ultegra, 105, Tiagra, Sora

Shimano MTB, same thing: XTR, Deore XT, Deore LX, Deore, Alivio

Little Darwin

The groupsets don't do much weight bearing, so aren't a big issue in my mind for clyde usage.

Mid range is best bang for the buck, and above that, the biggest advantage people can agree to is weight savings... durability seems to be debatable, with some saying more durable due to better manufacturing processes, and some saying more fragile due to the emphasis on weight savings.

Think about it. a derailleur guides a chain side to side... not influenced significantly by weight or power... same for shifters...

The cranks may have some issues that may be relevant to weight, but I have yet to feel any flex in a crank at 350 pounds...

Hubs do bear weight, so there may be something there... I ride Tiagra hubs, without issue. I know others ride Ultegra and Dura-Ace without issue...

Pinyon

Yeah, unless you are trying to shave seconds off your ride times, the only big difference is the snaz-factor. I've found that Sora shifters work just as well under load as Dura Ace, but I have to admit that I just don't like the thumb-shifter on Sora. More fumbling around when if I'm avoiding pot holes or traffic than necessary.

Like Chucky said, I prefer at least Tiagra-level shifters. I don't really care that much about the derailures, though.

CliftonGK1

I find there is a significant difference in the feel of low end to mid grade components. The jump from Sora to Tiagra is noticeable. Tiagra to 105, a little less. 105 to Ultegra to D/A, negligible.

Durability with some components is an issue. Low end components use more plastic parts where the higher end use metal for the same bits. Rear Derailleurs at the high end use jockey wheels with good bearings and tighter tolerances, as well as lighter and often less (of a stronger) material to save weight. At the low end, these parts may be noisy and heavy while still performing their function adequately.

That said, I use a mix of Deore, Tiagra, and FSA mid-grade equipment on my brevet bike. I have old (c. 1991) 105sc equipment on my fixed gear, and I use a 1988 GS200 group and random ultra-cheap parts on my cruiser.

sstorkel

In terms of mountain bike components, I think that XT cranks are the strongest ones that Shimano makes; stronger than XTR, from what I recall. I believe that SLX-series cranks are nearly as strong as XT, but weigh more... and cost quite a bit less.

hendrick81

Go with shimano 105, its durable, works great, and is good priced...

noglider 

Most of the price different goes to profit, not manufacturing. I agree with the advice to go with midpriced stuff.

All Shimano hubs and cranks seem durable. Those are two things Shimano does well, and I'm also a big critic of Shimano. Gotta give credit where it's due. And as has been pointed out, those are two components where ability to stand up to force really matters.

JoelS

105 and LX are the best bang for the buck, so to speak.

hendrick81

I have shimano 105 on one bike, and tiagra on another, and i cant tell the difference, except for weight.

youcoming

I would go with the 105 at least. I admit I always said why spend more for slight difference, well my new bike has SRAM Force and all I can say is if you have shimano and like it don't try Sram. If you do you will not enjoy the shimano ever again. IMHO

hendrick81

+1

My friend has sram rival, and i am going to upgrade my caad9 with rival in a couple of months.

Hill-Pumper

I talked to a bike mechanic at a LBS and he said in 2008 tiagra got much better and the only difference between it and the 105 was the weight. I asked another LBS about it and they said the difference is not what it use to be either. So, tiagra may be something worth considering if the budget is tight. That said, I still put my faith in the 105 or better for my own bikes.

cohophysh

I have all ultegra and like it. I got a good deal on a groupset for 350, it was NIB but a couple years old. Check out the forsale forum on BF. Sometimes you can find good deals.