Originally Posted by
bikemig
A groupset is specific in a way that a group is not so perhaps the term has a (perceived) value by its users. In any case, there are no magical rules about words other than agreement by users as to which terms to use and the range of meanings to ascribe to those words.
Can you provide a sentence in which the (standard) term "group" and the (new) term "groupset" are not perfectly interchangeable?
By the way, the Bike Forums spellchecker continues to reject "groupset." Evidently it finds the word unacceptable as an example of American Engjish. I just tested some British English spellings (e.g., calibre, manoeuvre, reconnoitre), which it also found unacceptable.
So "groupset" is apparently OK in British English but not in American English.
Of course there are no magical rules about words. But there are rules, and you follow them. For instance, you would likely prefer to use American English spellings in your own writing. "Groupset" does not represent a difference in spelling between U.S. and British English. But it's an example of specialized jargon that has established a beachhead in Brit English but not yet U.S. English.