What is the order of quality in Shimano groups from worst to best?

My bike has a full Shimano 105 group, and was wondering where it stacks up in the Shimano world...

Thanks!

I don't know them all myself, but if you search something like "shimano road hierarchy" in Yahoo, you'll be able to find it fairly easily. 105 if pretty good.

Ya-hoo..?

This is C&V what is wrong with searching on Yahoo? I am not sure I ever googled something.

OP: from the top down it has been Dura Ace, 600/Ultegra, then 105 for years except the 2 or so years Sante was sandwiched in between DA and 600.

below 105 I beleiv RSX is still next followed by Tiagra but back in the early '90s RX-100 was the next step down and the 500EX, 400EX, then Exage groups.

VeloBase may be a bit easier to find the group rankings. https://velobase.com/ViewBrand.aspx?B...d0d2106&From=T

I think most of my confusion came into where the 600 fell in, but I can see it is actually now the Ultegra, so it is a step-up from my 105 gruppo.

In 1987 or so, the "new" 105, while positioned below the 6200 series 600EX, was often preferred. Shimano followed that up with the much better 600 "tricolor," the 6400 series.

I think Sora is below Tiagra now.

currently it is: da, ultegra, 105, tiagra, sora.

105 being a good, equal balance of weight, cost, quality, performance.

Yes, 105 of all flavors has always been a sweet spot for price/performance IMHO. Nothing at all wrong with a 105 group.

Not trying to offend dura ace users/owners, but I got a kick out of a sign-off that Sheldon once used regarding the Shimano hierarchy:

"Dura Ace is for suckers."
Sheldon "105" Brown

Hahaha, that's great...

That said, I do have a DA7700 bike:

1) I was specifically going for a bling factor and
2) A member made me a deal that was simply "unrefusable".

So I have DA...

It is indeed blingy. Beautiful bike.

...and I have 105 (on a pastor's budget)!

1993 Version


1996 Version

If what I read in my search was true, it looks that the 105 has the same interior components as the Dura and Ultegra, but not the bling factor on the outside.

What do you think?

Oh, and very pretty Fuji!

Thanks.

There'll be some differences, weight being one but we're talking grams. All three, properly adjusted, lubricated, and maintained should provide roughly equal shifting performance. IMHO anyway.

Let's not forget Golden Arrow which is essentially 105 level... Just cooler.

Triomphe/Victory<NR<SR<Exage<105<600/Ultegra<Dura Ace

Super Record < Exage?



And I thought I was getting in trouble in my thread!

not quite true, there is a trickle down effect but 105 lags a few years behind DA/Ultegra. This can often be seen with the difference in hood shape between DA and 105. DA also has ti parts, and more exactingly machined bits.

Very true but the trickle down is technology only....I dont think a 105 ever had the same parts as 600 and 600 never had the same parts a Dura Ace.

I have some of the RX-100 gruppo on my Trek. Turns out it is now the Sora grouppo.

It's under 105 Shimano stuff, but even so, it is reliable and works way better than no-name stuff or older Shimano stuff.

It seems as if Shimano put things in order on their website:

https://techdocs.shimano.com/techdocs/blevel.jsp

On the left, click the drop-down box for "Road Bike", or "Mountain Bike".

Dura-Ace > Ultegra > 105 > Tiagra > Sora > 2200...

XTR > Saint > DXR > XT > SLX > LX > Hone > Deore > Alivio > Acera > Altus > Tourney

Yay for my Sora **** not being lowest tier. Thread, thanks for helping confirm this.

It could be said Dura Ace is Ultegra with a titanium upgrade. If modern is your thing, Shimano is quality stuff down through Sora!

Respect the Tourney: It offers an easy and cheap way to get modern shifting on freewheel bikes. If low-end Shimano isn't to your liking, there are numerous copies, like this one...