ChowChow

Is better?

Shimano deore or Shimano Altus?

Sixty Fiver

Deore.

ChrisM2097

Rated from "Best" to "Worst" (or more accurately, Most Expensive to Cheapest)

Mountain Bike Components:
XTR
Saint
DXR
XT
LX
Hone
Deore
Alivio
Acera
Altus
Tourney

Road Bike Components:
Dura-Ace
Ultegra
105
Tiagra
Sora
2200

ChowChow

Thanks!

That helps a lot in comparing bikes.

ChrisM2097

The price difference on a Deore-equipped bike and an Altus-equipped bike will make it obvious which one is of better quality.

jsdavis

Watch out for the rear derailleur. A lot of bikes have a high end derailleur and lower end everything else. I've seen bikes with mostly Acera or Alivio but have something like a Deore or LX component in the back to make it look higher end.

The Chemist

What exactly is the advantage to higher end components anyway? I've got a Sora rear derailleur and it works perfectly well, so I can't see much reason to spend money to upgrade it...

ChrisM2097

Lighter weight. faster, more precise shifting.

jsdavis

Lighter weight, lower friction in components such as hubs and shifters (for example by using ball bearings instead of plastic bushing in shifters), external cups in the bottom bracket, brakes with better feel or modulation.

There is probably more

gitarzan

Durability?

fietsbob

kept clean and lubricated or Ignored and accumulating Crud on everything?

hybridbkrdr

I read a bunch of messages about rear derailleur quality. Comparing Deore to Alivio, I read Deore does better in difficult situations and didn't need to be adjusted as often.

As for durability, I read a message from an ultra cyclist here saying high-end components do not last longer. I think it depends which components though. I mean a crankset with alloy chainrings on Deore may not last as long as steel chainrings on Alivio. And Deore LX hubs may last longer than Deore or below.

I wouldn't have a problem with lower end components mixed with a higher end rear derailleur. Sports Experts had a bicycle for example with Shimano Altus front derailleur, Shimano Acera rear derailleur and was on sale for $279 with a regular price of $350. I just thought this was great. I felt like replacing my Canadian Tire bicycle for that Diadora bicycle right away. I didn't have the money to do it though.

I think it's pretty obvious the rear derailleur gets used more often than the front derailleur. So I think it's a great way to save money if you wanted a rain/city bike that still works well.

As far as I know, Shimano Acera and Shimano 2300 (road) is acceptable. But, Deore is a higher step up than an incremental improvements. Also, there is apparently less difference between Deore and Deore XT than there is between Deore and Alivio.

I have to admit though, if I wanted to buy a cheaper bicycle like the Diadora Palermo, I would have been tempted to switch the shifters to Falcon friction shifters so I wouldn't have to adjust the derailleurs as often. Friction shifting from what I read is more compatible with an 8 speed cassette or less.

jsdavis

Only the big ring on Deore crank is aluminum; the other two are steel. While I cannot speak for other's, I almost never use my big ring. In fact over 95% of my riding is done on the middle ring so if anything I'll wear that out before anything else regardless if it's steel or aluminum. Even the SLX crank is steel small and middle rings, but the middle one has composite arms.

For the crank, the biggest difference going from Alivio to Deore will probably be external bottom bracket vs square taper on the Alvio part.