Shimano's Parts Hierarchy
03-13-16, 07:57 PM
#51
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Have there been any updates to this hierarchy? I am torn between a GHOST (https://www.rei.com/product/883667/g...-x-4-bike-2016) and a GIANT (Roam 1 (2016) | Giant Bicycles | United States) and it is all coming down to components. Additionally, any suggestions would be appreciated. Been a while since I have been in the bike market.
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.
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.
11-09-16, 11:53 AM
#52
BF's Resident Dumbass
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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Bikes: 1990 Raleigh Flyer (size 21"); 2014 Trek 7.6 FX (size 15"); 2014 Trek 7.6 FX (size 17.5"); 2019 Dahon Mu D9; 2020 Dahon Hemingway D9
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11-09-16, 12:30 PM
#53
Full Member
Yes
https://www.evanscycles.com/coffeest...heir-hierarchy
https://www.evanscycles.com/coffeest...heir-hierarchy
Not shown in that article is Tourney, which is available in both mtb and road versions. It's the most basic/cheapest Shimano groupset. Works ok.
https://www.evanscycles.com/coffeest...heir-hierarchy
https://www.evanscycles.com/coffeest...heir-hierarchy
Not shown in that article is Tourney, which is available in both mtb and road versions. It's the most basic/cheapest Shimano groupset. Works ok.
11-09-16, 12:42 PM
#54
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
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Yes
https://www.evanscycles.com/coffeest...heir-hierarchy
https://www.evanscycles.com/coffeest...heir-hierarchy
Not shown in that article is Tourney, which is available in both mtb and road versions. It's the most basic/cheapest Shimano groupset. Works ok.
https://www.evanscycles.com/coffeest...heir-hierarchy
https://www.evanscycles.com/coffeest...heir-hierarchy
Not shown in that article is Tourney, which is available in both mtb and road versions. It's the most basic/cheapest Shimano groupset. Works ok.
11-09-16, 12:51 PM
#55
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Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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Awesome! I was just reading these two articles a couple of hours ago!
I had a Trek Pure that had a Tourney rear derailleur. Nothing great about it - it's a far from being anything in the way of smoothness or precision, but it did get the job done, which is more than just fine for the likes of the Pure, I guess. I'm talking to a guy about a Bicycle-Shaped Object (basically a Jeep-branded Kent Shogun Terra) that's Tourney-equipped, and while I'm not too thrilled about it, it's more than good enough for me as a district/town runabout that I wouldn't be too sorry about if it breaks.
I had a Trek Pure that had a Tourney rear derailleur. Nothing great about it - it's a far from being anything in the way of smoothness or precision, but it did get the job done, which is more than just fine for the likes of the Pure, I guess. I'm talking to a guy about a Bicycle-Shaped Object (basically a Jeep-branded Kent Shogun Terra) that's Tourney-equipped, and while I'm not too thrilled about it, it's more than good enough for me as a district/town runabout that I wouldn't be too sorry about if it breaks.
11-12-16, 11:02 PM
#56
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 275
Bikes: 2015 Giant Roam 1 | 2002 Giant Sedona LX | 1980s Norco Monterey SL
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Have there been any updates to this hierarchy? I am torn between a GHOST (https://www.rei.com/product/883667/g...-x-4-bike-2016) and a GIANT (Roam 1 (2016) | Giant Bicycles | United States) and it is all coming down to components. Additionally, any suggestions would be appreciated. Been a while since I have been in the bike market.
Roam 1 has better components than the Ghost - all Deore drivetrain [Shifters/FD/RD/Crankset/Cassette] on the Roam 1 vs the mix of Acera [Shifters/FD/Cassette], Deore RD and Alivio Crankset on the Ghost. Plus the Giant uses a Suntour NEX HLO fork, while the Ghost uses RST MLO. In both cases Giant is better here too - Suntour is much better than RST at this component level, and is Hydraulic Lock-Out vs Mechanical Lock-Out on the RST. Finally, the Ghost just looks ugly if you ask me. What's with that gusset plate welded between the downtube and the headset tube??? Couldn't they engineer it to be strong enough without an afterthought like that like every other manufacture has managed to do? And a mis-matched white fork??? Well, at least they added an ugly white seat and white grips to try and make that seem less like a fubar.
I have the 2015 Roam 1, it is identical to the 2016 except for the blue stripes (they were white on the '15), they didn't change anything. It's a *fantastic* bike, I love it and I compared similar versions of Trek/Specialized/Scott/Norco before buy Giant - my 2nd, first was a Sedona LX from 2002 which after 14 years and ~7500km is also still performing fantastically with only consumables replaced (tires, brake pads, chain).
IMO, Giant bikes are the best bang for the buck. Typically what I find is that at the same price point, you get better components; or at the same component level you get a lower cost bike. Also, Giant makes frames for many of the other large bike "assemblers" - Trek included. Giant has the largest frame manufacturing plants in the world.
I would get the Giant compared to the Ghost. It's a much better bike.
Cheers
TRJB
Last edited by therealjoeblow; 11-12-16 at 11:11 PM.
11-13-16, 08:48 AM
#57
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Been a while since I posted the original question. . . . as a follow up I bought the Giant, having been very pleased with several others I had purchased through the years. As stated above, I found the components to be of superior quality across similar price points and did in fact receive more bang for my buck. Combine that with the fact that I got a 10% off military discount at my local Giant dealer and it was a no brainer.
Since the purchase (shortly after my original post) I have put around 90 miles on her and have been VERY please with the performance of both on road and light trail use. The only modification I made was a shock absorbent seat post and a gel seat. Everything else remains stock and functions flawlessly thus far.
Since the purchase (shortly after my original post) I have put around 90 miles on her and have been VERY please with the performance of both on road and light trail use. The only modification I made was a shock absorbent seat post and a gel seat. Everything else remains stock and functions flawlessly thus far.
