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A quick guide to groupsets.
One of the defining choices when configuring your bicycle is deciding which groupset to furnish it with. It’s still possible to discern a particular approach to design behind each of the three major manufacturers. This has remained true even as the features offered by each have become fairly universal.
Today, Campagnolo, SRAM, and Shimano all offer high-end road groupsets with 12-speeds, wide-ratio cassettes, electronic shifting, and hydraulic disc brakes. Each firm’s top-tier groupsets also tend to weigh in at around 2.5kg. So, what are the differences between each brand?
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Shimano
Japanese firm Shimano is the oldest and largest of the three leading groupset manufacturers. It covers a vast swathe of the market and provides products at every price point and for every conceivable application. At the pinnacle of its road range are the longstanding Ultegra and Dura-Ace groupsets. These have been the launch pad for many innovations, including the first commercially successful application of electronic shifting.
The firm has traditionally leveraged its enormous economies of scale to provide a rapid trickle-down of innovations from its premier groupsets to the rest of its range. This approach can be seen in its second-tier Ultegra groupset. This now features headline specifications that are almost identical to the range-topping Dura-Ace.
Both groups have recently switched to Shimano’s partly wireless Di2 system. This sees the derailleurs attached to a durable central battery while the shifters communicate wirelessly. This division aims to provide the best balance between battery life, ease of set-up, and neatness of integration.
Two to consider:
Dura-Ace R9200 (electronic semi-wireless) 2,507g (claimed)
12-speed, disc brake only
Chainring options: Twin chainring
Cassette options: 11-28t, 11-30t, 11-34t
Ultegra R8100 (electronic semi-wireless) 2,707g (claimed)
12-speed, disc brake only
Chainring options: Twin chainring
Cassette options: 11-28t, 11-30t, 11-34t
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Campagnolo
Campagnolo is the archetypal European cycling brand founded in Vicenza, Italy, in 1933. Its instigator was the racing cyclist Tullio Campagnolo. The firm has generally focused on the competitive side of the road market. It is famous for innovations, including the quick-release mechanism for bicycle wheels, the popularisation of the parallelogram derailleur, and the integrated brake-shifter lever system. All of these have since become almost universal on racing bikes.
Campagnolo has generally been the go-to brand for riders in search of an increased number of sprockets. It’s currently the only firm to provide a 13-speed cassette, which is included on its Ekar mechanical gravel groupset. Today, Campagnolo’s focus on road racing can be seen in the lack of entry-level products or mountain bike options. Instead, its Super Record, Record, and Chorus road groupsets cater to riders prepared to invest in high-quality products with a reputation for durability, comfortable ergonomics, and considered aesthetics.
Its flagship Super Record WRL Electronic groupset is distinguished by a crankset featuring carbon fibre arms. Lightweight carbon fibre is also used extensively across both its derailleurs and shifters.
Two to consider:
Super Record WRL (electronic fully wireless) 2,525g disc (claimed)
12-speed, disc or rim brake
Chainring options: Twin chainring
Cassette options: 10-25t, 10-27t, 10-29t
Ekar Gravel (mechanical), 2,385g (claimed)
13-speed, disc brake only
Chainring options: 1x
Cassette options: 9-36t, 9-42t, 10-44t
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SRAM
The American firm SRAM was founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1987. A newcomer compared to its two main rivals, it’s been a disruptive force in the market and has pioneered a host of forward-thinking technologies. Its expertise in the off-road segment gave it a headstart in developing disc brake systems for the road. As a result, SRAM was the first firm to switch entirely to the system and call an end to the production of rim brakes.
Its pioneering approach has also extended to the use of single-chainring drivetrains and ultra-wide cassettes. This ethos is also seen in the distinctive smaller X-Range chainrings and minimalist sprockets on its top-end road groupsets. Another way the brand sets itself apart is through the entirely wireless shifting of its elite road groups, whereby each derailleur is powered by its own clip-on battery.
The firm was unsurprisingly quick to embrace the gravel cycling trend. Components in its single-chainring XPLR range can be widely mixed and matched to create unique combinations. This includes specific provisions for dropper posts, which allow you to adjust saddle height while riding, plus suspension fork options from sister brand Rockshox.
The SRAM umbrella also encompasses power meter firm Quarq, wheelmakers Zipp, navigation specialist Hammerhead, and suspension provider Rockshox. This organisational structure ensures products from each brand gell perfectly when used together.
Two to consider:
RED eTap AXS (electronic fully wireless), 2,518g (claimed)
12-speed, disc brake only
Chainring options: Twin or single chainring
Cassette options: X-Range 10-26t, 10-28t, 10-33t
Red eTap XPLR AXS (electronic fully wireless), 2,710g (approx)
12-speed, disc brake only
Chainring options: 1x
Cassette options: 11-44t, 10-44t
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