In many ways, the gap between Shimano’s Dura-Ace vs Ultegra groupsets is narrower than it’s ever been.
But with a price gap of over $1000, that leaves many riders looking at high-end groupsets wondering: What’s the real difference between Dura-Ace vs Ultegra – and is the upgrade worth it?
Whilst there are a variety of different clipless pedal systems used by amateurs and pros alike, Shimano’s SPD and SPD-SL clipless pedals are perhaps the most common versions used by road cyclists and mountain bikers.
In this article, we’ll be comparing Shimano’s SPD vs SPD-SL pedal and cleat systems to help you decipher which is best for your riding.
As a professional cyclist, I’ve logged countless miles on the bike and experimented with all the equipment combinations under the sun in the search for the perfect setup.
One thing that’s remained a constant on my bike, however, is clipless bike pedals.
If you’re looking to take your cycling game to the next level, clipless pedals are a very worthwhile investment.
In this article, we have compiled a comprehensive list of the bikes and components used by the Vuelta a España 2023 teams.
We’ll delve into the sea of lightweight carbon frames, electronic groupsets, and deep-rim wheels, shining some light on what each pro team uses.
There are some people who watch the Tour de France simply to let to let the French countryside pour over them for three weeks. And there are those who tune into the most famous bike race just to gaze longingly at the Tour de France bikes.
The Tour de France is by far the biggest cycling race in the calendar, one that transcends this niche sport, and the biggest bike and component manufacturers want their equipment in lights.
The wheelset of your gravel bike can make a huge difference to the feel of your ride. But how do you choose the right gravel wheelset for you?
Different types of gravel wheelsets excel at different things. Gravel biking is such a wide discipline that two gravel wheelsets could be very different from one another and should be used for different types of riding.
Shimano’s mid-range groupset offerings – Tiagra and 105 – are some of the most common groupsets among amateur cyclists.
Shimano is the world-leading manufacturer of components, and for a good reason. They are trusted by much of the pro peloton and have supplied the groupsets on every winning men’s Grand Tour bike since 2020.
So, it begs the question, is it worth the upgrade? What’s the difference between Shimano Tiagra vs 105?
Love it or loathe it, the term “brifter” is now well-established in the cyclist’s vocabulary.
But if you’re not familiar with them, this might leave you wondering: what are brifters, and why do they matter?
Shimano is the world-leading manufacturer of cycling components, renowned for producing high-quality bike parts and accessories. Shimano wheelsets are no exception, with various options available to suit different riders and needs. The wheelsets are named in the same hierarchy as their groupsets, entailing a large range of different wheels that suit any price point. However, … Read more
Shimano 105 is the best mid-range groupset in Shimano’s lineup – and the 105 series has arguably represented the best bang-for-buck in cycling components for decades. But how does it stack up to its more expensive big brother: Ultegra? I rode with Shimano 105 groupsets for many years before finally upgrading to Ultegra for racing, … Read more
Shimano and SRAM are two of the biggest and most successful manufacturers of bike components, making up 85% of the bike componentry market combined. Choosing the right groupset for you is absolutely essential. Whether you’re building a bike from scratch or buying a complete bike outright, SRAM and Shimano are both tried and tested options … Read more
The bottom bracket has become something of a mechanical hydra: innovate on one model, and two come along to take its place. And when it’s time to replace yours, you need to do your homework. What started as a near-universal component is now a compatibility minefield of different types and standards, and without proper research, … Read more
Many consider Shimano the gold standard of bike component manufacturers – and Shimano MTB groupsets are no exception. At the cutting edge of the industry, they are chosen by professional cyclists from every discipline time and time again. Arguably none more so than the MTB pros; producing specific groupsets for cross-country, gravel bikes, and downhill, … Read more
Accompanying the explosion of gravel bikes in the past few years, the component manufacturing giants have all released specific gravel bike groupsets. Over the past decade, gravel bikes have become exceedingly popular. It fits a need for a versatile bike that performs well on the road and off-road. Initially, they used road bike groupsets, but … Read more
An integral part of your machine, the bicycle groupset refers to all of the components that allow you to propel yourself forwards and bring yourself to a stop. Whether you’re new to cycling or a two-wheel fanatic, it may not be obvious exactly how your bike works. The parts that comprise the drivetrain and the … Read more
Let’s be honest: for gear-heads like us, getting our hands on the latest cutting-edge tech is one of the most exciting reasons to take the bike out for a test spin. But electronic bike shifters aren’t just a gimmick – they offer a smoother, deeper, and more enjoyable cycling experience. With the level of performance … Read more
Imagine a time before your trusty Shimano indexed shifters. Everything’s normal until you approach a steep hill. You look down towards your handlebars and see nothing to help you change gears – except for these strange-looking twisty levers on your down tube. These are friction shifters. They’re old-school bike shifters and were the standard until Shimano … Read more
Shimano groupset components are consistently ranked among the best around by cyclists the world over. They’re trusted by everyone from Tour de France champions to everyday commuters to weekend gravel grinders – and for good reason. Shimano groupsets are known for their reliability, cost-effectiveness, and innovation, with technology from their flagship Dura-Ace components filtering down … Read more
One of the most critical points of contact you have with your bike is the pedals. You can put an incredible amount of power into them, but they also give you valuable feedback from the surface you are riding on. Therefore, you should carefully consider what pedals you fit to your bike. There are different … Read more