microSHIFT is a budget-friendly drivetrain alternative to Shimano, priced 30–50% cheaper than the equivalent Shimano groupsets (Tiagra, Sora, Claris). Shifting performance is close on flat and rolling terrain but lags Shimano on prolonged climbing and aggressive shifting under load. For commuters, beginner road riders, and gravel cyclists building a budget bike, microSHIFT is genuinely competitive. … Read more
The humble bike chain is among the components cyclists are likely to replace most often. Given you’ll find yourself buying bike chains again and again, it’s essential to find the sweet spot in the budget between value, performance, and durability. As an ex-Shimano ambassador with years of experience as a pro bike mechanic and ultra-endurance … Read more
When it comes to choosing a new bike or just one to add to your ever-growing collection, it can be hard to decide between all the different bike manufacturers.
To help you out, in this article, we take a look at Cannondale vs Trek bikes to see how these two giants of the bike industry stack up against each other.
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’s wheelset range covers four tiers: Dura-Ace (top, carbon clincher and tubular, $2,500–4,000); Ultegra (premium clincher and tubeless, $1,000–1,800); 105 / RS-series (mid-range alloy and entry carbon, $400–800); and the WH-RS01 / RS300-series (OEM wheels on $1K–2K complete bikes, $200–400 to buy separately). Shimano’s wheels are known for hubs that last 50,000+ miles, conservative aerodynamic … Read more
Shimano 105 (R7100) and Ultegra (R8100) are the mid and premium tiers of Shimano’s road groupset range. Both are 12-speed, both come in mechanical or wired-electronic Di2, and both use hydraulic disc brakes. The differences: Ultegra is ~250 g lighter, has slightly faster shifts, and costs about 60% more. For 99% of riders, 105 delivers … 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 is a key component in making your bike function. It contains a set of bearings, and acts as the interface between the bike’s frame and the crankset, which the pedals are attached to via the crank arms. Put simply, the bottom bracket is what allows your pedals to turn. The bottom bracket … Read more
Shimano’s MTB groupset hierarchy (top to bottom): XTR (top, 12-speed wireless or wired electronic, $1,800+), XT (premium, 12-speed mechanical and Di2, $700–1,000), SLX (mid, 12-speed mechanical, $400), Deore (entry-performance, 11/12-speed mechanical, $250), Cues (new entry, $150), and Tourney (budget, 7/8-speed, $80). XT and SLX are the sweet spot for most trail riders — 95% of … 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
Electronic bike shifters use a battery and motors to move the derailleurs instead of cables. Shimano Di2, SRAM AXS, and Campagnolo EPS are the three systems. Benefits: shifts are faster and more consistent, multi-shifts are easier, and there’s no cable stretch over time. Drawbacks: cost (typically $500–1,500+ premium), batteries to charge, and a small risk … 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’s road groupset hierarchy (top to bottom) is: Dura-Ace R9200 (top, $4,500+), Ultegra R8100 (premium, $2,000), 105 R7100 (mid, $1,200), Tiagra R4700 (entry-performance, $700), Sora R3000 (entry, $400), and Claris R2000 (budget, $300). Modern Dura-Ace, Ultegra, and 105 are 12-speed wireless or wired electronic; Tiagra is 10-speed mechanical; Sora is 9-speed; Claris is 8-speed. Below … 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