The group kit market is dominated by three major brands: Shimano, Campagnolo and SRAM. In this article, we explain as best we can the differences between the different brands and the different groupsets they market.

We always keep this article up-to-date. Should anything change in the groups of well-known brands, we will also update this in this article as soon as possible.

Below is a long story about the differences between all brands and types of group sets. If you don't have time to read the whole story, we have created an overview in one image showing the different group sets and how they compare to each other. Then feel free to read on for the detailed information between the different group sets.

Shimano

Shimano is the oldest and best-selling of the three main brands. It began in 1921 in Japan when Shozaburo Shimano started making bicycle components. Bywoorfig, Shimano has become so successful that it accounts for half of the global bicycle components industry.

Shimano entry-level groupsets: Claris, Sora, Tiagra

The range starts with the inexpensive Claris, which is usually found on the most inexpensive bikes in the market. Claris is an 8-speed system (eight gears at the rear), combined with a double or triple crankset (two or three gears at the front).

Next comes Sora, the difference with Claris is that it has not 8, but 9 gears at the rear. With two front blades you then come out to 18 gears, with three front blades you come out to 27 gears.

Next, Tiagra is a 10-speed group that offers a near-105 experience, but does lag a little behind in specific areas. For example, in weight and quality of materials used and of course, only 10 gears instead of the 11 gears on 105.

Performance groupsets from Shimano: 105, Ultegra

Shimano 105 is the Japanese company's most affordable performance groupset and is mounted on many mid-range road bikes. This 11-speed group is considered the best combination of performance, durability and value for money. There is currently no hydraulic disc option for 105, but Shimano's RS505 brake levers combine perfectly with the 105 groupset and are from the same price range. That way, a hydraulic disc brake can be combined with a 105 groupset.

Shimano Ultegra sits just slightly below the professional Dura-Ace groupset. This 11-speed group has many of the same features as Dura-Ace, the biggest difference is in the weight. A Dura-Ace groupset is slightly lighter than an Ultegra groupset. The Ultegra groupset is available in two versions: The mechanical shifting version and the Di2 electronic version. In addition, the Ultegra groupset is available for hydraulic disc brakes, obviously also 'just' available for traditional rim brakes.

Pro groupset from Shimano: Dura-Ace

If you want to make a good impression on your cycling buddies or just have money to spare, Shimano has the Dura-Ace set in the range for you. Dura-Ace is the best in Shimano's range and is fitted to the bikes of the pros. Dura-Ace consists of a top-end design with lightweight materials including carbon and titanium. Dura-Ace is available for rim brake, disc brake, mechanical shifting and Di2 electronic shifting.

Want more detailed information about Shimano's group sets? Then read our article in which we fully explain the differences between Shimano's different groups.

Campagnolo

Campagnolo is the inventor of the quick-release and derailleur and thus, in a way, the 'godfather' of group kits. Thanks in part to its rich history and Italian design, Campagnolo is often the choice of true enthusiasts. The price level is generally a bit higher than Shimano and SRAM.

Entry-level groupset from Campagnolo: Centaur

No more 10- or 9-speed groupsets at Campagnolo. Centaur is Campagnolo's entry-level 11-speed set, so you can't really call the Centaur an entry-level set. The group is even close to the level of Shimano 105 or SRAM Rival. Still, this is the model with the least specifications in the Campagnolo range.

Performance group sets by Campagnolo: Potenza, Chorus

Campagnolo Potenza is the Italian brand's latest groupset. Potenza was launched in 2016 to compete with Shimano Ultegra, however, it lags behind it in performance and weight. Potenza is a replacement for the Athena and Veloce groupsets, which are no longer available. Campagnolo Potenza is available for both disc and rim brakes and stands out for its beautiful design and lightweight materials.

Just below the top models of the Campagnolo Record family, you'll find Campagnolo Chorus. Made of lightweight materials such as carbon and titanium, this groupset sits between Shimano Ultegra and Dura-Ace, or SRAM Force and SRAM Red in terms of specifications. This groupset is also available in EPS version, EPS stands for Electronic Power Shifting and enables electric shifting. Campagnolo Chorus is available for both disc and rim brakes.

Pro group sets by Campagnolo: Record, Super Record

The Campagnolo Record groupset is Campagnolo's flagship model. The Record is Campagnolo's only group that has remained present in the range since day one. Record stands for top performance and great looks. In the group, the carbon, titanium and aluminium components feature an eye-catching Italian design.

For those for whom money is no issue at all, Campagnolo has named a top-level groupset: Campagnolo Super Record. While it is essentially the same groupset as Record, it uses even finer materials to make every part lighter and stronger. This groupset is unlike any other groupset and, as far as we are concerned, is the finest on the market.

Both versions are available in an EPS (electronic) version, with Super Record EPS obviously being the lightest. In fact, Campagnolo Record and Super Record are now already available in 12-speed! This puts them well ahead of the development of Shimano, for example.

SRAM

SRAM is the youngest company of the three. It also has the smallest market share, but is growing fast. The US company comes originally from mountain biking and is taking the lessons they learned there to the road.

SRAM group sets have a unique way of shifting: DoubleTap. This technology allows you to shift up and down with 1 lever and not 2 separate ones, as is the case with Shimano, for example. When you press the lever briefly you shift up, and when you press it further you shift down. All group sets are suitable for hydraulic disc brakes.

Entry-level groupset from SRAM: Apex

SRAM Apex is the entry-level model from SRAM, it is an 11-speed groupset equipped with the so-called WiFli system. This makes it possible to mount cassettes of between 11 and 36 teeth. The variety of cassettes is therefore huge. The SRAM Apex groupset is also available in the so-called 1x version, with only 1 front blade. This groupset is often used, for example, on entry-level gravel bikes.

Performance groupsets from SRAM: Rival, Force

SRAM Rival is the most popular groupset on road bikes. This groupset has 11 teeth at the back, allowing you to make a more extensive indexing of your cassette at the back. Again, this groupset is a bit lighter than the Apex group.

SRAM Force sits between the Rival and Red groupsets in terms of weight. Thanks to the incorporation of lighter materials such as carbon, it is lighter than the Rival, but still heavier than the top-of-the-range Red. In terms of shifting performance and durability, this group leans more towards the Red than the Rival

Pro groupset from SRAM: Red

SRAM Red is the lightest groupset on the market. At only 1.747 kilos, this groupset is even lighter than Dura-Ace and Super-Record. In addition, this groupset is also available in a wireless version (SRAM Red eTap). Thanks to this innovation, no more wiring through your bike to control the derailleurs, shifting is not only controlled electronically but also wirelessly. An absolutely wonderful innovation, Shimano and Campagnolo have not yet had a suitable answer to this.