Throughout professionals and enthusiasts alike, Shimano is the single brand that resonates with everyone from professional racing to just cruising around the streets. Shimano has been developing better components since 1921…!

Shimano’s aim is to offer products for every budget and every type of riding.

In this blog, I'll be focussing on mountain bicycle components and all the intricate differences among them.

Chapter 1: Technologies:

Hyper glide:

Most of the drivetrain uses hyper glide technology since it allows the smoothest shifting of all. Hyper glide is made to reduce overall drivetrain weight and increase shifting smoothness and shifting speed!

Link Glide:

The recent entry to the Shimano family is none other than Shimano cues. Cues uses link glide technology which primarily focuses on durability and rough usage.

Hierarchy:

Chapter 2: Budget friendly options for beginners

Tourney:

A well-functioning budget friendly group set with the widest applications. Suitable for basic recreational riding. You can find these gears on the bicycles that cost 14k to 22k

Click to explore bicycles with Tourney

Altus:

Better than Tourney, coupled with a hyper glide cassette, Altus offers durability and shifting smoothness better than tourney. Suitable for leisure rides. You can find these gears on the bicycles that cost 22k to 30k.

Click to explore bicycles with Altus

Acera:

Better than Altus, coupled with 8 speed hyper glide cassette, Acera offers wider range, better durability and better shifting smoothness and the ability to shift under light load. Suitable for leisure rides and a bit of off-road riding. You can find these gears typically on the bicycles that cost 30k to 40k

Click to explore bicycles with Acera

Chapter 3: Something a serious rider should consider

Alivio:

Better than Acera, coupled with 9 speed hyper glide cassette, Alivio offers lighter weight, widest range, better durability and better shifting smoothness and the ability to shift under moderate load. Suitable for leisure rides and light cross country trails. You can find Alivio on the bicycles that cost 40k to 60k

Click to explore bicycles with Alivio

Deore:

Starting with Deore, we can observe a huge boost in performance, durability, smoothness, and the top end components also come with a clutch for chain retention. Made for enthusiasts with budget restraints. Suitable for riders who are getting into the mountain biking scene!

Click to explore bicycles with Deore

Chapter 4: Professional’s personal favourites

Deore SLX / XT:

SLX and XT are lighter and better than Deore in every way. Made for serious mountain bicyclers who like to experiment on all kinds of gnarly terrains. Usually professional race bicycles come with a combination of SLX and XT components for those who plan on getting into racing.

Click to explore bicycles with SLX and XT

Deore XTR:

The pinnacle of Shimano mountain biking! Professional racers always choose XTR thanks to its precision, and the ability to shift under load! Pricey but worth it if you work with professionals and if you do extreme downhill and enduro.

Click to explore bicycles with XTR

Cues:

Cues recently entered the mountain biking scene with revolutionary link glide tech! Durability at its peak, but slightly heavier than hyper glide, downhill experts think cues might actually be the future for shimano. It shifts under load 

Click to explore bicycles with Cues

Bonus information:

Shimano GRX:

SHIMANO GRX,

With its gravel specific ergonomics,

Optimized gearing options,

Rugged reliability, and quiet and stable drivetrain,

Sets itself apart from the rest of the component world. It's not just another reworked road or mountain bicycle component. It's tech that's made for the gravel riding with spacing for extra tyre clearance and also a clutch for chain retention

Click to explore bicycles with GRX

Conclusion:

Shimano's hierarchy of mountain bicycle components caters to riders of all levels, from beginners to professional athletes. Choosing the right group set depends on your budget, riding style, and the level of performance you require for your off-road adventures. Shimano's commitment to quality ensures that you can find the right components to match your mountain biking needs.