Shimano: Efficiency and perfection from the Far East
Impression of Shimano
Shimano stands for metal processing in perfection. Carbon is only used sparingly, even in the top-of-the-range Dura-Ace groupset, but the weight is still on a par with the competition. A uniform design runs through the groupsets, in the hierarchy of which the Japanese play with various elaborately coated surfaces.
Ergonomics from Shimano
There is light and shade here. While the latest Di2 generation is much praised, there are hydraulic levers in cheaper Shimano groupsets whose grips are quite clunky (Tiagra). The shift buttons on the electronic shifters are quite close together, which can sometimes lead to confusion. The mechanical shifters are operated by swivelling the brake lever and a smaller lever behind it - this takes some getting used to for newcomers, but is smooth and precise.
Circuit
Shimano's greatest strength is that its engineers never tire of looking for improvements. Most recently, the shifting behaviour of the Dura-Ace and Ultegra electronic groupsets was refined once again: the chain not only climbs quietly onto larger sprockets, but also drops just as smoothly onto smaller ones. The electric front derailleur changes the chainrings with astonishing precision, reliability and speed. The cheaper the groupset, the more compromises you have to make - but even the cheapest versions shift reliably and precisely. It is worth criticising that only the Tiagra is still available as a very affordable mechanical ten-speed drivetrain.
Brakes
The response behaviour and braking performance of the latest generations are excellent. The servo-wave technology on the Dura-Ace and Ultegra as well as the high-quality GRX levers for gravel bikes even make the brakes superior to the competition when braking with particularly high braking forces, as less manual force is required. The Ice-Tech discs with an aluminium core are now better, but still not completely worry-free: they tend to rub against the pads when braking hard. With older and cheaper groupsets, there is an unmanageable variety of pads and discs that influence braking behaviour.
Service and costs
Until recently, nowhere else could you get as much function for your money as with Shimano. This changed with the latest Di2 generation: Shimano raised the prices for the electronic groupsets considerably and at the same time phased out the attractive mechanical versions. Only the Tiagra is still unrivalled in terms of price, but with ten sprockets it is no longer state of the art and comparatively heavy. Wear parts are available everywhere and at reasonable prices, and a close-knit network of Shimano service centres ensures supply.
Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo: Can parts be mixed with each other?
As a rule, components from different brands cannot be combined with each other. There are only a few exceptions; for example, the drivetrain parts of the ten-speed and eleven-speed generations from Shimano and SRAM are interchangeable. This can be interesting because Shimano wear parts are cheaper and more readily available and also more durable in this generation.
Parts from one manufacturer can be combined across the groups within certain limits. If the number of sprockets on the cassettes is identical, the parts also fit together mechanically. For example, wear parts from cheaper groupsets can be used to save money. The cranks from higher-quality groupsets, for example, can reduce the overall weight somewhat.
The gear ratio can also be adapted to your own needs with the help of non-group parts. Cheaper groupsets often offer cassettes or chainrings that are more suitable for mountain biking. However, the capacity limits of rear derailleurs and front derailleurs must be taken into account; rear derailleurs of more expensive groupsets may not be suitable for large sprockets.
Jens Klötzer
Editor
