Types of Shimano Gears

Shimano Cycling manufactures a variety of gear shifting assemblies for bicycles ranging from casual to professional race levels. According to the Shimano web site, the company offers gear options for three main cycling styles: road bicycles, mountain or off-road bicycles and touring or comfort bicycles. These three types of gears offer a wide selection of components at competitive prices. Shimano has only one option for professional level BMX components, DXR.

  1. Road Gears

    • Shimano offers six levels of road cycling gear options: entry level 2200, Sora, Tiagra, veteran 105, Ultegra and professional lightweight race quality Dura-Ace. Shimano Dura-Ace has both mechanical and new electronic-actuated shifters offering shift on the fly performance at the press of a button. Shimano offers several gear combinations of up to 30 gears on a single bicycle. Its narrow chain 10 speed rear derailleurs and cassettes pair with traditional three chainring cranks and front derailleurs.

      Tour de France legend Lance Armstrong won seven consecutive years aboard Dura-Ace equipped bicycles, according to the website of bicycle shop Bikesport Michigan. Sora and Tiagra components work well for beginning and casual riders while 105 and Ultegra components serve many amateur racers.

    Mountain Gears

    • Shimano offers six levels of mountain gear options for bicycles: entry level Alivio, Deore, SLX, Deore XT, heavy duty Saint and professional race level XTR. Shimano introduced a lightweight upgrade to shave several grams from a XTR component kit called Yumeya and a Dura-Ace Yumeya kit became available shortly after. Yumeya kits offer titanium and carbon fiber upgrade component pieces designed to replace existing components.

      Alivio and Deore components ably serve casual riders and weekend warrior racers. SLX and Deore XT components function as reliable amateur race components. Saint components meet the high strength demands of free-ride and downhill riders.

    Touring Gears

    • Shimano also offers touring gears designed for riders from casual to long distance tourists. Nexus and Alfine components offer superior internally geared hubs ranging from three to eight speeds. Many of these hubs incorporate internal coaster brakes or accept either disc or drum brakes. Nexus hubs can work several years and need no more than minor adjustments on casual rider's cycles. rider. Alfine components offer Nexus reliability designed for more intensive on and off road conditions. Shimano has budget casual components under the Tourney, Acera and Altus monikers, which are traditionally manual chain derailleurs similar to the Shimano road and mountain components.