#groupo

When you start to know Jargon it means you are one of the special people.

Regarding Bikes, “Groupo” means the hardware that is mounted to the bike and makes it be more than just a frame.  The Groupo consists of the shifter/brake levers, the cogs and cranks, the derailleurs on the front and the back and the brakes themselves.  Also known as the jewelry as it is often shiny.  Its best when it is shiny.

The following applies to road bikes as that is what I know.

You can tell how “good” your bike is just from the groupo.  It pains me to say it, but for the most part a frame is just a frame.  As a large man I must stay away from feather lite super frames as they will just break.  Or even if they are strong I carry more extra weight on my body than the frame weighs.  The brand of bike is the label on the frame be it Trek, or Specialized or Giant or whatever.

The groupo indicates how good it really is.  There are three major suppliers of groupo who make all the stuff.  They are Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo.  Shimano is Japanese and also makes fine fishing tackle and stuff.  Sram is American and is part of a growing bike conglomerate.  Campy is Italian, nuff said. 

Quality, Engineering, Passion respectively.  It is a bit more extreme than Ford vs Chevy.

All three have a top tier of three levels.

Shimano has: Dura Ace, Ultegra, and 105.

SRAM has:     RED, Force, and Rival

Campy has:    Super Record, Record, and Chorus.

If you have 105 or Rival or Chorus you have a Good bike.  Higher up the ladder it is a better bike.  Lower is OK but goals are good.

My personal experience is with Shimano.  They have a lot of trickle down so that a 105 of this year is basically equal to a Dura Ace of 10 years ago.  Shimano also has some lower levels where #4 is Tiagra, and #5 is Sora.  To a great extent they are compatible and interchangeable.  You can buy a less expensive bike and upgrade the groupo as you can afford it.

My winter bike (Blue) is a Trek with 105 all around. (Good)

My Summer bike (Red) is a Specialized Tarmac with Ultegra all around.(Very good).

Entry level bikes are most likely Sram or Shimano equipped.  I think Campy does not associate with entry level, too special, I guess.  I just have never seen a campy entry level bike.

All these things are good.  The difference between levels is precision, feel and lightness. 

All of these products shift the cogs from the brake levers by a sideways action.  They are called “Brifters” not just brake levers anymore. There is now electronic shifting where buttons actuate the shift with servos and computers.  Those are very expensive and I will wait for my lottery win before I buy that.  I like mechanical things.  ( I drive a car with a {gasp} manual transmission).

There are a number of bits made by other companies like brake calipers and cranks and pedals, but the main Groupo is from the guys noted above.

Shimano is the biggest supplier, so if you are new to this that is what you are most likely to see.  The most important piece is the rear derailleur where you may find a 105 rear with the balance being Tiagra.  That is OK. They are compatible and it is the rear that has the toughest job and is used the most.

Shimano and Sram cogs and chains are interchangeable.  They fit each other.  The only place you must stay pure is the brifter to derailleur. One needs the mechanical action of the other to function.

CompuTrainer – Wrentham Duathlon

23.2 miles, 1:19 moving time. Cervelo Dual TT bike. I switched out the rear wheel, because the power meter is on my road bike. Fortunately, both bike have Shimano Ultegra groupos, so the switch is seamless. Whew! It worked well. I am so glad I can get my power readings on my TT bike. There’s a heat wave in LA this week. I got my workout in at sunrise at Lynda’s house. I rode the Wrentham Duathlon…