Groupset
From Free net encyclopedia
A groupset or gruppo (from the Italian for "group", often misspelled grouppo) is a bicycle component manufacturer's organized collection of mechanical parts. It generally refers to all of the components that make up a bicycle excluding the bicycle frame, fork, stem, wheels, tires, and rider contact points, such as the saddle and handlebars.
These parts typically include:
- 2 shifters
- 2 brake levers or
- 2 integrated brake levers/shifters aka 'brifters'
- 2 brakes, front and rear
- 2 derailleurs, front and rear
- 1 headset
- 1 bottom bracket
- 1 crankset
- 1 chain
- 1 cassette
- 1 seatpost
- 2 hubs, front and rear
- assorted cables and cable housing.
Each of these components may have many parts.
The major groupset manufacturers are Shimano and Campagnolo for racing bicycles, and Shimano and SRAM for mountain bikes. In 2006, SRAM also released two groupsets for racing bicycles, aimed at competing with Shimano and Campagnolo's offerings.
Manufacturers typically offer several groupsets, each targeted at a different budget or use. For instance, Dura-Ace and Record are the top-of-the-line road racing groupsets for Shimano and Campagnolo, respectively.