Are all Shimano drivetrains compatible?

Are all Shimano drivetrains compatible? Are all Shimano drivetrains compatible?, Are all Shimano parts interchangeable?, Can you mix Shimano groupsets?, Are all Shimano cassettes compatible?, Are all Shimano shifters and derailleurs compatible?

Are all Shimano parts interchangeable?

Shimano's Dura-Ace and Ultegra Di2 components are highly interchangeable provided they all bear the company's e-tube technology (the one exception being the original Dura-Ace 7970 groupset, which uses a unique wiring harness).

Can you mix Shimano groupsets?

That said, groupsets of a given brand are generally designed to work with each other, providing they share the same number of gears. (i.e. Shimano 11-speed with Shimano 11-speed, Campagnolo 11-speed with Campagnolo 11-speed.)


Are all Shimano cassettes compatible?

All Shimano and SRAM cassettes up to 10 speed are broadly compatible. They all use Shimano's Hyperglide II freehub body spline pattern. Cassettes with the same number of sprockets have the same sprocket spacing, sprocket width and overall width.

Are all Shimano shifters and derailleurs compatible?

As a general rule of thumb, it's best not to mix and match drivetrain components from different brands. While cranksets, chains and cassettes are mostly inter-compatible between brands, generally speaking, shifters and derailleurs aren't. This is because Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo all use different cable pull ratios.

Can I mix 105 and Ultegra?

Fortunately you can use 105 Di2 derailleurs with Ultegra or Dura-Ace shifters, no problem!

Is tiagra and 105 compatible?

As commenters have pointed out, the 105 chainset is significantly lighter than the Tiagra, but is reported to work fine in an otherwise Tiagra set up, so if you have a Tiagra bike, a 105 is a worthwhile upgrade.


Can I change the groupset on my bike?

For those that cannot afford this extravagance, a groupset can be replaced at a fraction of the cost of a new bike. Replacing a groupset requires a major overhaul for the bike so shoppers should remember to budget for installation.

What is better SRAM or Shimano?

SRAM's innovative T-Type Transmissions have become the hottest mountain bike drivetrain available and most brands are choosing SRAM Transmission for their top-spec builds. Shimano's 12-speed mechanical Deore and SLX groups are still better budget options, but at the high-end, SRAM is leaving Shimano behind.

Can you mix Shimano SLX with XT?

Shimano XT M8100. Shimano SLX M7100. Mixing and matching is a key feature with the new groups, and all M-series 12-speed components offer full cross-compatibility with each other. Simply pick and choose as you like.

How do I know if my derailleur is compatible?

Derailleurs are made to be compatible with only one groupset brand. For most, that's Shimano, SRAM or Campagnolo. The easiest solution is to buy the derailleur from the same manufacturer. Mixing groupset brands can void your warranty, so always check.

Are Ultegra and 105 cassettes interchangeable?

There's no reason why you can't use an Ultegra cassette with an otherwise 105 groupset, or vice versa. With both 105 and Ultegra, the largest sprocket you can officially use is a 34-tooth, although in truth you can go much larger than that; we have gear systems with 11-40 cassettes that work very happily.

Do I need a new derailleur if I get a bigger cassette?

When you see, for example, 45T listed under the heading largest cassette cog that means that that specific derailleur can handle a cassette where the biggest cog has max 45 teeth. Your derailleur will therefore need to be changed if you want to mount a cassette with more than 45T on the biggest cog.

Are derailleurs universal?

A derailleur for your mountain bike should match the specifications on the original derailleur. That is, while it doesn't need to be the same model of derailleur, it does need to be the same brand, in almost every case. It also needs to match the number of gears, or have more intended.

Are all Shimano 7 speed shifters compatible?

If you have a 7 speed rear cassette, any Shimano 7 speed shifter should work. Shimano's Altus range sits just above the Tourney TX range, so an Altus shifter would nominally be a little better, but matching a TX shifter with a TX derailleur would be fine.

Can I use any shifter with any derailleur?

No, different maker or different model with different number of "speed" shifters have different pull ratio (i.e. the length of cable pulled by a single shift). Usually it's safe to use different model with same number of gears from the same maker.

Why Shimano 105 is so expensive?

Most of the cost is R&D, tooling, and branding. Shimano wants you in their higher end stuff to promote their brand. Once Shimano has machining set up the cost for them to produce one versus the other is the same. And they may have some innovation that the new is actually cheaper to produce.

Is Ultegra smoother than 105?

Another notable difference between Ultegra and Shimano 105 is smoothness. It's clear that gear changes are much smoother on Ultegra. Besides enjoying the convenience of a responsive transmission, this smoothness is especially felt when chasing the clock.

Does Di2 make you faster?

It delivers the world's fastest and most reliable electronic gear shifting and a wider gear range that means no matter how steep the climb; it's never out of reach. Ultegra Di2 gives you instant, accurate, and lightning-fast shifts every time, with just a push of a button.

Can I swap Tiagra for 105?

Sora is 9 speed, Tiagra is 10 speed. 105 is 11 speed. 11 speed has a different hub boss size so you can't just put an 11 speed on a 10 or 9 speed one. However, if it is a 10 speed its likely you can replace the boss with an 11 speed one, but without that you also need a new rear wheel if you upgrade.

Why is Ultegra better than Tiagra?

Ultegra is a higher-end 11-speed groupset and is designed for more performance-oriented riders. It has improved shifting performance and uses lighter materials than Tiagra. It is also more expensive than Tiagra. Both groupsets provide reliable performance, but the Ultegra will offer a smoother and more efficient ride.

Is 105 a good groupset?

Shimano 105 has always been one of the best road bike groupsets for any amateur rider, with most only dropping to Tiagra as a cost cutting exercise or by simply not caring as much about what adorns their steed.

Is it cheaper to buy groupset?

Is it cheaper to buy a full groupset or individual components? Yes, it is more cost effective to buy a full groupset rather than individual components.

Is it hard to change a groupset?

Not that hard if you have some basic tools, a willingness to learn, and patience. Most bike wrenching isn't rocket-science; what separates the professionals is their diagnostic abilities, speed, consistency, access to tools, and experience with the tough stuff (like wheelbuilding,).

Can I replace my derailleur?

Thankfully, replacing them is pretty simple. All you need is a few tools (see our tool list on the right) and half an hour or so. While you're at it, you might as well replace the gear cable too. A new cable will give crisper shifting, and this is a good opportunity to sort two maintenance jobs in one session.

What is Shimano's best groupset?

Shimano groupset ranking

Shimano's Dura-Ace groupset is the top tier Shimano groupset. It is the best and lightest that money can buy. This is what professional cyclists ride. Ultegra sits one level below Dura-Ace.


Is Ultegra or Dura-Ace better?

The biggest difference is that Shimano's road and mountain groupsets are incompatible, which means that if you need ultra-low gears, Shimano won't support road handlebars with that gearing, while SRAM will, because their road and mountain groupsets are compatible, so you can mix and match road brifters with their ...

Why choose SRAM over Shimano?

XT Brakes are More Reliable Than SLX/Deore

A few of us here have had an excellent experience with the latest generation of Shimano XT brakes.


Is SLX or XT better?

Because these groupsets share so many common features, they're also downward compatible. This means that 12-speed components from SHIMANO DEORE get along superbly also with SHIMANO SLX components. Only the SHIMANO SLX 34T chainring is exclusively designed for use in combination with a SHIMANO SLX derailleur.

Are Deore and SLX compatible?

Key differences between DEORE XT and XTR

The XTR groupset comes with even more lightweight materials, such as titanium and carbon. This is primarily reflected in the premium design and lower weight (see table). Some riders choose an XTR rear derailleur for its stiffer cage, resulting in more defined and crisp shifting.


Is XTR better than XT?

Derailleurs will last almost indefinitely. The jockey wheels will wear out in time (tens of thousands of km) but the rest of the mechanism shouldn't see significant wear.