Overview/comparison of all Shimano MTB groupsets

If you are looking for a mountain bike and comparing the differences, you will always come across the different names of the groupsets – Alivio, Altus, Deore, Deore XT.

You probably want to know how good is which gearstick, what are the differences and which one exactly do you need?

Expensive equals better?

It is clear that the more expensive a groupset is, the better and lighter it is. But of course it doesn’t always have to be an XT or XTR drivetrain. For the average mountain biker, an Alivio or Deore drivetrain is perfectly adequate for sporty tours or having fun on the trails. These gears have also proven themselves over many years and guarantee long-lasting riding pleasure. The same technology is often used in the cheaper groupsets, only the material differs. These components are therefore somewhat heavier.

Which parts make up a gearshift group?

And as the name ‘groupset’ suggests: A groupset usually consists of rear derailleur (rear), front derailleur (front), cranksets, cassettes, chainrings, shift levers, brake levers and the corresponding disc brakes. Sometimes, however, the bike manufacturer replaces components so that the parts do not all belong to the same group. However, you can always find this out in the technical details.

Name of groupset	Suitable for whom/what?	Gewicht	Preis
Tourney	Easy tours	●	€
Altus	Easy/Longer tours	●●	€
Acera	Longer tours	●●	€
Alivio	Sporty tours	●●	€€
Deore	Advanced	●●●	€€
SLX	Amateur	●●●	€€€
Deore XT	Amateur/Professional	●●●●	€€€€
XTR	Professional/Race	●●●●●	€€€€€

Shimano Tourney

Shimano Tourney is designed for use on entry-level and leisure bikes. It offers simple shifting with sufficient gears and is generally less expensive than other Shimano groupsets. The shifting system is robust and reliable, but not quite as powerful and precise as higher-quality groupsets. Tourney groupsets are a good choice for riders who ride more on tarmac than on trails, but are still looking for a basic shifting system that is easy to use and low-maintenance.

Shimano Altus

The Shimano Altus groupset is one of Shimano’s entry-level groupsets and offers solid performance at an affordable price. It is characterised by smooth and precise shifting if you only occasionally replace the road with forest trails.

Shimano Acera

With the Acera gears, you can gain your first off-road experience. Fast and precise shifting ensures fun both on the road and off-road.

Shimano Alivio

The Shimano Alivio groupset is a high-quality component group that is suitable for everyday riding and light terrain. It is characterised by smooth and precise shifting. The Alivio groupset also has a stylish and modern design. Compared to the Acera groupset, the Alivio groupset offers higher quality. It is a good choice for riders who value performance and reliability.

Shimano Deore

The Shimano Deore is a high-quality, high-performance groupset that is suitable for off-road use and mountain bike tours. It is characterised by its robustness and reliability, offering outstanding performance even in difficult conditions and rough terrain. The Deore shifting group also has an up-to-date, timeless design. Compared to cheaper Shimano groupsets, the Deore groupset offers even higher quality and performance. It is the right choice for you if you enjoy travelling off-road a lot.

Shimano SLX

The Shimano SLX groupset offers many advantages for mountain bikers. For example, it is very durable and reliable, so you can rely on it whenever you are out and about. It is lightweight and compact, which makes it a very good choice. In addition, it is very precise and offers smooth shifting behaviour, so you are always riding with the right gear ratio. Overall, the Shimano SLX groupset offers excellent performance and reliability at an attractive price.

Shimano Deore XT

The Shimano Deore XT shifting group is a high-quality component group for mountain bikes that is characterised by its reliable shifting performance, precise gear changes and robust construction. It also offers a wide gear ratio so that you can find the right gear for every situation. The Deore XT groupset is designed for mountain bikers who place high demands on their bike and want a powerful, reliable and durable component group.

Shimano XTR

The XTR groupset has been developed for riders who demand the highest performance from their mountain bike. It offers fast and precise shifting and is suitable for demanding trail sessions or the popular Alpine cross. With this equipment, all options are open to you. It is also extremely light and trimmed for durability.