Element Multisport - Be Cognizant - Train With Purpose: Buying A Bike? Here's More Stuff You Need To Know So You Can Shop With Confidence

Here's where I'm coming from: I work at a triathlon and bike store and we sell road and triathlon bikes. When I first started this gig, though, I had a pretty steep learning curve and didn't feel comfortable having a meaningful discussion with a customer looking for a new bike. Back then, I would hand those customers off to my husband so he could offer proper assistance. I've learned a lot and am still learning but I think I can give you a simple outline that will help you start shopping for your new bike with a little more confidence.

What Does Your Bike Cost?

In the first part of this story, I said that the cost of your bike was based on three main factors:

The frame
The drive train
The wheels, handlebars, saddles and a few other small parts

The main focus of that first article was the frame and the importance of getting the right frame first. Anything else that is put on the frame can be changed or updated but the frame is the one non-variable after you make the investment (unless you sell it and start over but let's try to get it right first!).

The Drive Train

First let me say that I know a super bike techno geek kind of person will be appalled at the level of oversimplification here but it's a start. After you have your own bike, it's a great idea to take some time and learn the basics about your bike including some basic maintenance. For now, this will get you started so you can have a meaningful discussion at your local bike shop.

First off, there are a few main companies that make and sell drive trains for bikes but Shimano is a far and away the dominant player in the market so let's start there. In the Shimano world for quality road bikes, there are 4 main levels in what I call their performance group and they are in order from least to most expensive:

Tiagra (10 speed)
105 (11 speed)
Ultegra (11 speed)
Dura-Ace (11 speed)

Furthermore, Ultegra and Dura-Ace groups are available in both mechanical (least expensive) and electronic (more expensive). In face, by the time you get to an Ultegra electronic (Di2) drive train, the cost will be competitive with Dura-Ace mechanical so, if you like the convenience of electronic shifting (and, trust me, you will), if you are going to that level of expense, Ultegra Di2 is as far up the food chain as I would go for my own bike.

As you move up the food chain from Tiagra to Dura-ace, other than the higher level having one more gear (11 speed vs 10 speed), most of us wouldn't be able to discern any real performance difference. The more expensive component groups will be lighter, they will be a little prettier, but even the entry level of the Shimano performance groups, Tiagra, will serve you absolutely well. You might notice that each of the groups will have a 4-digit number or a 5-digit alpha-numeric code attached to them. For example, Ultegra 6800 or Ultegra 8000 (or R8000). Those codes reference the generation (sort of like the model year) for that group. And if you see "Di2" with the Ultegra or Dura-Ace names, that denotes the electronic versions.

The last thing we should address is the Tiagra 10 speed vs 105 which is 11 speed. While 11 speed is pretty much the standard in new performance road and tri bikes right now, Tiagra is essentially what the same as Shimano 105, just with one less gear or cog on the rear wheel. Don't let anyone tell you you need 11 gears. 10 speed was the standard until about 5 years ago and we all rode just fine. Yes, more gears can give you more options but remember that even pro riders were racing the Tour de France and in Ironman Hawaii and they did just fine. Remember that you can upgrade your drive train in the future if you like so if Tiagra 10 speed is on the frame that fits you and the bike overall fits your budget, you will ride just find with a bike outfitted with the Tiagra family.

Other Component Groups

You may occasionally come across other two components groups: SRAM and Campagnolo. SRAM has introduced a new electronic component group family E-Tapp and it is starting to be more common but you won't often see the SRAM mechanical drive train component groups on many bike models. If you do, look for the names Rival, Force and Red. They would line up with Shimano 105, Ulegra and Dura-Ace respectively. Feature for feature, SRAM is a little more expensive but it does work just fine. I'm currently riding a bike with SRAM-Red and I love it. It works just fine and I wouldn't avoid buying a bike with SRAM components. If the price and the fit are right, it's right.
And then there's Campagnolo. Likely as not, you've heard of it but you won't often come across it on new bikes anymore. Campy (or Campi) as it's called for short, is an Italian brand and is still found on high end bike and is often favoured by fans of the Italian anything in cycling. Campi is more generally more expensive than either Shimano or SRAM and isn't used as original equipment on many of the bike brands commonly sold in North America but you might come across it. Just know that a bike with a Campi drive train will cost you more up front and more when you need any replacement parts.

Another thing you will very likely come across are bikes where one or more parts of the drive train are from brands other that the main brands that make entire component groups. There are some brands that are well known for making certain parts, for example cranksets or brakes. You will often see bikes with and FSA ("Full Speed Ahead") crank or Tektro brakes. Some might argue that these parts will work seamlessly with the rest of your drive train. Others will say argue the opposite. Quite honestly, if you were to ask me if I've noticed a difference between how well my bike works with a Shimano vs non-Shimano crank, I'd honestly have to tell you that a 5PSI change in my bike tire pressure would be more impactful. I'd say that if Felt or BMC thought the part was good enough to put it on a bike, I am comfortable with their faith in the bike as a whole.

Other Parts

Of the other parts that make up your bike, the two main other parts that will be on your bike let's talk about the handlebars and the saddle as they both warrant some attention. Together with the wheels, just so we can give them the attention they deserve, you will find them in the next article, Part 3. But, to highlight why I think the bars and saddle deserve attention, consider that your body will have three main points of contact with your bike:

The handlebars
The saddle
The pedals

Your bike will not come with pedals so it is the other two, the handlebars and the saddle that will come with your bike. Because they are two of the three points of contact with your bike, they both have an big impact on your comfort on your bike so they are important and deserve full consideration. And that article is coming to you shortly. Meanwhile, enjoy some pictures of bike component groups. Done correctly, some of these pictures can be works of art to some of us.