Groupset is not a cycling club, it’s a bicycle drivetrain. The drivetrain includes  shifters, brakes, chain, cassette (the gears in back) and the crankset. The frame is about the only part that’s not part of a specific groupset. Some manufactures include wheels as part of a groupset, while others don’t.

The Competition

Bike manufacturers rely on three main suppliers for bike parts, Campagnolo, SRAM and Shimano. Shimano dominates the market for production bikes, so it’s no wonder the majority of the bikes are equipped with Shimano groupsets. Shimano is widespread, easiest to find and is recognized everywhere.

The Top Contenders

Graduating up in cost from low to high, Shimano 105, Ultegra, and Dura-Ace are three groupsets commonly found on road bikes. 105 is considered entry-level. Ultegra is mid-range, but race-ready. Dura-Ace is professional quality. The three sets are interchangeable, and consumers purchase them according to how much they can afford to spend. If you’re a recreational rider and can afford Dura-Ace, you should get it. On the other end of the scale, if you race on a budget, there’s no reason why you can’t compete using 105.  The differences between them might seem subtle to the everyday cyclist, but the more you demand from a bike, the more the difference is noticeable.

Why They Differ

Groupsets graduate up in cost and performance, because of what they’re made out of, and how they’re made. Lighter, more expensive alloys, higher technology cost more to produce, and they pass it on to the customer. You get what you pay for.

Cost Versus Weight

Generally speaking, the more you spend the lighter the groupset gets. Road bike components are weighed and measured in grams, which is about how much a paper clip weighs. Is it worth spending more money to save a few grams? If you’re racing it may be. If you’re a recreational rider, you’ll not notice the difference in weight between Shimano 105 or Ultegra.

Performance Differences

The differences in performance between the three groupsets might not seem significant to the recreational rider. But the professional or cycling enthusiast will notice that Dura-Ace shifts cleaner, with more precision than Ultegra. The 105 groupset might seem to have a more robotic shift, as opposed to the Ultegra, which feels smoother, and crisper.

The Durability Issue

As far as durability is concerned, cheaper groupsets might actually be more durable than their expensive counterparts, simply because they are not as delicate and lightweight. Grit, dirt, grease and grime can cause problems with Dura-Ace’s close tolerances, whereas the 105 groupset, with its heavy duty construction, may continue to operate when dirty.

Full Groupset

You might have heard bike shop salesmen state that a given bike is “full 105,” “full Ultegra,” or “full Dura-Ace.” This means that all of the parts on the bike belong to the same groupset. When comparing bikes from different manufacturers, if they stay within a specific groupset, you should expect the cost of the bike to be comparable across the board with other manufacturers, if the frame material is the same.

Mixed Groupset

Bike prices are typically all over the place. It’s because bike manufacturers often combine groups as a cost cutting measure, or to boost performance in a specific area. For example, by placing a Dura-Ace rear derailleur on a bike equipped with an Ultegra groupset, the manufacturer upgrades shifting performance in the rear, while keeping the cost mid-range.

The Beauty of Consistency

That’s the beauty of Shimano groupsets. Virtually all of the parts are interchangeable. It’s possible to purchase a bike equipped with 105, and as parts wear out, or when you have more money, you can switch the derailleurs, shifters or brakes with Ultegra or even Dura-Ace to upgrade performance.

Affordable Alternatives

Expect to pay in excess of at least $1,000 — if you’re lucky — for any bike equipped with the entry-level 105 groupset. Cost continues to rise with any bike even partially equipped with Ultegra and or Dura-Ace. But what if you’re not sure you want to spend that much for your first road bike you don’t have to. Shimano has three other groupsets that will often lower the cost of a new bike below $1,000. Most of the cheaper groupsets don’t offer as many gears — typically only 8 or 9, but they shift clean and get you from point A to point B with Shimano reliability.

Shimano Claris

With more and more people buying bikes for commuting and recreational riding. Shimano has a highly affordable groupset known as Claris. The range includes everything from shifters to hubs and brake calipers.

The Sora

Moving up in cost, but still keeping it affordable, the Sora groupset has been around for years. It offers more adjustments than the Claris, with a few more options for gear ratios.

The Tiagra

The Tiagra weighs in just below the Shimano 105 groupset, and is the only sub $1,000 dollar bike to offer 10-gears. Designed for entry-level riders, the shifting differences between the Tiagra and 105 are few, it’s heavier than the 105, but also cheaper.

Box Store Bikes

You’ve probably seen them; bikes that sell for $100 or $200 dollars in big box stores. They’re shiny, have all the bells and whistles, decals and maybe even a water bottle included, you can bet that there’s not a single Shimano part on them. And even if there is, the frame is so heavy that it would kill your spirit just riding it a few miles. Avoid them. They are assembled with economy parts in haste. If you do get serious about cycling, you’ll get rid of it the first chance you get anyway.

The Option

A large majority of beginner cyclists get their bikes second-hand. Look online, or go to bike swaps. Use you’re knowledge of the Shimano groupsets to glean second-hand or used bikes. The groupset model is always marked on the rear derailleur. You might notice that the groupset has been combined, or by chance you’ll find a full Ultegra or 105 that someone just decided to get rid of, without knowing what they had in the first place. Nothing makes you feel better than getting a steal on a Shimano equipped bike.

Pro cyclists spend hours and hours every day perfecting their craft. This is not limited to riding a lot to get fast but also looking the look as well. Even if you don’t have the same legs as a pro you can still look like one, or as close to it as physically possible by doing and not doing things that every pro knows without even thinking. Following these guidelines will not only have you looking like a pro but acting like a professional as well.

Do’s

Looking like a pro starts with what you’re wearing and how you wear it. Just because it looks “pro” doesn’t mean it has to be expensive though. Plan ahead and you’ll too look the look.

Socks

There are two things to a pro’s socks: height, and color. Pros don’t wear ankle socks nor socks that come half-way up your leg. The correct height is about one to five inches above your ankle. The sock should be well above your ankle but not so far as to be to the bulge of your calf. Typically larger legged cyclists, sprinters, wear a bit shorter socks while thinner legged, climbers, wear longer socks. The color of your socks should match the rest of your kit meaning if your kit isn’t bright green, don’t wear bright green socks. Generally white is the most “pro” looking while black is the safest all-around bet.

Sunglasses

Your sunglasses should be riding specific meaning that they are made for athletics. Although aviators may look cool, they don’t on the bike. For something to look good it has to be functional as well. And wear your sunglasses on the outsides of your helmet strap. No ifs, ands, or buts.

Jersey

The first thing to having a “pro” looking jersey is to have one that fits. You don’t want one that is too big and flapping in the wind or too small and shows your stomach. It should fit snug but not too snug. Secondly, wearing the kit of your favorite team doesn’t make you look pro. Find a good looking kit that fits well with you and your style.

Cycling Cap

Cycling caps are one of the biggest things that can help you look like a pro. Riding with one without a helmet does not. It just makes you look stupid for not wearing a helmet. Wear one under your helmet on cool or rainy days otherwise take one in your pocket to wear at the coffee shop.

Shaved Legs

This is simple. No pro cyclist has hair on their legs. The reasons are many. If you do, you are not going to look pro and you don’t get any of the benefits from not having any hair on your legs.

Saddle Bag

The saddle bag is viewed by some as not pro but it in fact is. Being stuck without a tube and pump on the side of the road is definitely not pro. If you can fit what you need to get out of a mechanical in your pockets without taking up the space for other essentials such as food then do it. Otherwise get a small, sleek saddle bag that fits nicely under your seat. If it’s big and floppy it won’t look “pro” but small and tight makes it look like it belongs.

Matching Parts

Having parts on your bike that match in color will make you look more “pro” than ever. This means matching your saddle color to your bar tape to your shoes. White is the most “pro” but black also can look good.

Don’ts

Now that you’re doing all the things above to look like a pro, you now need to make sure you don’t still do certain things that will negate any of the above.

Helmet Visors

Helmet Visors are quite functional and look good… on mountain bikes. They’re simply not to be ridden on the road. If you need a visor for whatever reason, wear a cycling cap.

Hydration Packs

As with visors, hydration packs are reserved for mountain bikes. On the road you have two bottle cages that can hold plenty of liquid. If you need a third bottle, put one in your center jersey pocket and switch it out as soon as one of the others is empty.

Mirrors

Mirrors are good for some riders. They allow you to see what’s behind you if you physically have trouble rotating your body and head to adequately see what’s behind you. Aside from that they don’t go on your road bike. Learn to look behind you while still riding a straight line.

Cat 5 Tattoo

If you don’t already know, a Cat 5 tattoo is a chain-ring grease mark left on the inside of your calf due to not paying attention and letting your leg hit your chain-ring. This is a classic give-away to a newbie rider who hasn’t gotten on and off their bike enough to know how to avoid touching their leg to it. If you accidently get one, wipe it off right away.

Skewer Placement

Another newbie mistake is putting the quick-release of the front wheel on the wrong side. The skewer is always supposed to go on the same side as the rear quick-release; the left side.

Littering

This should be a no brainer but some riders see pro’s throw bottles and wrappers in the big time bike races and think that it’s okay if they do it. Generally bottles are always tossed toward fans or where people are and wrappers are discarded somewhere where they’ll be picked up, namely the feed zone. Although this doesn’t always happen, it’s a big time big race situation. Your ride is not. Littering not only looks bad, it is bad for the environment, and is illegal, it also doesn’t look professional at all so don’t do it.

Etiquette

The final part to looking like a pro is how you act and ride. Pro’s don’t only look sharp and ride fast but are also courteous to others.

Obeying Traffic Laws

You should always obey traffic laws and if you don’t that is a dead giveaway that you’re a rookie who doesn’t know what they’re doing. Always stop at red lights and stop signs as well as following general traffic rules. Not doing so not only puts your life in danger but makes you and the cycling community as a whole look bad. Follow the rules of the road and look like a pro doing it.

Half-wheeling

Half-wheeling is when you ride half a wheel ahead of the rider next to you instead of keeping your handlebars even, right next to each other. Most often you don’t even realize that they’re doing it. This is a dead giveaway to a rookie cyclist as well. Ride next to each other with no more than a foot in-between your bars.

Constant Fight

Along with half-wheeling is when riders are constantly trying to show that they’re stronger than the other. They do this by half-wheeling along with always pushing it up every little climb. This gets old quick and if you’re riding with a more experienced rider, they’re not going to ride with you for long. Save the fight for races and hard group rides, not when you’re just trying to get a nice ride in.

Safety and Courtesy

Another way to act pro is to always ensure everyone’s safety by pointing out debris and other obstacles in the road as well as any upcoming turns. Never assume and be vocal about what’s coming up. This will not only keep others safe but you as well.

Showing Up On Time

A final part to etiquette is showing up on time to rides. No one appreciates someone who shows up late. It just shows that your time is more important than the others in the group. The best pros are the ones who are also grounded and don’t think that they’re more important than anyone else. They can be the best rider in the world but showing up on time shows respect.

Looking like a pro takes a lot of planning and knowing of the little details but if you focus on it at first it will just become how you look, ride, and act. All the little details are what add up to being pro so focusing on them can get you looking like one even if you don’t have the genes and ability to be one.