What’s the difference between Shimano road groupsets?

Like its main competitors SRAM and Campagnolo, Shimano has a hierarchy of groupsets with levels offering different weights, number of gears and – of course – prices!

It’s important to remember that while each groupset name maintains its place in the hierarchy, they are usually updated every few years. So, for instance, when Dura Ace – Shimano’s top-of-the-line groupset – was launched way back in 1973 (as Dura Ace 7100), it was 6-speed; it is now 11-speed (Dura Ace 91xx).

I will try to keep this list current, please give me a shout if I mess up!

	Weight	Brakes	Rear sprockets*	Chainrings	Low sprocket max teeth**	Electronic
Dura Ace R9170	2389	Disc	11	2	30	Y
Dura Ace R9150	2051	Rim	11	2	30	Y
Dura Ace R9120	2355	Disc	11	2	30	N
Dura Ace R9100	2007	Rim	11	2	30	N
Ultegra R8070	2627	Disc	11	2	34	Y
Ultegra R8050	2353	Rim	11	2	34	Y
Ultegra R8020	2512	Disc	11	2	34	N
Ultegra R8000	2266	Rim	11	2	34	N
105 R7025		Disc	11	2	34	N
105 R7000		Rim	11	2	34	N
Tiagra 4700	2585	Rim	10	2 or 3	34 or 32	N
Sora R3000		Rim	9	2 or 3	34	N
Claris R2000		Rim	8	2 or 3	34	N

* the more spockets, the smaller the jump between adjacent gears.
** the more teeth, the easier the bottom gear will be.