Which Shimano groupset should you choose for your bike? An expert review from a bike shop in Mokotów.
Shimano is a bit like Google for the internet for the cycling world—present, intuitive, and surprisingly diverse. From simple city and trekking bikes, through gravel bikes, to road and mountain bikes—almost every bike in Poland has a touch of Japan in it. But it's precisely because of this vast array of options that many customers who come to our store in Mokotów ask: which Shimano groupset should they choose? And there's no single answer. It all depends on your riding style, budget, and whether you prefer "set it and forget it" or the precision of a pro.
For years, we've been tailoring drivetrains to real-world needs—not based on catalogs, but on what truly works in the city, on gravel roads, and off-road. That's why we've prepared a practical guide to Shimano groupsets—from the simplest Claris to GRX Di2 and modern CUES.
Learn more: Shimano derailleurs - classification and application in 2025
Claris and Sora – entry-level cycling with a smart mind
Claris (R2000) is an 8-speed groupset found on road, trekking, and fitness bikes priced around 2000–3000 PLN. It's a great base for first-time commutes, weekend rides on the boulevards, or beginner road bikers.
The Sora (R3000) takes things a step further—it has 9 gears, slightly more precise shifting, better lever ergonomics, and better cable management. In our Warsaw service centers, we often see Sora in hybrid models for city riding and light touring.
https://bike.shimano.com/pl-PL/home.html
Tiagra – an inconspicuous beast for everyday torture
Tiagra (4700) is a 10-speed groupset we recommend for commuting, fitness, and touring bikes. It's road-class, yet handles loads, hills, and poor conditions. For many, it's simply the sweet spot. It's also reliable at service.
https://bike.shimano.com/pl-PL/home.html
Shimano 105 – the golden mean between road and gravel
The 105 (R7100 or R7150 Di2) is a 12-speed drivetrain with electronic shifting (Di2), excellent ergonomics, very precise shifting, and a noticeable difference in performance compared to the Tiagra. Great for gravel, even better for tarmac. This is often the "final logical level"—beyond that, the costs are more emotional than practical.
https://bike.shimano.com/pl-PL/home.html
GRX – A Gravel Group That Gets the Job Done
GRX is Shimano's most comprehensive gravel-specific series. From the RX400 (10s) to the RX600/810 (11s), and finally the RX820/827 Di2 (12s), each version has something to offer. Di2 versions offer Synchronized Shift—automatic rear derailleur adjustments when shifting front derailleurs.
https://bike.shimano.com/pl-PL/home.html
Check also - Campagnolo Super Record S Wireless: A revolution in bicycle drivetrains
CUES – a new player in the budget league
CUES replaces Claris, Sora, and Tiagra in city, fitness, and trekking bikes. It offers 9- to 11-speed gears, with both mechanical and hydraulic levers. It works with single- and double-drive drivetrains and is ideal for utility bikes. Shimano promises CUES will be the new standard for years to come.
https://bike.shimano.com/pl-PL/home.html
Deore, SLX, XT – MTB, but with room for gravel
Deore (12s), SLX, and XT are excellent MTB drivetrains that often appear on our custom gravel bikes as a rear derailleur in a mullet configuration (road in the front, MTB in the rear). They work great with 10-51T cassettes, have clutches in the derailleurs (Shadow+), and the 1x versions are a masterpiece of simplicity.
https://bike.shimano.com/pl-PL/home.html
What to choose? What we recommend to clients at Antymateria in Mokotów
If you're looking for a budget-friendly, yet reliable drivetrain, Sora or Tiagra still make sense. For someone who rides more and wants a gravel bike or a road bike that will last for years, the choice is 105 or GRX. CUES, on the other hand, is an increasingly better option for city and trekking bikes. And if you want a complete setup with a large cassette, a single chainring, and adventure-ready gears, don't be afraid to mix and match: GRX + SLX, 105 Di2 + Deore; it can all be combined.
At our store in Mokotów, we help customers through the entire process—from groupset fitting, through crankset selection, to on-site testing. Every frame has its own story, every ride has its own needs. And it's precisely these needs that make choosing a drivetrain worthwhile—no pressure, just a smart decision.
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