Shimano equipment: classification

The Japanese brand Shimano is quite popular among fans of active pastime, including cycling and fishing. After all, the products of this manufacturer are considered by professionals in the first place. However, many think that Shimano is an elite class. Such a conclusion is fundamentally wrong, since the Japanese company produces goods for each price niche, starting from the budget class, ending with elite devices. The focus of this article is Shimano products: classification and recommendations of specialists.

Destroying stereotypes

Choosing a reel for fishing, many buyers put in priority its size, selecting the device for a specific kind of fishing. Logically, this approach is correct, but you need to be on the alert, if the assortment includes coils Shimano. The fact is that many manufacturers of similar devices try to adapt to serious brands and present on the market coils that have the same marking as Shimano, but with different characteristics.

For example, a buyer needs a small coil for an ultra-light fishing rod, and he, orienting himself on the size, gets a 1000 model, and in fact, its size is more than 1.5-2 times, of course, and the characteristics of the device are completely different. The choice of a solution could be decided by the introduction of a certain standard, but the manufacturers of cheap devices will not go to such a step, since they can lose several price niches in the market.

Classification of coils

Shimano coils have their own classification, and it is recommended to make a choice to a potential buyer. There are three main price groups:

• SR-system, which belongs to the elite class and is very expensive;
• S-system occupies a niche in the middle price category;
• Series P3 belongs to the economy class.

Each of these groups has its own classification, which depends on the technical characteristics of the devices: inertial coils, inertial coils , with the location of clutches and so on. In addition, there is a classification of the color of the case. For example, red color indicates that the coil is a novelty in the market. Do not forget about the size and gear ratios.

Active rest and tourism

Much easier things are with the components for bicycles under the brand Shimano. The classification is almost the same for all components of a two-wheeled vehicle. Differences only between the classes themselves bicycles. There has already been introduced an international standard, which is followed by all the world's producers - only 4 groups, and under them own marking.

1. Mountain biking is the most popular group, and under it there are a lot of accessories.
2. Tourist bicycle. The classification is conservative, as is the range of spare parts.
3. City Tourist. The Russian market for this group is still young, but there is potential for further development.
4. Road bike. Elite group, for which components are manufactured with higher requirements.

Race for a dream

Allow yourself the luxury of buying the most technologically advanced city bicycle with top components of Shimano, the price of which can reach the cost of a small domestic car, maybe not every Russian. Therefore, the manufacturer acted wisely, creating three categories of components for different price categories. But, judging by the opinions of experts, the strength, durability and weight of spare parts from different niches do not differ much among themselves, therefore the presence of three modifications is recommended to be considered as a marketing move that affects the subconscious of the buyer. Alfine, Nexus, Carpeo are very famous markings among bicycle owners who prefer high-tech devices with planetary bushings, electric motors, dynamo-drives and similar devices for easy movement around the city.

The Great Zoo

It is very difficult to do things among the components for those who like to ride off-road. Too big assortment was presented to the world by the company Shimano. The classification for mountain bikes looks like this:

1. Shimano XTR. Light weight, maximum durability. Produced for professionals, but often purchased amateurs, who just want to show off to others.
2. Deore Saint. Very sturdy components, without which it is very difficult for a cyclist to win professional races.
3. Deore XT. It is considered the best choice by the criterion of price-quality. They have excellent durability and components are quite suitable for extreme driving conditions.
4. SLX. Quite heavy parts, which have great strength. They are not afraid of falls and blows on the mountain slopes.
5. Deore and Alivio. They are considered an entry-level for professionals, however, by the criterion of "price-quality" they lose to the class XT.
6. Acera and Altus. These components are called stock, since they are installed on all cheap bicycles of the entry level.
7. Toutney. Accessories for children's bicycles of the lowest quality.

The order of tourists

Apparently, the low demand for tourist bikes did not allow Shimano marketers to experiment with the assortment of components. In the media, professionals tend to think that, ideally, the classification for all bicycles should look like this:

1. Deore XT. Highest grade of components.
2. Deore LX. A golden mean with an acceptable price and worthy quality.
3. Deore. The most affordable components at a price of damage to wear resistance. In this niche for tourist bicycles there is own classification of switches Shimano - depending on the year of release, under the rim and disc brakes.

A serious approach

Not every shop will be able to find accessories with such names, which are present in the classification for road bicycles. After all, this group belongs to the elite, which is reflected in the price of spare parts. A standard Shimano bush for a road bike can be several times more expensive than a similar top-class vehicle for mining vehicles.

1. Dura-Ace. Very light components, along with high strength and time to failure.
2. Ultegra. Balance between weight and rigidity.
3. 105. Components for fitness with an interesting design.
4. Tiagra. Amateur level.
5. Sora. They are used in educational and health centers, where the low price is in priority.

Finally

As can be seen from the review, in the company of Shimano, the classification of equipment is very complex, and not always amenable to explanation. A huge range of components, which in the end just differs in price and appearance, can introduce into a stupor not only the beginner, but also the professional. Therefore, before buying expensive items, you must necessarily examine the feedback of specialists who understand this issue, and only then decide which class to give their preference.