Specialized Group sets

[rich p]

Sora/Tiagra/105/Ultegra/Ultegra SL/Dura Ace

I may have missed a few!
Is it possible for there to be substantive differences between so many series? Is it possible to notice the differences?
Does it follow that the more expensive components last longer or are just lighter?

I have my doubts that so many options are necessary or desirable.

 

[ianrauk]

Isnt Ultegra SL just another Ultegra upgrade, now replaced by the Ultegra 6700 series? You also forgot Dura Ace D12. 6 sets.

Campagnolo have a similar amount of groupsets too at 6.
Veloce, Centaur, Athena, Chorus, Records & Super Records

 

[MajorMantra]

You also missed 2200 which is the lowest groupset.

The groupsets aren't all updated simultaneously so the differences between them vary. Ultegra 6700 is now similar to DA 7900 whereas 105 and Tiagra retain the older style shifters and styling.

The differences are small but they are real. Naturally you pay a lot to save a little weight and the law of diminishing returns applies. Still, if you can afford it, why wouldn't you want the best?

Btw, SRAM has only 3 road groupsets (Rival, Force, Red) but there's talk of them adding a new one at the lower end.

Matthew