Road and Gravel Groupsets 2026: all prices, all weights

Drivetrain groupsets are the heart of your road or gravel bike, whether in terms of weight, precision, braking power, or shifting speed. Whether you’re aiming for ultimate performance or a controlled budget, choosing the right groupset is crucial. Here’s our comparison of 2025-2026 groupsets (Shimano, SRAM, Campagnolo, and others), with their weights and recommended retail prices, to help you make the right choice.

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: Campagnolo, Shimano, SRAM, Rotor, FSA

2025-2026 Trends: Electronic Drivetrains and 12/13 Speeds 

Increasingly, manufacturers are focusing on electronics, with wireless communication from shift levers to derailleurs now standard. While there are still a few exceptions from Campagnolo and Shimano for classicism aficionados, cable-actuated drivetrains and rim-brake bikes are becoming increasingly rare. The same goes for cassettes with fewer than 12 cogs. For the 2026 vintage, we even find 13 cogs with a double chainring on the Campagnolo Super Record groupset, while this same type of cassette with a single chainring is also starting to spread in Gravel, awaiting an evolution on the road or in triathlon. This is undoubtedly a future option to consider.

The abandonment of the front derailleur is seen by some as a simplification of the drivetrain, but it also implies the use of cassettes with a wide range of gears, another significant trend in recent years. By adding cogs to the cassette, manufacturers increase the versatility of the drivetrain, but often at the expense of user comfort with sometimes significant gear gaps from one cog to the next.

=> SEE ALSO: 12 or 13-speed: what choice for your drivetrain?

The fact remains that while most Road and Gravel groupsets are now offered with electronic shifting, the quality of gear changes is improved. Precision, smoothness, and speed are now accessible even on relatively affordable groupsets. The same applies to the power and efficiency of disc braking, which is no longer debated today, regardless of the groupset’s range. Only weight savings, reliability and durability, and of course the price, truly distinguish a high-end groupset from a mid-range one.

How to choose your groupset?

To choose the ideal groupset for your bike, several criteria should guide your decision, starting with your budget. High-end electronic groupsets exceed €4000 and offer very high performance in all respects, while entry-level models, starting from €500, remain accessible. Between these extremes, mid-range groupsets (from approximately €1500 to €2500) offer an excellent compromise, with functionalities similar to premium models, but with a slightly higher weight.

Weight, precisely, is a determining factor, especially for the sensations felt during climbs and accelerations: a high-end groupset, 250 to 300 g lighter than a mid-range one and up to a kg lighter than a entry-level model, can make a difference in terms of performance. For comparison, such a weight difference is rarely achieved between a very high-end carbon frame and an entry-level carbon frame.

The intended use is just as crucial: opt for a road groupset if you prioritize speed, or gravel for off-road adventures, while checking compatibility with your frame and wheels. You will also need to choose between an electronic drivetrain, synonymous with precision and comfort, and a mechanical one, which is more affordable and reliable.

Finally, consider the gear options, crank length, the presence or absence of a power meter option if necessary, and the possibilities of mixing and matching within the same brand. Fortunately, provided the same number of speeds is respected, components from one brand generally remain compatible, offering some flexibility to customize your setup.

To learn more about how to choose the right groupset for you, you can reread our complete guide HERE.

High-end: the quest for perfection

The highest-end groupsets are used by professional racers. They benefit from the latest innovations in terms of features (number of speeds, speed and precision of gear changes, braking power and modulation, customization of operation via dedicated applications) and materials. They are also the lightest on the market, while proving reliable and durable. Finally, these are also the groupsets that offer the most options for choosing chainrings, cassette cogs, or crank sizes. Be careful, however, with the price of spare parts in case of wear or a crash: they are at the level of the overall prices of these groupsets.

At this level of range, the difference of a few grams between the different protagonists is not significant and depends primarily on the choice of chainrings, cassette, and brake rotor size.

The question remains about the ergonomics and operation of the gear changes, specific to Campagnolo, Shimano, and SRAM, which are equally performant but can influence your choice, depending on your preference.

Recommended retail prices. Prices and weights correspond to groupset versions with cranksets without power meters and with the lightest options (chainrings and cassette).

=> SEE ALSO:

• Long-term test of the Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 12-speed groupset
• Long-term test of the new SRAM Red AXS groupset
• Test of the Campagnolo Super Record Wireless 2×13 groupset

Mid-range: the perfect balance

In the mid-range, we find drivetrain/braking groupsets that equip bikes sold for approximately €3500 to €8000. The range is wide, as there are actually two sub-categories, with the Ultegra Di2 and Force AXS groupsets being very close to the high-end Dura-Ace and Red, and the Rival AXS and 105 Di2, which are heavier but also more accessible.

In all cases, these groupsets with electronic shifting and disc braking work perfectly, and adopt the ergonomics of the more upscale models from which they are derived. Only a few features may be missing (such as the absence of an additional button on the 105 Di2 for gear changes or the manipulation of a compatible bike computer / head unit), as well as some customization options (chainrings and cassettes).

Spare parts such as the chain, cassette, discs, and brake pads are also less expensive than high-end, while remaining compatible for those who want to upgrade their groupset, or on the contrary, save some money in use.

*Also available in 1×12

Recommended retail prices. Prices and weights correspond to groupset versions with cranksets without power meters and with the lightest options (chainrings and cassette).

=> SEE ALSO:

• Test of the new SRAM Force AXS 2025 groupset

Mechanical groupsets: simple and reliable

Even if electronic (and wireless) drivetrains have flooded the market, groupsets with cable-actuated shifting are still offered, whether for disc braking or rim braking. These options are ideal for those looking to equip a frame with older standards, or who want to prioritize simplicity and reliability.

Recommended retail prices. Prices and weights correspond to groupset versions with the lightest options (chainrings and cassette).

Rim-brake groupsets

Campagnolo and Shimano still offer groupsets with rim brakes, whether with electronic (Shimano) or mechanical (Campagnolo) shifting. These versions have the advantage of being very light, for equipping classic or custom frames.

Recommended retail prices. Prices and weights correspond to groupset versions with cranksets without power meters and with the lightest options (chainrings and cassette).

Entry-level: for beginners or riding on a budget

Entry-level groupsets find their place on entry-level road and gravel bikes, offering consistent performance without benefiting from the latest innovations. Often 10 and 11-speed, they are also heavier than performance-oriented groupsets, but they pose no safety issues. A good choice for those starting out or riding irregularly.

Recommended retail prices. Prices and weights correspond to groupset versions with the lightest options (chainrings and cassette).

Focus on gravel groupsets

Gravel groupsets are designed for versatility and robustness, with gearing and specific features adapted to rough trails. At the high end, electronics are dominant with 12 and now 13-speed cassettes and performance identical to the best road groupsets.

To adapt to the evolution of the discipline, particularly the compatibility of frames with increasingly larger tires and thus the lack of space for a front derailleur, the single chainring is becoming almost essential, with cassettes offering a very wide gear range.

At the entry level, some mechanical drivetrain options remain, ideal for discovering the discipline at a lower cost.

*Modular groupset, with several configurations available, from 10 to 13 speeds. Weight and price with Rotor Aldhu Carbon crankset.

Recommended retail prices. Prices and weights correspond to groupset versions with cranksets without power meters and with the lightest options (chainrings and cassette).

Summary: all Road and Gravel groupsets on the market

32 road and gravel groupsets have been listed, with recommended prices ranging from €667 to €4458. The weights of complete groupsets range from 2243 g to 3412 g, whether they have rim brakes or disc brakes, with mechanical or electronic shifting, double or single chainring, and with a cassette from 10 to 13 speeds.

Weights are indicative and correspond to the lightest versions of the groupsets. They also depend on the options (cogs, chainrings). For groupsets with cable-actuated derailleurs and rim brakes, weights include brake and derailleur cables (100 + 90 g). For disc groupsets, weights include brake hoses and fluid. For electronic groupsets, weights include cables if necessary. Indicated prices are recommended retail prices. Be careful with promotional prices on some websites, with imposed options (cogs and crank length), or versions without crankset, or without brake rotors.

For more information, you can consult the websites of Shimano, SRAM, Campagnolo, Rotor, FSA

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