Even if there are basically just two brands that dominate mountain bike groupsets, the labyrinth of choices within those brands, Shimano and SRAM, allows for limitless possibilities to mix and match according to desired performance and budget. 

If Shimano is the legacy brand, the one that has been making durable, high quality mountain bike components the longest, then SRAM is the company that is relatively new to the game but continually pushing the envelope of innovation. The two may be competitors for your cash, but they make each other better, which is a great thing for the consumer. Having choice is always good, but then the spirit of competition to win those customer dollars drives each side to make things better and more accessible for everyone. 

Shimano mountain bike groupsets

Based in Japan, Shimano offers a selection of groupsets that is not only broad in choice but deep in quality. That is to say, they have something for every ambition at every price point. They also allow for a lot of inter-swapping so that if you see value in spending a little more for one component, but can save on something else, you will likely find the perfect combination within the Shimano lineup.  

Shimano’s extensive range means that they have a groupset for every type of mountain bike, from children’s bikes up to pro XC-racer and Downhill machine. The endless options are distinguished sometimes just by a slightly different material used or perhaps older technology employed. We’ve grouped them into three categories

Shimano mountain bike groupsets for beginners

If you look at a list of potential mountain bike components that Shimano offers, you’ll likely see names like Tourney, Altus, Acera, and Alivio listed, but you will be hard-pressed to find these on any bikes outside of children’s and low-end bikes sold at big box stores in strip malls. They use inexpensive parts and offer ancient technology like grip shift and triple chainrings. 

For those of us who love some fancy new technology and the latest kit, these groupsets can seem a bit dull. But we applaud Shimano for making reasonably priced, entry-level groupsets for people who are just starting out in cycling. 

Mid-range Shimano mountain bike groupsets

Shimano mid-range, in our minds, starts with the classic Deore groupset. It was our gateway groupset back in the day, and still represents great value for money. The 1x12 gearing provides smooth shifting and enhanced chain retention so you can securely shift on rough terrain. 

Next in line, the SLX offers excellent shifting and durability while dropping a little weight compared to the Deore. 

High-end Shimano mountain bike groupsets

Deore XT starts to get quite serious and steps over the line to the high-end range. Shedding several grams thanks to the judicious use of lighter materials – like having the two biggest cogs in the cassette made from aluminum –the 1x12 Deore XT has set the standard for generations and is still dressed to impress. It is also available as the Deore XT M8050 Di2 with electronic shifting.

And if your name is Matheiu Vander Peol, or you want to have the top drawer option from Shimano, then you go with the XTR. Available in a wide range of gearing options and as a mechanical or Di2, this is the pinnacle of the Shimano mountain bike line up for XC, trail and enduro bikes. 

Special interests

For anyone looking to kit out a downhill mountain bike, Shimano has you covered there too with the Zee and Saint. Zee marks the entry-level for aspiring downhill enthusiasts, while Saint is the downhill equivalent of XTR endorsed by the pros.

They also supply a variety of e-mountain bike groupsets. The E5100 is intended for e-commuting and urban adventures. The EP5 offers a unique blend of performance and value tailored to the diverse needs of weekday commuters and weekend explorers. The EP6 can be tailored for e-mountain bike adventures in the backcountry or e-cargo bikes for grocery shopping and school runs. And as the top of the line e-components from Shimano, the EP8 offer robust performance for the high mountains or tons of torque for e-cargo bikes designed to handle heavy loads. 

SRAM mountain bike groupsets

If you thought the Shimano MTB options were extensive, you’ll be blown away by how much choice SRAM offers in their mountain bike groupsets. The number of groups seems extensive, and then becomes almost inexhaustible thanks to the level of mix-and-matching capabilities. 

For consistency, we’ve tried to split them up into similar groupings that we did for Shimano, starting with options that are most suitable for beginner and budget builds. 

SRAM mountain bike groupsets for beginners

Though SRAM is most renowned for introducing the single chainring or 1x concept, they have not totally killed off the double or even the triple chainring option up front. Triples were the norm in the early days of mountain bike specific groupsets. They allowed the rider to have a wide range of gear ratios even in an era when the rear cassettes had as few as five cogs. 

With their X5 groupset, you can opt for a 2x or 3x up front and a 9 or 10-speed cassette. It’s a non-pricey way to get your bike set up with a wide range of gears for all types of climbing, descending and everything in-between. 

The X7, X9 and XX are all intended to work with 2x up front and a 10-speed cassette in the rear. The X7 is the least expensive option that has their clutch technology, which helps keep the chain shifting efficiently even over rough terrain. 

The X9 is similar to Shimano’s SLX which makes it a reliable choice for anyone who enjoys riding in the mountains but doesn’t want to shell out extra cash for the lightest materials and newest gizmos. And the XX is less frequently seen on new mountain bikes since it is the 2x cross-country option, which has now been almost completely eclipsed by the 1x groupsets. 

Mid-range SRAM mountain bike groupsets

It may be subjective, but we’re classifying SRAM’s entry-level 1x ranges as the beginning of their mid-range offerings. The SX and NX feature their 1x Eagle technology up front while the SX works with low-cost wheels that have splined 8/9/10sp driver bodies while the NX features an 11-speed cassette in the rear. 

With the GX Eagle, you move up to a 12-speed rear cassette at a great price while the GX Eagle AXS can be your introduction into the world of wireless shifting.  The X01 Eagle offers a massive 520% gear range for brutal steeps and avoiding hike-a-bikes.

High-end SRAM mountain bike groupsets

Again, this is subjective, but we’d say that the X01 Eagle AXS is where the High-end SRAM mountain bike options begin. Offering the same insane wide gear ratio as the X01 Eagle, the AXS indicates it is a wireless option, and even offers an upgrade kit for anyone using the X01 Eagle mechanical. 

The XX1 reduces the weight compared to the X01. The chain and rear cassette have been developed to work with the rear derailleur to be able to run smoothly, quietly and efficiently even under huge load. In the wireless AXS version, this is a groupset that has won everything from Olympic medals to world championships. And it does so while still being durable enough for hobby riders who don’t have a mechanic taking care of the kit. 

SRAM led the way with wireless mountain bike components, which includes wireless controls for things like dropper posts and sock lockout. 

They also have an Eagle Powertrain groupset specifically for E-mountain bikes.  Eagle Powertrain recognizes your power to maximize shifting efficiency. It can even shift while you are coasting, which comes in handy when facing a gnarly descent that will then immediately ramp up to a double-digit climb. Durability is also key, which Eagle Powertrain offers in bucketloads. 

Conclusion – an abundance of choice

If you’ve learned one thing from this survey of the top two mountain bike component manufacturers, it’s that there is an abundance of choice! Which brand you go with might have as much to do with personal preference or earned brand loyalty as anything else, since both offer a wide range of choice at nearly every price point. 

We’d suggest you keep compatibility in mind, especially if you have gravel bikes with one or the other brand already. Being able to swap out parts from one to the other depending on what type of riding you’ll be doing can have an added benefit and defray any extra cost. It’s hard to recommend one brand over the other since they are both excellent and interested in helping you have the best riding experience possible. All we can say is, happy riding!

Be sure to also check our article on gravel bike groupsets.