by Gloria Cycling

Rethinking “Budget” Groupsets; From Weight & Performance to their Application

Rethinking “Budget” Groupsets; From Weight & Performance to their Application

There is a growing belief in cycling that Most riders are chasing numbers that don’t matter? Lets Discuss!

In the last few years the big brands like Shimano and SRAM have launched mid level group sets that now deliver 90‑95 % of flagship performance at a fraction of the price and only a water‑bottle’s worth of extra weight!

At Gloria Cycling we can see where they are coming from; here is why your next titanium gravel bike might be better served by smart component choices than by draining your wallet.

The Weight Obsession; 600 g That Won’t Necessarily Make You Faster

A complete Shimano Dura‑Ace 12‑speed groupset weighs about 2,400 g, while is younger sibling 105 Di2 roughly 3,000 g, thats just 600 g heavier than the pro‑tour option, for reference less than one full 750 ml bottle.

On real‑world road or gravel loops, that difference translates into seconds difference over your ride not even minutes, and disappears the moment you strap a spares or frame‑bag to your titanium bike, far more useful, particularly when the team car isn't behind with snacks and a roof rack of bikes!

SRAM’s new Apex AXS XPLR tells the same story: 2,874 g all‑in, only ~400 g above top of the range RED AXS XPLR (2,488g) and still wireless and 12‑speed! Cyclist Magazine

The Final Sprint Performance; Measurable vs Perceivable

Modern mid‑tier drivetrains shift in 0.3 s versus the 0.1 s you might clock on a top‑end equivalent, we believe a difference you’ll never notice when you’re out solo exploring a trail or grinding up a 12 % climb with bike‑packing bags. What you will notice is a drivetrain that keeps the chain planted on potholes or tricker terrain, solved by the clutch rear derailleurs found across SRAM Apex and Shimano GRX models; or the epic gear ranges designed for any gradient found on these 1× or 2× options!

4 Groupsets we think you should take a look at:

1. Shimano 105 Di2 R7100

  • Same Hyperglide+ cassette profile as Dura‑Ace/Ultegra for seamless down‑shifts under load.
  • Bluetooth/ANT+ battery (~1,000 km per charge) & coin‑cell shifter batteries rated for 3 years according to shimano
  • Weight: Only 600g more than Dura Ace for complete 2×12 disc group

2. SRAM Apex AXS

  • 1×12 fully wireless electronic shifting, max 44 T cassette, compatible with Eagle chain for mullet builds.
  • Can be mixed across the wider SRAM AXS range and newer versions if you still want to slowly upgrade/ part replace your groupset.
  • Easy to detach and store spare Batteries.

3. Shimano GRX 12‑speed

  • Huge range 10‑45 or 10‑51 cassettes with Micro‑Spline freehub for “road‑bike cadence on MTB climbs” as shimano says!
  • Mechanical or Di2; New Di2 RX825 adds Shadow RD+ clutch and wireless cockpit

4. Shimano CUES

  • LinkGlide drivetrain lasts three times longer than Hyperglide under the same torque loads - perfect for tough UK winters as discussed in bikepacking.com.
  • Easy to maintain, hardwearing and cheap to replace if you are able to do enough tough milage to wear through this hard as nails group set.

So, most of the tech for a fraction of the Total Cost of Ownership?

SRAM Apex AXS or the Shimano 105, GRX and CUES groupsets all use steel or aluminium wear items that cost 30‑50 % less than their flagship siblings. Further benefit is from both economic gains and part availability! Pads, chains and jockey wheels are on the shelf at most UK bike shops. That means less waiting for expensive out of stock parts and more budget left for tyres, coffee and audax/adventure entries.

Is cycling budget better spent elsewhere than expensive groupsets?

Instead of chasing 25 g by upgrading to a partly carbon derailleur cage, invest in things like a proper bike fit or a reliable dynamo hub for winter commutes. At Gloria we would argue the case for improved bike experience from buying fenders and slightly larger winter road tyres; the kind of things you’ll appreciate on every ride, all year long!

OTHER Coffee‑stop arguments welcome :) - let us know in the comments.

FOOD FOR THOUGHt: Check out some of our Builds

For 99 % of riders, a 105 Di2, Apex AXS or even Shimano Cues drivetrain is the sweet spot where your hard‑earned cash buys durability, easy servicing, and performance you’ll actually feel.

So the next time you spec your titanium gravel bike remember: ride experience beats gram‑counting and shifting milliseconds every time!