Groups Route and Gravel 2026: all prices, all weights

Drivetrains are the heart of your bike route or gravel, whether in terms of weight, precision, braking power, or speed of gear changes. Whether you're aiming for ultimate performance or a controlled budget, choosing the right groupset is crucial. Here's our comparison of the 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

Trends 2025-2026: electronic and 12/13-speed transmissions 

More and more, Manufacturers are betting on electronics, now with wireless communication from the gear shift levers to the derailleurs. While there are still a few exceptions at Campagnolo and Shimano for classic aficionados, cable transmissions and rim brakes are increasingly rare today. The same goes for cassettes with fewer than 12 sprockets. For the 2026 vintage, we even find 13 sprockets with a double chainring on the Campagnolo Super Record group, while this same type of cassette with a single chainring is also starting to spread in Gravel, while waiting for an evolution on the route or in triathlon. This is definitely a future option to consider.

The abandonment of the front derailleur is seen by some as a simplification of the transmission, but it also implies the montagand cassettes with a wide range of developments, another significant trend in recent years. By adding sprockets to the cassette, manufacturers increase the versatility of the transmission, but often at the expense of user comfort with sometimes significant differences in gear ratios from one sprocket to another.

=> SEE AS ​​WELL : 12 or 13 speeds: which should you choose for your transmission?

The fact remains that if most groups Route and Gravel are now offered with an electronic transmission, which improves the quality of gear changes. Precision, flexibility and speed are now accessible even on relatively affordable groupsetsThe same goes for the power and efficiency of disc braking, which is no longer a matter of debate today, regardless of the group's range. Only weight savings, reliability and durability, and of course price, really distinguish a high-end group from a mid-range group.

How to choose your group?

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, from €500, remain accessible. Between these extremes, mid-range groupsets (from around €1500 to €2500) are an excellent compromise, with similar features to the models premium liquors, but with a slightly higher weight.

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

Intended use is equally crucial : choose a group route If you prefer speed, or gravel for off-road adventures, while checking compatibility with your frame and wheels. You will also have to choose between an electronic transmission, synonymous with precision and comfort, and a mechanical one, which is more affordable and reliable.

take into account the gear options, the length of the cranks, the presence or absence of an option with a power sensor if necessary, and the possibilities of mixing within the same brandFortunately, as long as you stick to the same number of gears, components from one brand are generally compatible, offering some flexibility to customize your setup.

To learn more about how to choose the group that suits you, you can read our full guide HERE.

High-end: the quest for perfection

The highest end groupsets are used by professional riders. They benefit from the very latest innovations in terms of functionality (number of gears, speed and precision of gear changes, braking power and modularity, customization of operation via dedicated applications) and materials. They are also the lightest on the market, while being reliable and durable. Finally, these are also the groups that offer the most options for the choice of chainrings, cassette teeth or crank sizes. However, be careful of the price of replacement parts in the event of wear or a fall: they are at the same level as the overall prices of these groups.

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

There remains the question of ergonomics and the operation of the gear changes, specific to Campagnolo, Shimano and SRAM, which are also efficient but which can influence your choice, depending on your preference.

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

=> SEE AS ​​WELL :

• Test Long-lasting Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupset
• Test long-lasting 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 the transmission/brake groupsets which equip bikes sold from around €3500 to €8000The range is wide, as there are two subcategories in reality, with the Ultegra Di2 and Force AXS groupsets really very close to the top-of-the-range Dura-Ace and Red, and the Rival AXS and 105 Di2, heavier but also more accessible.

In all cases, These groups with electronic transmission and disc brakes work perfectly, and take up the ergonomics of the more upscale models from which they are derived. Only a few features may be missing (such as the lack of an additional button on the 105 Di2 for gear changes or handling a compatible computer), as well as a few customization options (chainrings and cassettes).

Spare parts such as the chain, cassette, discs and brake pads are also less expensive than at the top of the range, while remaining compatible for those who would like to upgrade their groupset, or on the contrary save some money on use.

*Available in 1×12

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

=> SEE AS ​​WELL :

• Test of the new SRAM Force AXS groupset

Mechanical groups: simple and reliable

Even though electronic (and wireless) transmissions have invaded the market, Cable-driven groupsets are still available, whether for disc or rim brakingThese 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 the versions of the groupsets with the lightest options (chainrings and cassette).

Rim brake groupsets

Campagnolo and Shimano still offer groupsets with rim brakes, whether they have electronic (Shimano) or mechanical (Campagnolo) transmission. Versions that have the advantagetagand to be very light, to equip classic or artisanal frames.

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

Entry-level: to start or ride without breaking the bank

Entry-level groupsets find their place on bikes route and first-price gravel, offering consistent services without benefiting from the very latest innovations. Often 10 and 11 speed, they are also heavier than performance groups, but they do not pose any safety issues.A good choice for those who are just starting out or ride irregularly.

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

Focus on gravel groups

Gravel groupsets are designed for versatility and robustness, with developments and specifications adapted to rough trails. At the top of the range, electronics are essential with 12 and now 13 sprocket cassettes and performances identical to the best groups Route.

To adapt to the evolution of the discipline and in particular the compatibility of frames with increasingly large tires and therefore the lack of space for a front derailleur, the single chainring becomes almost essential, with cassettes with a very wide development range.

At the entry level, there are still a few options with mechanical transmissions, 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 the versions of groupsets with cranksets without power meters and with the lightest options (chainrings and cassette).

Summary: All groups Route and Gravel from the market

32 groups route and gravel have been listed, with recommended prices ranging of € 667 to 4458 €. The weights of the complete groups extend from 2243 g to 3412 g, whether they have rim or disc brakes, mechanical or electronic transmission, double or single chainring, and a 10 to 13 speed cassette.

Weights are given as a guide and correspond to the lightest versions of the groupsets. They also depend on the options (teeth, chainrings). For groupsets with cable derailleur and rim brakes, the weights include brake and derailleur cables (100 + 90 g). For disc groupsets, the weights include brake hoses and fluid. For electronic groupsets, the weights include cables if necessary. The prices indicated are recommended retail prices. Beware of promotional prices on certain sites, with imposed options (teeth and crank length), or versions without bottom bracket, or without brake discs.

To find out more, you can consult the websites of Shimano, SRAM, Campagnolo, Rotor, FSA

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