Shimano: Difference between revisions
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In 2003 Shimano introduced "Dual Control" to mountain bikes, where the gear shift mechanism is integrated into the brake levers, and reintroduced the "Rapid Rise" rear derailler which works in the opposite direction to traditional deraillers. This development was controversial: critics viewed it as an attempt to monopolise the mountain bike components market because the use of Dual Control integrated shifting requires the use of Shimano brakes, and the Rapid Rise derailler is believed to work more effectively with the Dual Control system. Shimano also introduced new proprietary standards for disc brakes and hubs, and for [[bottom bracket]]s and [[crankset]]s, further fueling speculation about monopolistic intentions. |
In 2003 Shimano introduced "Dual Control" to mountain bikes, where the gear shift mechanism is integrated into the brake levers, and reintroduced the "Rapid Rise" rear derailler which works in the opposite direction to traditional deraillers. This development was controversial: critics viewed it as an attempt to monopolise the mountain bike components market because the use of Dual Control integrated shifting requires the use of Shimano brakes, and the Rapid Rise derailler is believed to work more effectively with the Dual Control system. Shimano also introduced new proprietary standards for disc brakes and hubs, and for [[bottom bracket]]s and [[crankset]]s, further fueling speculation about monopolistic intentions. |
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Shimano introduced the SPD range of clippless pedals and matching shoes designed specifically for off road use. Conventional clipless pedals are designed for road cycling shoes which have smooth soles, which are not much use for off-road cyclists who frequently need to push thier bikes up slippery slopes or pull thier bikes out of a mudbath. The SPD range, in addition to other off-road refinements, where designed to be used with treaded soles that more closely resemble rugged hiking boots. SPD pedals and shoes soon established themselves as the market standard in this sector, allthougth many other manufacturers have developed alternatives which are less prone to being clogged by mud and/or easier to adjust. However, the SPD dominance in this sector has meant that alternative pedal manufacturers nearly always design thier pedals to be usable with shimano shoes, and likewise mountain bike shoe manufacturers make thier shoes "Shimano SPD" comaptible. |
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Many people believe that "VIA", which is stamped on all Shimano parts, is a form of corporate logo, since it does not appear on Campagnolo parts, for instance. In fact, VIA is an official approval stamp used to certify parts of Japanese vehicles - including bicycles. This mark signifies compliance with certain quality standards, and is similar to the "UL" (Underwriter Laboratories) mark. |
Many people believe that "VIA", which is stamped on all Shimano parts, is a form of corporate logo, since it does not appear on Campagnolo parts, for instance. In fact, VIA is an official approval stamp used to certify parts of Japanese vehicles - including bicycles. This mark signifies compliance with certain quality standards, and is similar to the "UL" (Underwriter Laboratories) mark. |
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Revision as of 00:03, 23 April 2006
Shimano (Template:Otcbb, FWB: SHM) is a Japanese manufacturer of cycling, fishing, snowboarding, and until 2005, golf components.
Cycling
Shimano products include drivetrain, brake, wheel and pedal components for leisure, road and mountain bikes. These components are generally organised and sold as groupsets intended to be supplied as a near complete collection of a bicycle's mechanical parts.
Groupsets commonly include: crankset comprising cranks and chainrings; bottom bracket; chain; rear gear cogs or cassette; front and rear wheel hubs; gear shift levers; brakes; brake levers; cables; front and rear gear mechanisms or derailleurs. Shimano Total Integration (STI) is Shimano's integrated shifter and brake lever combination for racing bicycles.
The Italian firm Campagnolo is a competitor as the other major manufacturer of road groupsets. SRAM is a competitor as the other major manufacturer of mountain bike groupsets, though they are now introducing a road groupset as well.
When the 1970s United States bike boom exceeded the capacity of the American and European bicycle component manufacturers, Japanese manufacturers SunTour and Shimano rapidly stepped in to fill the void. While both companies provided products for all price-ranges of the market, SunTour also focused on refinement of existing systems and designs for higher end products, while Shimano paid more attention to rethinking the basic systems and bringing out innovations such as index shifting and front freewheel systems. SunTour eventually lost the commercial battle. In contrast to the near-universal marketing technique of introducing innovations on the expensive side of the marketplace and relying on consumer demand to emulate early adopters along with economy of scale to bring them into the mass market, Shimano introduced new technologies at the lowest end of the bicycle market, using lower cost and often heavier and less durable materials and techniques, only moving them further upscale if they established themselves in the lower market segments.
Lance Armstrong's 1999 victory in the Tour de France on a Shimano Dura-Ace equipped Trek was the first time Shimano components had been used to win the grand tour. In 2002, Dura-Ace equipped bikes were ridden to victory in the Tour de France (Lance Armstrong), Giro d'Italia (Paolo Savoldelli), and Vuelta a España (Aitor González), marking the first time Shimano componentry had been used to win all three grand tours. World championships in both the road and time trial disciplines were won on Shimano equipment.
In 2003 Shimano introduced "Dual Control" to mountain bikes, where the gear shift mechanism is integrated into the brake levers, and reintroduced the "Rapid Rise" rear derailler which works in the opposite direction to traditional deraillers. This development was controversial: critics viewed it as an attempt to monopolise the mountain bike components market because the use of Dual Control integrated shifting requires the use of Shimano brakes, and the Rapid Rise derailler is believed to work more effectively with the Dual Control system. Shimano also introduced new proprietary standards for disc brakes and hubs, and for bottom brackets and cranksets, further fueling speculation about monopolistic intentions.
Shimano introduced the SPD range of clippless pedals and matching shoes designed specifically for off road use. Conventional clipless pedals are designed for road cycling shoes which have smooth soles, which are not much use for off-road cyclists who frequently need to push thier bikes up slippery slopes or pull thier bikes out of a mudbath. The SPD range, in addition to other off-road refinements, where designed to be used with treaded soles that more closely resemble rugged hiking boots. SPD pedals and shoes soon established themselves as the market standard in this sector, allthougth many other manufacturers have developed alternatives which are less prone to being clogged by mud and/or easier to adjust. However, the SPD dominance in this sector has meant that alternative pedal manufacturers nearly always design thier pedals to be usable with shimano shoes, and likewise mountain bike shoe manufacturers make thier shoes "Shimano SPD" comaptible.
Many people believe that "VIA", which is stamped on all Shimano parts, is a form of corporate logo, since it does not appear on Campagnolo parts, for instance. In fact, VIA is an official approval stamp used to certify parts of Japanese vehicles - including bicycles. This mark signifies compliance with certain quality standards, and is similar to the "UL" (Underwriter Laboratories) mark.
Racing bicycle groupsets
For 2006, road bicycle groupsets include:
- Dura-Ace (10 speed)
- Ultegra (10 speed)
- 105 (10 speed)
- Tiagra (9 speed)
- Sora (8 speed)
Mountain bike groupsets
Current mountain bicycle groupsets include:
- Saint - This is the top of the range for DownHill(DH)/FreeRide(FR) bikes
- Hone
- XTR - This is the top of the range for CrossCountry(XC) mountain bikes
- XT
- LX
- Deore
- Alivio
- Acera
- Altus
- Tourney - this includes several different levels of quality, and can be found on department-store bicycles.