What is the best groupset over the past 25 years (1998-2023) in your opinion?

[fguki]

just found it

I ride that group on various bikes since 2013. guess im lucky that i did not get one of the 4 crank sets that cracked out of the 400.000 sold.

 

[bikeworkshop]

I think at least 3 came in our shop broken.
We must represent about 0.00001% of global shimano sales and service. I wouldn't ride them myself.

Plenty to scroll through.
On these models the 2 halves were bonded together

We didn't photograph the broken ones and post online, we tossed them in the scrap bin as pieces of race- level equipment that had reached the end of their brief lives

 

[ferrus]

Campag Record Ti 9 spd for me. Beautiful, excellent function, durable, square taper BB. Very little plastic.

Oh..and those C9 chains are the best I’ve used. Fine shifting and at least as long-lasting as a Rohloff.

 

[LondonClassic]

How did that happen? Was that a "common" failure? Do you have any proof or documents about it? If that was a common failure of that groupset, I am very sure there is plenty of documents, threads or info about it out there.

Or was that some african lorry that blew over some random biker in Spain or a sledgehammer that demolished the bike and a pic was taken to make some weird story about alleged failing 6800 Ultegra cranks?

Yes common failure that almost broke the cycling interweb a while back. Here's the AI summary:

Shimano's 11-speed Ultegra and Dura-Ace cranksets have been recalled due to a risk of the crankset's bonded construction separating and breaking, which could lead to a crash:

• Number of affected units: 2.8 million units globally
  
  
  
• Number of reported incidents: 4,519 incidents in the US and Canada
  
  
  
• Number of injuries: Six injuries, including bone fractures, joint displacement, and lacerations
  
  
  
• Model numbers affected: Ultegra FC-6800, Ultegra FC-R8000, Dura-Ace FC-9000, Dura-Ace FC-R9100, and Dura-Ace FC-R9100-P
  
  
  
• Production years affected: Manufactured prior to 2019

 

[grantoury]

Hopefully they go back to the design of the fc7400 and 6400, now they learned their lesson...

 

[georges1]

I'm gonna have to say Dura Ace 7800. Beautiful, light, stiff, no fuss, shifts like butter and could still win Grand Tours today.

2. SRAM Red 1st Gen - super.
3. Tiagra 4700 - excellent, shifts like top end groups.
4. 5800 shimano 105 - the best all rounder.
5. Ultegra 6500.

Campagnolo - not much experience from me.

I absolutely agree, it is the groupset that I am chosing for all my roadbike projects. It is much better designed than the modern Shimano stuff, it doesn't have the cranks breaking issues nor the later dura ace shifters cable eating issues. It is absolute reliable, lightweight and well engineered. In second Dura Ace 7700

 

[georges1]

Yes common failure that almost broke the cycling interweb a while back. Here's the AI summary:

Shimano's 11-speed Ultegra and Dura-Ace cranksets have been recalled due to a risk of the crankset's bonded construction separating and breaking, which could lead to a crash:

• Number of affected units: 2.8 million units globally
  
  
  
• Number of reported incidents: 4,519 incidents in the US and Canada
  
  
  
• Number of injuries: Six injuries, including bone fractures, joint displacement, and lacerations
  
  
  
• Model numbers affected: Ultegra FC-6800, Ultegra FC-R8000, Dura-Ace FC-9000, Dura-Ace FC-R9100, and Dura-Ace FC-R9100-P
  
  
  
• Production years affected: Manufactured prior to 2019

That is why I always avoided the 11speeds Ultegra and Dura Ace series

 

[getoutofbed]

I must admit. The 7800 group is beautiful - the light shift action is amazing, and the crank is stiff as you’d like. The brake feel however was significantly improved with 7900 though, (no mention of that yet!) much better modulation and ‘lever reach’

Here is my Euskaltel Orbea with some 7800 hung off!



In terms of modern day groups. Super Record 12 EPS hits the mark for me. Hands down the best ever hood feel. Here on my C60:

 

[zerogravitas]

A man of taste.. both beautiful bikes.

I am a big fan of 10 speed Record (love dropping down the sprockets with the thumb lever) but the last generation (2012) of 10 speed Red was also amazing. Super light, with great performance and reliability from my experience. The only issue is the titanium pivot for the rear derailleur wears and can fail. Lightweight design can go too far. I replaced mine with a steel pin from a Force derailleur, now it's perfect.

 

[sjcprojects]

A man of taste.. both beautiful bikes.

I am a big fan of 10 speed Record (love dropping down the sprockets with the thumb lever) but the last generation (2012) of 10 speed Red was also amazing. Super light, with great performance and reliability from my experience. The only issue is the titanium pivot for the rear derailleur wears and can fail. Lightweight design can go too far. I replaced mine with a steel pin from a Force derailleur, now it's perfect.

Yes, someone I know got his 10 speed Red RD thrown into his wheel when the pivot failed during a race. An expensive failure in more ways than one...thankfully in his case there was no injury, at least.