Shimano Alivio is a groupset of bicycle components that includes shifters, derailleurs, brakes, cranksets, and cassettes. It is designed for recreational and entry-level mountain bikes, and it offers a balance between performance, durability, and affordability.
Shimano Alivio
Shimano Alivio is part of the Shimano hierarchy of groupsets, which ranges from low-end to high-end. The current hierarchy for mountain bikes is as follows:
- Tourney
- Altus
- Acera
- Alivio
- Deore
- SLX
- Deore XT
- XTR
- Deore XTR
As you can see, Shimano Alivio is in the middle of the spectrum, and it is one step above Acera and one step below Deore. This means that it has some features and benefits that are not available in the lower-end groupsets, but it also lacks some of the advanced technologies and refinements that are found in the higher-end groupsets.
Advantages of Shimano Alivio
Wide Range of Gears
One of the main advantages of Shimano Alivio is that it offers a wide range of gears for different terrains and riding styles.
The current version of Shimano Alivio (M4100) has a 2×9 or 3×9 speed configuration, which means that it has either two or three chainrings in the front and nine sprockets in the rear.
This gives you a total of 18 or 27 gear combinations to choose from, depending on your preference.
The 2×9 option is more suitable for riders who prefer a simpler and lighter setup, while the 3×9 option is more versatile and adaptable for various situations.
Smooth and Reliable Shifting
It has a smooth and reliable shifting performance, thanks to its Hyperglide technology.
Hyperglide is a system that uses specially shaped teeth on the sprockets and chainrings to facilitate faster and smoother gear changes.
It also reduces chain noise and wear, and improves overall efficiency. Shimano Alivio also has Rapidfire Plus shifters, which allow you to shift up or down multiple gears with one lever movement.
The shifters have an optical gear display that shows you which gear you are in at a glance.
Durable and Robust Construction
Shimano Alivio has a durable and robust construction, which can withstand the rigors of off-road riding. Shimano Alivio uses high-quality materials and components, such as aluminum alloy crank arms, steel chainrings, stainless steel spokes, and resin brake levers.
It also has a Shadow RD+ rear derailleur, which has a low-profile design that reduces the risk of damage from rocks and other obstacles. The rear derailleur also has a stabilizer switch that reduces chain slap and bounce when riding on rough terrain.
Read Also: Magura MT5 vs. Shimano Slx: Compared
Drawbacks of Shimano Alivio
Heaviness
The main disadvantage of Shimano Alivio is that it is heavier than some of the higher-end groupsets, such as Deore or SLX.
This is because it uses more metal parts and less carbon fiber or titanium parts, which are lighter but more expensive.
The weight difference may not be noticeable for casual riders, but it may affect the performance and handling of your bike for more serious riders.
Limitations
It does not have some of the latest features and innovations that are available in the higher-end groupsets, such as Dyna-Sys or Micro Spline. Dyna-Sys is a system that optimizes the gear ratios and chain alignment for better efficiency and stability.
Micro Spline is a system that uses a smaller diameter freehub body and a larger number of splines to accommodate more sprockets with smaller gaps between them. These features are only found in Deore and above groupsets, and they offer more options and flexibility for customizing your bike.
Read Also: Magura MT5 vs. Shimano XT: Compared
Incompatibility
Shimano Alivio may not be compatible with some of the newer standards and technologies that are emerging in the mountain bike industry, such as Boost or 12-speed drivetrains.
Boost is a standard that increases the width of the hubs and axles to improve the stiffness and strength of the wheels. 12-speed drivetrains are systems that use 12 sprockets in the rear instead of 9 or 10, to provide more range and finer steps between gears.
These standards are becoming more common in modern mountain bikes, especially in the higher-end models, but they may not work well with Shimano Alivio components.
Conclusion
Shimano Alivio is a good groupset for recreational and entry-level mountain bikers, who want a reliable, durable, and affordable option.
It offers a wide range of gears, smooth shifting, and robust construction, which are suitable for most riding conditions and styles.
It is also heavier, less advanced, and less compatible than some of the higher-end groupsets, which may limit its performance and potential.
Therefore, you should consider your budget, preferences, and goals before deciding whether Shimano Alivio is the right choice for you.
