Gravel groupsets explained: Everything you need to know

Assemble the right components with knowledge, purpose and vision, the result is far greater that the sum of its parts – a bike that that feels alive, balanced, and ready for adventure. At the heart of this harmony lies the the modern groupset: a collection of precision-engineered components which control the bike in motion.

In this article, we dive deep into the world of gravel bike groupsets, focusing on the two dominant players we use on Canyon’s gravel range: Shimano and SRAM. We’ll explore their key features, weigh up their differences, and help you decide which is right for your rides beyond the tarmac. 

Groupset is the umbrella for the collection of components which transfer your pedalling power into forward motion and provide braking control on your bike. This includes:

• Crankset: The crank arms and chainring(s) that transfer your pedalling force  
• Chain and cassette: Connect the front chainring to rear sprockets for gear selection  
• Derailleurs: Front and rear mechanisms that move the chain between gears  
• Shifters: Controls integrated with brake levers for gear changes  
• Brake system: Levers and callipers, typically hydraulic disc brakes for gravel 

Gravel groupsets take the best of MTB and road, tailored specifically for riding drop bar bikes on dirt. Understanding the ins-and-outs of modern gravel groupsets and what the numerous options provide, is a vital part of choosing the right bike for your adventures. 

Your groupset is responsible for so much of how your bike rides. With the explosion of gravel as its own discipline, in recent years a huge amount of innovation has gone into creating advanced gravel bike specific groupsets, targeting these key performance factors: 

• Shifting precision: How cleanly and quickly gears change under load  
• Braking power: Stopping control on varied terrain and conditions  
• Gear range: Available ratios for climbing steep grades and maintaining speed  
• Durability: Resistance to dirt, debris, and weather exposure  
• Weight: Impact on overall bike performance and handling  

Tuned for the demands of gravel and using features like a clutched rear derailleur designed to increase chain tension keeping it in place when riding over rough and uneven ground, gravel components deliver a comfortable, efficient, and confidence-inspiring ride.

When the right blend comes together to match you, your bike, and your goals, the result is a machine that moves in perfect sync with its rider, allowing you to move fluidly and instinctively on every surface.  

When it comes to gravel groupsets, two names dominate the trail: SRAM and Shimano. Like rival cults, each has its loyal following – riders who swear solely by one brand. Of course, it’s far more nuanced as both manufacturers produce exceptional components that perform brilliantly when matched to the right rider and terrain. The key bit is knowing which best suits you. 

Synonymous with bicycle components since 1922, Shimano has produced countless iterations of components for road and mountain biking. With GRX, the original bicycle component brand puts this lineage to good use, creating a versatile and reliable line of gravel specific groupsets which they categorise into three groups.

In each series, individual components are broken down further, for example in RX800 11 speed cassettes are RX810 and 12 speed RX820. For Di2 (electronic) parts, RX815 and RX825 represent 11 and 12 speed options respectively.  

GRX also gives you the ability to mix and match across the ecosystem. In fact, sometimes you’ll have no choice. For example, there’s no such thing as an RX600 rear derailleur, so if you’re building an 11 speed RX600 groupset, you’d need a RX800 derailleur.  

For a more customised build, it’s also possible to draft in components from outside of the range. Take the Grizl CF8 Di2 for example, built with GRX RX820 crankset and RX825 Di2 shifters, combined with a Deore XT cassette and derailleur – borrowed from Shimano’s MTB groupsets – for an extra-rugged mullet set up with even bigger range.  

You can check out the full list of Canyon gravel bikes build with Shimano GRX here. 

Although SRAM was only founded in 1987, the brand was a much earlier adopter of the dedicated gravel drivetrain. Its Force 1 groupset, introduced in 2015 for gravel and cyclocross use, arrived several years before Shimano’s GRX and helped establish SRAM as a leader in the discipline. With strong ties to the American gravel racing scene –  iconic events like Unbound – the brand has played a major role in shaping the evolution of gravel cycling.

Using the same hierarchy as in their road lineup, today, SRAM offers four gravel-specific groupsets under the XPLR range, all using 1x chainsets, clutched rear derailleurs and cassettes wider-ranging cassettes, each tailored to different riding styles and budgets. 

Designed around a 1× drivetrain, SRAM XPLR groupsets deliver wide gear ranges with smooth, consistent shifting and similarly to Shimano, you can mix and match with SRAM’s MTB components to offer even more range.  

Available on all tiers as low as RIVAL, SRAM’s AXS system, makes electronic shifting more accessible, ensuring precise, wireless performance with minimal maintenance. Together with Canyon’s refined geometry, SRAM’s XPLR groupsets create bikes that balance speed, comfort, and control across any surface. 

You can check out the full list of Canyon gravel bikes build with SRAM XPLR here. 

Experienced riders, used to the feel of one brand or the other, will likely be comfortable sticking with what they know. And alongside tactile differences in shape and feel, there are noticeable differences between Shimano and SRAM when it comes to operation. 

Shimano shifters are engaged using two paddles on each lever associated with front and rear derailleurs, the same is true for their Di2 shifters, but with buttons replacing mechanical paddles.

SRAM’s cable-operated shifters feature DoubleTap technology, where the action is decided by how far the shift paddle is pushed. Pushed all the way, the chain will move up the cassette or crankset; a half-push will bring it down. With a button on each, SRAM electronic shifters work in conjunction with one another – the left shifter moves the chain up the cassette and the right shifter moves the chain down. On their road drivetrains with 2x chainsets, both shifters must be clicked at the same time to shift between chainrings.

Generally speaking across both brands, more money will get you more gear options and a lighter, smoother setup. But keep in mind that parts like cassettes and chains will wear and need to be replaced and so the upkeep costs should also be a factor to consider. 

The key to choosing between them, like all bike parts, is understanding how they suit your needs. With innovation comes trickle-down technology, and today’s groupsets are more advanced than ever, meaning even the more modest models will work impressively well. When it comes to debating Shimano vs SRAM, the good news it that all modern drivetrains shift far smoother than the conviction of many riders.

One of the deciding factors in choosing your groupset – and perhaps a helping hand in deciding between brands – is a single or double chainset.

A 2x drivetrain offers a wider selection of gears and higher top speeds, great for riders seeking precise cadence control on fast or competitive rides and those mixing tarmac with their gravel rides. By contrast, 1x systems simplify shifting, reduce mechanical complexity, and the chance of a dropped chain when things get rough with more of a focus on lighter gears for better climbing on technical terrain.

For a much more in-depth look at the differences between 1x and 2x, check out this guide to gravel gear ratios. 

The ideal gravel drivetrain is one offers the right range of gears to balance speed, climbing ability, and efficiency for the terrain you love to ride. Steep climbs, rolling fire roads, or flat dusty plains each demand different gearing, so choosing a setup to complement your riding environment can make all the difference.

Your drivetrain also needs to sync with your bike’s geometry, your fitness, and your riding goals. A fast, race-focused gravel bike like a Canyon Grail will feel best with gearing that rewards higher power output, while a rig honed for bikepacking and adventure like a Canyon Grizl will feel better with lower ratios for loaded climbs and technical trails.

With tools like our Perfect Position System and Bike Finder, it’s easy to discover a setup that feels natural and efficient. And as your riding evolves, you can fine-tune your configuration to keep your bike perfectly dialled.

While adventurous cyclists have been taking road bikes onto rough tracks for decades, thanks to modern bike technology, there’s never been a more exciting time to explore gravel riding.

Whether you’re exploring or racing, your drivetrain should work in harmony with the way you ride. And while more money will get you lighter components and finer tuning – down to the innovation in the top tier components, even today’s entry-level options will deliver impressive performance meaning SRAM or Shimano, your legs will likely give out before your gears do.

By choosing components that match your terrain, experience, and expectations, balancing them against your budget, you can create a setup to elevate your riding. Whichever you choose, pick a setup that can evolve with you, your skills and ambition.

Canyon’s gravel bikes bring all these elements together through meticulous German engineering and rider-focused design. Each model is purpose-built for a distinct riding style across any surface be it the adventurous nature of the Grizl or the race-bred efficiency of the Grail. To explore the differences in more detail, our gravel bikes buying guide helps you choose the right model for your riding style and terrain.

Now that you understand the possibilities, you can find the setup that fits your journey. Explore our Gravel Bike Buying Guide and Bike Finder to discover the Canyon that matches the rider you are and the one you’re becoming.

And that’s a wrap – now it’s time to choose your setup and get out riding.