Shimano was founded in 1921 by Shozaburo Shimano as a bicycle parts workshop in Sakai, Japan, making steel freewheels. A century on it is the largest cycling component manufacturer in the world, and its drivetrains, brakes and hubs are found on bikes at every price point.

For mountain bikers, the XTR, XT, SLX and Deore hierarchy sets the standard for shifting and braking, whether mechanical or the newer Di2 wireless electronic groups — backed by pedals, wheels and shoes that make Shimano a one-stop component house.