Superior RR

If you are getting started with regular road training and want to consciously avoid electronic shifting, consider the RR 9.4. The mechanical Shimano 105 offers twelve sprockets at the rear and two chainrings at the front. This version is a good fit if you prefer classic shifting and would rather allocate your budget to pedals, shoes, and a professional bike fit.

If you are getting into regular road training and want to consciously avoid electronic shifting, put the RR 9.4 on your shortlist. The mechanical Shimano 105 offers twelve sprockets at the back and two chainrings at the front. This version is a good fit if you prefer classic gear shifting and would rather allocate your budget to pedals, shoes, and a precise bike fit.

The RR 9.6 complements the Shimano 105 Di2 with DT Swiss ERC 1600 carbon wheels with a 45 mm rim depth and an integrated carbon cockpit. Superior states a weight of 7.9 kg. Compare the price premium over the RR 9.5 with what a later wheel upgrade would cost you.

Create a complete shopping list before comparing. Pedals are not included with the RR models. For every offer, check the model year, frame size, and the components installed. This way, you avoid a deal that initially seems cheaper exceeding your budget due to necessary modifications.

The mid-modulus carbon frame forms the common basis of the series. Superior designs it for low weight and high stiffness for road use. The frame concept includes internal cable routing, thru-axles, flat-mount disc brakes, and a threaded BSA bottom bracket. However, neither concrete bottom bracket stiffness nor a measurable comfort advantage can be derived from the fiber designation alone. More meaningful are traceable construction and testing: Superior develops and assembles in Kopřivnice, where it documents its own testing and manufacturing processes.

In terms of the drivetrain, the mechanical Shimano 105 is contrasted with the electronic Shimano 105 Di2. Di2 executes gear shifts electronically and allows for custom mapping of specific shifting functions. In everyday use, this also requires checking the battery level. You charge the battery via the port on the rear derailleur without having to remove it.

For mountainous tours, you should check the gear ratios. The RR 9.5 is specified with a compact crankset featuring 50 and 34 teeth as well as an 11-34 cassette, and the RR 9.6 also features an 11-34 cassette. This makes even long climbs and Alpine passes easily manageable. Base your choice on the gradients of your usual routes, rather than just the name of the groupset.

On the RR 9.6, the 45 mm deep carbon rims and the integrated handlebar-stem unit ensure a clean front end with no exposed cables. However, no specific wattage savings can be derived from these features. When it comes to the integrated cockpit, check the handlebar width and stem length especially carefully, as both form a fixed combination. If you do not yet know your preferred cockpit dimensions, clarify which sizes are fitted before purchasing and how an exchange would be handled.

Stack is the vertical distance between the bottom bracket and the top of the head tube, reach is the horizontal distance. A lower stack with a comparable reach means a lower front end of the frame. Your actual hand position also depends on the stem, spacers, and handlebar shape. Two road bikes with similar frame dimensions can therefore feel different. Always compare the achievable grip position in addition to the geometry data; especially for long rides, this is more helpful than a general classification of "sporty" or "comfortable".

Do not assume your previous size without checking. Instead, note the measurements of your well-fitting bike and compare them with the geometry data of the road bike, including the installed stem length. If you are between two sizes, have both options checked for the desired handlebar height and reach, rather than deciding based solely on a height chart. During a test ride, also clarify which handlebar height is possible with the existing setup and approved spacers.