Anyone who collects vintage road bikes has undoubtedly come across components from Shimano Exage. This not very popular group with collectors was widely used in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The name Exage is a contraction of Excellent and Age, referring to the excellent quality and advanced technology.
The group was launched in 1987 to reach a large group of cyclists. After all, cycling became increasingly popular and, in addition to the professional cyclist, the sporty cyclist also came to the fore more and more. Therefore, 3 series were released: road, mountain and fitness.
Shimano Exage Sport, Action and Motion
For the road series, 3 different groups were also released, in order of importance they were: Sport, Action and Motion. They had an oval Biopace crankset, SLR brakes (Shimano Linear Response) and SIS gear system (Shifting Integrated System).
The difference in the 3 groups was mainly in the materials, the finish and the cost of course. Exage Sport was the more expensive and Exage Motion the cheapest.
In 1986 there had been an update of the Shimano 105 group which had improved in quality and had become more expensive. This created a void between the more expensive groups (Dura Ace and 105) which was filled by the launch of the Exage group.
The Exage group has always been a very solid group with an optimal price-quality ratio. If you ask me, this Shimano group is a bit underrated,
There were 3 groups:
- Shimano Exage Sport: released in 1987, was the best of the 3 groups, was succeeded by the Shimano 500EX and Shimano RX
- Shimano Exage Action: also released in 1987, it was followed by the Exage 400 group
- Shimano Exage Motion: released in 1987, the least series of the Exage group, succeeded by the Exage 300 group
Below is an overview of the components of the different groups:
1990: The update to Shimano Exage 300EX, 400EX and 500EX
After only a few years, the above groups were updated in 1990 from a 6-speed to a 7-speed. The names Sport, Action and Motion also changed and were now given a number. The higher the number, the better the group was regarded. Below you will find the number that corresponds to which group.
- Shimano Exage 300EX: replaces Shimano Exage Motion
- Shimano Exage 400EX: replaces Shimano Exage Action
- Shimano Exage 500EX: replaces Shimano Exage Sport
In addition to the transition to 7-speed, there were a few minor improvements that you will find below.
The Shimano Exage group was produced until 1996 and now corresponds to the Shimano Sora and Tiagra groups
Finally, you will find some photos below
