If we didn’t have some kind of transmission on our bikes we’d be little better than those annoying scooter things, so it kind of goes without saying that it’s an import part of any bike. Being stranded on a hillside without any form of propulsion is as annoying as those scooters too, but using quality kit can help avoid those kinds of situations. That said, we are lucky these days in that even the entry–level offerings from the likes of SRAM and Shimano are pretty decent. In fact they’re better than some of the high–end kit from back in the day, and if I was building a bike up on a budget this is one area where I’d try and make a saving, especially because a load of the parts are going to wear out and need replacing at some point anyway.

This selection though is all about the very best kit though, and not necessarily the best value. That said you will find the likes of a Shimano Zee rear mech on the following pages, because we’re never going to ignore products that give you a real bang for your buck. If you’re really strapped for cash I don’t think you can go too far wrong with Shimano’s incredible value Deore groupset, but if you have got a bit more cash to spend then think about treating yourself to something on the following pages because we reckon you’ll love it.

Just click below to see our selection of the best drivetrain products for 2014, as featured in our latest Dirt 100. And, if you missed our other ‘best of’ picks then the links to those are below.

The best DH bikes of 2014
The best enduro bikes of 2014
The best trail bikes of 2014
The best suspension products of 2014