[Closed] Are SRAM derailleurs really that bad ?

Their sweet, I think the main thing is its not shimano!

My SRAM X9 rear mech went into the rear wheel changing up the gears!
Sometimes the large thumb shifter will not return on it's own.
Sometimes the rear mech/shifter will get stuck on the large/ No1 cog on the cassette
Other than that there fab. Lol

Any ideas how to fix this and why it dose this.

Oh I forgot the shifters fit nicely on leavers!

No probs with my 4 yo XO mech... It's taken a couple of big hits but, as my mech hanger is seemingly made of cheese, it gave way, not the mech.... Will likely look at X9 as and when the XO dies...
HTH

My SRAM X9 rear mech went into the rear wheel changing up the gears! - you whacked it and bent your mech hanger?
Sometimes the large thumb shifter will not return on it's own. - dirty cables?
Sometimes the rear mech/shifter will get stuck on the large/ No1 cog on the cassette - dirty cables

Never had any problems with Sram...

...or Shimano

I just prefer the positive action of Sram...

...but saying that my new bike is Shimano & it's ok, it works well enough for now... I guess time will tell how good it really is

Have no basis for comparison, but have X9 shifters and an X0 mech; they shift in a slightly agricultural fashion, but they do work. I've had more issues with the Shimano front mech (which managed to chew itsself in half), tbh:

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Wore out one set of jockey wheels in <1y but I'd left a chain on far too long (had also trashed the cassette) and my riding is mainly in Pennine grinding paste. Shifting a bit ropey recently but this resolved with new cables (after 18 months).

Only downside is the cassettes; PG970 looks on paper to be X9/SLX but isn't; PG980 better and has an alloy spider, but will be going with HG80 next time round as Shimano cassettes are meant to be much better.

If it all blows up, I'll probably go with 10sp XT for a bit of variety (have 105 on y road bike and it's fine).

Andy

There just isn't enough clearance between the top of the parallelogram and the hanger bolt, so any twisting in the derailleur means that it will not drop into the highest gears. Sure, for people who want to spend silly money on an X0, they might be OK, but all the other ones sucks ass and a boring old Deore derailleur will outlast them.

Also, after all these years, I really don't get the Shimano hate. Sure, like pretty any company on the planet they've some up with some crap, but it's not like by buying SRAM Corp you are supporting a guy with a beard and a file working in a shed! Finally, Shimano have a better environmental stance than SRAM (little known factoid).

Hate twist grips - but love SRAM clunkiness. Got SRAM on DH and XC bikes although really like the newer Shimano stuff. Just steer clear of the uber-rubbish X9 'normal' shifters from a few years back that had a bad habit of exploding in a furore of springs and swear words whenever you tried to change a cable!

I have SRAM on one bike and Shimano on the other.

They are different from each other, IMO one is not better not better or worse than the other, just different.

The failure rate for each system is identical (on each) so as far as I have experienced they are as solid as each other.

I could quite happily have either but slightly favour SRAM but this could be because I have SRAM on my main bike so use them more and am therefore more used to them.

HTH

Scam is junk, over priced junk

It's all personal experience but my X9 9speed was great, the 10speed bent was too easily. I don't know if I was lucky with the 9speed / unlucky with the 10speed or if something has changed but that's my experience.

I'm running XT now and it's been great for the last 2 months.

expensive sram is apparently good

IME, cheap sram (up to x7 at least) is kack - r mechs in particular go sloppy really quickly

twistshifters are great though

Didn't whack the rear mech just peddling hard, cables might be worth a look but are only a few months old.
Never had that problem with XT but you get what you get with a new bike.

My last four bikes have had SRAM drivetrain fitted, mostly X9, but the odd X0 and X7 part here and there.

Reliability wise I have only ever had problems with the shifters. I have had at least four X9 shifters (non twist shift) where this has been an issue (2 front, 2 rear). Basically when you press the shifter to shift up in gears (pulling the gear cable) then the shifter 'gives' & will not shift up.

Sometimes this has happened on a relatively new shifter (one lasted about 4 months), but I've also had it happen on a shifter after about 2 1/2 years trouble free use.

Oh and if you need to replace the jockey wheels on the rear derailleur, then they are more pricey than it you had a shimano setup.

I stick with SRAM gear as I prefer the shifting action.

I've got X.0 on one bike and apart from the rear shifter failing twice, and being replaced on warranty twice, it has been 100% trouble free for the last 3.5 years.
X.0 is ace.

SRAM mechs are ok, not as good as Shimano, but they're ok.

SRAM trigger shifters are horrid horrid things. Cheap, plasticky, clunky and the buttons work in the wrong direction.

SRAM twist shifters are ok if you must have twist shifters. But really, things have come on massively since 1995 and the SRT-800 was the must have shifter of the year!

Oh, and there's no 10spd twist shifter that I know of yet (though I may just not have been paying attention, so you'd have to stick with 9).

Get a Shimano 10spd setup, might take you a couple of rides to relearn trigger shifters, but you'll be used to em in no time...

Like others, I've SRAM (X9) on one bike and Shimano (SLX/XT) on the other.

My X9 bike is built burly as an AM bike, so the slightly agricultural but precise shifting is spot on for it. It never needs adjusting and never misses a beat.

My SLX/XT bike feels like a well oiled watch in comparison, but needs regular adjustment which is a pain. The SLX shifters feel a little plasticky and numb in comparison to X9 though.

I've got an X0 mech on my DH bike that's been battered for nearly 5 years. It looks a right mess, but it keeps on going. Brilliant.

I have X9 10spd on my little bike, the rear mech is fine, just like my experience of SRAM, However the X9 shifters are really cheap and 'plasticy'. The X0 feel the same 🙁

I'm tempted to try the new XTR, but I will have to modify the levers a bit, I like the double thumb shifters of SRAM, and I hate the excessively big downshifter lever on Shimano - if you run the levers close to the brakes, it really gets in the way.

I've never experienced the 'regular adjustment' people talk about with shimano, but since you usually have a barrel adjuster on the shifter it takes seconds surely?

I've got X9 at the moment, was pretty unimpressed once I discovered the price of SRAM spares, and at how quickly the mech bent. BUT it bent back very easily and continues to shift fine, so can't complain.

I have SRAM XX and I hate it. A lot.

I hate the way that you try to change gear, hit a bump and it changes twice. I hate that is such an expensive pile of crap. Compared to shimano
it feels looks and acts cheap. SRAM is the worst I've ever had on a bike.

In fact OP, your post has wound me up about how much I hate SRAM...AAAAARRRGGGHHH!!!!!! AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

I'd happily swap my 1 ride old rear X9 medium rear mech and Shifters for XT

SRAM is shit and Shimano are doing their best to catch up

I'll swap you your XX for my SLX/XT if you feel that strongly about it 🙂

I'll swap you your XX for my SLX/XT if you feel that strongly about it

Now if that was XT/XTR I would. I had an XTR setup before. It was superb.

I have used both SRAM X7 & X9 and Shimano XT & XTR & SLX and although i wouldn't say any of it was diabolically pish i much prefer shimano.

SRAM feels very positive though a bit clunky at times. Shimano for me runs much smoother and shifts easier under pressure.

I'd also say you get far more for your money going with shimano.

My mate recently put on a new cog and SRAM chain and it has broken numerous times since he put it on.

Shimano for me in the future.

ruscle - Member

Their sweet, I think the main thing is its not shimano!

I can't believe that they can stand up to your charging over all those rockgardens on the Q's without exploding.

MTGraham - I will probably be selling a SRAM X9 2x10 drivetrain brand new off a bike shortly.

Email in profile if interested.

My X9's have been fine for years, nothing has needed replacing.

I had lower end SRAM which was prety cack but now I'm running 9 speed X9 shifters and an X9 mech and they feel really nice. Nice and precise and you can tell that it's changed gear. I don't have to adjust it once the cables have bedded in, either. I am using an XT front mech though and that's also great but I appreciate that it isn't a direct comparision.

Haven't tried any 10-speed, all my 9-speed SRAM has been spot on though. Did have one with a weak return spring but all it needed was to be left in the highest gear between rides a few times and it sorted itself out.

The front mechs I think still aren't as good as Shimano though, glad they're interchangable.

Honestly I think Shimano are better value if you want to look at it objectively, but subjectively I like how SRAM shifts more. Though, my antique Saint rear mech is pretty nice too.

Lower end SRAM is pretty cack IME.

For what it's worth, my X9 shifters have clocked four years and five cable changes with no problems at all. My old shape X7 shifters fell apart in 18 months.

Not really a majority decision one way or the other then.
I'd pretty much decided on 2x10, so it's a bit of a disappointment to find there's no twist shifters. I'll give triggers a go and see how I get on with them.

Chakaping, email sent.
I've been thinking of this for a while, it's finding out recently that I can use my existing triple chainset that has motivated me to get on and do it. I thought I would have to buy a new double chainset.

walleater - Member

There just isn't enough clearance between the top of the parallelogram and the hanger bolt, so any twisting in the derailleur means that it will not drop into the highest gears

This is the truth ^^^

Had an X9 rear on my last bike and convinced myself that despite it's faults, it's performance in crap conditions was better than Shimano.

Have an XT shadow rear now on the new bike and not had a single problem, or had to adjust it once.

X0 out back has worked flawlessly for two years - same cable and the odd tweak of the barrel adjuster. Taken a beating from lifting bike over stiles and bending mech hanger, and a good few rock strikes.

X9 front mech is toss. It works, but only because I replaced the allen key bolt which clamps the cable with a sturdy nut and bolt. The original fitting stripped within two months and it's now a PITA to get a spanner where it needs to be every time I fit a new cable....

Isn't this just a discussion about getting what you pay for?

Spent the last 4 years riding SRAM X9 shifters, rear mech and X0 Cassettes. Worked great, but this weekend I just changed to Shimano XTR Shadow Plus rear mech with XT cassette (2x10).

The Shadow plus is a break through. I can't comment on longevity, but it shifts amazingly and there is zero... yes zero chain slap in any gear. Yesterday I actually tried to lose the chain and couldn't!

The XO rear mech on my Soda is the only one that's lasted more than a year. It's now 4, possibly 5 years old and still works perfectly. I've changed cables maybe twice in that time and had to tweak the indexing very, very rarely indeed.

I ran XTR 970 shifters/Saint mech on my big bike for a year and hated it. The Saint went sloppy in half a dozen rides, and the shift was just too light and vague to be able to tell whether you had actually shifted 1, 2 , 3 or possibly even no gears at speed. It constantly needed adjustment too. If conditions were bad, several times a ride.

Needless to say, the big bike is now on XO too. I think it cost me about £120 for an XO carbon shortcage mech and XO triggers off the classifeds.

I've found X9 mechs, both 9 and 10 speed, to go really baggy and loose within a year, basically developing a bit of play in all the rivets.

Are SRAM derailleurs really that bad ?

yes, they're terrible.

i've got several brand-new, SRAM derailleurs that don't work.

the pivots are so stiff that the internal spring can't overcome the friction, you can 'set' them by hand, and they'll hold position, even off the bike.

then, it seems, within about 12mins of being on the bike the pivots become loose, and you need to buy a new mech.

the 'sweet spot' that a SRAM mech actually works for, probably lasts around 3mins...?

total toss (expensive toss, too)

the shifters are nice though.

i just wish i could get shimano 9-speed*, with 1:1 cable pull.

(*or even better; 8 speed)

^^^^^ nice balanced reasoning! 🙄

Are SRAM derailleurs really that bad ?

XO here, it's fantastic kit. Consistent accurate gear changes. Totally reliable. And I think it looks spiffy.

Got X9 on all my bikes now, the oldest is about 6 years old, done about +5k miles in prime Scottish off road conditions, looks well battered, but works just fine. Might put Saint on my bouncy bike one day, because I like the look of it, not because the X9 would give me any bother.

I think people's experiences with rear mechs fall into two categories: there are those who know how to set up a mech, and there are those who do not; the latter get luckier with one make over another and mistake it for being much superior. 🙂

how do you set up a rear mech with pivots so stiff the spring can't pull it back?

yes, i've tried oiling it.

I've had cheapo x5 shifters and mechs on one bike for nearly 2 years, commuted 10 miles a day and used nearly every weekend and they've been fine.

The window telling me which gear I'm in on one shifter stopped working rather quickly though, no great loss however.

I've built four bikes with SRAM, two with Shimano. I've only had an issue with one SRAM rear mech - a 2009 X9 that stuck in 1st or refused to go into 9th. The other stuff has worked fine, shifters have been perfect and I've been very happy, so much so that I just shelled out for X9 2 x 10.

The XT stuff on the other bikes has been fine, too, apart from a really stupid design on XT shifters that allows a loose cable to be taken round the inside of the shifter, requiring a complete rebuild of the shifter (very fiddly) to get it out.

But I really cannot understand how SRAM can charge, on average, an additional £50 per item compared to a similar quality Shimano part. My X9 2x10 cranks were heavily discounted at £177 from an RRP of £289. They're no better than XT but cost so much more.

I think people's experiences with rear mechs fall into two categories: there are those who know how to set up a mech, and there are those who do not; the latter get luckier with one make over another and mistake it for being much superior.

What has setting a mech up got to do with pivots coming loose?

Only got SRAM on my bikes (and that of my wife). Currently a mix of x.7 to x.0 and completely happy with them. I don't find them any harder to set up than the Shimano stuff on my road bike and they've lasted well apart from where I've clattered into trees and rocks and I can't imagine that Shimano would have done any better in that case.

I'd pretty much decided on 2x10, so it's a bit of a disappointment to find there's no twist shifters. I'll give triggers a go and see how I get on with them

I've got an XO mech and X9 trigger shifters on one bike and a Rohloff on another. The SRAM stuff seems fine after 6 months of use but I haven't used Shimano in years so I can't compare them. I also only use the normal gears in nice weather so I've no idea how it'll cope with really grotty conditions. I too actually prefer the twist shifter and would look to go get one when I get around to going 10 speed but it wouldn't stop me going to Shimano if I thought the actual rear mech were better.

SRAM on mine broke two mechs
X0 - twig through mech mech shatter including braking the jockey wheels and removing lower part from the cage and bending it 90 degrees in the middle - rebuilt it - cannot believe it could be rebuilt looking at it and still working faultlessly 3 years later
x0- broke on High street - the ealy "carbon" ones and chain used to wear though them - bit of a design flaw new ones seems much better
Shifter - no issues and easy to change cable
Once set up the 1:1 [ which i believe the big S are using now] means once it is set up it very rarely needs adjusting - full outers on Orange has never been adjusted [ except when I changed mech]
No anti shimano thing just prefer SRAM and the clunkiness
Price wise is it worth the extra premium ?I very much doubt it

So my X9 Shifters not returning and rear mech getting stuck in 1st Is most likely down to 4 month old dirty cables?

So my X9 Shifters not returning and rear mech getting stuck in 1st Is most likely down to 4 month old dirty cables?

Not necessarily, I've seen X9 mechs jam due to stuck rivets as well as them coming loose.

ratherbeintobago - Weird that, I had an XT front mech do the same thing.

I've found the X9 rear mech on my Stumpy great. Haven't noticed the difference from the XT mech I had on the previous bike.

I have X0 on my 2009 enduro. I must say i've never made any adjustments to it. Not once!

it works amazingly well. Much prefer it to xtr i have on my hardtail

GEOFF1 - Member
...
Sometimes the large thumb shifter will not return on it's own.
Sometimes the rear mech/shifter will get stuck on the large/ No1 cog on the cassette

I think people's experiences with rear mechs fall into two categories: there are those who know how to set up a mech, and there are those who do not; the latter get luckier with one make over another and mistake it for being much superior.

Can only really compare X-9 and XT

X-9: The Good:
Shifters feel nice, likely the clunky positive action.
1:1 Cable ratio more tolerant of dirty cables

X-9 The Bad:
Shifters can develop a fault with the downshift thumblever not returning properly.
Rear mechs aren't very tough the cages seem very prone to being bent.
Issue with getting the highest gear due to the design of the pivots.
Poor value compared to XT

XT: The good: Shadow mechs seem very tough no issues with reliabilty so far, probably the best rear mech I've ever used.
Shifter internals very strong.
Dual release on newer shifters is nice

XT: The bad: Less tolerant of mucky cables

I love my SRAM X9 mech. Have barely had to touch it since i got new cables fitted last year.

I love the Hope matchmakers.
Again if anyone wants to swap XT for X9
My email is in profile 🙂

Ps. I'll throw in the matchmakers.

GaryLake - Member

I've found X9 mechs, both 9 and 10 speed, to go really baggy and loose within a year, basically developing a bit of play in all the rivets.

See, most of mine have done that, but the weird thing is it doesn't seem to make any difference. my oldest one can wobble in about 3 different directions at the same time, but still shifts perfectly even though it blatantly shouldn't.

See, most of mine have done that, but the weird thing is it doesn't seem to make any difference. my oldest one can wobble in about 3 different directions at the same time, but still shifts perfectly even though it blatantly shouldn't.

+1

my sram x7's have been way beyond what you'd expect to be workable but have continued to shift perfectly

I prefer SRAM. I have had 2 XT front shifters split on their bodies in the last 2 weeks. Not impressed. Running 9speed X9 happily at the moment

I've run both, but decided to stick wit SRAM when my bike was the only one in my team that still had fully working gears after a biblical Dusk til Dawn. All the others were running xt/xtr. Not had any problems with x7/9/0 or XX in the last 3 years. I've also found that x7 mechs shift just as well as X9, although the shifters aren't as nice.