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Hey guy's, how do the two rate now days for drive systmes (shifters, mechs etc). I've always had shimano but recently got some sram x9 on a new bike, very pleased with it but not really had any high end shimano stuff, just deore etc. I was thinking of changing to slx or possibly xt (i ride all mountain type stuff so guessing the slx may be better).
Thoughts/experiences with the two makes?
Hugh
I can't tell the difference between deore and XT. Use Sram on my Commy, but not a fan
Horses, courses.
Personally I can't stand the action/feel of SRAM stuff, but I know people who won't touch shimano for the same reasons! And I've tried em all from the cheapo SX5 right up to X0 and everything inbetween, but still really don't get on with SRAM.
The only real difference you'd feel between say Deore and XT/XTR would be the shifters. XTR will certainly feel crisper and have a slightly lighter action. The rest of the kit you won't really notice any difference, except your bike (and your wallet) would be a bit lighter with XT/XTR over Deore.
possibly contentious, but I recommend mixing them. combinations of
XTR rear mechs
XT 8-speed cassettes
SRAM Attack 8-speed shifters
SRAM 8-speed chains
have been working flawlessly on my dh bike for 3 seasons now. shift very smoothly and hardly ever need adjusting. I reckon old Shimano 8-speed kit was the best they ever made... if you want more gears, get a XT or XTR front mech and Blackspire chainrings. keep to SRAM trigger-shifters.
Run both, love my X.0. With Shimano I found that the shifters make the biggest difference.
Don't think you can loose, Shimano lost the plot a bit around five years ago, SRAM were a step ahead, Shimano have defo caught up now except for chains: Magic link is magic! It all comes down to clunk(Sram)or Click(Shimano) guys'n'gals(Appologies to Sir Jimmy)
Been using SRAM for six years now, with X9 on one bike and X0 on another, and in that time it's been faultless, apart from a tooth breaking off a jockey wheel a couple of years ago on the X9. I've ridden bikes with Shimano on a number of times, and I've found the shifters to be horrible, and the shifting to be rough and unpredictable. I would never go back to Shimano, and I used it for sixteen years before trying SRAM. Just my opinion based on real-world experience.