As title really. Putting together a new build and likely to spec shimano through familiarity rather than any other reason. I've zero experience of Sram. Any reason to go Sram or considering a mix and match approach?
Jon
We like SRAM in our household, others like Shimano. There's not really much in it these days. Apart from Shimano do better cranks and brakes in my opinion. Mech/Shifter wise its just down to feel. I prefer SRAM shifters
Likewise, I prefer SRAM shifters although it may be a little unfair comparing my X0s to the SLXs on my last bike. A very satisfying and loud click. Mechs need very little fettling - easy as maintenance free as Shimano stuff.
Never had Shimano brakes but my X0s are much easier to modulate than the Formula Rxs.
Bottom bracket has worn well - on its way out but over 2 years of 40 off road miles or so a week. Jockey wheels on the rear mech are made of cheese though and cost a fortune - ceramic bearing kcnc ones were cheaper and better.
Similarly with chainrings. Wanted a new 33 for my triple and cheapest I could see was £50 plus delivery. Luckily ebay came to my rescue.
If you are use to one you may think the other is rubbish just because the feel is very different.
I've got both and prefer the shimano shifters because you can change more than 1 gear at a time on the up shift. The Shimano mechs last longer too
NB My set ups are 9 and 10 speed - not the latest 11 speed stuff
I like SRAM stuff, mainly because I've got no experience of decent Shimano stuff (just Alivio or Altus on lower priced bikes I've owned). I've had a go on a bike With an XT rear mech and Deore shifter but I prefer the position of SRAM thumb doofers. My bike came with X4 shifters and mech, then I had a go on my bf's bike that has X7 shifters and mech. My bike now has X9 stuff on it... 😀 Our bikes are 1x9 if that makes a difference.
I like shimano because I go up the cassette pushing the shifter with my thumb, and down pulling back with my finger, I absolutely hated having to do both with a thumb push.
For what it's worth it will be 1x10.
Which bits need to be from the same company if mixing components? Shifter and cassette?
I've just had my first SRAM stuff on a new bike and as above, the one way shifters are really annoying compared to being able to use a finger to downshift on te Shimano stuff.
Which bits need to be from the same company if mixing components?
shifter and derailleur.
no
Shimano!
1. easier to service,maintain and fix.
2. shimano will last longer.
3. what is the deal with sram shifters they are horrible.
Sram's annoying ergonomics pale into insignificance compared to the annoyance of cost of replacements, and the frequency that replacements are required.
Sram are good at concepts, but terrible at turning the concepts into functional realities.
I find my current, new, full XT drivetrain less smooth than my old SRAM Attack shifters with Deore LX mechs (yes, LX!). It's just feels a bit rough and scrapy, although functions flawlessly, but I suspect the clutch may be part of this? I also find the choice of push or pull to shift down the cassette leads to a moments indecision, although I suspect being stuck in my ways may be part of this!
Shims no win for spares. Last year I had a Sram bike and bust the rear mech (x9). The supplier had run out of rear mechs!
Not x9 mechs just mechs!
Don't think shimano would ever run out of mechs of one type or another.
1x11 Sram setup on my Spesh Enduro and its annoying and always problems with it, its only 4 months old and the jockey wheel bearings has already seized up !! ceramic bearings are meant to last so trying to get it renewed under warranty but its proving a nightmare going thru Specailized to chase up ! and I'm having to adjust the gearing every week as it keeps slipping ... not liking it at all
Grip shift
The SRAM 11 speed cassette is stupidly light. 10-42 275g
XTR 11-40 330g
Shimano for 1x10, definitely.
Maybe hang on for the post Xmas bargains unless you've already seen one.
Sram cassette is the nicest part they make, but the RRP is £340, XTR is £190. Not directly comparable.
Sram gears/shimano brakes
isn't one of the benefits of sram being able to go all the down the block in one?
My Mukluk came with SRAM 2x9. The front mech is flimsy and bent out of shape, just this weekend I noticed the shift plate has now snapped. The 36t chainring wore to the extent that back-pedalling would drop the chain after 6 months.
Works well, but not durable. Bear in mind this is not my most ridden bike.
Sram user for years (xo twisties and x9 mech) just got a bike with XT drive train. First impressions, ergonomically the shifters are rubbish, bit clunky and not a fan. Never really suffered from any sram reliability issues.
Xx has been massively better for shift quality and ease of set up than my previous XTR.
Sram breaks/wears quicker than any Shimano I've ever used ..
I quite like SRAM ergonomics, but it always seems to fall apart, wrote off 3 mechs in quick succession (at £60 an X9 mech) before going back to Shimano and not breaking any more. Maybe bad luck, but a bit much to be entirely coincidence.
Since Shimano added the dual release they've been pretty similar ergonomicaly unless you don't like SRAM.
Only ever had a Shimano shifter fall apart on me which was years ago, since then i've used X9, XT, Saint XTR and X01 all of which have been faultless and all feel good to use in different ways. I'd happily use Shimano or SRAM
SRAM for MTB, Shim for Dark Side
Sorted
I really *want* to buy SRAM guide brakes but don't have a reason not to go Shimano
Don't think shimano would ever run out of mechs of one type or another.
Hummm ever tried to get your hand on a rapid rise 10 or 9 speed rear mech?
I'm a Sram fanboy because I love their shifters...the ergonomics are better and I prefer the clunk. I also like the adjustability on the X0 shifters however their clutch mechs are rubbish.
I've since moved back to Shimano and am putting up with their horrible shifters for a better clutch system that is quieter. My a Saint shifter seems to have massive levers and is pretty plasticky compared to the X0 mech that it replaced. The Zee mech on the other bikes feels pretty nasty, but it was cheap.
I always use XT cassettes though...cheap and seem to last well. I don't touch Shimano chains though....rubbish.
Shimano brakes seem better and their cranks are better lookng too (although I always but Race Face now Shimano ones seem so expensive).
Sram cassette is the nicest part they make, but the RRP is £340, XTR is £190. Not directly comparable.
X1 cassette is still lighter than XTR, and it's cheaper.
I'm a Sram fanboy because I love their shifters...the ergonomics are better and I prefer the clunk. I also like the adjustability on the X0 shifters however their clutch mechs are rubbish.
Do SRAM no longer make 2:1 shifters?
SRAM didn't last long when I used it last. +1 for Shimano from me.
MSP - MemberI like shimano because I go up the cassette pushing the shifter with my thumb, and down pulling back with my finger, I absolutely hated having to do both with a thumb push.
Maybe the SRAM boffs are just fans of 1990 technology.
300 LX for the win!
1x11 Sram setup on my Spesh Enduro and its annoying and always problems with it, its only 4 months old and the jockey wheel bearings has already seized up !!
Are Sram jockey wheels still shyte? I got sick of rebuilding them constantly through every winter and returned to Shimano.
I hate Shimano's brake lever shape, hate DOT fluid,l ove XX1/XO1 etc.
Pluses and minuses. End of.
Shimano brakes, SRAM drivetrain. Never had any issues with it wearing out early compared to Shimano.
X1 cassette is still lighter than XTR, and it's cheaper.
RRP of X11 is £238, XTR is £190.
The SRAM one looks like it should sell for under £100. Nothing special about it's construction.
The SRAM one looks like it should sell for under £100. Nothing special about it's construction.
Apart from the significant expansion in the range....
And reduction in life span?
Why is there a reduction in lifespan? It's lighter than XTR, without the softer ti sprockets, so should last longer (unless you live in the alu 42t, in which case you bought the wrong chain ring). On what grounds should it be less than £100? 😕
My XX1 is doing far better than the XTR that preceded it.
RRP is pretty irrelevant too, who pays RRP?
Generally I'm a Shimano fan though, well impressed with the new XTR mech and shifters. Personal though at the end of the day.
Cheap materials and a very straight forward construction. The X01 and XX1 cassettes use better materials and a really impressive construction technique. X1 is just an overpriced stamped cassette with cheap steel sprockets. My experience of other SRAM cassettes has been really poor in terms of performance and longevity, so doubt a similarly constructed 11 spd one will be any different.
RRP is relevant as it, erm, allows the comparison of prices (even if Sram's aftermarket prices are vastly inflated). Many people do pay RRP, just not some people here.
Yes Doof Doof its looking that way, not really done much milage on the bike but having it fail after a short time is not good, I should find out today if they will be replaced under warranty but I want them both replaced and not just the one ! no confidence in sram at all now
X1 is just an overpriced stamped cassette with cheap steel sprockets
Which weighs less than XTR, which itself has a number of soft ti sprockets?
I remain confused.
Cheap stamped steel chainrings are praised for their longevity. If you can make a cassette out of them which weighs less than the competition it seems to me you're onto a winner...
If you can't see why a cassette made of stamped steel sprockets (from a brand with a dubious durability track record) is overpriced compared to one piece machined blocks of steel from the same brand for not that much more, or a Carbon bodied cassette with Steel/Ti/Alu sprockets from an alternative brand, then frankly you must be on crack. 😉
They are overcharging as they have you over a barrel with the XD free hub. It's the cheapest available compatible option, but it is far from good value.
Of course it's durability isn't yet known, but based on the wear rates for other cassettes from that brand - it doesn't look good!
OP - No. 😉