SRAM Force vs Campag/Shimano

grazer
grazer Posts: 131
edited June 2007 in Workshop
anyone have an opinion on SRAM Force vs Shimano/Campag alternative...??

How is the shifting mechanism, easy or a pain??

Any thoughts welcome..

Comments

  • leguape
    leguape Posts: 986
    Compared to Shimano 105 SRAM Rival is brilliant. Shifting mechanism is much better if you are small handed like me. Also the grips are incredibly comfortable in the hand. Shifts clean and accurate as you'd expect and I've yet to manage to mash a shift like I used to with Shimano. Been riding it since January and given that the price difference to the Force setp works out at about œ1 per gram you're as well off with Rival. Might be worth holding off until next year though as the rumours are of a new line top line range and that they are going to refine the shifters a bit.
    http://www.atomicecho.com/cycling/index.shtml - My cycling blog. From commuting to crits and sportives.
    http://www.atomicecho.com/cycling
  • ninjaslim
    ninjaslim Posts: 243
    I test rode the force groupset on a cannondale last weekend and found it great (used to Ultegra)

    The only thing I think will take some adjusting to is the small extra time it takes to shift to an easier gear when you 'double tap' or hold the lever in. Does this 'ease' with time and speed up at all?

    Being able to hold the shift lever back against the bars is useful too.
  • JWSurrey
    JWSurrey Posts: 1,173
    I have to say that I test rode the SRAM Rival, and didn't get on with it.
    I found it a little too sluggish and mechanical for my liking.

    In terms of ergonomics I prefer the feel of the Campag. levers, and the shift thumb-levers.

    I run this year's Veloce - Nice solid groupset, a bit more mechanical on the changes than Shimano, however it runs quieter than Shimano (though SRAM is quiet too) - which I infer means more efficiently.

    I bought 105 (but also tested Ultegra) for my second ride in the end. 105 has a lovely smooth feel compared to Campag. - SRAM sits in between, IMHO.
    The noise when pedalling Shimano 105 is going to take some getting used to - yes, I have checked my chainline - My first ride, I had to keep looking down to see if I'd got something out of alignment!

    Apart from the drive noise, I'd say Shimano is smoothest/slickest on changes, Campag. has the best levers and a certain solidity/style to to it all, SRAM I didn't find had any qualities over and above Shimano/Campag. - there was nothing totally wrong with it - It just didn't light me up.

    What I don't like so much about the Shimano design is the extra distance one needs to throw the levers compared to Campag./SRAM. They also seem to be huge in size, and part of the hood moves with the lever!

    Shimano bearings seem stiffer under zero load than Campag. Couldn't comment on the SRAM bearings as I didn't check them.
  • grazer
    grazer Posts: 131
    i have SRAM Force on my new bike

    i have to say i am impressed. it looks great and shifting is very slick, although the bike shop didnt change the chain when changing the cranks to compacts.
  • grazer
    grazer Posts: 131
    i have SRAM Force on my new bike

    i have to say i am impressed. it looks great and shifting is very slick, although the bike shop didnt change the chain when changing the cranks to compacts.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    SRAM are bringing out another groupset later this year called Red. It is going to be their top-end kit, so expect prices of the existing groupsets to drop.
    Nobody ever got laid because they were using Shimano
  • JWSurrey
    JWSurrey Posts: 1,173
    Correction - I was speaking today to a few people about drivetrain noise whilst pedalling - I think the reason my Shimano setup appears to make more noise is actually due to the frame material - The Campag. bike is steel and the Shimano bike carbon/ally - A chap with this year's Record on a full carbon showed me that his makes even more noise!

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