SRAM or Shimano Gear Systems

Marjory Stewart BAxtor

I don't know what the swings and round abouts are but SRAM seem to be taken a lot more seriously than this time a few years ago, so I'm wondering what the hype is.

I've always used shimano LX and XT so that's kind of all i know.

Is there a better performance for money on either? Is there a different feel? Lighter? More reliable? Easier to calibrate?

nicklouse

personal preferance to the feel and action.

go try.

Anonymous

i have always been a staunch shimano fan, xt has been my weapon of choice however, i much prefer sram now. the shifts are more reliable, and the mechs need to be adjusted much less often.

it is more expensive but i doubt i would go back to shimano shifting.

Marjory Stewart BAxtor

how does it actually handle differently. don't really know where I'd try it tbh, lbs don't seem to have any SRAM (yeah i know - lol, that's right) and all mates use shimano. (we're inbred in norfolk and don't like change)

The Big Cheese

I have always used shimano but have got increasingly fed up with fettling and constant re-adjusting of cable so...

I am leaving XTR on my XC race rig as I have the full kit (hubs, crank, mechs, shifters etc) and cost me a fortune.. but it always needs constance adjusting

BUT

Have swapped the LX/XT transmission on my Attack Trail to X9 (but left the LX front mech on as that won't make much of a difference)

And have bought SRAM X0 for my DH/FR rig (just rear mech and shifter)

The main thing is to remember the way you shift is different - you don't have a trigger - just two thumb levers which takes a little getting used to..

Cleaner, more precise shifting.

Marjory Stewart BAxtor

two thumb things is first thing that puts me off but a week in the saddle will sort that.

what does x9 relate to in the shimano range?

Can you use a front SRAM shifter with a Shimano mech? Obv you can't at the back...

The Big Cheese

It relates in a sense to XT (with X0 being the XTR of the range)

You can use a shimano front mech (the SRAM ones are not that good) and if you already have a shimano front mech not worth buying a new one.

Marjory Stewart BAxtor

what about their revoshift.

Aren't SRAM proud of their gripshift whereas shimano grippies are a bit of a joke? Or have i misunderstood?

The Big Cheese

SRAM invented the gripshift years ago and it has been going ever since - it's not followed massively which is a shame as it's a great system. Looks good too. (X0) - makes plenty of room on your bars....

I only really know about X9 and X0 though to be honest - not sure about X7, X5 etc

I would say if you're going to go SRAM, go X9 or X0 - and don't rule out the X0 gripshifts!

I wouldnt touch SHimano gripshift (not sure they even make it anymore) with yours

nicklouse

current X5 is the early X7 and the current X7 is closer to the early X9 and the current X9 has major ideas taken straight from the XO.

The Big Cheese

Thanks Nick...

scotttomo

Theres a review in this or maybe last months mbuk bout shifters and the X0 gripshifts get a good review. Less accidental shifts than you would expect also i think it says, along with fast shifting up and down, whereas X9/X0 you can only shift up and down one gear at a time compared to XT/XTR at least i think thats what it says :oops:
Nick'll prob put me right on this :oops:

Marjory Stewart BAxtor

still have the article about eight feet away. Wanted to get a broader range of opinions though.

I'd upgrade if there's an advantage, but on CRC it's 20 quid for a RH short x.9 twisty shift and another 45 for the back mech so I'd want to be sure I was making right decision considering for an extra tenna I could get a rapid rise xtr mech!

rob cole

best combo I found for value for money, performance and reliability (for hard riding and freeride where equipment gets battered)

SRAM X-9 shifter pods (2007 or later)
SRAM x-7 rear derailleur (mid cage)
Shimano XT front derailleur
Shimano XT cassette
SRAM PC-971 chain

manufacturers always "spec with the rear mech" and make the mistake of pandering to the buyers eye in the showroom by fitting a X-9 rear derailleur and the cheap feeling X-7 shifters

....whereas a much better system results from upspeccing the shifters to X-9 and down speccing the mech to X-7.....the X-9 shifter feels much crisper than X-7 and there is no "performance" feel difference to the cheaper X-7 derailleur, which is less painful on the wallet when you smack it on a rock / north shore ladder

The Big Cheese

£45 for an X9 rear mech?

Anonymous

i run a set of x.0 twist shifters and havent made a miss shift yet. best bit of kit i have bought in a while, would highly reccommend them to anyone. plus they only cost 40 quid for the pair from crc

Marjory Stewart BAxtor

that's good advice.

Is that the `best value for performance money and reliability` for using SRAM or the `best value for performance money and reliability` for my bike?

Marjory Stewart BAxtor

Cheesey wrote:

£45 for an X9 rear mech?

link
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=13198

scotttomo

Lol that link to crc says 51 quid if i'm not mistaken

scotttomo

But look below those X9 shifters 19 pounds that canna be right can it?

Marjory Stewart BAxtor

maybe the shifters are disproportionally priced to lure the subsequent imminant purhasement of mech

scotttomo

Its alway the way buy them and tell me if they're any good i'm in the market for some new shifters 8)

supersonic

Price wise X9 is much closer to XTR, X7 to XT.

BoardinBob

SCOTTTOMO wrote:

But look below those X9 shifters 19 pounds that canna be right can it?

yeah then click on the link

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=13214

LH Front Shifter £19.99
RH Front Shifter £32.99

Front & Rear £59.99



So if you buy them separately it's only £52.98 :?:

Marjory Stewart BAxtor

so we''re saying SRAM have a better mechanical product but you get more gear for your money with Shimano, is that right?

The Big Cheese

Pretty much - although again it's 'one man's meat is another man's poison'

One is strictly not better than the other - although SRAM is pricey compared to shimano

Marjory Stewart BAxtor

I'll leave it a while before upgrading then. end of day, I like the feel of my lx and it works

Matteeboy

Old Stumpy - A mix of LX and XT.
New Stumpy - A mix of SRAM X7 and X9.

Both work really well and I have no major preference.

Changed the crank on the old one to an LX Hollowtech 2 and I really do like it - reckon it's better than the Truvativ Stylo on the new Stumpy - seems stiffer and more durable.

artillerydave

personally treid both X9 and XT and thought X9 was most unimpressive, shifters sticking, front mech looked like it had been made by a child and in general I thought it was cheap looking and overpriced, however Xt is just well the bees knees, looks the part and shifts a treat and very reliable, I would never ever go back to Sram.