SRAM or Shimano

patchy

Hmm. Having pummeled my commuter bike past the point of needing a service (damn my employer and their slowness on getting into cycle2work) i really need to replace my chain and rear cassette. But i can't make up my mind about whether to go for shimano or SRAM kit... it's Shim at the mo. If i get a SRAM cassette, will it be ok with the existing Shim rear derailleur?

I'm riding a hybrid ridgeback tempest with an 8sp cassette on the rear, triple on the front. I don't really want to be spending loads, as hopefully i'll be upgrading to a proper road bike once cycle2work is in place and selling the tempest to a workmate, but that could be a while yet - or next week, my employers won't tell me. Any thoughts?

I also need disc brake pads, but that's a whole different story...

Jon8a

They should be interchangeable.

Cassette wise it's much the sam, see what you can get at a good price.
Chain I'd always go for SRAM because of the powerlink which allows easier removal of the chain without tools. Probably not as much as an issue as on my mountain bike though where i regulalry remove it for servicing and cleaning.

Disc brake pads or brake pads in general.

I'd recommend Superstarcomponents.co.uk because I get free stuff (i know the owner).
Had some bad press on STW after a bad batch of pads but that's all sorted now.

Before them I used discobrakes.

patchy

thanks for that - twas the powerlink that attracted me to SRAM in the first place.

I'll check out the brake pad sites too - not sure exactly what i need yet, but i'm sure it'll all become clear when the bike is in bits in the kitchen...

hoathy

Sram chains are way better than shimano ones in my experience, and not just becuase of the power link...

Belv

Hoathy - in what other ways?

I'd stick with what's on there. I find Shimano kit to be very reliable and (as a commuter) that is my number one priority. It's also the most widely available which is also important when the bike's in everyday use (although not really relevant for those components) and i need to walk into the nearest bike shop knowing they will have something on the shelf to keep me going.

Surf-Matt

I have one Stumpjumper equipped with Shimano XT/LX kit, one with SRAM X-7 and X-9 kit (same sort of price/spec level) and am so far finding the SRAM kit to be more reliable with less adjustment needed.

Having said that, the XT/LX stuff is older and has seen a lot of abuse.

redddraggon

SRAM for MTBs

Campag for Road

We all know that Shimano is for fishermen and fishermen-cyclists who want all their kit to match

Surf-Matt

I do find my XTR carbon bling fishing reel a little clunky when hauling in a marlin.

Belv

redddraggon wrote:

SRAM for MTBs

Campag for Road

We all know that Shimano is for fishermen and fishermen-cyclists who want all their kit to match

Ah, but we're not MTB-ing or road-ing are we? We are commuting, so don't want to wait for SRAM parts to be ordered or be overcharged for Italian posing parts!

redddraggon

Belv wrote:

redddraggon wrote:

SRAM for MTBs

Campag for Road

We all know that Shimano is for fishermen and fishermen-cyclists who want all their kit to match

Ah, but we're not MTB-ing or road-ing are we? We are commuting, so don't want to wait for SRAM parts to be ordered or be overcharged for Italian posing parts!

Well unless you're wasting your time on a hybrid you'll either be on a road bike or a MTB.

And I've found Campag to be the same price if not cheaper than Shimano, so I don't know where your last comment came from.

patchy

actually, i am wasting my time on a hybrid waiting for work to get their finger out on cycle2work so i can get a roadie... my MTB, however, is itching to get out this weekend.

I suspect i'm gonna go with SRAM for the chain (due to powerlink) at the very least, and see what cassettes the LBS has in store.