SRAM...Is it any good?

simonaspinall

Hi there

Is the SRAM groupset any good? I have always used shimano but for a future bike purchase is it worth speccing SRAM...what are the main differences between SRAM and Shimano and what are the differences between the budget end and premium SRAM groupsets?

Steve_b77

If it's as good as the mountain bke gear it'll be great.

The MTB stuff once set up (very easy) requires virtually no future adjustment of indexing etc.

Very reliable too

Surf-Matt

I have three MTBs with all Shimano as is the road bike (Tiagra) and one MTB that's almost all SRAM (X-9 level) - most impressed with the SRAM kit although some of it is overpriced.

I wouldn't say it's necessarily superior, just different.

spanielsson

I have both Rival & Red groupsets on my road bikes and X9 on my MTB. It's fantastic stuff, really light and requires very little adjustment as mentioned above.

Double tap takes an hour or so to get used to, the performance of the brakes is great and you also get the "positive downshift" Campag owners like.

The parts I'm tempted to change on my 2008 Rival (all polished alloy) would be to a Force chainset and maybe to the 2010 Force levers. That's my being a tart though.

I used Ultegra and XT/XTR for years and really liked it, but unless something radically changes I'll be sticking with SRAM.

In the weight/performance/price contest Rival. Beats all of it's competitors in my opinion, even within SRAM's own range.

simonaspinall

Is it as easy to maintain as Shimano? Is it more hardwearing? What's double-tapping? Is the function different? I.e. Shimano has one lever for up, one lever for down...

DomPro

I'm sure its good enough for most peoples needs. However I think the Pro racers have suffered a few failures of SRAM chains and rear mechs, more so than Shimano/Campag.

spanielsson

simonaspinall wrote:

Is it as easy to maintain as Shimano? Is it more hardwearing? What's double-tapping? Is the function different? I.e. Shimano has one lever for up, one lever for down...

The brake lever is fixed in place like with Campag, the gear change lever sits behind and operates both up and down shift. The first push/press is to change down a gear, but, if you push past the down shift it changes up a gear if that make sense?!! One lever, one directional motion of two different forces for up/down shift.

I wouldn't be too worried about pro teams problems, Cancellara's SRAM chain snapped on the Koppenberg in the Tour of Flanders this year, but didn't David Millar's Dura Ace chain snap moments before he was to win a Giro stage last year?! There must be information on reported failures per million parts made, but I think that's the chance you can take with any purchase.

u01akrg

I've been running a Tiagra triple Group Set for 2+ years on my road bike, and an Ultegra double with SRAM cassete on my 'crosser for 6 months. Ultegra is definitely better (smoother/faster), but I tried SRAM Red on a demo day last year and loved it, and it took less than 5 minutes to get used to the double tap (wasn't so keen on the bike, high spec Willier). I've also tried Force on a friend's 'crosser, and it was as good - I think its the double tap I like. Don't tell the missus, but I have plans to upgrade the road bike with SRAM kit and new wheels.

Anonymous

I have Sram Red on one road bike and Shimano Ultegra on another.

I like the Ultegra but I really like the Red.

I'm tempted to sell the Ultegra and get either Rival or even the new Force on my Winter/Trainer...

london-red

I've just fitted a Rival groupset and have found it pretty good (moved across from 105/Tiagra/Ultegra).

However, one thing I've found infuriating is the difficulty in changing down through the gears quickly when going downhill. With Shimano, you can break and downshift with no problems. With Sram this isn't the case. Specially if you're breaking hard following a steep descent...

Also, the BB seems to have a fair amount of friction. But then that could be my workmanship...

Pokerface

Have used SHimano in the past - now on Sram Red. Won't ever go back to Shimano.

Difference between low and high end Sram is basically in the weight. Red uses much more carbon fibre. Functionality is basically the same.

The 2010 Sram Force groupset will look and feel a lot like the Sram Red stuff. But at a much better price point.

All very easy to maintain and wears just as hard as other groupsets.

Highly recommended.

simonaspinall

Nice 1! Will have to try it when getting my bike specced. Cheers for the advice folks!

cyclingvet

I have 3 bikes with Ultegra, Campag Chorus and SRAM Force respectively and I much prefer SRAM. Gear changes are slicker than either of the others and what I really like is the double tap wich enables me to change down whilst on the drops (what I can't do and what really annoys me about over-rated campag)

dennisn

simonaspinall wrote:

Is it as easy to maintain as Shimano? Is it more hardwearing? What's double-tapping? Is the function different? I.e. Shimano has one lever for up, one lever for down...

What do you mean when you ask "Is it as easy to maintain.....?" What's to "maintain" other than keeping things clean, a few minor adjustments, a bit of chain lube, and a
drop of oil or two on pivot points?
Is the function different? No, you move your finger against a lever and the bike shifts gears.
Take a good look at these shifting systems. They all look and operate basically the same.
Couple of levers on the bars to make things work. You press them sideways(or down for Campy) with your finger and or thumb(Campy) and this moves the front and rear D's.
Which, by the way look amazingly alike. There is not much else.

Frank the tank

Is there any cross compatibility between Sram and Shimano road equipment?

Anonymous

Yes.

Frank the tank

I assume it would be ok to "mix and match" then.

Anonymous

Yeah, should be no probs...

redddraggon

cyclingvet wrote:

(what I can't do and what really annoys me about over-rated campag)

Sounds like an issue with you rather than the groupset, for me Campag is easier to shift on the drops than either the other two.

Campag's not overrated but Shimano is.

redddraggon

Frank the tank wrote:

I assume it would be ok to "mix and match" then.

Apart from the rear mech + shifters need to be both the same

Frank the tank

Cheers for that.

neonwarhead

And if you want cheap SRAM gear try;

http://www.fudgescyclestore.com/

Quick turnaround, and groupset price is reflected in prices for the individual components.

ronthechef

merlincycles are even cheaper, Sram force groupset for £650

neonwarhead

Not on Rival they're not. And if you want the weight of 09 Force then you could substitute a Fulcrum Crankset from Merlin and still be ahead on price, (and you'd always be grumpy you didn't wait for the '10 Force).

Or just start off with a mouthfull less water in one of your bottles!

Wherever you get it from, it's good stuff!

ronthechef

I surprised how much I like SRAM,,,, now have the problem of wanting it on all my bikes

funckchicken

I have 3 bikes with Ultegra, Campag Chorus and SRAM Force respectively and I much prefer SRAM. Gear changes are slicker than either of the others and what I really like is the double tap wich enables me to change down whilst on the drops (what I can't do and what really annoys me about over-rated campag)

erm.....i have no idea what you are talking about and neither do you by the sounds of it.

it is a complete piece of pi*s to change down gears using the thumb lever on campag systems whilst on the drops. go away and figure out how to do it and stop talking bollocks and feeding people wrong advice.

fwiw, cycling plus recently undertook full reviews of the flagship groupsets from the big 3 - record, dura ace, and red. record came out top.

cyclingvet

funckchicken wrote:

I have 3 bikes with Ultegra, Campag Chorus and SRAM Force respectively and I much prefer SRAM. Gear changes are slicker than either of the others and what I really like is the double tap wich enables me to change down whilst on the drops (what I can't do and what really annoys me about over-rated campag)

erm.....i have no idea what you are talking about and neither do you by the sounds of it.

it is a complete piece of pi*s to change down gears using the thumb lever on campag systems whilst on the drops. go away and figure out how to do it and stop talking bollocks and feeding people wrong advice.

fwiw, cycling plus recently undertook full reviews of the flagship groupsets from the big 3 - record, dura ace, and red. record came out top.

No need to to be so offensive. I find it much more difficult to do compared to SRAM, as I have a stiff joints on my R thumb. For me it is a stretch, particulalry when I'm on the lowest part of the bar and doesn't feel natural so obviously it is an issue for me and not for anyone else.

cyclingvet

Looks like there are other people who have issues with Campag's thumb shifter


http://forums.cervelo.com/forums/p/1439/7847.aspx

Anonymous

funckchicken wrote:

I have 3 bikes with Ultegra, Campag Chorus and SRAM Force respectively and I much prefer SRAM. Gear changes are slicker than either of the others and what I really like is the double tap wich enables me to change down whilst on the drops (what I can't do and what really annoys me about over-rated campag)

erm.....i have no idea what you are talking about and neither do you by the sounds of it.

it is a complete piece of pi*s to change down gears using the thumb lever on campag systems whilst on the drops. go away and figure out how to do it and stop talking bollocks and feeding people wrong advice.

fwiw, cycling plus recently undertook full reviews of the flagship groupsets from the big 3 - record, dura ace, and red. record came out top.

Harsh and unfair. If the Cyclingvet can't change then he can't change. I also have problems reaching the thumb shift from the drops.

Plus, IIRC the review said that each groupset had something that was better than the others and that they were all good...

funckchicken

complete bollocks, and let's face it napolean D you by your own admission only started cycling "properly" less than 2 years ago. i therefore take all your reviews and experiences with a big old bag of salt trust me.

and overall the record group came out top in the Cycling plus review. fact.

and the only area in which it said sram red outperformed record was the brakes. fact.

and record ain't even campag's top groupset. super record is just as good performance wise, but even lighter.

soveda

funckchicken wrote:

complete bollocks, and let's face it napolean D you by your own admission only started cycling "properly" less than 2 years ago. i therefore take all your reviews and experiences with a big old bag of salt trust me.

and overall the record group came out top in the Cycling plus review. fact.

and the only area in which it said sram red outperformed record was the brakes. fact.

and record ain't even campag's top groupset. super record is just as good performance wise, but even lighter.

Put your handbag away, the review did favour the Campag groupset but also said that you couldn't really go wrong with any of them. Napoleon's summary is fuller and fairer than yours.