SRAM road shifters

Bhima

Currently building a bike.

It's going to have a mix of SRAM parts and i'm trying to keep it as cheap as possible, so most things will be Rival components.

However, i've been informed that the Red shifters are "superior", "smoother" and "tighter" than the others, so i'm considering getting some if it will improve the shifting and/or they will be more durable.

It'll probably be a winter bike, so weight is not an issue.

Would it be worth the extra bit of cash? (£70 in my case) I know that the difference between the low-end Shitmano and Campagnolo shifters is quite radical in terms of feel, durability and smoothness, especially the difference between Sora and the rest.

The main thing that really bugs me about my current winter bike is that the Tiagra shifters have become "loose" over time, meaning there is an increasing ammount of "space", serving no purpose before you actually activate the shifting mechanism, so I can move the lever in a rush to change gear and actually end up doing nothing.

So the feel of the shifts would be beneficial to me. Do the Red shifters feel better?

Also, is there a way to "fix" these loose shifters I have? It is NOT a cable problem.

redddraggon

Campag feels better than Red.

Bhima

Yes, I have a cheap Campagnolo hack and it feels great. I'd love to put it on this next bike, but I can get cheap SRAM parts off an employee of the company.

cyclingpunk

I can only compare Shimano Sora, Tiagra, 105, Ultegra SL and Red shifters as these are the ones I have used for a decent amount of time. The Ultegra SL feel better built but that is down to the use of Metal and they make a nicer more precise noise IMO.

My Red setup however is the best I have used in terms of actual performance. The shiting is very fast I find the hoods pretty comfy too. I am glad I upgraded from my SL ones but if it was for a winter bike I probably wound not bother too much. I would stick to something a bit cheaper.

Bhima

cyclingpunk wrote:

if it was for a winter bike I probably wound not bother too much. I would stick to something a bit cheaper.

I have got most things SUPER cheap from various sources, so the whole thing will be cheaper than most people's winter bikes and i've spent a lot less than intended. Therefore, I think I can justify treating myself to higher-spec shifters, although I don't like spending money so will get the cheaper option if there is not a massive "wow" factor in the difference. Shifters are the least affected by weather anyway, I would have thought.

cyclingpunk

I went 'Wow' went I felt how light they were before I put them on the bike. They also look wicked! If they are only costing you an extra £70 I would get em. At least you will not keep thinking that you should have got them

Bhima

Yes, but i'll feel robbed if they are just the same as the Rival ones, except lighter. :? Unless you've tried the Rival/Force ones and can say they're "worse"...?

cyclingpunk

I have briefly tried the Rival ones which I was not too keen on.. not tried Force bit from what I have read they are very very similar to Red. I think the only difference apart from weight is they do not have 'zero loss' in both shifters.

I would happily have settled for Force but there was only about £20 difference in cost with the best prices I could find at the time.

keef66

"My Red setup however is the best I have used in terms of actual performance. The shiting is very fast...."

I think I'll stick with my 105 if that's what SRAM does to you!

softlad

Bhima wrote:

However, i've been informed that the Red shifters are "superior", "smoother" and "tighter" than the others, so i'm considering getting some if it will improve the shifting and/or they will be more durable.

functionally - Red is no different to Force or Rival. There will be a small difference in the weight and possibly a small difference in the mechanical feel, but Red will not make the chain shift any quicker or smoother than Rival....

Gazzaputt

I run Rival and Red and Red shifiting seems to be 'crisper' is the way I'd describe it.