Matching of shifters, derailleurs and cassettes/sprockets

nozzac

This is off the back of another question I had answered but more general:

Could someone please explain how the matching of shifters, derailleurs and cassettes/sprockets works?

Are they all designed to work together(i.e. any 10 speed shifter with any 10 speed cassettes works with any derailleur) or does one have to stick to a certain make for all, or something else?

gtd.

Shimano rear shifters wont work with Sram rear mechs
Only Sram rear shifters with a name such as Attack will work with Shimano rear mecs, if a Sram mech has a numer it wont work with a Shimano mech ie x5, x7, x9, x0 and xx.

Chains, Cassettes and Mechs can be different brands.

nicklouse

see the topic in the FAQs.

10spd is different and is covered in another topic in the FAQs.

or is you have a specific question ask it.