SRAM vs Shimano Drivetrain

[PacMan]

I was a die hard Shimano fan even though I would go through XT rear der's every 6-8 months due to play in the der. I always wondered why that was, then I saw this video:




So, when I built up my Yeti 575, I decided to go all SRAM and see for myself. It's been almost a year and my X9 is still going strong.

I don't really notice too much of a difference in shifting performance--one is just as good as the other, but SRAM gets my business from now on strictly from a longevity stand point.

[foofighter]

so so far we have:

SRAM: set and forget, reliable, less expensive, full integration with Avid levers, precise, 1:1 (could be con as well)

Shimano: fast shifting, not 1:1 ratio, it's Shimano

[ericfoltz]

I've never had a Shimano Rear Deraileur last more than 6 months (XTR/XT). My current X9 is 18 months old and has 6000+ miles on it and still shifts perfect.

I had a set of SRAM Grip shift on my HT for 13 years, 20,000+ miles (2nd Generation). I finally replaced them last year simply to go from 7 to 9 speed. They still work fine.

Needless to say, I'm a SRAM fan. Even decided on my Road bike because it was all SRAM.

[Keith B]

I'm not 100% on this but the new XTR970 Shadow I believe has that stable body design that the X0 has. Anyone care to confirm that?
Oh and jsut to throw another spanner into the SRAM works - ask any bike shop how many X0's rear mechs they've had in with the carbon linkage snapped off.

[Code Blue]

Originally Posted by Keith B

I'm not 100% on this but the new XTR970 Shadow I believe has that stable body design that the X0 has. Anyone care to confirm that?
Oh and jsut to throw another spanner into the SRAM works - ask any bike shop how many X0's rear mechs they've had in with the carbon linkage snapped off.

on the carbon

Go X9IMO best bang for your buck

[foofighter]

that's what i heard/read as well regarding the CF portion of the X-0 RD...if i go SRAM it'll be X-9 so i wont worry about that aspect

[BrewMaster]

As far as I have seen, Shimano components tend to be more expensive than comparable SRAM components. That has to count for something.

I've only ridden SRAM and I have no reason to change.

[DownhillWebKook]

I have been running SRAM X0 Black Box der. and shifter pods on my dh bike for a couple of seasons. It is super Gucci, but I don't really feel any significant difference between it and the Shimano kits that I have been running (XTR short cage rear der. or Duraace rear der. with XTR shifter pod). The jury is still out on the XT Shadow rear der. that I just purchased because I haven't ridden it enough yet.

The X0 stuff with the carbon looks sick, but at the end of the day I think it's more preference based on subjective measures rather than any scientific or objective measures. I actually love the idea of my X0 stuff, but I am far more confident in my XTR stuff functionally. When racing or on long rides I would rather have stuff that just works and sacrifice a bit on the bling.

So, go out and buy the kit that gives you the most wood when you see it in the shop.

[Code Blue]

Originally Posted by ericfoltz

I've never had a Shimano Rear Deraileur last more than 6 months (XTR/XT). My current X9 is 18 months old and has 6000+ miles on it and still shifts perfect.

I had a set of SRAM Grip shift on my HT for 13 years, 20,000+ miles (2nd Generation). I finally replaced them last year simply to go from 7 to 9 speed. They still work fine.


Needless to say, I'm a SRAM fan. Even decided on my Road bike because it was all SRAM.

bring back 8 speed damit. Stuff lasted forever

[foofighter]

you know if i go 1x9 on my squishy i can bust out w/ my 8 speed cassette

[nintense]

Originally Posted by foofighter

Searching didnt yield what I wanted. I'm currently running 02 XTR RD, 07 XT FD, 07 XT Cranks w/ XT Cassette.

I was thinking about upgrading my triggers and RD and thought about going with SRAM. I've read some of the propaganda on the respective sites but need some diehard feedback on how SRAM users feel about their X-9 vs say XT stuff.

And XTR 960 RD (Rapid rise) on XT shifters.

I also try the new XT / XTR ...

The pivotless X9 / XO is very quiet and stable for DH, but ease to break (with the derailleur hanger), it's position outside of the hanger will help it break even easier.
The upside for Sram - needs less maintenance than Shimano.

If your gear is working properly, you won't feel any change in the performance.

The only upgrade I can think of is XT shadow 2008 RD with XTR shifters - let you down shift multi cogs at a time.

[Pato]

Originally Posted by foofighter

so so far we have:

SRAM: 1:1 (could be con as well)

Shimano: not 1:1 ratio,

Don't quote me on this, but I've heard that this is all marketing play on numbers. The real ratios are:

SRAM - 1:1.4
Shimano - 1:1.7

Not really that far apart. SRAM rounded to the nearest whole number to make it sound like a bigger difference.

I've always used Shimano and never had any problems not directly related to me crashing. So I can't really blame Shimano when it doesn't shift do to bent derailleur hangers. I've worked on a few SRAM equiped bikes and have to say maintenance wise it's easier to work on Shimano and the quality is better.

When I install new cables I will always prestretch them so unless I wreck I never have to adjust my drivetrain. Shifts are always quick and clean.

I used to really like the positive feel of the SRAM shifters, but Shimano has rectified that with the new XTR 970 shifters.

That's my $0.02.

[53-12]

Have SRAM X-9 on older bike and XT on a newer which I will switch out to X-9 or X-0 when a little extra money comes around. The SRAM has crisper shifting and I have never had a worry shifting at a critical uphill moment.

[ODB]

Even SRAM's cheapie X-7s shift way better and are far more reliable and hassle-free than the Shimano XTs i used to run. I'm SRAM for life.

[rjcornelia]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZQf1bduGYs

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by rjcornelia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZQf1bduGYs

Ya, that's the same vid I posted above.

[rjcornelia]

oops pacman beat me to it.

Originally Posted by PacMan

Ya, that's the same vid I posted above.

and you called me out on it before i could. you're on top of your shit

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by rjcornelia

and you called me out on it before i could. you're on top of your shit

No, just home on the DL with nothing else to do but surf STR.

[foofighter]

Originally Posted by PacMan

No, just home on the DL with nothing else to do but surf STR.

is that F5 button worn out yet?