Shimano vs SRAM ?

Question

I'm custom ordering a bike and can choose any components I want. Even Campy. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Sram - Better performance, Better Ergonomics, BETTER drivetrain life...

SRAM has been around for all of you saying they haven't - I used to race on it back in 1998, 99, 00, 01(SACHS) and it's on my Remedy66 right now... I would have it no other way!

http://www.sram.com/en/about/history.php

The question though is ABOUT THE SRAM ROAD GROUPO'S!!!

So in a nut shell...

Quote-
"Narrow minded yet forward thinking.

Bike components are all we do - which is why we do them so mind-bendingly well. SRAM Corporation began with the goal of creating the absolute best shifting system and changed the cycling world forever with the introduction of Grip Shift. To support the innovation, we invested in Sachs Bicycle Company and built a state of the art manufacturing facility in Schweinfurt Germany. We had the vision and desire to expand our presence in the industry so we found the best suspension company, RockShox, joined forces with them, creating huge excitement in the global cycling community. Not content to stop there, we knew expanding our line with the best brakes, bottom brackets and cranksets would fine-tune the ride even more. So we teamed up with Avid and Truvativ.

Now that we have achieved total drive train nirvana, we will continue to seek and deploy technological and engineering advancements, as we compulsively refine and redefine the pinnacle of the ultimate ride."


Sram has answered the two CUSTOMER complaints of Shimano and Campy and has seemlessly blended the two and has MANAGED to do it WITH OUT copy/patent infringement - REMARKABLE!

A totally simple Leapfrog type system that is totally rebuilable - Do that with Shimano! Ask any bike shop mechanic how many shimano shifters come in totally locked up or won't release during the seaon - We had Two today!!! Both 9sp Durace!

Campy is so overpriced only a few can afford it!

So... Deck your bike out for $800+/- for Rival or $1400+/- for Force. This is the MOST anticipated Groupo release since XTR!!!

I'm working with a lady right now on a kit - she's 4'11 and can't reach the Shimano shifters, quess what... She can the Sram!

There are many reasons to use Sram... The most I can figure is durability. You take a couple of screws out of the side and you're at the internals - how great is that.

Ben P - Some bikes don't have a fitting on the frame for a downtube barrel adjuster(Giant among others) The mechanic should have seen this and noted it and WATCHED the installation videos on the WEBSITE and put in an inline barrel adjuster to cure it!

******IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO NOT TAKE A SOLE MECHANICS WORK AT FACE VALUE - IF YOU THINK IT ISN'T RIGHT, IT PROBABLY ISN'T!!!

Answer 2

Sram Vs Shimano

Answer 3

It is all personal preference. Ask 100 people and you will get 100 different answers. I seem to like SRAM over Shimano, but I do not have any complaints about the Shimano system.

When you think about what components you want on your bike, go with your gut. If you are custom ordering a bike you really won't be sacrificing performance no matter what you go with.

Answer 4

My bike mechanic went to SRAM from Campy Record to see what its all about since like you, he can get anything. He already prefers Campy over Shimano. Well, after 4 months, he's regretting selling off his Campy Record. I am a Campagnolo convert having worn out my old trusty 8-speed Ultegra (14,000 miles). I use Chorus 10-speed and it transformed my bike for the better. SRAM is too new to form opinions but the biggest beef of users is the lack of derailleur trim (adjustment) while riding, something both Shimano and Campy have. Shimano brake hoods are very comfy and provide a really nice position and is my favorite Shimano feature. Campy is solid (my Litespeed has not had chainrub ever since Chorus), the bearings are top notch and the braking is very easily modulated (Shimano seems to have better stopping power at the expense of brake modulation, brakes like an on/off switch).

Answer 5

Depends what type of bike you are speaking of. If it is a mountain bike, I would choose SRAM, and here's why:

SRAM components are lighter than XTR (the XO version). If you are a grip shift person, you can save a lot of weight by going with their XO twist shifters and XO R. Derailleur. I am a trigger person, and their new XO trigger is second to none. It's light, it clicks into gear with a very positive feel, and you can adjust the angle of the triggers to suit your hand shape. It also has carbon fiber on it, which looks very sharp. The rear derailleur is truly the best in the business. It (as well as the shifters) is easily re-buildable should it suffer damage, and it's designed to break away if it gets caught up somehow, and this will save the derailleur hanger of your bike. I have used XT and XTR for 10 years. 2 years ago I was having so much trouble with my XTR (ghost shifting, just generally working like s*#@t), that I bought XO and just gave my XTR away.

If you are talking about a road bike...that's a whole different ballgame. There has not been extensive use of the SRAM, but I am so impressed with their mountain stuff, I'd almost be inclined to recommend it without even riding it. However; if you are going for the lightest, and arguably the most refined road components available to man...I'd go with Campy Record Carbon. Campy's bearings will spin effortlessly for years. Their shifters, while some find them a bit stiff, work flawlessly. You are going to pay a pretty penny for the stuff, but you may never need to replace it, unless you want to.

I will interject one more thing, just in case this stuff matters to you.

Country of manufacture:
Shimano: Taiwan
Campagnolo: Italy
SRAM: Chicago, IL USA

Hope this helps.

Answer 6

Shimano: most common thing out there, any bike shop will have something that will work (a plus if you are into charity rides) down side is that you usually replace not repair if you trash it

Campy: expensive but you can get almost every part for the stuff to rebuild it, front derailleur is a friction style so it is easier to trim out, most shops will have to special order parts because of the price and amount of stuff they'd have to stock (probably won't find parts for it on charity rides and may not find people who will work on it because they either can't or see campy = $ and won't touch it

SRAM: new kid on the block, hasn't been out long enough to get a real good feel for reliabilty (all the people I've talked to that have tried it rave about it but only time will tell), you can't mix it with shimano derailleurs due to a different actuation ratio (means a special order and good luck finding parts for it on a charity ride because it is so new)

Answer 7

Shifters and Deralieurs: Shimano XTR
Headset: Chris King
BottonBracket: Crank Bros Cobalt Bottom Bracket
Wheels: Mavic Crossmax SLR UST
Seatpost: Raceface Next SL Carbon

Answer 8

If you are starting, go with campy. It costs about campy. If you have tonnes of shimano-type components, go with SRAM. I love campy but just removed my old Veloce 9-speed system.

I have installed SRAM Rival WiFli rear and the corresponding cassette and chain. Rival shifters function well and once you get the feel, shifting is fast. (I have an 11-32 cassette)

I like the Ultegra. The shifting is very smooth, campy smooth. SRAM is a bit clickie on shifts, but you get used to it. Any campy shifter is quieter than all the SRAMs.

SRAM is cool, it feels good and is super easy to use. Campagnolo is prettier, I like their engineering.
Shimano is good as well.

Answer 9

Being you have Dura-ace shifters stay with Shimano, get the Ultegra derailleurs and if you want keep the Sram cranks. Don't mix and match the shifters and derailleurs stay with Shimano, Dura-ace is an excellent group.

Answer 10

Both are very good at similar price points. XTR is very nice, but way overpriced with the new groupo release for 2007. XT is better bang for the buck. Try out similar bikes with Sram and Shimano to get a feel for the controls when in the saddle - you may like the function of one product more than the other. Intuitive operation in challenging conditions is worth more than a brand name while standing around at the trailhead.