What is the difference between the shimano deore derailleurs and shifters and the SRAM?

Question

I just bought a 2006 Raleigh Mojave 8.0 which has Shimano Deore F Derailleur, Shimano LX R Derailleur and the Deore 9spd shift lever. The 2007 has SRAM X-7 front and rear derailleurs and the SRAM SX-5 9spd shift levers.

Answer 1

Well - both have a two year warranty.

Sram is 1:1 cable pull & Shimano is 2:1 = Sram is a lighter shifting action and Shimano requires a more tedious adjustment.

Shimano has a hinged "B Knucke" - Sram is a fixed "B Knuckle"

What does all this mean to you..? Less effort, less gear hopping, and fewer adjustments.

I just put the SX5 Shifters and X.7 Rear Der on my wife's bike and have not had to touch it since I installed it. I run Sram X.0 on my Remedy66 and did so on my Fuel EX9 as well. My Commuter runs XTR - but that's because the bike will never see anything rough.

This simple video says a lot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZQf1bduGYs

If you are just going to cruise around, Shimano is fine - it's the rough trail riding that, in my opinion, Shimano leaves a lot to be desired.

Answer 2

SRAM uses different leverage than Shimano. Shimano uses 2:1, while SRAM 1:1. From everyone I've heard that went from Shimano to SRAM, they're in love with SRAM and happy of the change. I still ride Shimano, but I want to try SRAM. About the differences between LX and XT (2007), I believe it's a tiny bit of weight, and a tiny bit in performance, as well as the difference between X.7 and X.9 in SRAM. If you buy SRAM, you need their shifters, Shimano won't work (or viceversa).

Answer 3

They are simply different brands of components with some different technologies behind them. They both make some nice stuff. SRAM has a great line of MTB groups and now even has a full road offering. A lot of the choice has to do with personal feel and ergonomics.