SRAM Rival front shifter

[citybabe]

Can anybody explain to me what Zero Lost Shifting means with the SRAM left front shifter.
I'm thinking of changing from 105 shifters because of my small hands not reaching the breaks too well after reading a few of @vickster posts!
Also I think I read somewhere that the shifters are only compatible with a SRAM cassette - is this true?

 

[toptom]

Hi I've got SRAM Rival group set on my Scott Cr1 and it has
shimano ultegra cassette and chain and works fine unsure about the zero lost shifters

 

[slug56]

Can anybody explain to me what Zero Lost Shifting means with the SRAM left front shifter.

Zero-loss means when you press the shifter paddle, there's no 'slack' before the gear cable engages. If you don't have zero-loss on your right shifter (like I don't), there's a bit of movement of the shifter before the cable engages.

I'm thinking of changing from 105 shifters because of my small hands not reaching the breaks too well after reading a few of @vickster posts!
Also I think I read somewhere that the shifters are only compatible with a SRAM cassette - is this true?

You should find that SRAM and Shimano cassettes are interchangeable, providing they've got the same number of sprockets. Interesting things would happen if you swapped a 9-speed cassette for a 10-speed. The thing to look out for is in ensuring your shifters match up with your derailleurs. If you have a SRAM shifter, you'll want a SRAM rear-derailleur as the pull ratios (how much the shifter needs to physically pull the cable to shift one gear) are different between brands. Also make sure the shifter matches the number of gears you have. i.e. Don't get an 11-speed shifter for a 10-speed setup. For your front derailleur, the official word is that brands aren't interchangeable, but I happily run a SRAM shifter with a Shimano Ultegra front derailleur with no issues.

TL;DR: SRAM and Shimano cassettes are interchangeable. Make sure the shifter brand matches the rear derailleur brand.

 

[GrasB]

Due to the way the fact SRAM shifters use 1 leaver pushed in the same direction for both up & down changes a simple ratchet release mechanism is susceptible to 'gear loss'. That is when you go through the first click you will instantly cause the mech to move to the next smallest sprocket/chainring. If you continue the motion to go to the larger sprocket/chainring the lever will require more sweep to reach the next index point when comparing to the two index points after.

With Zero Loss shifting your first click will hold the current gear until you release the leaver, at which point the cable tension is released & an up change happens, or continue through to the next index point for a down change. The distance between the last 3 index points are more-or-less equal rather than the long-short-short of a non-Zero Loss shifter.

SRAM 10 speed kit uses Shimano cassette & chainring spacing. I'm not sure if their 11sp kit is compatible with Shimano or not.

 

[citybabe]

Thanks for the replies guys - I think I follow what you're saying.
My 105 is 10spd

 

[cyberknight]

sram shifters are indeed smaller and have independent reach adjustment for brake and shifter levers, i wear larger size gloves and i am finding sram a bit small for my liking compared to shimano so horses for courses.