Sram vs Shimano

[Rolf Parrish]

Am contemplating a new road bike for the new season. Torn between the 2 setups and am looking for opinions as to which is the better setup Sram Rival or Shimano 105. Experiences would be good please

 

[accountantpete]

With Shimano 105 the left shifter tends to break more often than it should.

With Sram Rival the right hand shifter tends to break more often than it should.

Whatever you get - buy new with warranty.

 

[Lee_M]

It's a political choice not a technical choice

 

[SquareDaff]

Am contemplating a new road bike for the new season. Torn between the 2 setups and am looking for opinions as to which is the better setup Sram Rival or Shimano 105. Experiences would be good please

I've used both - simple answer - there is none in terms of mechanics and shifting smoothness. The decision is probably really about whether you can get on with SRAM's double tap system to change down. Personally I never had a problem but I know others do.

 

[tigger]

It's personal preference. I ride Sram. For me the ergonomics are much better than Shimano and the shifting is faster and more connected. Downshifts are a weak point on the Shimano system in my opinion, there is too much throw shifting with the brake lever and you have the added disadvantage of accidentally squeezing the brakes. It is even more poor when downshifting from the hoods because of this. The only downside with Sram double shift is that you can mis shift more frequently (accidentally tap once when you intended to tap twice). It's a pain but ultimately it's rider error and you get used to it. Finally, Rival is more equivalent to Ultegra so you get more bang for your buck. It's a no brainer... but like I say it's personal preference!

 

[Rob3rt]

The way I see it:

SRAM looks better, weighs a lot less, costs less (on a like for like, or as close as you can get basis) and requires very little movement to shift but there are some quirks, such as when you end up right on the far side of the block and don't realise it and try to shift to an easier gear that doesn't exist, it will dump you in a harder gear. SRAM also makes a very reassuring clunk to let you know you have shifted, some people like this (I do), some don't.

Shimano weighs more, costs more, looks worse, but the shifting is very smooth and you often don't really know you have even shifted.

Most of it will come down to whether you like the ergonomics of either system and the shifting mechanism.

 

[Mapster1989]

SRAM... but I would say that. I'm bias.

 

[Cycling Dan]

Shimano for me :P

 

[Hacienda71]

I have both and prefer Sram although my right shifter failed once and was replaced under warranty. I haven't had the problem of it dropping you into a harder gear, with mine if you do a full throw of the lever and you are at the limit it just stays in that gear. Price wise Sram is far cheaper and lighter than it's Shimano equivelant.
Some people don't like double tap though so I would say see if you can try out a bike set up with Sram. It won't take long to see if you love or hate it.

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

Never liked the shifting on Sram much. Have ridden a steed with Sram Force. Could probably get used to it. Defo get used to the weight.
Shimano is heavier but arguably more robust. 105 is a good group providing you look after it and tweak as required. I own this groupo on my Cannondale. It's nice.
Not mentioned, but my preference is Campag. Light and reliable. Ergonomically speaking, i find it fits me like a glove and the thumb shifters are great for climbing out of the saddle.
In this day and age though it is all going to be down to user preference. One mans apple pie is another mans sh*t pie. Or something like that.

 

[gavintc]

With Shimano 105 the left shifter tends to break more often than it should.

With Sram Rival the right hand shifter tends to break more often than it should.

Whatever you get - buy new with warranty.

Interesting, just had to replace my STI 105 for this reason. Just would not change up and stay up. The palls inside had stopped working.

 

[Mallory]

How easy/hard is it to shift onto the big ring on SRAM?? I hate shifting onto the big ring with my shimano as I always tend to drop the chain by over shifting!!!

 

[Mallory]

Downshifts are a weak point on the Shimano system in my opinion, there is too much throw shifting with the brake lever and you have the added disadvantage of accidentally squeezing the brakes.

Been there at 50kph!!! Almost locked the front wheel. Needed a change of shorts afterwards

 

[dellzeqq]

With Shimano 105 the left shifter tends to break more often than it should.

With Sram Rival the right hand shifter tends to break more often than it should.

Whatever you get - buy new with warranty.

mix and match?

 

[Hacienda71]

mix and match?

Whats that then Shramo