Sram or Shimano???
Discussion
Following threads I have started and joined in on I have finally decided on a new carbon bike after an amazing demo ride this morning. I am plumping for a Cervelo S2 2012 but now my dillema is what groupset do I have it built with.
Within my ever inflating budget the Tri Store offer Sram Rival or Force and Shimano 105 or Ultegra.
My current ride has Tiagra so am used to Shimano but I really felt comfortable with the Rival that was on the demo bike. I liked the way you dont have to push the main brake lever to change, I find with the Tiagra if I dont push it correctly the brake sometimes (not often) come on a bit.
I suppose what Im asking is Sram as well made as Shimano and will it give me many years of faultless gear changing.
What are the general thoughts of users on here, I know most people will sway towards what is on their bike, but how happy are you with the groupset?
Within my ever inflating budget the Tri Store offer Sram Rival or Force and Shimano 105 or Ultegra.
My current ride has Tiagra so am used to Shimano but I really felt comfortable with the Rival that was on the demo bike. I liked the way you dont have to push the main brake lever to change, I find with the Tiagra if I dont push it correctly the brake sometimes (not often) come on a bit.
I suppose what Im asking is Sram as well made as Shimano and will it give me many years of faultless gear changing.
What are the general thoughts of users on here, I know most people will sway towards what is on their bike, but how happy are you with the groupset?
i built up my RS with Sram Force, its light and the shifting is very positive. doubletap takes about ten minutes to get used to and having come from an ultegra equipped bike, i can honestly say Force is much better shifting. it looks much nicer than shimano kit and its about 200gs lighter too!... i've tried Sram Apex shifting too and thats nice so I doubt rival would be any different.
Both are as good as each other, with the "best" depending upon the setup (even Dura Ace can feel like a baggos
te if the basics aren't done right), how you find the shape of the hoods and the ergonomics of the shifters, etc 
Also, so you have a lot of Shimano stuff already? If so, consider parts compatibility/interchangeability (shifters, mechs etc).
FWIW I like Shimano, partly because I have it on all my other bikes and I can set it up with my eyes closed, but primarily for the brake-lever-actuated shifting, as I can shift down a gear whilst braking at the same time.
te if the basics aren't done right), how you find the shape of the hoods and the ergonomics of the shifters, etc Also, so you have a lot of Shimano stuff already? If so, consider parts compatibility/interchangeability (shifters, mechs etc).
FWIW I like Shimano, partly because I have it on all my other bikes and I can set it up with my eyes closed, but primarily for the brake-lever-actuated shifting, as I can shift down a gear whilst braking at the same time.
pablo said:
i built up my RS with Sram Force, its light and the shifting is very positive. doubletap takes about ten minutes to get used to and having come from an ultegra equipped bike, i can honestly say Force is much better shifting. it looks much nicer than shimano kit and its about 200gs lighter too!...
+1. Shimano is great stuff but I prefer Force for the shift action, looks and weight.Welcome to the Cervelo fold
I have DA on the TT bike but built my new road bike up with SRAM. I prefer the feel of the change over Shimano and they fit my hands better, esp with the adjustable lever cam. I dont like the SRAM BB at all though and went for a Chris King. The cassettes are noisier so I have ultgera, red levers, mech, brakes, force crank. You have to try it really but I am a convert. As others have said all the groups work well if they are setup properly so it's purely how comfortable the shifters are that really should make the decision.
HTH
HTH
Both are good - its actually down to personal choice of feel/actuation.
Personally I run SRAM on both training bike and race bike as I really like the double tap. The Shimano stuff I see is very well designed solid kit.
I have done about 6000 miles on a Rival grouppo on my training bike and it has stood up to it well - really good value for money.
Personally I run SRAM on both training bike and race bike as I really like the double tap. The Shimano stuff I see is very well designed solid kit.
I have done about 6000 miles on a Rival grouppo on my training bike and it has stood up to it well - really good value for money.
Saddle bum said:
I'd rather walk than ride Shimano.
My Tiagra is 7 years old and has seen every winter and tons of abuse. Despite being the runt of the Shimano litter it still works and has been on three different bikes in crits/touring/commuting. I choose SRAM for comfort but your statement is just daft. FWIW the best cranks ever made are DA7800 and SL Ultgera. 
For years Ive ran with Shimano and have found it works as advertised. I have broke my scaffois twice and now and agin suffer when chanding gear. Since moving to SRAM on both road and MTB I find I dont have any pain any more, I find it a lot lighter to shift. The only thing I will say in on my road bike with a Rival set up you have to be very posiyive to change up the block or you find your self back down the block.
Local bike shop gave the following analogy;
SRAM; The Merc or BMW of the bike world, well made, very robust, functions exceptionally well but you are aware of the engineering.
Shimano; The Lexus of the bike work, works very well and with elegance but separates the driver from the workings of the car.
Campag; Maserati of the bike world, stunning to look at, very nice to use, elegant in operation but takes care, love and attention to keep working well - with the odd bit of fettling between rides!
I currently have 105 on my road bike and am very happy with it, but do find myself adjusting the rear mech once or twice a month and it can be fiddly to get spot on. Currently planning my next bike (probably a Ti build) and am probably going to build it up as SRAM Force.
SRAM; The Merc or BMW of the bike world, well made, very robust, functions exceptionally well but you are aware of the engineering.
Shimano; The Lexus of the bike work, works very well and with elegance but separates the driver from the workings of the car.
Campag; Maserati of the bike world, stunning to look at, very nice to use, elegant in operation but takes care, love and attention to keep working well - with the odd bit of fettling between rides!
I currently have 105 on my road bike and am very happy with it, but do find myself adjusting the rear mech once or twice a month and it can be fiddly to get spot on. Currently planning my next bike (probably a Ti build) and am probably going to build it up as SRAM Force.
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