Thread: School me on SRAM vs Shimano? -10 speed stuff

So I'm in the market for a new AM/XC bike build. keep going back and forth between buying a complete and building something up myself. Haven't really kept up with the whole SRAM vs Shimano nonsense and looking for some insight on who is making the nicer quality 10speed stuff. Not looking to be a weight wheenie so probably looking at the XT price range. Could be convinced to splurge for X.O if it's really worth it(cheaper then XTR).

I've got SRAM x.0 on my dh bike and I like it, definitely a defined hard shift which is nice when you're booking it down the trail.

So tell me what I should get and why.

Sram X9. shifts fine, weighs about the same as X0, and the derailleur runs much quieter than any shimano. If you want to splurge, go with the XO shifters - they feel nicer than the X9 ones. 10 speed XO shifters and derailleurs were on chainlove a few days ago for (relatively) cheap.

On the build vs. buy; buying is going to be far cheaper because OEMs can source the hard parts far cheaper than you can buy them indiviually.

For me, I've been a fan of SRAM. Great customer support and the quality is top notch. All the guys at my local shop run SRAM, so that told me all I needed to know. Also, of all the bikes I've ever ridden - new or otherwise - SRAM just seemed to operate smoother, run quieter and generally have a nicer feel.

With all that said, for your AM rig, pop for XO stuff. Otherwise, X9 will have a much nicer price point.

I should have mentioned that I can get parts for cost via BTI since I work for REI. Surprisingly, XT is cheaper then x9(group set) but X.O is cheaper then XTR. The problem is the bikes I want, I don't think I can get via proform. The jekyll is a decent bike but don't love this year's color schemes(except on the carbon bikes).

Also I have a 135mm wheelset I could use so building up a bike wouldn't be quite as expensive.

I usually run SRAM X.9 or X.0 on my XC/AM bikes, however this last build on my Nomad came with XT components. I went 1 x 10, and have been very happy with the shift quality from the rear derailleur, no reason to switch to SRAM. If I was going to buy a new drive train I would go with SRAM, but surprised by the quality of XT.

The main difference I have noticed is the feel of engagement shifting due to the 1:1 SRAM shifter ratio v. the 2:1 of the Shimano. For me this has translated to a snappy quick shift from the SRAM v. the slightly slower smoother feel of the Shimano. I personally like the feeling of the SRAM. BAM next gear!

In my opinion most of it is personal preference and probably what you are used to. That being said I prefer SRAM. My Reign had X7 shifters and X9 Deraileurs and it always ran smooth and required next to no adjusting over the 2 years I rode the bike. My newer bike came with XT and I have to say I prefer the lower level SRAM over XT. I dont like the feel of the shifters and it just does not feel as smooth and quiet as my SRAM group did. My wife had a bike with a complete X0 build 2x10 and it was really nice if you get it proform I would say go with the X0.

I've been using X9 on every bike I own since about 2005. I haven't used anything from Shimano recently but I can say my new 10 speed X9 set up works very well. I've used X0 and can't really tell the difference.

X9 is by far the best for the cash.

SRAM has some pretty neat shit coming down the pipe.

Personally, I use SRAM shifters and rear deraileurs with Shimano cassettes, chains, and front deraileurs. Never had any problems and everything has held up fantastic.

Also, SRAM's customer service is top notch.

I use both sram and shimano regularly, right now have x9 10 spd on the dh bike, and xt 10 spd on the am rig. I really like the light action of the XT and the two-way shifters are awesome. I also find the shifters are a bit more low profile and that makes my knees a lof happier...I really think the shadow low profile rear derailleurs are sweet too. but that being said, the x9 is also fairly durable and reliable. hard to go wrong either way.

For 9sp stuff I preferred SRAM, but with the switch to 10sp my preference has moved to Shimano. XT Dynasys sets up great and stays in adjustment very well. 10sp SRAM stuff feels a little clunky to me.
Ultimately they are both good, but I will be going with Shimano on my next build.

I personally dont like the two way shifter. Maybe I dont have it adjusted right or something but to me it feels like a compromise both directions. It feels like it is harder to make the shift in both directions then it is to make it with just my thumb on the SRAM setup. Either one will work good and you will adjust to whatever group you pick.

Gman...I'm running a mix as well. I run an XTR crank, front derail & rear cassette. I mated that up to XO shifters and XO rear derail.This is all on a 5spot, I love the set and my vote 100% goes to the XO.

My previous Turner Burner was a full XTR build, great bike and setup but the XO stuff has the hard "pop" on shifting I love.

If you go Sram and X9 is in your price point then do it, you won't regret the move.

x.9 derailleur, x.0 on the shifter, XT 11-36 cassette. Works wonderfully, is quiet, and the bits that you'll have to replace once they wear are not stupid expensive.

I've only recently tried the higher end shifter. Holy fuck is it smoooooooth. Way, way better to spend the money there vs. a higher (say x.9 vs. x.0 or XX) rear derailleur. Considering I blow up about one rear mech a year, and have yet to bust a shifter, the ROI and improvement in shift quality is worth the dough.

Originally Posted by knumbskull

The main difference I have noticed is the feel of engagement shifting due to the 1:1 SRAM shifter ratio v. the 2:1 of the Shimano. For me this has translated to a snappy quick shift from the SRAM v. the slightly slower smoother feel of the Shimano. I personally like the feeling of the SRAM. BAM next gear!

This is a common misconception. Thanks to excellent SRAM marketing years ago, the '1:1' ratio thing became somewhat well-known. Fast forward to a couple of years ago, and Shimano's 10 spd system comes out with essentially a 1:1 ratio. For some reason, even bike shops seem unaware of this inherent difference between old 9 spd shimano and new 10 spd shimano.

I'm running SRAM and Shimano on my various bikes, and overall, I give the edge to Shimano but I could live with either. For me the main advantage is the low profile (shadow) shimano derailleurs; lots of big rocks along the trails I ride, and the sram's stick out so damn far.

but i could live with either.

I should say that my experience has been with 9 speed stuff and ASSumed it was similar for 10 speed. My bad dog.

Originally Posted by frorider

This is a common misconception. Thanks to excellent SRAM marketing years ago, the '1:1' ratio thing became somewhat well-known. Fast forward to a couple of years ago, and Shimano's 10 spd system comes out with essentially a 1:1 ratio. For some reason, even bike shops seem unaware of this inherent difference between old 9 spd shimano and new 10 spd shimano.

I'm running SRAM and Shimano on my various bikes, and overall, I give the edge to Shimano but I could live with either. For me the main advantage is the low profile (shadow) shimano derailleurs; lots of big rocks along the trails I ride, and the sram's stick out so damn far.

but i could live with either.

The new shimano 10 speed has a variable ratio of 1.8:1 to 1.9:1. Maybe I'm missing something, but it doesn't seem like that's essentially 1:1; it seems like its essentially 2:1.

Originally Posted by Dickeymotto

SRAM has some pretty neat shit coming down the pipe.

Personally, I use SRAM shifters and rear deraileurs with Shimano cassettes, chains, and front deraileurs. Never had any problems and everything has held up fantastic.

Also, SRAM's customer service is top notch.

when does that stuff come out approx?

EDIT: pinkbike says august....

I,ve been running SRAM X.0 on my DH bikes for years, and found it to be much more durable than the Shimano stuff. Granted its been years since I used Shimano, but I found the springs got banged out pretty fast. For a XC bike, the durability issue might not be such a big deal.

Originally Posted by Clownshoe

I,ve been running SRAM X.0 on my DH bikes for years, and found it to be much more durable than the Shimano stuff. Granted its been years since I used Shimano, but I found the springs got banged out pretty fast. For a XC bike, the durability issue might not be such a big deal.

the saint shadow stuff is super bomber and I ran it for a few seasons until I smashed it on a rock...pricey, but worth it

SRAM also has some rad brakes coming out soon.

Originally Posted by flowtron's ghost

For 9sp stuff I preferred SRAM, but with the switch to 10sp my preference has moved to Shimano. XT Dynasys sets up great and stays in adjustment very well. 10sp SRAM stuff feels a little clunky to me.
Ultimately they are both good, but I will be going with Shimano on my next build.

Those were my thoughts as well. I'm hoping to make the jump to 1x10 Shimano this year, funds pending. I've been running SRAM for a long time, but I'm definitely attracted to the XT and shadow gear.

Originally Posted by Dickeymotto

SRAM also has some rad brakes coming out soon.

Nice. Those brakes do look rad. Shimano's ICE stuff is pretty sweet too. I know one guy running the XTR and one running SLX versions. Both pretty happy with them. AFter running Elixir CRs for the last 2 years, I think I'm partial to the Avid lever design

I used a full Sram X9 2x10 last year. It worked flawlessly, I was very happy with the durability and performance. The x9 cranks / bb are another story. Constant creaking, grit getting in the threads and in the bearings. I've switch to xt cranks, x9 everything else, works well so far.