Thread: Mixing Shimano and SRAM drive train components

Here is the present set-up on my 2002 model year road bike. I am going to have to spend some money on this to get the shifting back to where it should be. I have a 9 speed Road Bike with a triple Shimano Ultregra crank. The middle cog is used the most, and it the noisiest and was dropping to the small ring. I have a Rear Shimano 105 derailleur and the cassette on the back is a Shimano 12-25 that is probably worn and needs replaced with a new chain. The chain I have is a SRAM 9 speed with the quick master link. I want to stay with something that has the master link- so Shimano chain (unless I purchase some other brand master link) is out. I am thinking of going with the following:
New Shimano SG 42 chain ring in the middle up front. A KMC X9.93 chain and a SRAM 12-26 rear cassette.

So any reason that the parts should not be mixed?

Originally Posted by RShea

Here is the present set-up on my 2002 model year road bike. I am going to have to spend some money on this to get the shifting back to where it should be. I have a 9 speed Road Bike with a triple Shimano Ultregra crank. The middle cog is used the most, and it the noisiest and was dropping to the small ring. I have a Rear Shimano 105 derailleur and the cassette on the back is a Shimano 12-25 that is probably worn and needs replaced with a new chain. The chain I have is a SRAM 9 speed with the quick master link. I want to stay with something that has the master link- so Shimano chain (unless I purchase some other brand master link) is out. I am thinking of going with the following:
New Shimano SG 42 chain ring in the middle up front. A KMC X9.93 chain and a SRAM 12-26 rear cassette.

So any reason that the parts should not be mixed?

ideally, to keep things simple, I suggest keeping with the same brand. That being said, i have run numerous different combinations of shimano and sram chains, cassettes, and cranks on my 9 spd mountain bikes in the past. It will work just fine. The new 10 speed stuff is designed to work together more, but chains are pretty universal, unless you get into campy.
You can run a wipperman master link on a shimano chain. Their master links are way better than any I have used.

Between Shimano and SRAM chains, chainrings, and cassettes are interchangeable. You can use a Shimano chain with a SRAM powerlink (or any other similar quick link). But that requires buying the link and the chain separately.

Just 3rding what's already been said.
I believe the only thing you can't mix is shifters and rear derailuers.