SRAM vs Shimano

My friend put a Force grouppo on his Giant... I've ridden it (albeit only a bit) and when I buy a new grouppo for my CR1 it will def. be SRAM. To me it feels a bit "harsher" shifting, but in a good way, like a shift kit in an automatic car.  As far as actual "performance" goes, I would say you are looking at something close to shimano 105.

At every level, SRAM is lighter, cheaper and imho shift with a more "crisp" feel.  I've owned/ridden the top level of each manufacturer (Shimano, Campy and SRAM).  I'm sold on the SRAM Red and that will be what I put on anything else I build.

You like Red more than Force? I've seen a lot of things talking about the new force actually being "better" than Red.

Interested because I'm looking between the two.

/Hijack

I've never heard that. 

My only complaint with SRAM is their RED 'aero' set comes with a normal chainring.  They make aero chainrings, why isn't it standard on your 'top' grupo?  

That's not really anti-SRAM though, I don't think shimano even makes aero chainrings. 

Dura Ace has a solid front outer available in up to around 56 tooth I think.

I have Red parts on my road bike.  I got it because it is the lightest of the high end components (my road bike is a project bike to get it light as sh-t).  Then after riding it I was sold.  The performance isn't all that much different than the Force/Rival group, but just enough to be better to me.

Going back and riding Shimano parts after spending a lot of time on the SRAM just feels sloppy (I'm talking mainly about STI levers versus the Double Tap).

I just played with the Double Tap on a bike on a stand at the LBS and I have to agree.  It did feel "crisper" than my STIs.

My new road bike came with sram red.  I like it I can be on either shimano or sram but my understanding is that sram has fewer moving parts ergo less to go wrong

I ride SRAM on everything I own. There is virtually no performance difference between Red and Force. Red just weighs less. Some complain about the Red cassette being loud, but that just means all those slower riders you pass can hear you coming. It's my version of "on your left"

If money is an issue and you're not counting grams, Force is a great gruppo.

I rode Shimano for years and still have it on my cyclocross bike (Ultegra) and on my tri bike.  When I built up my road bike I put Sram Force on it the first year it came out.  I am still riding it and love it...though I would like to try the newer updated front shifting.  Also, IMHO I would rate Sram Rival better than Ultegra.  It weighs less, costs less, and shifts crisper.  My mountain bike is also Sram X.0 and X.9 cassette, shifters and dearilleurs with Shimano cranks, hubs, and disc brakes.  In all truth you cannot go wrong with Shimano, Sram, or Campagnolo and it all depends on what you like for shifting mechanics.

SRAM.. this is of course on my MTB, but every time I've rented/rode a bike with Shimano derailleur/shifters I can't stand it.

Although my front derailleur is shimano, at least the shifter is sram

Now the question is... do I want the force group for my tri bike or my roadie... I am thinking the roadie, but... I love the R2c shifters...

I've heard 2010 zipp shifters will be R2c and shimano compatible though

I am slowly switching my bike over to Sram Rival for this very reason. 

Daremo, you like SRAM over Campy?  Is that just for the TT components or road as well?

What did SRAM do better than Campy? Is it more durable?

The great thing about SRAM is there really is no performance difference between the three lines. Spending more money simply saves weight. Apart from 0 loss on the left and right shifters with red (only on the right with rival and I think '10 Force has both) you literally are only saving weight. That's why I love rival so much. Great price, great performance and lighter than ultegra 6700.

Not exactly correct, but for all intents and purposes, yes they're all great.

Review and details on the levers:
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/road-bikes/review-shift--brake-le...

The differences between Red, Force and Rival come in the other bits (rear derailleur, bottom bracket)not only in weight, but ceramic bearings as well. You decide whether it's worth that significant price increase. For me, my roadie is all Red except brakes, rear derailleur and bottom bracket which have conventional bearings. The levers, crank and frdont derailleur were very close in price.

Oh, and it's much easier to adjust and keep adjusted than Dura Ace. The front shifting is absolutely far better.

I like everything about SRAM better, I like the double tap, the look of the groups are more appealing to me and it just feels good. But...... I got a killer deal on ultegra/Dura ace so thats what I ride. If money was no option I would be full SRAM red, until I get to that point, money talks. Dont get me wrong shimano stuff works great I just like the SRAM look and feel even more.

x2. I rode DuraAce for a few years but love my Red.

Double Tap vs. STI vs Ergo ......... not comparing the TT stuff (even though the SRAM TT shifters are the bomb .... I just don't have them on a bike yet).  Both Campy and SRAM are very crisp.  But the cost and weight of Red trumps the cool factor of Record and Super Record by far.