Components: Shimano Ultegra vs. SRAM Rival

I've decided to take the plunge and get a new bike :D (eeek, so excited!).

Now I'm faced with the dilemma....Shimano Ultegra or SRAM Rival?

I have 105 right now and I am planning to get a compact double with a 12-27 in back. Therefore, I have more experience with Shimano groupsets than SRAM. A woman with which I ride has SRAM and I attempted to help her with her shifting at one point and was not particularly impressed with it... I can't afford Campy at the moment so that will just have to wait.

I've heard the SRAM might not shift as smoothly but I wanted to ask the experienced female riders here ;)

Any recommendations (especially from those who have used both) would be greatly appreciated :D

Oh yes, and I will post pictures, etc when I get the bike (if I don't change my mind before I confirm it tomorrow... ;) :p)

My Bianchi is Ultegra, and my new Fuji is Rival. I have to say, I really like the Rival. It has taken a little getting used to, and the front derailleur is a little finicky to set up, but I love the way it shifts. The shift levers actually pivot back towards the rider, so quick shifts are easy.

The left shifter seems to require a little more throw to the big ring than my Ultegra shifter does, but it's not enough to make me hate it.

I took a nice long test ride on a Rival-equipped bike, and really put it through its paces before I committed to the purchase. Can you do the same?

I love the Rival, but I'm not giving up on Ultegra either. They're different, but each is good in its own way.

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Originally Posted by Ana

I can't afford Campy at the moment so that will just have to wait.

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If you can afford Ultegra - then you can also afford the entry level Campagnolo, either 10speed veloce or 10speed centaur - several stores have those groups on sale. In my personal opinion, both veloce and centaur are better than both Shimano ultegra or SRAM rival. Really, even the old Mirage is better than both ultegra and rival.
Best of luck :)

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Originally Posted by Becky

I took a nice long test ride on a Rival-equipped bike, and really put it through its paces before I committed to the purchase. Can you do the same?.

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Yes, I am going to see if I can make a significant deposit (or just make the purchase) and decide after I've had more experience to make a more informed decision.

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Originally Posted by TxDoc

If you can afford Ultegra - then you can also afford the entry level Campagnolo, either 10speed veloce or 10speed centaur

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SRAM Rival is the option that Lynskey gave me which they could offer me through their local shop. From what it sounded like, the new Ultegra is coming out so he was unsure about the pricing. I just looked up Veloce and the cost is comparable to Shimano Ultegra or SRAM :) I will ask them about the Veloce or Centaur :) I think I will have to change the wheelset then...hm.

They are also making some accommodations for me, including a 11-28 cassette with a double crankset and shifter brifters for a shorter reach (but would I need this if I switched to campy?).

Okay, must research Campy options now...

Too many groupsets, too little time ;)

Thanks for your opinions!

Keep in mind that Campu does not offer an 11-28 cassette. I like Campy a lot. I have 2006 Veloce on my Bianchi and 2009 Centaur on my Moots. I prefer the older Veloce. The new hood design just doesn't work as well for me and the shifting just isn't as "like buttah" as it was with the Veloce.

My BF has SRAM Force. He's happy with it. In retrospect, I wish I'd given more thought to Rival. I know my bike shop prefers SRAM. It would have required a new wheelset for me so I stayed with Campy.

I just got my new bike, a Trek Madone and had to choose between the SCRAM the Shimano. I really did not like the "clicky" noises that the SCRAM makes. I asked my LBS why it does that and he said to be "different" as Shimano is known for being very SMOOTH AND QUIET!!! Anyway, I went with the Shimano because I wanted as SILENT as I could get. Also, I rode with some women that had SCRAM and I HATED the noises that the gear shifters made!!!! Sounded like it needed some finessing but that was "normal" for the SCRAM!!!

Some of it comes down to personal taste. But for what its worth.

1. Have logged well over 20k miles on Shimano 600 (precursor to Ultegra) then onto ultegra.
2. have logged about 2k miles on Campy Centaur
3. have logged about 3k miles on SRAM Force
4. tried Campy Chorus
5. tried Dura Ace

Maybe my Centaur wasn't set up right, but I just didn't like it. I'm used to quick precise shift without any loss or dead time. Centaur was bit sloppy. Chorus was quick positive feel and definitly race worthy. Centaur is not.

Sram Force front deraillure on my bike is bit sloppy. Don't like it. However, I love the rear deraillure. Shifts precise quick and love the double tap thing. Also able to shift while I'm braking or in the drops. Something you can't do or hard to do on Ultegra. SRAM Force rear is definitly race worthy. Front not so much.

Ultegra is very reliable but when it breaks, usually things starts to go bad after about 7-10K miles, you replace the whole thing in the STI brifters. no user serviceable parts as they say. Ultegra shifting is smooth to a point where sometimes its hard to tell if you shifted at all. Still I would say Ultegra is race ready.

Dura Ace is bit lighter and performs about the same as Ultegra. You pay lot more for less (weight).

I think most people would look at SRAM Force to be on the same level as Ultegra. Maybe on the same level as the Campy Chorus. Centaur definitly falls below Ultegra and Force.

I have yet to try Campy Record (what evar happened to Record-C), SRAM RED.

If your level is above just a weekend 5mile kind of ride, go with 105, Ultegra, Dura Ace, Force, Red, Chrous, or Record.

If your hand reach is short go for ultegra with shims installed on the brifters.

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Originally Posted by indysteel

Keep in mind that Campu does not offer an 11-28 cassette. I like Campy a lot. I have 2006 Veloce on my Bianchi and 2009 Centaur on my Moots. I prefer the older Veloce. The new hood design just doesn't work as well for me and the shifting just isn't as "like buttah" as it was with the Veloce.

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Yes, after doing a little bit of research I discovered that my cassette options would be narrowed if I choose Campy. I would totally do it if they had an 11-28 (or something remotely close because I can't give up my smallest gears). Campy must figure you're a stronger rider than I am ;) :p

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Originally Posted by joannofsonoma

I just got my new bike, a Trek Madone and had to choose between the SRAM the Shimano. I really did not like the "clicky" noises that the SRAM makes. I asked my LBS why it does that and he said to be "different" as Shimano is known for being very SMOOTH AND QUIET!!! Anyway, I went with the Shimano because I wanted as SILENT as I could get. Also, I rode with some women that had SCRAM and I HATED the noises that the gear shifters made!!!! Sounded like it needed some finessing but that was "normal" for the SRAM!!!

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I guess I am not sure how I would feel about the clicking. I probably would have liked it when I was first starting out so I wouldn't have had to look down all the time ;) It seems as though it might be a slight disadvantage in a race if all the other riders can hear you shifting gears.

I can feel the shifting in my 105 right now fine. I wonder why it has to make a sound if the shifting is obvious to the touch...

I think I will defer this decision until next week...maybe I can hop on some bikes in the meantime...

I guess if I do end up with SRAM Rival and hate it, I can always swap components with the 105 on my current bike (which would mean additional cost in labor and more time...)

I'm not as knowledgeable as you guys and am really just learning about all of these components. I have SRAM Rival on my Cannondale Synapse and have had a difficult time adjusting to the front derailleur shifting mechanism. Lots of clinking and clanking when downshifting from large to small, and sometimes not engaging the smaller chainwheel at all. I have been very careful about backing off pedal pressure when making changes.

After the 5th time to LBS for adjustments, the head bike mechanic stated that I had been the fourth woman in the past few months to have difficulty with the front derailleur. The other three women switched to Shimano 105. I have small hands and he thinks that could be the difficulty. He offered to switch (upgrade?) to Ultegra when the new components come in. I don't know how I feel about switching until I really give the SRAM a chance. But, then I don't want to feel continually frustrated with shifting difficulties. Decisions, Decisions :confused:

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Originally Posted by smilingcat

Maybe my Centaur wasn't set up right, but I just didn't like it. I'm used to quick precise shift without any loss or dead time. Centaur was bit sloppy. Chorus was quick positive feel and definitly race worthy. Centaur is not.

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I think proper tuning has a lot to do with it. If they are correctly set up, there is no difference in shifting between centaur, chorus, veloce, record, or even the old mirage. The only difference is material and weight. Now, if you say xenon - yes some of those tended to be sloppy but it was mostly in the rear, and they could be adjusted right in the end, it was just more cumbersom for whatever reason. But between centaur and chorus you should not have seen any differences in shifting. I guess whoever tuned your bikeat the time did not take the time to do that properly, sorry...

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Originally Posted by TxDoc

I think proper tuning has a lot to do with it. If they are correctly set up, there is no difference in shifting between centaur, chorus, veloce, record, or even the old mirage. The only difference is material and weight.

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Really?

Now, I have never ridden Campy, but this just sounds implausible to me. For instance, I have a 105 bike and an Ultegra bike, and there is very definitely a difference between the two, even when both are well tuned. The Ultegra is smoother, quicker, more precise, has a lighter tough, and holds a tune better. I have done extended test-rides on Dura Ace and the difference between well-tuned Ultegra and Dura Ace is pretty small -- but there's a noticeable difference between 105 and Ultegra. I would be really surprised if there were no difference at all in the Campy line from entry-level up to Record.

I've ridden Ultegra and Rival, and I definitely like SRAM's shifting better. The quality of both are comparable, so you should just go with whichever one you like better. I love the solid brake on SRAM groups vs. the "sweeping" brake lever that Shimano uses. I ride SRAM red now, and I never see myself switching brands... when I build a CX bike, it's going to have Rival.

Rival is considered SRAM's "best value." That being said, I have heard some folks have lots of "noise" issues with the drivetrain, and that most recommend using a Shimano chain and cassette to alleviate it.

WRT Campy cassettes: you can still get a 13-28 in the 10-speed version if you hunt around a bit. I just got one for a customer of mine, who by the way is running Campy Centaur with a 165mm SRAM Red crank.

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Originally Posted by liza

Really?

Now, I have never ridden Campy, but this just sounds implausible to me. For instance, I have a 105 bike and an Ultegra bike, and there is very definitely a difference between the two, even when both are well tuned. The Ultegra is smoother, quicker, more precise, has a lighter tough, and holds a tune better. I have done extended test-rides on Dura Ace and the difference between well-tuned Ultegra and Dura Ace is pretty small -- but there's a noticeable difference between 105 and Ultegra. I would be really surprised if there were no difference at all in the Campy line from entry-level up to Record.

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I can't speak to the difference between Mirage and Record, but I will say that my Centaur performs no better than the Mirage/Veloce mix I had on my Bianchi. I honestly don't know how true it is, but I've repeatedly heard that Campy is really good about allowing their technology to trickle down to their lower groupsets. Assuming you like Campy's technology, that means that you don't really need to spring for Chorus or Record to get a good group. I think Centaur is a great deal for that reason.

I'd have to say that I'm a Shimano girl all the way...

I test rode I think it was Rival. I didn't like it. I thought it was rough. Loud. And the reach was uncomfortable. Yes... it's lighter. And I think it was less $. Strong selling points. But not enough for me.

Our mtbs have Shimano lower end. It's a bit rough. But, it's mtb. Gets beat to he$$ and back.

My old roadie has Shimano 105. Comfy reach. Performed steady.

My new ride has Ultegra SL. Bit smoother than the 105. I have the R700 short reach shifters. They are great. No worries on reach what-so-ever.

FWIW:).

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Originally Posted by lunacycles

Rival is considered SRAM's "best value." That being said, I have heard some folks have lots of "noise" issues with the drivetrain, and that most recommend using a Shimano chain and cassette to alleviate it.

WRT Campy cassettes: you can still get a 13-28 in the 10-speed version if you hunt around a bit. I just got one for a customer of mine, who by the way is running Campy Centaur with a 165mm SRAM Red crank.

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Oh thank you for reminding me. I use FORCE for my front, rear deraillure and FORCE brifters. Cranks and clusters are also FORCE. Chain however, I use Ultegra. SRAM FORCE chain just doesn't hold up. One of the pins in the chain worked its way out. Had only 2000miles on the road. Pretty sad. but otherwise, I'm pretty happy with my FORCE.

For those with small hands and have tried different levels of campy, shimano, and SRAM brifters, which seemed to fit best?

I found a killer deal from http://www.lickbike.com so I decided on Campy :) I think this might be the last [road] bike I ever buy! :D I know you all are scoffing but it's true! Unless I hate it.....but I'm trying not to think about that... :p

Yay! I had the parts sent and my bike will be built over the next week or so!

I'm so excited! :D

Thank you for all of your input. Sorry I negated all the discussion and went with Campy ;)

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Originally Posted by Ana

I decided on Campy :)

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Great choice!
:D
yes, I'm biased, I like Campy...

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Originally Posted by Ana

I think this might be the last [road] bike I ever buy!

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Hee-hee... keep coming here and you'll keep buying new bikes... ;)