May I reopen a "SRAM or Shimano" discussion?

[IBrakeforPastry]

I did a search here and found some great info on the components. I got to try both kinds yesterday on the Specialized Dolce. I think I'm leaning towards the SRAM. As people here have mentioned, it's good for small hands. But...some people have mentioned it's not as smooth as Shimano. Is this still true? Is there a big difference? The threads that my search pulled up were a few months to a few years old and it seems things change pretty quickly, so I'd love some newer viewpoints.

[Irulan]

Sometimes it as to do with feel, also. DH and i have the same bikes, one with each kind of setup. I find the rake hoods are much more comfy for me with the SRAM , he prefers the other.

[nuliajuk]

The most comfortable brake hoods I ever encountered were from one of the Campagnolo groups (maybe Athena?) on a rented road bike. They seemed to work well for my small hands, but I don't know if you have to have the matching derailleur and cassette with them or not.

[ny biker]

Which model of SRAM vs which model of Shimano? I know there are big differences within the Shimano line, and I assume there are similar differences within SRAM.

[IBrakeforPastry]

The Dolce Comp has SRAM Apex and the other bikes had Tiagra and/or 105. The LBS guy said that even though the Apex was a lower end SRAM, it was about even with the midline Shimano. At least that is what I inferred.

I've ridden 4 or 5 bikes this week. Except for the Comp, they all had Shimano. The Comp also comes with the 105, but by then I would just get the Elite.

[luvmyguys]

The Dolce Comp has SRAM Apex and the other bikes had Tiagra and/or 105. The LBS guy said that even though the Apex was a lower end SRAM, it was about even with the midline Shimano. At least that is what I inferred.

I've ridden 4 or 5 bikes this week. Except for the Comp, they all had Shimano. The Comp also comes with the 105, but by then I would just get the Elite.

When I was getting pedals put on my bike, the guy at the LBS (not where I bought my bike, so it wasn't a case of tooting their own horn) told me that the Apex was a good set. He said that the SRAM components he had on his bike were worth more than my whole bike was worth (?????), but that the Apex would do about 85% of what his components would.

Thus far, I've been really happy with my components.

[pinsonp2]

My latest bike, the Giant TCX W, came with a SRAM double. My other roadies all have Shimano, and mostly triples. I do not see a big difference in the Rival vs the 105 except that the brakes are more comfortable for my smallish hands. I still ride one then the other with no problems. My take on it, it is down to personal preference. If you love the bike and are ok with the SRAM, go for it. I wouldn't let that deter you from the one that was speaking to you.

P2

[Hi Ho Silver]

Both Shimano and SRAM make great products, but I still like the SRAM best. The hoods are much more comfy (not as wide as Shimano), the distance of the levers from the bars is adjustable, and the distance you have to flick the levers to shift is less than with Shimano. I find the SRAM shifting from one cog/ring to the next on both front & rear to be nearly instantaneous (versus the slight delay with Shimano). At the same price point, SRAM tends to weigh less.

You can't go wrong with either. Pick the components that fit your hands best - either way, shifting will be good.

[Howieduck]

I have just got my first SRAM bike after many years of Shimano. I love the simplicity of it. And it just feels right in my hands. None of the moving the brake lever to change gear business. I'm not sure I'd go back to Shimano now.

[Owlie]

SRAM makes nice stuff. It costs a little more than Shimano (and IMO is nicer). Shimano shifting (to me) is intuitive. SRAM isn't. So I stick with Shimano. (I do have relatively small hands too.)

My one complaint with Shimano is how long the throw of the lever is to shift into the big chain ring. However, my bike has Sora shifters and a triple. The Ultegra+compact double I tried didn't have this problem.

[IBrakeforPastry]

I think I'm leaning towards the SRAM. If I didn't have choices, I'm sure I'd be fine with whatever - as long as it works. The Shimano was fine. Then I tried a bike with SRAM and it, too, was fine. Now I have a decision to make. The SRAM seems to work like the rapid fire shifters on my other bike. Repeated clicking to move more than one gear, so maybe that's why the transition doesn't seem difficult. Thanks everyone!