Looking for feedback from SRAM users

[nscrbug]

I am seriously contemplating a bike change in the near future. I have always rode Shimano components (105 and higher) and have generally been happy. However, my current bike, which is equipped with full Ultegra 6700 (except the crank which is an FSA SLK-Light carbon) has been rather disappointing. Without going into all the details of the issues I've had, I am now considering a switch to SRAM...likely the Force gruppo. For those of you that are currently riding SRAM, what do you like about it? What do you dislike about it? I have yet to actually test ride a bike with SRAM, but that is on my immediate agenda. What I am interested in most, is in regards to shifting. With my current bike, I am constantly dealing with extremely hard/stiff shifting. Before anyone asks, yes I have had the bike looked at numerous times, and even had my shifters replaced under warranty. My main issues occur whenever a shift involves the brake lever - so downshifting the rear cog, or upshifting to the big ring. It is my understanding that SRAM does not utilize this technique, and uses a "double-tap" system. Can somebody explain how this works, exactly? Is there no brake lever involvement with SRAM shifting? Thanks!

Linda

[hulagirl]

Linda -

On your Shimano set you have 2 levers to shift. The brake lever (further from your body) and the smaller lever (closer to your body).

The same is there on SRAM. However, you do not use the brake lever to shift at all.

I have Shimano on my road bike and SRAM on my Bike Friday. Hands down, 100% X 1000000 it's harder to shift my SRAM. I feel I need to HEAVE the chain around manually, instead of the bike doing the work.

Basically, instead of using one lever to go up and another to go down, SRAM has you push the 1 lever to shift one way and the same lever pushed much further to shift the other way. Having spoken to a friend that works at the LBS, she tells me that men generally don't mind SRAM as they have larger hands. But women tend to feel that they have to really shove the levers because of the distance it must travel.

This is compared to Shimano of course.

I'll take some pictures for you of the differences. I won't say I hate SRAM, but I sure won't get them again.

Denise

[Grits]

To give a different viewpoint, I went from Shimano, although lower end, to SRAM Rival, and I love it. For me it doesn't require as much force or as long a reach to do the double tap as it did to shift to the big ring in the front with the Shimano. I didn't expect to like the SRAM, but was testing bikes and the LBS guy encouraged me to try a bike that had it. I did, and immediately just liked the way it worked. The gear shifting with SRAM came very naturally to me. I've ridden almost 1500 miles on it and have no regrets. You really are just going to have to ride one to try it out.

[nscrbug]

Thanks for the reply, Denise! So wow, I was really hoping to hear that SRAM would be EASIER to shift. Now I'm hesitant. It's the whole "shoving the lever" thing that is my specific problem. The throw on my Ultegra shifters is just way too damn long, and my weak (and usually painful) hands simply can't tolerate it for very long. I have had this bike back at my LBS more times than I care to count for this very issue. Eventually, I ended up taking it to another bike mechanic and he found that the shift cable for my RD was too short, so he lengthened it and that did help somewhat for awhile. But now it's starting to feel hard and stiff again. And my front ring is an entirely different story...it's been hard to shift from day 1 and even with a brand new replacement shifter, there is zero improvement. It is SO difficult to shift my chain from the small ring to the big one, that I often debate on whether to go down into my small ring on hills because I know it'll be a b!tch moving it back to the big ring. It has never shifted on just one sweep of the lever...it takes me in the ballpark of 3-4 sweeps of the lever before the chain will jump into the big ring. It's extremely frustrating because I always have to take my eyes off the road and LOOK DOWN to confirm if the chain has moved onto the big ring!

Linda

[Marquise]

I went from 105 on my first bike (now parked on the trainer) to Force on my second bike. I had no problems with Shimano but now prefer Sram. I'd characterize Shimano as having a mushier feel, while Sram shifts into gear more with a cleaner and more emphatic feel. In my experience the double-tap system is easy to get used to, even switching between bikes (and thus brands) with some regularity. I like having shifting independent of the brake levers. The shape of the hoods is different between the brands and that for me was more of an adjustment than the shifting. If you make the switch, you may find you like gloves with different padding than you've used with Shimano. Enjoy your test ride!

Just read your reply and have to add I just don't find Sram difficult to shift. I would say my 105 is more difficult shifting to the big chain ring.

[indysteel]

I just asked my husband--he went from Shimano 105 to SRAM force. He said the F/D on the Force takes some effort. He thinks it was easier to do a front shift with the 105.

Have you considered Campy? I gotta say that the shifting on the various Campy groups I've had is pretty easy.

[hulagirl]

You really are just going to have to ride one to try it out.

Couldn't agree more!

I have Ultegra on my Orbea and she shifts like butter. Just a light flick and all is good. I even have a mantra for my rear gearing - "a LITTLE harder" and "a LOT easier" (to remember to use the little lever to make it hard, and the big lever to make it easier)

I find that defined point between the "up" and the "down" shift to be very hard to get past with SRAM. (As does my husband, he's had his SRAM shifters for 2 months now and still can't shift the front chainring well at all) Well, harder for me than on my Ultegra.

I know you know this, but there really isn't any reason Ultegra should be that hard to shift AT ALL. Have you contacted Shimano and told them your story? I would. Because as the manufacturer they may want to know that some LBS can't service their products, or set up their products properly in the first place? And I would tell them you are thinking about going to SRAM due to the issues.

See what they say. You have nothing to lose.

Denise

[smilingcat]

something isn't right!!

Ultegra shifting should not be that hard even with STI. It is forgiving in adjustment while SRAM is tad more finicky.

My thoughts are: correct cables being used? is the cable housing new or slightly old with potential rust inside? Is the correct cable housing being used for the shifter. Brake cable housing is different than the shifter cable housing so be aware of the difference.
did you pour oil into the cable housing? (gummy up the cable travel inside)

And is the shifter adjusted properly?
Is the front derailuer mounted at the correct place on the seat tube. etc. ?

[zoom-zoom]

I went from 105 to Rival...I will never go back to Shimano. It never felt 2nd nature to me, even after riding 3500 miles. SRAM isn't as quiet, but I have dealt with a LOT less hesitation and only one dropped chain in over 2300 miles. My 105 was notorious for just randomly dropping--not even while shifting (I'm sure this is in part to having been a triple--my SRAM set-up is a compact double). No one could ever find anything "wrong" with it, it was just flaky.

SRAM is just is more intuitive for me, too. On my 105 I was forever shifting in the wrong direction.

[hulagirl]

(Bikes are hanging in the shop, pardon the upside-down-ness)


Pushing just past this point will get my R/D to shift down 1 I think. I have to push much further/harder past that to shift up (compared to Ultegra). Notice how I have to hook my thumb around to get enough pressure to push this over.

same position below - but on Ultegra


Very easy to get to this position, very little force needed at all. Even with the bike hanging free from the ceiling, I didn't need to use much pressure.

[tangentgirl]

I went from Shimano Tiagras to SRAM Apex, and i love my new setup. This could just be the result of jumping so far ahead, and also the fact that was using 10-year-old technology, but it rocks.

I have better control and much smoother shifting on the SRAM. It did not take me long to get used to the shifting technique.

[bluebug32]

I love, love, love my SRAM shifters! I went from Dura Ace to Rival and it's made a big difference in my ease of shifting. The reach was way too long with Shimano, even with their shims in. SRAM fits perfectly from every position. I don't really think the shifting is harder. The levers are in a better position and I've never had trouble shifting. Plus, I had one SRAM lever break and they replaced it, no questions asked. It wasn't even the current model. When my Ultegra shifter broke last year, that was it. I had to buy a new shifter.

[ny biker]

I also went from 105 to Rival, and I'm happy with the change. I don't often shift chain rings, because I tend to have knee problems with the big chain ring. I did have shifting problems when I was playing around with the big chain ring a couple of months ago, but that was because it needed an adjustment. Since then it's okay.

My current handlebars are smaller than the old ones (WSD vs not), and I think that makes it a bit easier for me to shift and brake now vs. before.

But yeah, you should do a test ride to see for yourself.

[zoom-zoom]

I love, love, love my SRAM shifters! I went from Dura Ace to Rival and it's made a big difference in my ease of shifting. The reach was way too long with Shimano, even with their shims in. SRAM fits perfectly from every position. I don't really think the shifting is harder. The levers are in a better position and I've never had trouble shifting.

I had short-reach Shimano shifters and the reach was STILL too long. SRAMs adjusted right are perfect.

[salsabike]

I went from Campy to SRAM, am perfectly happy with the SRAM.