SRAM drivetrains

[Blueberry]

I was surprised to hear one of my local shop guys say he toasted a SRAM red chain in something like 500 miles. They're pricey to only last that long. However, that's *all* I know about it

[Aggie_Ama]

I was surprised to hear one of my local shop guys say he toasted a SRAM red chain in something like 500 miles. They're pricey to only last that long. However, that's *all* I know about it

My guess is SRAM Red is light like Shimano Dura Ace. The LBS said they see Dura Ace and SRAM Red snap like uncooked pasta because they make it lighter but that takes out strength. Phil Liggett is always talking about how flimsy these new light chains are.

Myself? I run a 105 or Ultegra (now) chain and don't stretch it until about 4-5k. Ran the factory chain on my Fuji for over 5k, changed the factory one on my Cannondale at about 5k. I am not a masher or too heavy so my chains like me a bit plus I keep my bike pretty clean and we have nice weather here. DH can go about 4-5k on Dura Ace because he is methodical about cleaning and lubing the chain. We go through way more lube than other people on this board say they do but less chains and cassettes, at least for our road bikes. He has over 10k on his bike and it now on chain number 3 but factory cassette.

[aicabsolut]

The good thing about SRAM is that each component level is supposed to have the same mechanical feel and performance. So basically when you upgrade, you're mostly upgrading in weight. I guess the cranksets might get stiffer. But Rival should feel a lot like Red. Ultegra and 105 don't feel anything like Dura Ace, except maybe in front derailleurs. The shifter throw varies. Rear shifting and braking are also noticeably different. That said, Ultegra SL is supposed to be more like how SRAM does things: It's supposed to be functionally equivalent to Dura-Ace (at least DA 7800...I don't know much about 7900 other than it's way out of my price range!), but a bit heavier. As far as overall quality goes (maybe stiffness where it counts, bling-factor, and definitely weight), I've seen Ultegra SL and Force generally put on the same plane, though Rival is definitely above 105.

I think that between Rival and Ultegra SL, I'd lean towards Ultegra SL. I think that you could do some mixing and matching now for really cheap. Get some Ultegra SL parts but throw in some DA7800 while it's all on sale.

As for the mountain cassettes, I hadn't heard that. I know you can get a pretty good spread in the cassettes (up to 28t) with the road drivetrains, but I don't know about going higher than that without a longer cage rear derailleur.

[OakLeaf]

SRAM's website says the Rival RD only goes up to 27T, same as 105/Ultegra; Red and Force accept 28T.

Also, do you need a slightly longer cage when you have a triple up front? Since SRAM doesn't do a triple crank, might that be an issue?

[Aggie_Ama]

Eh there you go Sundial. I live in the rollers and can't climb when we get to the big guys. I want a one size fits all solution.

I will upgrade the entire drivetrain if I ever upgrade. New shifters, deraileurs, chain rings, cranks. So what is on my Cannondale now is a moot point as far as upgrading.

Really I like the 105, it shifts clean for me and since I have never rode anything better I am happy with it. But I was hoping to be able to quickly change my cassette for traveling. Darn, I really want life easy and my brain doesn't comprehend that I can't have everything my way! Now I just need to a bike for the hills instead. Probably be easier to invest in a Bike Friday for my travels than wanting my Cannondale to be a do anything bike.

[aicabsolut]

In the meantime, you can use a SRAM 11-28 or 12-28 cassette with your Shimano drivetrain. It might be best to use a SRAM chain on it, but Shimano or KMC would be compatible. To use a Shimano 11-27 or 28T cassette, you need to go DA7900 with the cassette and RD and spend a million dollars.

Yes, if you have a triple, the RD is a longer cage, but I think it still has the same range limitations as the SS RD in the same component series.

To put even more confusion out there, you could make the leap to the new Super Record 11 speed. Or just go Campy all the way. I believe some RDs may accept up to a 29t cog? But honestly, between 27 and 29 you aren't changing by many gear inches when in the little ring, so the difference may not really be that noticeable (if you really want a MTB cassette, then 27-29 cogs could all feel the same: too hard).

[Aggie_Ama]

In the meantime, you can use a SRAM 11-28 or 12-28 cassette with your Shimano drivetrain. It might be best to use a SRAM chain on it, but Shimano or KMC would be compatible. To use a Shimano 11-27 or 28T cassette, you need to go DA7900 with the cassette and RD and spend a million dollars.

I changed from a stock 12-25 to a 12-27 and saw a slightly noticeable change but it was what I expected, I felt like I could spin just a tiny bit further not all the way up. LBS doesn't like running SRAM 28's on the Shimano, they thing it really compromises the shifting that I am happy with. They felt if I am really happy with 105 (I am because I have never rode anything better) I might start to dislike it with the 28. They would do it but really 27 or 28?

Where I live it is overkill to have a triple with mountain gearing but I hit the hills enough (once a month in the spring/summer/fall) to wish I could easily swap the cassettes but until I learn to do some real bike maintenance I can't do it myself since I will need to swap RDs too.

So I will either have to bite the bullet and put a mountain drivetrain on my bike. Or maybe I just need to build up a climbing bike, a drivetrain switch would be about half the cost of my bike and there really isn't a one size fits all solution for rollers vs mountains (okay other than morphing into a mountain goat). Of course the reason I started thinking about the SRAM is I wouldn't mind upgrading my 105 to find a smoother shifting even though I keep my 105 tuned and it shifts great, I really don't know what I am missing and just assume Ultegra or something else would be better. Of course maybe I should just leave well enough alone, I like 105 why figure out I like the expensive stuff better? I am a cheap repair case right now and happy, that should be reason enough not to change!

[Andrea]

My guess is SRAM Red is light like Shimano Dura Ace. The LBS said they see Dura Ace and SRAM Red snap like uncooked pasta because they make it lighter but that takes out strength. Phil Liggett is always talking about how flimsy these new light chains are.

I'm with Phil. I'm on my 3rd 1090R chain since I got the group earlier in the year. None of them broke, but they all stretched pretty fast. If I weren't switching to a new bike/group in December, I'd be replacing my current chain soon. I was lucky enough to get a really good discount when I got my group, so I've had spares, but once I start paying normal retail, I'll be getting something else. Granted, I ride a LOT, but I'd like them to last a bit longer!

Other than the chain, I've got nothing bad to say about my Red group. I have ridden around a little on a bike with the new Rival stuff, and it does feel remarkably similar to Red.