SRAM better than Shimano? I don't think so

Solanog

I bought an SRAM chain for my 8Spd 105 road bike (old model) the chain doesn't work great, but is fair. Shifting isn't great sometimes it is difficult to upshift other times downshifting isn't inmediate. I clean everything before installing the new chain.
Powerlink (came with the chain) is great!
I went riding a couple of hours yesterday with the new chain and had no problems beside what I described, I tried fine tuning with the RD adjustment screw but just one click and results where extreme (hard downshifts or upshifts) so I left it alone on a more or less fine position.
Later I compared the two chains and Shimano fit and finish is way better than SRAM, rollers are coarse on the SRAM but in the Shimano they are smooth. I don't know about durability but if this one doesn't last as expected I'll go with another Shimano but will keep the PowerLink.
The old Shimano chain was not too worn, was still under spec, I change it since the link failed and it broke while going uphill. I cleaned it and stored it, it may work with the SRAM Powerlink, I may give it a try!

moparchris

if you think the shifting isnt all that smooth well in the first place what sort of sram chan is it ? also sram doesnt work all that great with shimano but pair it up with the deralieurs and shifters etc it works damn good, ive never used a sram chian on my road bike (ultegra) but i use all sram on my Xtc, it did have a shimano chain and frnt deralieur and it was crap, put a sram front deraleur on it and a sram chain (had a PC89r hollow pin on it at once stage - thats the road one and now ive been using the PC99 hollow pin not that i had any problem with the 89r, it just wore over time)

i say keep the brands together and you'll be sweet, other branded parts work but not as well together. anyway thats my opinion and experience, when they come out i'll upgrade to X.0 shifters, some nokon cables and an X.0 RD on my Xtc and i'll be buying a Giant Trance sometime which i'll keep the shimano on

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GT Ruckus SS
2006 Giant Trance 1
Giant TCR Euro

cydewaze

Bizarre. I threw a SRAM chain on my road bike years ago, and shifting was no different. Now I use them on all my bikes.

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MountainPro

i have had no end of problems using an SRAM chain on my XT cassette and rear mech....slipping and jumping...all the compontes were brand new and well adjusted.

i will never use SRAM over Shimano again.

Muddy Beast

well there was an article about that in Mountain Bike action this month....or i think it was this months, maybe last...but anyways they said that both Shimmano XTR and Spram X.0 are great....its just a matter of what you want them for and how you like your gears...

*example*
The Spram might shift faster with some ghost shifting, but the Shimmano might shift cleaner with less ghost shifting
*example*

you might wana check that article out in Mountain Bike Action...look around for the month it was in

~Scott

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davebee

Have SRAM chain with shimano setup on road bike with no problems.

Have SRAM with (XT/LX) shimano setup on mtb and the front end shifts horribly. I think this may well be the crappy chainset. I am using an 8speed chain with a 7speed setup but as far as I am aware this should not pose any problems.

triguy98

I also use an SRAM chain w/XT & LX. The front shift crappy, but it also did it w/ a shimano chain.
I broke a SRAM chain once.
I've broken 3 ShimaNO chains. Crap.
Next bike is all SRAM, with the possible exception of an XT crank, cause I like mine sooo much, but only if I can get one without the integrated BB.

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'05 GF Cake DLX SRAM X-9, 'Zocchi MX Comp, Avid BB7
Trek Equinox 7: 105, all stock, all fast
'99 GT XCR5000: LX/XT, Avid SDs, Judy XC
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Life is short, ride hard. BONZAI!!!!

Solanog

A great think about SRAM chains is the Powerlink, the one I bought came with it, is very easy to take apart and to put back together, has worked perfectly. I bought one (golden 9spd) for my LX chain, so I could take it apart and wash it, I installed it and it has worked very nice, no problem eventhough the chain is Shimano.

davebee

Have you considered Race Face cranks?

I am shimano fan and am not keen to move to an all SRAM setup, but the powerlink is what draws me to the SRAM chain. I carry two spares and can fix any break in a minute or two on the trailside.

triguy98

I havent tried race face cranks. do they come in 180mm? I DO like my XT crank a lot, and havent had any problems with it all. My RDs, however, have sheared the adjustment screw stop off of the body...on two seperate occasions, leaving the RD totally unrepairable and useless. Had to hike a bike. Twice. Hence my displeasure for shimano mechs.

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'05 GF Cake DLX SRAM X-9, 'Zocchi MX Comp, Avid BB7
Trek Equinox 7: 105, all stock, all fast
'99 GT XCR5000: LX/XT, Avid SDs, Judy XC
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Life is short, ride hard. BONZAI!!!!

davebee

I think they only go up to 175mm but I might be wrong. 175 is plenty for me.