Sram shifts are more fun than Shimano...they feel more like a robot is inside...

I currently have an 11 speed GX drivetrain on one bike and a 10 speed XT on the other.  The XT shifts much quicker and can shift up twice in one pull.  The clutch system is okay.  I've dropped my chain a few times with the XT, but none with the GX so far.  The GX is also on a hard tail, while the XT is on a full suspension so take that for what it's worth.

The GX is only about a year old and the XT is going on 2 years, so that might be the cause for the clutch not working as well?  If I was building a new bike I'd probably lean towards the XT since the shifting is much more crisp.  Compare the XT to X0 or XX1 and it would probably be a different story.

IntheBush wrote on 08/29/17 at 1:07am:


Yes, OohoO has been running xx1 Cassette and chain with XTR shifter and derailleur for a long time now. Seems to work just fine.

I started with a SRAM NX 11 speed setup and switched to an XTR Shifter/XT Derailleur setup and it is sooooo much better, but that is just my opinion.

Yep, I'm with you on the brakes. I had a 1st gen set of guide r's and hated them. Then was subsequently told they had a problem. No s.... SLX replaced them and have been happy ever since.

I hear Shimano is coming out with an 11 - 46 cassette.

Sounds interesting if you're running a 1x and do the mountain thing regularly.

Can't find it anywhere, yet. But for me the weight's a disadvantage as little as the dinner plate will get used.

The higher end Sram stuff is lighter and I don't have a problem with the way it shifts. But only having used an NX cassette (Shimano 10 speed compatible), with a GX derailleur it's hard to get the full feel of the difference.

For me the problem is all my other bikes are XT equipped. Sometimes when I jump on the Sram drive train bike I find my index finger up there reaching for air. And some in the industry are vehemently opposed to one or the other 

Interesting to note a lot of the higher end bikes use Sram stuff. So other than personal preference, I'm a little confused about the issues between the two drivetrains rather than just the ergonomics. Specifically Sram cassettes that use an XD driver.

Either way, this stuff's expensive. Hopin' to get it right the first time. Better to ask a few more questions and get a few more opinions now.

What's funny is, Sram's new 12 speed GX eagle weighs nearly twice as much as their higher end 1x11 cassettes..

Yeah you got a lower gear or two, but at these weights you're almost better off with a 2x on the front.

My Guide r's had a bad piston or something on the rear lever. Nothing could get it right. Out of the box almost half take up on the lever before the pads made contact.
I just gave up and upgraded to SLX. 

The modulation of a Guide with the reliability of Shimano? Too pricey for my tastes at the moment, but ever heard of Hope?

my MTB crap is old... nothing newer than 2012 or 2013.  I love SRAM shifters and derailleurs.  Cranks are RaceFace or SRAM.  I despise most hydraulic breaks other then Hope.  I live with what I can afford.
I love SRAM for MTB bike stuffs.

Shimano makes fantastic fishing reels.  I have several saltwater reels that I have had for more than ten years.   

Enter my new love... 

Gravelly road bike...  has Shimano 105 2x11spd w/ hydraulics.  efing nice setup... would have preferred the SRAM 1x11 apex or better but...  have to say I like this setup so far.  except for a weird skip shift going from the 4th or 5th easiest to the 3rd or 4th easiest cog.  Brakes are really nice for the component group compared to what you'd get in the equivalent MTB price point group set.

So... for those still paying attention... 

SRAM for MTB
Shimano for fishing reels and gravelly road bikes

IntheBush wrote on 08/29/17 at 2:42pm:

I noticed this too, and is exactly why I decided to finally try something new.  Thought if most of the high end I was seeing had it, was I missing something being on Shimano so long?  Give the other guys a shot...

I was wrong...  (or at least for my individual preference)

Maybe SRAM has a better vendor relationship or price point with bike builders and vendors that stuck up proprietary Shimano doesnt?  Cant say, but I can say it will be many years before I deviate from Shimano again.

I do notice SRAM starting the proprietary move too.  The afore mentioned XD drive and matchmaker and such.  Havent looked at the XD piece farther than to know im stuck with SRAM cassette for a while because of it in my swap...  

Glad the folks here helped me in knowing the SRAM cassette will work with my conversion back without having to go down that road too and in addition to all the other stuff I had to buy...  (Still looking for a SRAM bar mount or XTR iSpecII shifter so I can back on my bike this weekend in another post) ;] (So I can temporarily use my existing SRAM shifter with new XTR brakes!)  SO looking forward to it...

I hope all this info and individual perspectives are helping you reach the decision that is right for you.

The Cycle Path wrote on 09/01/17 at 12:49am:


XTR? 

Where?

Oh, you're talking about the XT 11-46 at 439 grams? 



I guess I'm officially a weight weenie now.

On a side note, I was in a bike shop the other day (I wont mention which one) and a guy was trying to sell me a XTR 11-40 cassette and a 46t conversion kit for $400. 

BudLeach wrote on 09/01/17 at 1:22pm:


You're correct, sram XX1 cassette is lightest 11 speed and XTR shifter/derailleur combo is lighter than SRAM's lightest 11 speed combo. The weight diff in shifter/derailleur is less than the difference in the cassette weight.

Yep, that E13 looks like the all around winner to me. Steep price as well..

Already got an 1195. I think I'll use that, and just do a few more squats a week.   

The derailleur and shifter looks more like personal preference.

Thanks for the tips. I guess you can teach an old dog, new tricks. 

A ring that big on the right side should offset the weight of the lefty, making your bike track straight.