Comments on: New Shimano Model Line http://thebikelab.com/2008/03/27/new-shimano-model-line/ Tips, Discussion and Reviews on Upgrading Your Mountain Bike Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:42:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: marc b http://thebikelab.com/2008/03/27/new-shimano-model-line/#comment-566 marc b Sun, 06 Apr 2008 00:18:30 +0000 http://thebikelab.com/2008/03/27/new-shimano-model-line/#comment-566 While SRAM and Shimano both have their fans and make good stuff, I feel tend to feel that SRAM equipment is generally overpriced in the aftermarket. Why would I think this? Part of the reason that you see so much OEM SRAM spec is that it's 15-20% cheaper (to OEMs) than a Shimano part with the same retail price. For better or worse, premium retail pricing is part of SRAM's marketing strategy (it doesn't seem to be hurting them much). If it comes OEM and floats your boat, SRAM stuff is a good value. Aftermarket, though, their pricing seems a bit optimistic. Why buy BB7s and levers when you can get Deore Hydraulics that are more advanced, have better modulation and lower maintenance for the same price (Luddites need not answer)? Juicys were initially designed by Formula, yet the latter's brakes are less expensive, more reliable and not made in a third world country. Again, good kit if it comes with your bike, but there aren't many folks out there who'd seek out Truvativ cranks over a mid-range Shimano. Guitar Ted makes a very good point about them driving Shimano's progress as well- that way everyone benefits, regardless of their shifting preference. I've been around since the days of (the original) push-push shifters and exploding X-Rays and both companies have come a long, long way. SRAM also tends to be fairly generous with warranty issues, which helps to build loyalty... While SRAM and Shimano both have their fans and make good stuff, I feel tend to feel that SRAM equipment is generally overpriced in the aftermarket. Why would I think this? Part of the reason that you see so much OEM SRAM spec is that it’s 15-20% cheaper (to OEMs) than a Shimano part with the same retail price. For better or worse, premium retail pricing is part of SRAM’s marketing strategy (it doesn’t seem to be hurting them much). If it comes OEM and floats your boat, SRAM stuff is a good value. Aftermarket, though, their pricing seems a bit optimistic. Why buy BB7s and levers when you can get Deore Hydraulics that are more advanced, have better modulation and lower maintenance for the same price (Luddites need not answer)? Juicys were initially designed by Formula, yet the latter’s brakes are less expensive, more reliable and not made in a third world country. Again, good kit if it comes with your bike, but there aren’t many folks out there who’d seek out Truvativ cranks over a mid-range Shimano.

Guitar Ted makes a very good point about them driving Shimano’s progress as well- that way everyone benefits, regardless of their shifting preference. I’ve been around since the days of (the original) push-push shifters and exploding X-Rays and both companies have come a long, long way. SRAM also tends to be fairly generous with warranty issues, which helps to build loyalty…

]]> By: Guitar Ted http://thebikelab.com/2008/03/27/new-shimano-model-line/#comment-547 Guitar Ted Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:40:44 +0000 http://thebikelab.com/2008/03/27/new-shimano-model-line/#comment-547 Hey skidder: You're welcome to your opinions, but consider this- SRAM has innovated and made technical changes in mountain bike componentry that Shimano is having to react to. That says to me that the majority of mountain bikers, product managers, and racers disagree that SRAM is "junk". ;) Want examples? Okay, SRAMs trigger shifter activation has led to Shimano's Dual Release Rapid Fire. (If you want to know, it probably ressurected Rapid Fire) How about SRAM's rear derailluer design. Shimano reacts by designing the "Shadow" series of rear derailluers which have a more than cursory resemblance to SRAM's design. How about SRAM's front mech? Shimano answers with a redesigned front mech with a pivot/parallelogram much the same as SRAM's- wider, more rigid. Only in the area of crank forging is Shimano leading the way, but again they should be. Shimano's bread and butter is metal forging. :) I'm not bagging on Shimano stuff. I use it too and it is fantastic stuff. However; I also recognize where Shimano is coming from with the newer models and SRAM stuff is certainly not junk. I use it as well and it performs without issue for me in the most severe of conditions. Hey skidder: You’re welcome to your opinions, but consider this- SRAM has innovated and made technical changes in mountain bike componentry that Shimano is having to react to. That says to me that the majority of mountain bikers, product managers, and racers disagree that SRAM is “junk”. ;)

Want examples? Okay, SRAMs trigger shifter activation has led to Shimano’s Dual Release Rapid Fire. (If you want to know, it probably ressurected Rapid Fire) How about SRAM’s rear derailluer design. Shimano reacts by designing the “Shadow” series of rear derailluers which have a more than cursory resemblance to SRAM’s design. How about SRAM’s front mech? Shimano answers with a redesigned front mech with a pivot/parallelogram much the same as SRAM’s- wider, more rigid.

Only in the area of crank forging is Shimano leading the way, but again they should be. Shimano’s bread and butter is metal forging. :)

I’m not bagging on Shimano stuff. I use it too and it is fantastic stuff. However; I also recognize where Shimano is coming from with the newer models and SRAM stuff is certainly not junk. I use it as well and it performs without issue for me in the most severe of conditions.

]]> By: skidder http://thebikelab.com/2008/03/27/new-shimano-model-line/#comment-544 skidder Thu, 03 Apr 2008 01:05:42 +0000 http://thebikelab.com/2008/03/27/new-shimano-model-line/#comment-544 The ONLY reason Sram comes on so many bikes these days is because it is less expensive than Shimano. That`s what you get when the dollar is weak. Sram is junk The ONLY reason Sram comes on so many bikes these days is because it is less expensive than Shimano. That`s what you get when the dollar is weak. Sram is junk

]]> By: rick http://thebikelab.com/2008/03/27/new-shimano-model-line/#comment-541 rick Wed, 02 Apr 2008 01:12:29 +0000 http://thebikelab.com/2008/03/27/new-shimano-model-line/#comment-541 Every bike that leaves our store gets a out the door tune up becuase most shift like crap out of the box regardless of whether the bike is equiped with Sram or Shimano. Both companies make excellent products at all price levels. It's silly to make a blanket statement about the quality of either of them. Every bike that leaves our store gets a out the door tune up becuase most shift like crap out of the box regardless of whether the bike is equiped with Sram or Shimano. Both companies make excellent products at all price levels. It’s silly to make a blanket statement about the quality of either of them.

]]> By: hotnuisance http://thebikelab.com/2008/03/27/new-shimano-model-line/#comment-536 hotnuisance Tue, 01 Apr 2008 18:26:29 +0000 http://thebikelab.com/2008/03/27/new-shimano-model-line/#comment-536 Your buddy should take the bike to the LBS and have it adjusted or replaced. I mean, to throw a blanket statement over one technical problem ( that could be fixed) is a little silly and misguided don't you think? Gripshift X-Ray, I know....I actually ran these when they were introduced. They worked decent way back then... The company has evolved and their products as well. Shimano is great stuff....I've used it. My point is that throwing a statement out like that over one isolated incident is immature. If I'm having a problem with my Durango, should I say that Dodge sucks? Your buddy should take the bike to the LBS and have it adjusted or replaced. I mean, to throw a blanket statement over one technical problem ( that could be fixed) is a little silly and misguided don’t you think?
Gripshift X-Ray, I know….I actually ran these when they were introduced. They worked decent way back then…
The company has evolved and their products as well.
Shimano is great stuff….I’ve used it.
My point is that throwing a statement out like that over one isolated incident is immature.
If I’m having a problem with my Durango, should I say that Dodge sucks?

]]> By: skidder http://thebikelab.com/2008/03/27/new-shimano-model-line/#comment-535 skidder Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:40:40 +0000 http://thebikelab.com/2008/03/27/new-shimano-model-line/#comment-535 I rode my budie`s month old Fisher Paragon last summer and I couldn`t even push the rear shift lever to make it move. Sram is the decendant of the infamous Grip Shift X Ray. Use whatever you want but I am a Shimano man. I like it because it works better. I rode my budie`s month old Fisher Paragon last summer and I couldn`t even push the rear shift lever to make it move. Sram is the decendant of the infamous Grip Shift X Ray.
Use whatever you want but I am a Shimano man. I like it because it works better.

]]> By: Arleigh http://thebikelab.com/2008/03/27/new-shimano-model-line/#comment-531 Arleigh Mon, 31 Mar 2008 18:49:09 +0000 http://thebikelab.com/2008/03/27/new-shimano-model-line/#comment-531 Rockhound, It is old news as it was released on most news sites back in the end of February but in talking I realized most normal folks hadn't heard about it. Rockhound,

It is old news as it was released on most news sites back in the end of February but in talking I realized most normal folks hadn’t heard about it.

]]> By: rockhound http://thebikelab.com/2008/03/27/new-shimano-model-line/#comment-530 rockhound Mon, 31 Mar 2008 18:04:12 +0000 http://thebikelab.com/2008/03/27/new-shimano-model-line/#comment-530 I really tried to like SRAM, them being from the USA and all. I just don't think they are up to Shimano's standards. I was disappointed in SRAM because my new X-9 derailleurs are nearly identical to my 7 year old 5.0 derailleur...IDENTICAL, except for the top-most portion of the parallelogram (i.e. the most visible part). Plus there is a lot of play in the rear derailleur around the anchor bolt. BTW, this "new" SLX group is old news already. I really tried to like SRAM, them being from the USA and all. I just don’t think they are up to Shimano’s standards.

I was disappointed in SRAM because my new X-9 derailleurs are nearly identical to my 7 year old 5.0 derailleur…IDENTICAL, except for the top-most portion of the parallelogram (i.e. the most visible part). Plus there is a lot of play in the rear derailleur around the anchor bolt.

BTW, this “new” SLX group is old news already.

]]> By: Michael http://thebikelab.com/2008/03/27/new-shimano-model-line/#comment-525 Michael Sun, 30 Mar 2008 03:08:17 +0000 http://thebikelab.com/2008/03/27/new-shimano-model-line/#comment-525 Sram shifts way faster than shimano and does not rattle as much on the trail. explain how it sucks Sram shifts way faster than shimano and does not rattle as much on the trail. explain how it sucks

]]> By: rick http://thebikelab.com/2008/03/27/new-shimano-model-line/#comment-524 rick Sun, 30 Mar 2008 00:24:37 +0000 http://thebikelab.com/2008/03/27/new-shimano-model-line/#comment-524 My Sram X9 shifter and X9 short cage derailleur kicks arse on my 1x9. My Sram X9 shifter and X9 short cage derailleur kicks arse on my 1×9.

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