Bicycle Mechanics - SRAM Vs ???

So looking at bikes these days I see the "alternate" option (at least it seems to me) is SRAM. Not as big as Shimano or Campagnolo, but their stuff Looks nice. Based on what I've seen also it is Shimano Compatible.

The question is, is that true, and also what is the equivalency here? Is it as good, better, than shimano? Do they have comparable model groups?

BTW I have no clue about this stuff so this is from about 4 months of experience looking at this stuff.

Generally compatible but not always. I'd say that quality is generally the same as Shimano at the higher end. Obviously SRAM has a smaller product line than Shimano so there's nothing to compare in some areas.

Very satisfied with mid-level SRAM grip- and trigger-shifters and rear derailleurs.

I guess the reason why I ask is that my bike is currently all Shimano Sora, but i really ride the **** out of my bike (training for triathlons), so I'm thinking of upgrading the running gear (even though its prettymuch new) and putting the Sora on a new frame for my sister (who wants to get into Tris just for the hell of it but definitely wont be riding as hard as I do). I saw the SRAM Force stuff and it seems really nice and the price aint bad, especially if I cut off whatever my sister throws me for my running gear.

sram is sweet on a mtb and the road is also but for an easy setup go shimano as it is all level compatable, i wouldnt go inter mixing sram and shimano as the just dont love each other so the change isnt as good as the throw distance is different,

If you want to get a sweet, good and at good price group go campagnolo veloce at PBK. The only issue is that u have to get a conversion casstte, or new set of wheels (or hubs) or use a shimagnolo thingy to make the group set to work with a set of shy-ma-NO stuff

Second choice. in the same place to get a shimano ultegra groupset. THe price is nice anyways.

I'm not saying shimano is a bad thing but if you brake something 95% of the time u cant even repair what broke, like for example the shifters. With campagnolo u can repair almost everything. Just go to the right person, get the piece that broke and u r back in bussiness...

Just my 0.0000001 %

SRAM although compatable in the MTB range is not so compatable in the new road ranges......Rival, Force and Red. The rear derailleur ratio and the matching Brifters move a different amount of cable to get the derailleur to cover the same 10 cogs.

The cranksets are interchangeable
Same for the brakes, front derailleur and probably the cassette.
The Brifters must be matched to the rear derailleur.
All of SRAMS road groups are 10 speed not 9 or 8.

SRAM MTB chains, front derailleurs and cassettes are compatable with Shimano
The X.5, X.7, X.9 and top of the line X.0 shifters require a SRAM 1:1 rear derailleur.

Interesting info. I'm not against an ultegra setup by any means, but I figured if I can find a better deal on SRAM and it would work with some of what I got it would be good.

If you want to get a sweet, good and at good price group go campagnolo veloce at PBK. The only issue is that u have to get a conversion casstte, or new set of wheels (or hubs) or use a shimagnolo thingy to make the group set to work with a set of shy-ma-NO stuff

Second choice. in the same place to get a shimano ultegra groupset. THe price is nice anyways.

I'm not saying shimano is a bad thing but if you brake something 95% of the time u cant even repair what broke, like for example the shifters. With campagnolo u can repair almost everything. Just go to the right person, get the piece that broke and u r back in bussiness...

Just my 0.0000001 %

By PBK do you mean performancebike.com ? I can't find this group (campy veloce) on their site.... ?

By PBK do you mean performancebike.com ? I can't find this group (campy veloce) on their site.... ?
For Campagnolo you have to build new wheels as the freehub is incompatible with Shimano.

He meant http://www.probikekit.com
You can alos try this kit builder for SRAM: http://www.gvhbikes.com/kits.htm

For Campagnolo you have to build new wheels as the freehub is incompatible with Shimano.

He meant http://www.probikekit.com
You can alos try this kit builder for SRAM: http://www.gvhbikes.com/kits.htm

Thanks,

I was just interested to see the Campy setup, but its quite a bit higher than the SRAM, and I would need new wheels as well....

Interesting info. I'm not against an ultegra setup by any means, but I figured if I can find a better deal on SRAM and it would work with some of what I got it would be good.

If you're willing to push a few more grams of weight, go with Rival instead of Force. They're functionally identical and only differ in weight, with Force using lighter materials. It'll also work with their barend shifters if you want to move to aero bars.

The '09 Rival will be updated with features that have only been available on Red, too; but your sister may not want to wait for that to happen, either. ;)