Mountain Biking - Sram and Shimano?

Time to begin upgrading components and Sram seems like a viable alternative to Shimano but, are they compatable? I would rather replace my current equipment a piece at a time but, I'm not digging the Sram shifters either. Are Sram deraillers compatable with Shimano shifters? I would also like to know how Sram compares to Shimano Counterparts... Which models are about the same performance etc. Thanks!

Short answer NO...sram and shimano use different gearing to shift.

Now SRAM does make shimano compatible twisty shifters. But thats really the only option, otherwise you gotta do a full replacement :)

Sram makes shimano compatible trigger shifters with 2-1 ratio on cable tension.

Shimano followers will say that X7 is LX, and X9 is XT equivalents.

I say X7 is XT, and X9 is XTR, and i follow no-one (i got XT on my bike)

I agree wit ya math. The x.7 is on par with xt. x.9 and x.0 are on par with xtr.

Now with XTR triggers replaced by flipper the dolphins, X9 and X0 are alone in the top ...:D

I have been having problems shifting to some gears and I have noticed I have a SRAM cassette and a Deore derailleur. If I were put on a Shimano cassette do you think I would see better shifting performance.

BTW I noticed the problems a couple weeks after I got the bike.

Sram doesn't seem too enticing anymore... I absolutely LOATHE twist shifters!

Well it has rapid fire, but you would have to switch the whole system.

But I agree...twisty shifters for the rear suck :)

SRAM trumps ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

anyway...just wanted to put in my dos centavos.

I had XT RD, LX cassette, and LX shifters. i cant remember one clean shift the whole time. Just recently i went out and changed to a full X9 drivetrain and its like buttah!! and its oh so quiet! :D

I've heard that if you get an all new drivetrain that is not frankensteined together (read: all same groupo) then it works fine. but for the money i wouldn't even take XTR over SRAM. but thats just my not so humble opinion.

Then stick with what you've got and stop carping on about it.

Twist shifters are all you get from SRAM if you want a decent setup. There is no comparison between the two. SRAM XO is superior to XTR in looks and performance. The only crock of sh1te on my bike is having to use the XTR front mech so I fitted XTR to get something close to the excellence of my SRAM setup. I can only use an e-bracket front mech and the new SRAM front mech is tube mount only, otherwise I would have switched.

The are two types of rider, those who love twist shifters and those in denial.

Swallow your pride and prejudice and make the move to SRAM.

(wink)

Don't forget bokkie (long time), sram has rapid fire now, and it is sweet as well. :)

I have noticed no difference in x7 and x9. I love my trigger shifters! When i finished building my bike and got on and shifted i didnt even realize it shifted it was so smooth. The triggers take a little getting used to though

Oh and one more htinbg, i know this discussion has been beaten to a pulp and then some but it is worth watching this video
http://www.angryasian.com/images/Which_would_you_rather_ride_sm1.mov

That vid kicks butt. Although to pu some conditions on it (I have seen teh vid) Shimano could be older, sram and shimano are built to act and react differently.