bob78h

Hi guys, I'm considering some SRAM Rival brifters as part of a drivetrain upgrade from Sora, what are the major differences between the 2008 and 2009 model? Anything that would make the 2009 worth $50 more than 2008?

Also, if I buy a set of brifters without cables and housing, what will I need to buy in terms of those missing components to install things?

Thanks

Al1943

You'd need SRAM derailleurs, front and back, new cables and housings, handlebar tape. The cassette would need to be Shimano or SRAM and be speed compatible with the shifters. If you bought Shimano shifters you could use your old derailleurs.

bob78h

I'm considering a Force FD and Rival RD/11-26 cassette as well as 50-34 crankset... Are there substantial changes to the 2009 Rival shifters? I know they get the zero loss shifting, does that make a noticeable difference?

Camilo

There's no point getting a Force FD unless it costs the same, imho. I don't think it would get you anything performance wise over a Rival, and not appreciable weight savings.

I understand wanting to go from Shimano to Sram if nothing else just to try it (I'm doing that right now). But, have you considered just buying some upgraded 9 speed Shimano shifters - Tiagra or 105? You wouldn't have to change anything else. 9 speed shifters will work even if your current set up is 8 speed.

bob78h

Yeah I found a Force FD thats cheaper than everything else...Well right now I have a triple and I kinda want to try a compact/double since it is totally flat around here (Illinois). Plus I hear good things about SRAM and want to try it... How is compatibility between different speeds? Is it just a matter of what cassettes fit on the wheel? Sorry I'm really new to this stuff...gotta lot to learn.

DaveSSS 

If you only ride the flatlands, you don't need a compact, get a 53/39.

HillRider

The shifters, chain and rear cassette must have the same number of "speeds". For Shimano hubs (with a few exceptions such as 7800-series Dura Ace) any 8,9 or 10-speed Shimano or SRAM cassette will fit.

jasonrobo02

To answer the OP's original question, my understanding of the difference between 08 and 09 rival shifters is the following 4 things:

1. the brake levers were changed to carbon
2. the shift levers were changed to black
3. the front trim function was moved from the small ring to the big ring.
4. the front shifting is now zero-loss. The rear shifting is only zero-loss on SRAM Red.

Is that worth $50? It's only for you to decide. For me, the color scheme change to black/cf is a huge upgrade. The trim function change is really gearing dependent. If I ride compact cranks, I like the trim on the big ring. If I ride standard cranks, I like the trim on the small ring. As for front zero-loss shifting, it isn't too special for me. Zero-loss in the rear (sram red) is definitely noticeable.