Mansram01

As KissSisko mentioned, that the brake levers are just brake levers and that the single paddle is just for shifting are a big plus for me. And I also agree with PTLE, that comparing Rival with 105 doesn't quite compute. The Rival is a lot lighter and it's an excellent product. I would say it's noisier and in my experience a bit finickier that Shimano but I wouldn't trade it in AT ALL. I'm in the process of upgrading my cranks to Force. Can't wait to try in out...

gus6464

Shimano 105 hoods are just massive compared to Rival. If I had giant hands I would probably find it comfortable but that's not the case. The new Ultegra and Dura-Ace hoods are smaller than 105 but still bigger than the rest of SRAM. Di2 hoods definitely got it right though. Plus you can adjust the reach of SRAM shift levers to make it more comfortable while shifting in drops. Rival definitely wins in ergonomics compared to 105. You really have to step up to Ultegra for it to be a closer fight between the two.

Quel

Go with Sora. It has thumbshifters like Campy, so it must be good.

gus6464

Or he could go with Athena 11 and be fancy.

Original Fire

The new shimano 105's (5700) STi levers are similar to the current DA and Ultegra ones, all of which feature cable routing under the handlebar tabe and adjustable reach for the levers.

gus6464

I thought 5700 wasn't out yet?

MegaTom

End of this month.

sqharaway

I've always heard that SRAM groups are better than the comparable Shimano group. So while Rival may be akin to Ultegra, it's meant to beat 105; same goes for Force vs. Ultegra, and Red vs. Dura-Ace. Could be wrong though...

gus6464

SRAM has said that their new Apex group is the one that is supposed to compete with 105. They have never said what group competes with their shimano counterpart until now.

67vdubya

its funny how people get so bent out of shape on someones post... but they still take the time to type "do search" and dont even answer the question............ big deal

Dheorl

105

mikeyp.1

Sram compares Apex to 105 tripple but it competes with Tiagra in price.I would not buy 5600 105 as it is a boat anchor compared to rival,I assume 5700 will be lighter.

Reggieb

Fixed that for you, but really, I keep hearing this, and yet having ridden several bikes, I don't think SRAM makes any noise at all, and I have ridden both Rival and Red, now. And in both regular and TT setups. One shop told me this is because my campy is just as loud, is that the case? I always read about how loud SRAM is, but it doesn't seem loud to me at all. Granted, I haven't ridden any Shimano outside of Tiagra, really.

Reggieb

Fixed that for you, but really, I keep hearing this, and yet having ridden several bikes equipped with SRAM, and I they have all been very quiet, and I have ridden both Rival and Red, now. And in both regular and TT setups. One shop told me this is because my campy is just as loud, is that the case? I always read about how loud SRAM is, but it doesn't seem loud to me at all. Granted, I haven't ridden any Shimano outside of Tiagra, really.

roccobike

Chunky. It's a scientific fact. Of course if you wait long enough, the smooth becomes chunky, but it turns a little green.

Herbie53

I had Sora on my rain bike for awhile. Shifted like butter. Way better than the Force on my TT bike.

gv1256

haha come on. this again?

MegaTom

If you think anything posted here qualifies someone as being "bent out of shape", I'd suggest that you get out in the World a little more. Get ready though, cuz you're in for a lot of scary surprises if you consider anything here to be anything other than benign. In the meantime, have a hug:



Now on to more pressing matters....

But smooth weighs less.


???

67vdubya

Thanks for the hug .

ptle

Thanks, I knew that sentence sounded weird. SRAM is really loud when you're shifting down on the FD. It's pretty quiet while shifting the RD, unless you shift down under load. It's made a loud pop noise before, but never misses a shift.

To answer the question, it really comes down to preference. If you're a weigh weenie and don't care about the differences, Rival is better. If you prefer Shimano don't get Rival and vice versa. Shimano 105 and SRAM Rival perform well enough that it's not going to make you any slower or faster than the other.

ZXiMan

I REALLY like the SRAM groupsets. I used to only get Shimano Dura-Ace 7800/7900 until we built a few SRAM bikes. People complain about noise etc from SRAM Red but my SRAM Red groupset shifts quieter than 7900 and the cassette isn't noisy or hollow sounding when it shifts. I am even using the 1090R chain, and it is surprisingly quiet too. SRAM groupsets have a sweetspot once you get them there they are super smooth and quiet. I am betting most people with loud, clunky shifting with SRAM can adjust it out.

I agree Rival is more or less on par with Ultegra, and there is VERY little difference between Force and Red (except for price). I am sold on SRAM groupsets.

palu

Actually, smooth weighs more. Peanut butter is more dense than peanuts.

Motobetird

not a SRAM expert, but don't they have more comfortable shifters than Shimano?

MegaTom

But we're not talking about peanut butter vs. whole peanuts... It's chunky vs. smooth. The whipping of smooth peanut butter allows more air into the mix, thus making the jar lighter.

gus6464

Compared to mechanical Shimano yes. Best shifter period is Di2.