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Is SRAM in decline?

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Is SRAM in decline?

Old 06-25-14, 11:20 AM
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Originally Posted by topflightpro
Well, if you're going to use OEM bikes as a gauge, then Campy must be dead then, because there are almost no OEM bikes with Campy.
...in the US. Lots of OEM Campag in Europe.
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Old 06-25-14, 11:21 AM
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Originally Posted by rms13
SRAM is for people that want good shifting and ergonomics and care more about riding than about status
An obviously unbiased opinion
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Old 06-25-14, 11:25 AM
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SRAM lost 10-15 million dollars over the recall. That's nothing to sneeze about. Maybe Shimano could eat that easily, but SRAM doesn't bring in a fraction of the cash Shimano does. Perhaps that has something to do with it.
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Old 06-25-14, 11:27 AM
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Originally Posted by StanSeven
An obviously unbiased opinion
How does one have an unbiased opinion?
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Old 06-25-14, 11:34 AM
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Originally Posted by Nagrom_
How does one have an unbiased opinion?
Exactly. Opinions by definition include bias. Such is life
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Old 06-25-14, 12:14 PM
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Originally Posted by ConGrUenCy
SRAM seem a tad too expensive. I mean, Force 22 is significantly more expensive than it's Shimano equivalent- Ultegra 6800.
the Japanese work on a lower profit margin, there is a reason many products ranging from bikes to musical instruments can be not only great but cheap . if Sram or even Campy was cheaper i would probably with them.
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Old 06-25-14, 01:03 PM
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if the honcho at the LBS is the owner or part owner, you can't believe anything they say. to them it's about profit margin. and if it's not, they won't be in business very long. that's the way it is...
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Old 06-25-14, 02:10 PM
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Meh. They are all close enough that it comes down to personal preference. Any of the three can shift really well set up properly.

I like my Force, but that's because the thumb tab for Campy is WAAAAY too far back for me, and I like my brake to just be a brake.

SRAM in decline? I don't see that. They've been around for road bikes what, 5 years? That's great market presence in a short time.
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Old 06-25-14, 02:16 PM
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Originally Posted by dru_
This is pretty close IMO. Red is very much their high end, and it competes well with mechanical Dura Ace though it is priced closer to Ultegra than Dura-Ace. Rival is priced closer to 105, but performance and weight puts it in-line with Ultegra, While Apex sits between Tiagra and 105 in price but roughly equal to 105 in performance and weight. SRAM really has nothing in the Road lineup to compete with Claris and Sora, but you will find the occasional hybrid running SRAM parts from their mtn bike offerings where they to cover a broader section of the matrix.

That said, you can mix and match SRAM components a little easier than Shimano, so it isn't unusual to find RED shifters in use with Force deraillleurs. .
Huh to both of your statements. Red is not priced closer to ultegra, it's more expensive then dura ace.

people mix and match shimano all the time. No clue why you say it's easier with sram.
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Old 06-25-14, 02:27 PM
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Originally Posted by hueyhoolihan
if the honcho at the LBS is the owner or part owner, you can't believe anything they say. to them it's about profit margin. and if it's not, they won't be in business very long. that's the way it is...
I commented on this in another thread, but unless you are hanging out with these people during their off hours as you would with any other friend, they are not your friend. There is a difference between being a true friend, and being friendly and polite on the job.
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Old 06-25-14, 04:55 PM
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Originally Posted by roadandmountain
I commented on this in another thread, but unless you are hanging out with these people during their off hours as you would with any other friend, they are not your friend. There is a difference between being a true friend, and being friendly and polite on the job.
Everyone that works in sales is friendly
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Old 06-25-14, 05:02 PM
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Shimano has most of the cycling market, is that right?
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Old 06-25-14, 05:05 PM
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My next grouppo is going to be Suntour or maybe Mavic.
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Old 06-25-14, 05:15 PM
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Originally Posted by alexaschwanden
Shimano has most of the cycling market, is that right?
50% of the global bicycle component market, according to Wiki. I'm surprised it's that low, tbh.
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Old 06-25-14, 05:54 PM
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Originally Posted by rms13
SRAM is for people that want good shifting and ergonomics and care more about riding than about status
Riiiight. That explains the millions of bikes sold that have Sora, Tiagra, or 105 on them. Status seekers all.
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Old 06-25-14, 06:22 PM
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I really like SRAM's new Force CX1 group. About time someone made a CX specific setup with a single front. I always rigged my cyclocross bikes with no front shifting for rugged reliability on rough terrain.
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Old 06-25-14, 06:22 PM
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Originally Posted by rms13
SRAM is for people that want good shifting and ergonomics and care more about riding than about status
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Old 06-25-14, 06:30 PM
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Originally Posted by achoo
Riiiight. That explains the millions of bikes sold that have Sora, Tiagra, or 105 on them. Status seekers all.
No. It would be explained by the fact that Shimano has been in the road bike market since 1973 and SRAM has been in the road bike market since 2006
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Old 06-25-14, 08:15 PM
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I think it's great that SRAM is around. The competition is healthy for the industry and beneficial for the consumer.

Would I look for a SRAM group when buying a new bike? If it were better than the competition or otherwise a demonstrably better value, yes, I would.

I don't buy component groups for the name. I buy for the quality and value. The two become synonymous in certain cases, as has happened with shimano. That may or may not happen with sram. Time (and new product releases) will tell.
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Old 06-25-14, 08:22 PM
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I see Sram in decline with pro continental teams, but I see a lot pro North American team running them. Maybe they are looking for more bang for their buck.
Most Sram bikes are upper mid to high end when it comes to cost, most shop don't stock these bikes.
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Old 06-25-14, 09:12 PM
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I hope the SRAM wireless materializes. It isn't that big of a deal for most road bikes, but I want a travel bike, and wires are an annoyance
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Old 06-25-14, 09:22 PM
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i bet shimano is more in the oem stuff because it is in asia with better relationships with bike makers.
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Old 06-25-14, 09:28 PM
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Whether SRAM is in decline or not....who cares? I mean, really....who cares?
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Old 06-25-14, 09:35 PM
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Originally Posted by coasting
i bet shimano is more in the oem stuff because it is in asia with better relationships with bike makers.
This. And they've had the relationships for a lot longer. I can't tell you the last time I saw I bike with Campy on LBS floor. Nobody is doubting Shimano is more represented on stock complete bikes
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Old 06-25-14, 10:07 PM
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I think SRAM had some reliability issues that have tarnished its name in many circles.
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