I stopped in a the shop that did the cassette change and asked them about it. They said they didn't mention the brand difference to me because in their experience over the years there just isn't any difference in the two. Sometimes someone will say one or the other will shift smoother but there isn't any functional or longevity difference.


That makes it unanimous. Everyone seems to think a person can mix and match SRAM and Shimano cassettes.

By the way in the end the shop in the other state is only charging $5 more for an Ultegra cassette than for the SRAM. So, just for giggles I'm going to have the Ultegra put on. Guess I'll have to give up a latte, eh?