How does SRAM X.7 compare to Shimano?
03-05-12, 10:35 AM
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How does SRAM X.7 compare to Shimano?
Hi all. I'm thinking about building up a Surly Disc Trucker for weekend rides and some short touring and I want to put Avid hydraulic brakes on it - I've really grown to like my Elixir 5 brakes on my MTB. I know, I wouldn't put hydros on a real touring bike meant for far-off travels, but I'll never be too far from home
No time for long tours for the next few years 
So I'm thinking about going all SRAM and use the Matchmakers to unify the brake levers with shifters to save space on the handlebar.
Now the thing is that I have never used SRAM parts though, I have zero experience with SRAM, so I don't know what should be good enough. Is X.7 a decent group? I generally use Deore level parts on my bikes and I have been happy with them, so I don't need anything fancy and weight is not a consideration.
No time for long tours for the next few years So I'm thinking about going all SRAM and use the Matchmakers to unify the brake levers with shifters to save space on the handlebar.
Now the thing is that I have never used SRAM parts though, I have zero experience with SRAM, so I don't know what should be good enough. Is X.7 a decent group? I generally use Deore level parts on my bikes and I have been happy with them, so I don't need anything fancy and weight is not a consideration.
03-05-12, 02:24 PM
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I think SRAM X7 is equivelent of shimano LX, and SRAM X9 is equivelent to shimano XT. Be careful not to try to mate a shimano rear derailleur to a SRAM rear gear changer and vise versa, the amount the cable travels(to change gear) is not the same.
03-05-12, 05:06 PM
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Thanks. So it looks like I should be OK with X.7. No, I don't plan to mix SRAM and Shimano components.
03-05-12, 07:40 PM
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Very happy with the X7 and X9 triggershifters on two bikes - both with X5 RD's, which work quite well enough, too.
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03-05-12, 08:47 PM
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I have been using X.7 and X.9 triggers and derailures on several bikes for a few years. They have served well and taken some abuse on off road race bikes an served well on two tandems. I'm not personally a big fan of the Grip shifts but I hear good things about them as well. The avid Speed Dial levers work very well with the cable disc brakes as well of that is the route you are going for your discs. You can even get matchmaker clamps to fit the levers together with the shifters.
03-06-12, 06:27 AM
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Thank you! I plan to use Elixir 5 hydraulic brakes with thumbshifters and Matchmakers. I don't like idea of grip shifters much.
03-06-12, 07:51 AM
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Sounds like a great setup. My next build will be much like this with X.9 or X.0 and Elixer. I want to set up a Niner with this later this summer.
03-06-12, 08:03 AM
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I figured anything above X.7 would be an overkill for 700cc touring/weekend bike. If I like the Matchmaker setup though I may upgrade my mountain bike that I've built last summer to X.9, but I'll keep the white Elixir 5 brakes, they work great.
03-06-12, 08:44 AM
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Right you are. For your purposes, X.7 is a great fit and should work well for you.
