How does SRAM X.7 compare to Shimano?
#1
Bike addict, dreamer
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Queens, New York
Posts: 5,165
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
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.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: London
Posts: 130
Bikes: rock lobster 853, dawes kickback1993
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
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.
#3
Bike addict, dreamer
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Queens, New York
Posts: 5,165
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks. So it looks like I should be OK with X.7. No, I don't plan to mix SRAM and Shimano components.
#4
rebmeM roineS
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Metro Indy, IN
Posts: 16,216
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 653 Post(s)
Liked 347 Times
in
226 Posts
Very happy with the X7 and X9 triggershifters on two bikes - both with X5 RD's, which work quite well enough, too.
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
#6
Bikaholic
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Western, Michigan
Posts: 1,461
Bikes: Trek Fuel 90, Giant OCR, Rans Screamer Tandem
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
#7
Bike addict, dreamer
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Queens, New York
Posts: 5,165
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thank you! I plan to use Elixir 5 hydraulic brakes with thumbshifters and Matchmakers. I don't like idea of grip shifters much.
#8
Bikaholic
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Western, Michigan
Posts: 1,461
Bikes: Trek Fuel 90, Giant OCR, Rans Screamer Tandem
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
#9
Bike addict, dreamer
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Queens, New York
Posts: 5,165
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
#10
Bikaholic
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Western, Michigan
Posts: 1,461
Bikes: Trek Fuel 90, Giant OCR, Rans Screamer Tandem
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Right you are. For your purposes, X.7 is a great fit and should work well for you.