Just to galvanize the crowd, heres a good question. I think the answer should be obvious. Don't split hairs, just a 2 sided question.

Yes i posted htis twice, ignore the one without a poll. Sorry

I have mostly Shimano parts, but their stock, so it's good. But I those feather-light carbon fiber SRAM derailleurs are awesome. I voted SRAM

SRAM all the way. Next upgrade will be a SRAM drivetrain. Guy at LBS broke 4 shimano chains in one day at a race. He's never broken a SRAM.

Easy money. Sram

oh man... i see havoc in the near future...

Ive been here long enough to know that this topic is gonna be violent.

but might as well throw in my opinion.

Shimano has my vote.

Trying out new things (rapid rise) and not hesitating to take a risk. Very innovative. Has kick ass cranks(next set is Hone).

Talking about cranks. I think they make the best set of cranks out on the market now. Light, stiff and ready to take some abuse. Hollowtech II is the way to go. Only downfall is the BB. You gotta buy a BB that is shimano.

I do like SRAM stuff, but shimano is easier to come by and without a doubt more widely available.

LBS hardly has any SRAM in stock

I have Shimano largely due to the way I upgraded my 'Hopper. A bit at a time. The next bike I build will most likely be a full SRAM / Rock Shox / Avid / Truvativ and Chris King setup.

I'm pretty sure I've seen a few aftermarket bb's that are availble in octalink and isis both. For the most part, the Shimanos are easier to come by, but awhile back I saw Jenson selling a couple that were available in either format.

I find shimano is easier to come by in your local store. The sport stores around here that carry a good array of bicycle stuff all carry it and hardly any SRAM. But its 75 dollars for an XT cassette. whereas i can get a sram cassette for 30. So now i do all of my shopping online for these products, cheaper, better product and more variety.

since i have two bikes, one with SRAM and one with Shimano , I voted Shimano because I prefer the way ther stuff works, and lasts, and lasts,..........and lasts

flippy shifters and rapid rise rule man!!

First time ive ever heard this! Good to know someone out there supports the flippy shifters

Theres a few of you ...I do know several xc guys that love it around here. Me and this one guy basically agree to disagree on the subject at this point. Hes a xc racer who thinks its the bomb ...

I have even considered putting it on a pure xc bike full time, but I really can't afford it

<-------flippy shifter supporter

Unless this guys legs are powered by a GSXR-1000, there is no way the chain broke due to a weakness. Unless he got it off a kmart bike, he just didn't install it right (4 times apparently). The reason the SRAM probably didn't is cause of the power link which is much easier to install.

My shimano XT kit is **** bh with you, i would imagine SRAM would be better...

I've never really had any issues out of Shimano stuff... I've not tried SRAM yet, but if/when I upgrade my drivetrain, I'll try SRAM for fun.

Raiyn, stop that you'll hurt yourself


I've never broken a shimano chain but one or SRAM chains with powerlinks have come undone.

really i don;t understand this whole SRAM is better thing.
Some prefer twist grips ,others don't
some prefer rapid rise, others don't
some like the look of SRAM, others like the look of shimano

take your pick and be happy.

To show impartiality I use both systems and am happy with both, just prefer Flippy shifter and rapid rise cause downshifts require no effort, the spring does it all..

well with trigger shifters they do not take effort. obviously to shift up it takes effort but a downshift is just click away, the spring does the effort also

er no the SRAm derailleurs are not rapid rise.

if you're refering to Shimano triggers then yes thats true.
However with triggers it's very hard to brake and downshift effectively.
With flippy's just a slight vertical and rearward pull and lighter gear ratios and braking are yours to control
Hence they're called dual control

I've actually broken several Shimano chains. I had one that didn't break, but twisted one of the links so badly (while standing up to sprint) that it causes the chain to lock up. The chains I did break were NOT at the link that was "repinned" but rather a "virgin" link. Have actually split the link on several occassions.

I agree completely. I also think the poll was to find out preferences.

Oh yeah forgot.

I'm using Shimano XTR 8-speed shifters/derailleurs with a Sram Cassette and a Sram Chain, with TruVative Cranks, on my main bike.

I've got Sram Rocket Shifters (Shimano Compatible) with XT derailleurs, XT Cassette and another Sram Chain, with Race Face Chainrings on my other bike.

My Road bike is full Ultegra. My CX bike is a mix of 105 and XT.

My next mountain bike will be Sram X.9 to see how I like it.

If I can find a good deal on some NOS XTR/XT 8-speed stuff I'll use that instead.

twisting a chain is not the fault of the chain.
alos pulling a link plate out means that at some point the link was overstressed.
any one who physically breaks a chain must be Mr Hulk himself.
Only way any chain can break is at a point where the chain was previously broken to either fit it or remove it.

You are right, it was the fault of me shifting into a big gear, standing up to sprint and torquing the heck out my bike which had a lightweight racing quality chain vs. a heavier duty utilitarian level chain.

Yes, on a chain that was only one or two months old. This must mean that the chain was overstressed AT the factory.

Thanks for calling me Mr. Hulk. I appreciate the compliment. I AM a big guy at 240lbs and WAS a weightlifter/fitness trainer AND could (back in the day) squat over 600 lbs.

Or, again using the wrong product. I admit that my XT chain was too weak for someone as myself who can and does apply a lot of torque to the chain. This is the reason I switched to a SRAM chain AND back to 8-speed. I feel 9-speed is too delicate and fragile. I've had too many problems with 9-speed on my bikes. I think 9-speed is fine for other people, just not me.