thirdgenbird

i vote rival too (and i like the cannondale better than the trek too)

its really a win-win

14max

Sorry, I should have been more specific. I meant old standard reach calipers (47mm - 57mm) like Shimano's R600 which are now considered 'long' reach.

intence

Rival for the following reasons:

-It's lighter
-It works well, and carries over most of the features from the higher end SRAM group
-105 will be redesigned for next year
-Newer Shimano has a messed up and confusing compatibility matrix
-SRAM Pricing is pretty decent (Besides eBay, Performance had decent prices on rival Shifters earlier this week whey they had additional % off)
-Hidden cables vs. Current 105
-Rival was redesigned last year I think (the version with the carbon shifters), so it should be current for a while
-Introduction of Apex, will not make Rival a "mid" SRAM group

Ultegra 6700 is probably Shimano's best group right now. If I was considering a new build i'd go Rival or 6700 or:
-New Force Shifters (which are supposed to be functionally similar to Red) if they are only slightly more than Rival
-Rival everything else
-Shimano Crankset (preferably Ultegra, either 6600 or 6700) should be priced similar or less than Rival for 6600
-KMC Chain

foresthill

Ah. I believe you're confusing the word "caliper" (which basically means the arms that hold your brake pads) with "brake lever".

All of SRAMs current brake levers are adjustable in/out for reach (Campy, too, I believe.)

UGASkiDawg

Incorrect.....I have a RED/Force and DA 7800 and like the shifting of DA much better but the Ergonomics, weight and price of SRAM better. FWIW I have the SRAM on my everyday bike.

Correct and incorrect....shimano is much smoother and SRAM is more tactile going down the cog but going up the cog I find shimano (7800 anyway) more tactile.


SRAM is lighter and cheaper though

Randy5040

doesn't seem like many low end bikes are coming stock with rival yet even though its cheaper why is that?

14max

Thanks for the attempt at a tutorial but, no, that isn't what I meant since was talking about the brake caliper. SRAM doesn't offer a long reach caliper and that wound up being a deal breaker for me when I considered going with a group. My DEAN frameset needed that reach in order to use a 28c tire with a fender.

trek2.3bike

I have a 2.3 that I just upgraded to an Ultegra group. Smooth and perfect for me.

My old 105 group went on my 2.1. Shimano forever!

mike868y

I'll let you know how I like rival in a few weeks

zerocool33

I love Rival because I can't afford Campy. The 105 on my 2.3 feels spongy. Not a bad thing necessarily, but I'm used to Rival on my last bike. Wish campy wasn't so awesome and expensive at the same time. A friend of mine has full chorus on his bike and I love it!

Rockrivr1

Another vote for Rival. I've riden with both and I hands down like the SRAM shifting on the single lever then using the brake to down shift. Upgraded to a Felt Z25 with Red and upgraded the crank to Rival. Very nice ride.

Rocket-Sauce 

Sram -but get a Shimano chain...

roadiejorge 

Plenty of reasons already posted as to why I also vote for Rival without a question, especially over 105. I've used 105 and have Ultegra on one of my bikes but I use the bike with Rival the most (other reasons than just the gruppo) and absolutely love Double Tap. Shimano's gruppos are really good but I prefer the SRAM shifter ergonomics over Shimano too.

Psimet2001 

Yeah/no. Long reach calipers are calipers that have longer arms. This used to be standard as there was generally more tire clearance on frames. Now it is compact. If I put Michelin 25's on any of my bikes they rub the frames. Sad.

Yes the SRAM Levers are adjustable. That's not what he was talking about.

Yaniel

i hate threads like this. i'm dying to sell my 105 shifters &RD and go with rival.

leftturn

Wow, Thanks for so many responses. Its pretty clear in which direction this forum points. My plans to ride both bikes this weekend my have hit a snag. The shop where I was going to ride the cannondale caad94 has no more in my size and cant get them from cannondale untill sometime in May. I want to buy a bike in the next week or so. I guess I will have to call every shop in MD DE VA and PA and see if I can find one.

Steve in MA

I have Rival and love it. I was making the same choice back in the fall when I was ordering my new road bike (could be ordered with Rival or 105). Tried them both at my LBS, researched the two, and chose Rival. Haven't doubted that decision a single time since I've had the bike.

Tsuru

Wife's got 105s, I have Rival, used to have an older Ultegra. I think they are both great, but I really love my Rivals. Once you get used to the single lever doing all the work action, it's just great. I've had 0 problems with it, none, and mine's a 2008 (I heard they are better now?). At the end of the day, I think it probably comes down to personal preference, but forgetting potential pricing differences (no clue how they compare in cost), I'd go Rival.

Steve90068

I have Rival and Ultegra (6600) and I enjoy both for different reasons. Ultegra is smooth, refined and provides a more enjoyable shifting experience on training or recovery days. Rival is more of a mechanical feel, not "clunky" but not as smooth as Ultegra.

I think ultimately it comes down to your preference of shifting. If double tap is for you, you'll never go back but not everyone loves it (and some downright hate it).

Mansram01

I lean towards comparing SRAM Rival and Shimano Ultegra rather than 105. 105 is good but SRAM Rival is hands down better based on the reasons above provided by Intence. I've been using SRAM Rival for almost 3 years now and I love it. I'm slowly converting my components to Force. I do like the feel of the hoods and the double-tap system. More bang for the buck!

Nachoman

That's how it feels when it's not adjusted properly.

Unagidon

I have Ultegra on steel road bike, 105 on cross bike, and SRAM Force on Cervelo. I've become a SRAM fan. The double tap and the ergo just feels good to me.

coyotesareus

Rival. I built a bike last year with Rival mostly for the carbon levers in cold weather riding. I can drop to much lighter gloves on carbon Rival compared to aluminum levers. But since I've started using Rival it will be hard to go back to Shimano 105 or Ultegra. I really like having brake function disconnected from the shifter. The system seems to be more tolerant of slop. I switched wheels the other days (snows to slicks, back to snows again) and didn't get the cassette dogged down tight enough. Even with the cassette wiggling around the Rival system still shifted and got me home.

ElJamoquio

Rankings of what I own:

Force (only better than rival due to weight)
Rival
7800
6600

trekkster

RIVAL 100% lighter than Durache (spanish) and similar price point as 105