undisputed83

I just bought a SRAM equipped bike and I'm pretty impressed by the simplicity of the double tap system, and it's overall efficiency. Will Shimano always be a mainstay? Or will it become a less prevalent component much like campy?

waltersc

Who knows what the future may bring... I agree SRAM is awsome.

kleinboogie

There's room for all three which is good for us because they push each other to innovate/steal ideas. I have all three on different bikes and it's kinda cool, makes me feel like I'm helping the entire industry. GL

sijray21

I bought SRAM because I love the double-tap, lighter, smaller hoods, and it is from the US.

I'm now planning to convert the Tarmac to SRAM from its current Ultegra set-up.

Agave

Well, Budwiser is the most popular beer in America too.

Carbon Unit

I am not sure if they will pass up Shimano but SRAM has made huge in roads since they got into the road group business a few yeas ago. If I ever decide to leave Campy, it would be SRAM I would go to not Shimano.

intence

I think Shimano will still dominate so long as they're the "default" components you find on stock bikes. SRAM may change things a bit with Apex though. One issue with SRAM is that we haven't seen any major changes recently, but I don't think this is a bad thing. It just means their system is quite highly refined.

So long as they continue to market agressively and increase market share on new bikes, I can see them taking a larger chunk of the market.

mikeoverly

The groups are light and the price is right. Campy and Shimano aren't remotely competitive.

Blackdays

Would any of you consider swapping out a Dura Ace 7800 group for SRAM Force, or even Rival?

A recent accident has left my left wrist pretty banged up. The long throw on the FD shifter is just not cutting it right now.

Carbon Unit

I think Shimano and Campy are very competitive. When SRAM came out they had very aggressive pricing. Now I can get Campy Record for less than SRAM Red. Not sure about Shimano because i don't pay much attention to them except for DI2 but if Shimano wasn't competitive their stuff wouldn't be selling.

Fox Farm

patentcad

Incorrect.

kwakster928

I always rode Shimano, but recently switched to SRAM. It is not the most quiet group out there, but I am completely sold on double tap.

surgeonstone

Good friend of mine works all day every day on high end bikes. His verdict- Campy far and away the best. My verdict. Campy far and away the best. But then I have been riding campy for 30 years so my experience with Dura Ace is non existent and with SRAM even less than that. However in 30 years of Campy I have had zero failures, no not even one.

IcySmooth52

I have little expierience with groups > than Ultegra or Force, but I think even Apex is better than 105.

ilvwhtgrls

easy solution, don't leave the big ring.

themothman421

I've only recently acquired my Force gruppo, but I love it. SRAM4lyfe from now on

grwoolf

I'm also a recent convert to SRAM on one of my bikes(force/red mix). I've got 6700 on the other. They both work well, but I prefer the doubletap approach to shifting and crispness of the action.

I recently got my wife a Specialized road bike and ended up with APEX, it works well. I noticed Specialized is offering SRAM and Shimano options on most of their road bike models, so they are letting the consumer choose the group. I'm sure they are watching the buying patterns and I'd be interested what the mix is. I think Shimano will loose more marketshare unless they introduce a game changer (maybe electronic ultegra could be that if priced right).

badhat

i could literally refute this annecdotally in any direction i wanted to from various mechanics and high end shops around here who swear by shimano or SRAM.

IcySmooth52

I know Shimano will be releasing a dual crank with the range of a triple like SRAM's Apex as an option next year for 105.

Carbon Unit

I have been a Campy user for five years since I took up cycling. During this time I have had zero problems with Campy. I haven't even adjusted the Dr. It just works. If I did have a problem, it is rebuildable.

James1:17

I don't know but if they try I'll put on a bandanna and start spraypainting Wolverines all over ish...it is SRAM Red after all

thedeadone

I like sram and eggs!!!

Carbon Unit

I like green eggs and SRAM.

ilovecycling

Probably going to stir things up a bit with this one, but after spending a few months on Rival and even raving about it around here, I am starting to see its shortcomings. I am now thinking about switching over to Ultegra or DA. I spent a year on 105 (5600) with my Trek 2.3 before moving to Rival, and I didn't like some things about it so I was certain Sram was the answer. However, now that I have some experience with the Rival group that came on my 2011 R3, I am starting to think I prefer Shimano's shifting system.

First, the two lever shifting set up Shimano uses was never a problem for me. In fact, this is what I miss the most. I'm getting really tired of accidentally shifting into a higher gear when I try to down shift with Sram. It seems like it requires a deliberate effort in distance, force, and timing of the lever throw to accurately down shift with Sram. In other words, if you don't push the lever far enough you end up shifting into a harder gear, which really sucks when you are about to attack on a climb. This was never a problem with Shimano because the up and down shift functions were separated with two different levers. Again, I never had a problem with confusing the braking and down shift functions of the lever.

Shimano feels smoother to me as well. Everything from the shifting action to the butter smooth pivoting of the brake levers.

Sram still makes a terrific product. Definitely a snappier, more confidence-inspiring shift. 105 was more finicky as far as adjustment goes. I also like how quickly the zero-loss front shifting happens. With Shimano, it seemed like I had to throw the lever too far to shift from the little ring to the big ring up front. I've heard that the newer Ultegra and Dura Ace groups have very quick and effortless front shifting, but I haven't experienced this myself.

To make a long story short, they both have their positives and negatives. I'm just starting to think that I'd be better off with Shimano. I miss the separated shifting levers and the smoother overall operation. If the newer Ultegra or DA has improved (quicker) front shifting, I think it would be worth it for me to give it a try.