Why not Shimano?

[Tri Slow Poke]

I have Shimano on all of my bikes. Sram wasn't around when I bought my first bike and Campy didn't come standard on 90% of the stock rides. I'm sure they all have their strengths, but I learned on Shimano. I like focusing on riding instead of figuring out how to use and repair a new group.

[frdfandc]

It comes down to personal preference.

However, I've currently equipped 2 MTB's and one road bike with SRAM. I prefer the mechanicality of SRAM. I like the fact that adjustments are kept to a minimum as compared to Shimano. When I ran Shimano, it seemed to me that I was always tweaking. Barrel adjustment here, adjustment there.

On my MTB I've had zero issues the past 2 years with SRAM. Only had to play with cable adjustment 4 times. And it was 2 times after cable installation.


But the biggest reason why Shimano is very popular is because they have over approx 70% of the OEM market. But that is changing as time goes on. Several bike companies are offering bikes with Shimano AND Sram right out of the box. Nice to have a competitive selection.

[SystemShock]

Originally Posted by Wheelman55

Mr. Versatile and Systemshock...I'm really not trying to start an arguement

Originally Posted by Wheelman55

Hopefully we can shake hands and stay friends

Wheelman, not sure why you think we're in such a 'heated argument'.

If you think that our minor difference of opinion is somehow a major brouhaha, you must not have been here long.
This is like pattycakes compared to a true RBR disagreement.
.

[rodar y rodar]

Originally Posted by sanrensho

Love Shimano for the ability to mix and match components between my road, CX and MTB rigs.

I`m surprised that nobody else mentioned this. No mtb cassettess for Campy and very few cassettes for less than 10 speed, no triples for SRAM and no 7, 8, or 9 at all AFAIK. My bikes have franken drivetrains with mixed Shimano and Suntour 7 and 8 speed (just recently went to 9 on one bike). Some mtb and some road, some friction and some indexed, all triples, although I removed that big old 42t ring on my mtb years ago. Neither SRAM or Campy allows that kind of mixing. Note that Shimano and Acushift index together even though technically they aren`t supposed to. I wish it were as pretty as Campy, because I`m a sucker for pretty parts, but at least I can throw in a shiny S.T. derailler here and there.

[StillRiding]

Originally Posted by iliveonnitro

My problem with Shimano (7800 and previous) is that they can't figure out how to prevent cables breaking right at the shifter. Wtf is with that? SRAM and Campy don't do that nearly as often as Shimano does...

I thought I was the only one who had this problem. My wife's Ultegra equipped bike breaks cables about twice a year. In comparison, my SRAM Force and now Red equipped bikes have never broken a shifter cable.

[StillKeen]

Originally Posted by buck-50

Honestly, the only problem I have with shimano is their styling.

Their new crank design looks (to my eyes) just plain wrong on a more classically proportioned steel frame. But their stuff works great. It's fairly bulletproof. And they don't pull too many compatibility tricks like ......

Agree. 7900 and 6700 are not appealing to me. Finally after 5 or 6 years I like 7800 ... maybe I'll oneday like 7900 ...