Why are people so loyal to SRAM ?

[Vishal72]

I had changed groupsets on my bike from SRAM GX 11 speed to Eagle GX, which was a major disappointment. 3 reputable bike shops in Cape Town couldn’t get the shifting sorted and the derailleur and cassette were changed under warranty. I still wasn’t totally happy with the shifting and recently changed to Shimano SLX . The perceived quality (subjective) is better on the Shimano. The shift quality (objective) especially under power is a lot better.
When recounting my experience to various bike shops personnel I was met with varying degrees of sceptism and almost disbelief. A common thread is that the quality of SRAM is better. One guy even said I should have tried X01....
The X01 derailleur costs more than the SLX groupset !!!
It also seems that very few have tried the 12 speed Shimano and don’t seemed too interested.
Its a shame as I doubt they will recommend the Shimano 12 speed groupset to any of their customers.
I’m pretty new to mountain biking, is there some history that I’m not aware of ?

Edited January 13, 2020 by Vishal72

['Dale]

It carries more aesthetic appeal.

 

In plain terms, it is sexier.

Edited January 13, 2020 by 'Dale

[stefmeister]

Probably just a SA thing, like our obsession with German cars.

 

But for the most part Shimano got left behind with Sram's 1 x 12 spd tech, which found its way to most OEM stuff. Things should change in a year or so, unless Sram pulls another one on Shimano.

[fanievb]

and the importers are much easier to deal with in event of warranty claims etc.

[MarcW]

Warranty and support locally is in my experience much better than the Shimano agents. 

[Maaknplan]

SRAM = Ford Mustang

Shimano = Toyota Hilux

[Headshot]

It carries more aesthetic appeal.

 

In plain terms, it is sexier.

What? Not a chance - give me an XT over a GX anyday.  And the new 12 speed stuff is even better. Not to mention the double upshifts you'll probably never ever see on a SRAM.

 

I'm not sure that many bike shop employees - not owners or expert mechanics, are simply stuck on the company sales line and aren't actual bona fide bike enthusiasts. The reviews of the latest 12 speed Shimano is glowing, XT in particular. The downshifting under pressure excellence has found its way down as far as SLX by the sound of it. 

[Headshot]

SRAM = Ford Mustang

Shimano = Toyota Hilux

  Bwahaha - Nope, SRAM - Chrysler Voyager, Shimano, Porsche 911 GT3

[BuffsVintageBikes]

Check out Hambini's opinion of the SRAM GXP Crankset on YouTube and you'll realise that you're not alone with your opinion on their products.

[Jewbacca]

I am fairly indifferent to be honest.

 

One thing I did like about SRAM was that I could use my 10 speed clutch rd with my 10 speed double tap shifters when making my 1x gravel bike.

 

I like that I can shift more than 1 gear down at a time with Shimano on the MTB, the fact that their cassettes don't cost an arm and a leg to replace (up to 11 speeds) and that I can substitute a reasonably priced Sunrace option.

 

I can also run a 'normal' shimano freehub SS.

 

SRAM are ahead in available tech though, so if you want the latest and the lightest, they are the option.

 

I don't think it makes them better. But with CCS being way easier to deal with than Cool Heat, the new tech and after sales service is a bonus.

 

Spez are also more often than not specced with SRAM, so as the biggest bike sellers, people get used to what they get used to.

[Veebee]

each to their own with brand loyalty...

I had many guys and shops tell me to stay away from Sram Red when looking for a new road gruppo, and having ridden for Shimano for 5 years with no issues I eventually went DA.

[lechatnoir]

Check out Hambini's opinion of the SRAM GXP Crankset on YouTube and you'll realise that you're not alone with your opinion on their products.

 

This is pure class. Still go back and watch that when I'm feeling bleak. He'll never be accused of calling a spade and earth-inverting horticultural implement

[Hairy]

I like the positive shifting feel of sram over the more vague shimano .... that double shift option on the shimano has never been a big selling point for me ... I am able to "double tap" a sram shifter to achieve the same.

 

Currently on 11spd SLX and missing my 11spd GX.

[floatfox]

I find in general that lots of shops struggle with setting SRAM Eagle properly. I find it easy, as with SRAM you need a liitle less tension on the cable than with Shimano. Also if you shift to the largest gear at the back, the guys often adjust the tension screw too much so that the gap between the top derailleur wheel and large cassette ring is too big, thereby having too much tension on the drivetrain. The result is that you gear up well, but it struggles to gear down especially in the 3 largest rings. 

 

I really think that SRAM is a really good system, it needs to just be adjusted properly. I would however not buy anything below GX. 

 

As for Shimano, nothing wrong with their 10, 11 or 12 speed group sets..it just seems to get better and better every time they launch something new. 

[Hairy]

I find in general that lots of shops struggle with setting SRAM Eagle properly. I find it easy, as with SRAM you need a liitle less tension on the cable than with Shimano. Also if you shift to the largest gear at the back, the guys often adjust the tension screw too much so that the gap between the top derailleur wheel and large cassette ring is too big, thereby having too much tension on the drivetrain. The result is that you gear up well, but it struggles to gear down especially in the 3 largest rings. 

 

I really think that SRAM is a really good system, it needs to just be adjusted properly. I would however not buy anything below GX. 

 

As for Shimano, nothing wrong with their 10, 11 or 12 speed group sets..it just seems to get better and better every time they launch something new. 

SRAM have really clear instructions and diagrams as to the specific gaps/spaces when setting up the Der ... a LBS should have no excuse for not getting this right if I as a pleb am able to set it up properly.

[floatfox]

SRAM have really clear instructions and diagrams as to the specific gaps/spaces when setting up the Der ... a LBS should have no excuse for not getting this right if I as a pleb am able to set it up properly.

Exactly..even chain length, guys don't understand what severe impact this has on the shifting side of things.