[Closed] Making the jump from SRAM to Shimano

There have been a few threads on a similar tack. I’ve spent a lot of time on the new shimano and we were lucky to be the first people to test the new kit as journalists got a sneak preview when I organized the launch of the new Orbea Occam last year. I really like it, I’ve used the XT and the XTR. I bought a few bikes this year, hire and personal, and I’ve gone fully shimano XT. It’s just better than SRAM in my opinion.

There is too much to type out here. To try and summarize... touch points are really improved, shifting ratios better, shifting options (double down etc), relatability been good and feels more solid / less plastic with the adjustable clutch etc, brakes are improved again, price point.

I wrote a few words about it if you’re interested in more details. Also happy to answer questions if you want. Shimano 12 speed test

I’ve got zero connection with either sram or shimano, in case I need to state that! I do have a good scar on my arm that I blame the first sram 9 speed for though 🙂 I’m originally a shimano user then a long time on sram and now back to shimano. I guess like a lot of people.

Edit: sorry just to say I use DT Swiss wheels and it was easy to convert.

Like the OP I’m also thinking of making the switch to Shimano 12 speed. As I’ve always thought Shimano groupsets just work much better than SRAM.

Originally I was just going to buy an SLX groupset and microspline freehub as that’s all I can afford ATM, but now thinking I might upgrade to XT in stages, so shifter and mech now, then new freehub, cassette and chain then finally BB and cranks.
I assume it’d work ok with the NX stuff?

Originally I was just going to buy an SLX groupset and microspline freehub as that’s all I can afford ATM, but now thinking I might upgrade to XT in stages, so shifter and mech now, then new freehub, cassette and chain then finally BB and cranks.
I assume it’d work ok with the NX stuff?

I don't think there is any vast difference in shifting performance and feel in the SLX vs XT now. I would personally get the SLX group and enjoy the way it all works together rather than bit by bit. Having said that, I got an XTR shifter to use with a GX setup because I wanted two way shifting etc.

I don’t think there is any vast difference in shifting performance and feel in the SLX vs XT now.

Honestly it’s just that I fancied having XT on this bike as it’s been a while since I’ve had bike with a higher end spec.

Sorry for the thread hijack OP, I’ll shut up now 😀

Just checking your jump is in no way political? (See George Floyd thread next door)

I am normally a XT man for vanity reasons and because I can't justify XTR. I just got a Decoy with SLX 12 and the shifting is nothing short of spectacular (coming from XT11). I don't see the point of XT anymore... apart for vanity.

I am normally a XT man for vanity reasons and because I can’t justify XTR. I just got a Decoy with SLX 12 and the shifting is nothing short of spectacular (coming from XT11). I don’t see the point of XT anymore… apart for vanity.

I paid £350 for an XT M8100 transmission groupset (cranks, ring, cassette, chain, shifter) plus another £50-ish for the Hope microspline freehub and I reckon this was a bit of a bargain. Not priced up SLX, but I can't see it being much more than £100 cheaper than this, so it's hardly a massive uplift to take XT (which I've also used for years and am very happy with!)

Now, XTR on the other hand...when I priced up this lot, £350 wouldn't even buy the cranks and chainring and the cassette made my eyes water. XT it is!

Definitely nothing political. I just want components that work well, are reliable and don't cost the earth when they do need replacing. I have been happy with SRAM, but it's looking like Shimano is the way ahead.

Thanks for all the info.

Just done the very thing on my bike. Changed from XX1 to XT. It just works. great spread of ratios and the shifter feels much more solid.

Interesting to read these comments as I recently built up a new bike for my son and had originally bought a SRAM NX groupset.

As soon as I installed the rear mech I just thought it felt horrible, so much so that I took it off and put the lot on eBay.

I then ordered 12 speed Shimano SLX from a local shop and have to say it's brilliant and that's comparing it with 11 speed XTR and XT on my bikes.

Typically SLX has had more steel on its rear mechs, one more loose cog on the cassette and the shifter doesnt have multi release like the XT. The 12sp XT cassette has an extra alloy cog but the same amount of loose cogs, so the SLX one is more durable and won't scar the freehub any more than the XT would. So SLX with XT shifter should function just as well as full XT, just slightly heavier due to cheaper materials.

so the SLX one is more durable and won’t scar the freehub any more than the XT would

Is this even a thing any more with Microspline? Not enough miles on mine to tell yet, but would be interested in other's experiences (especially given that in my experience, Hope freehubs do gouge up pretty heavily in normal use)

Been Sram for the past 12 years, X9, then X01 11 Speed, then X01 12 Speed. Just swapped the big bike over to XTR 12 speed.

IMO, as they've added gears the quality has dropped, moving from 2.1 clutch mechs to 3.0 meant no adjustement, so when the clutch lost its clutchiness you couldn't add more on, Shimano had the patent.
4500miles out of 11 speed X01, luck if I get 2500 out of 12 speed, both replacing chains at or below 0.5wear.

Microspine freehubs are appearing for most hubs, the Stan's ones have a silly MSRP, 50% more than the standard ones!

XTR 12 speed is very impressive, I'd already been running a rear mech since christmas after the x01 lost its clutchiness (again, thats the third warranty of that one, cheers evans!)
The shifter is very positive but the shape is very different to sram and IMO not as good, although if you were shimano for life, you woulnd't know any better.

12speed shimano chains don't play with sram rings, oneup do spiders and rings for most cranks if you already have nice cranks.

I went 10-45 with a medium cage rear mech, rarely used the big 50t on the sram cassettes and I prefer to run a 32t chainring over a 34.

If your sram 12 speed mech has shit itself, a shimano 12 speed mech plays nicely with eagle!

When I eventually sort out a trail bike with a steep enough seat angle it will have shimano on there, likely it will be XT, as it'll be winter and XTR is far too nice to drag though winter!

Went from sram Gx or whatever the top 11 speed groupset is to xt mech with xtr shifter (shifter was in the sale for 8€ more than xt). Much smother shifting, not so agricultural.

Daern, my point was that SLX and XT now have the same amount of loose cogs so the only real benefit is weight saving, that extra loose cog in the past has always made me stick with XT cassettes. There is a picture of microspline freehub scarring in a singletrack article titled 'stans and hope respond to shimano microspline licensing frustrations'. The scarring is minimal but happened after only a short test period, so its improved but not cured.
Why they don't make the smaller cogs one piece is beyond me.

Are Sram and Shimano chains and cassettes compatible? I was thinking of replacing my XO1 with Shimano, but only as it wears out, so cassette first, then probably mech and keep the X01 shifter and cranks, which would mean Eagle chainrings. Therefore, how would a Shimano cassette work with a Sram Eagle chain - or - would a Shimano chain work with an Eagle chainring? I've always used Sram chains on Shimano groupsets pre-12 speed.

Got a 12-speed Shimano drivetrain sat in a box awaiting a frame, so all these positive comments are very pleasing to read.

Typical Shimano, take forever and a day to develop 12-speed but when they do finally release it it's bang on first time.

Are Sram and Shimano chains and cassettes compatible? I was thinking of replacing my XO1 with Shimano, but only as it wears out, so cassette first, then probably mech and keep the X01 shifter and cranks, which would mean Eagle chainrings. Therefore, how would a Shimano cassette work with a Sram Eagle chain – or – would a Shimano chain work with an Eagle chainring? I’ve always used Sram chains on Shimano groupsets pre-12 speed.

-Shimano chains dont play nicely with eagle chainrings, you will need to get a OneUp ring
-Not tried shimano chain on a sram cassette and vice versa

I’m tempted by this at some point, due to the cost difference. The one thing that would hold me back though is the Shimano brakes, I would want to keep my guides/codes. Is it possible to get a matchmaker that will allow a SRAM brake to mount to a Shimano shifter?

https://problemsolversbike.com/products/brakes/mismatch_-_30797

Or run band on mounts. I run my brakes pretty flat, so find with integrated mounts the shifter and droppper levers are too far under the bar!

I’ve made the jump and bought XT shifter and mech, plus SLX cassette and chain to replace the SRAM NX kit. I will switch the NX crankset and BB to XT too, but that’ll have to wait until next month.

I recently changed from X01 Eagle to XT 12 speed. Financially it made sense to change as I needed a new derailleur, cassette and chain.
Functionally, XT feels much more precise, although that could be because it's all brand new. I-spec gives lots of freedom to find the perfect shifter position. Replacement parts are cheaper.
Unless you're a particular SRAM fan, I'd definitely recommend the jump.

Thanks for that Sir HC - useful site