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I'm looking to get a new bike this year and looks like with stock shortages etc its likely bikes with be available in only a SRAM build kit or a Shimano build kit but not both (unless I want a even longer wait). At the price points I'm looking at it'll either be the XT or GX groupset that is provided.
I'm currently using a Shimano XT 10 speed group set on my bike and I've been a Shimano user for over 10years for no other reason other than my first proper MTB had Shimano and I just stuck with it.
If I go for a bike with SRAM GX build kit am I going to hate it or is it really not an issue? Anyone swapped recently and have any views to share?
Having had both, honestly there's very little to really worry about with either, but reality is something can go wrong with either and people will use that to choose one over another, i've had cassettes have issues with both GX and SLX, i've had mechs have issues with both GX and XT, if i had to choose, i'd stick with shimano, as i like the brakes, so easier to get matched up with the shifters/levers and so on.
As said though, 12 speed groupset wise, it's pretty even, it'll come down to what brakes you get and what you prefer, as SRAM and Shimano are different in feel for brakes.
TBH they're both very good, and pretty similar. GX is lighter and IMO is the higher end of the two but not in any ways that really make a gamechanging difference (well, except that XT 12 speed chains are fragile)
It used to be that SRAM and SHimano had pretty different signature feel but that ended with 10 speed when Shimano basically copied SRAM and went with a clickier/more positive feel. Since then they're just 2 slightly different takes on the same thing rather than really being very distinct. I have GX on one bike and XT on another and tbf once I stopped using XT chains I've been well impressed with them both. I guess arguably the GX jockey wheel bearings didn't last as well as I'd like... I guess I'd choose the GX just because of the weight but for day to day I don't really care which.
Have/had GX and SLX 12 speed.
I ended up siding with GX because it was better in wet mud and the match maker clamp things worked with my Guide RSC brakes. SLX was pretty good though and I didn't really have any issues with it.
Ended up going GX AXS in the end so there's that 🙂
I’ve got a set of both just now (XT on the hardtail and GX on the full sus) and for me the XT set come out ahead.
I think the shifting is just a bit better with XT (even in what we pass off as mud round our way) and I prefer the feel of the shimano shifter, mostly because I don’t get on all the well with the up shift leaver position on the GX unit. I also really like the dual release on the shimano shifters and miss it when I try, and fail, to use it when riding the GX setup.
I was running Sram gx on both my mountain bikes a few years back but since trying the new shimano 12 speed stuff I’ve moved to all shimano on the new bikes. Gx Eagle mechs are made of cheese. I would say I think I prefer the Sram shifter mind.
I’ve got Gx eagle on the hardtail and Xt 12 speed on the full suss. At the moment I prefer the Gx eagle - but it’s only been on a month so I can comment on longevity....but I expect sooner or later the jockey wheel bearings will seize. Pretty standard for Gx bearings.
XT 12 speed has been on for maybe 9-10 months and the Shimano chain was awful in mud - binned it off for a Sram xx1 chain and it’s been much better. I’ve already had to ‘service’ the mech which I’ve never had to do with any other mech. It started getting really stiff to shift (even new it was stiffer to shift than Gx eagle is) and it turns out the jockey cage pivots get gummed up and need dismantling and regreasing. The top jockey wheel bearing is also on its last legs too - not sure what to replace it with as apparently the bushing ones on slx are even less durable.
All in all I’m just not convinced 100% on 12 speed durability of either make.
I have XT on my hard tail after replacing the frankly awful SX that came with it.
My FS has GX.
I don’t notice any performance difference in the two, I have a small preference for the shimano shifter but not enough to worry about it.
The only pita is having two different sets of brake fluid in the cupboard. Reason enough to stick to one brand I guess 🙂
Thank you all for the feedback.
Sounds like on the shifting front there is a bit of difference but not loads and I should be able to adapt fine. Nothing too much to worry about.
I’m most likely going take the formula cura brakes off my current bike and put them on the new one so not bothered about the braking.
Sram eagle clutches are non adjustable and non serviceable, they lose their effectiveness after about 6 months.
Have a mix of XTR mech/shifter and XT block/chain on the G1 and Smuggler, works really well, no issues. Positive feel and with the 10-45t, the mechs are shorter and the mech stays in tune more.
GX/X01/NX mix on the eeb, feels good, but it is brand new. Have an XTR shifter and mech to go on when it starts misbehaving.
GX has been around a long time now and massively trumped the 11 speed shimano, shimano have definately come back to their best.
the latest GX eagle launched last summer is 520% (ie 52T cog) so an extra tooth above shimano again.
between GX and XT not much difference, I've always prefered the shimano xtr shifter feel,
i'd definately take SLX or even Deore over NX & SX
I've owned both and would run either without giving it a second thought. If you end up with Shimano and a Shimano SLX or higher rear hub, get ready for regular maintenance to stop creaking.
I love the shimano shifting being able to move 3 gears in one go etc