You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
So I'm a Shimano fanboi, just get on with it. Had SRAM X9(3x9) on an old bike and didn't like it.
New bike (not yet ridden) has come with SRAM X01 1x11.
Swap it out before i've even turned a pedal?
I'm only thinking this because XT 1x11 is cheap. The SRAM stuff (expensive) if unused 2nd hand might about break even.??
just try it... i'm an ex shimano fanboi.... i now swear by SRAM stuff...
i bet you're surprised how much you like it
Have you factored in the new freehub as well? I think you should give it a try, plus if you end up liking it and wearing out the sprockets you can always get one of those 100-euros-with-chain GX cassettes instead of the expensive X01.
Running a gx drivetrain, no complaints at all. 3 months in and it's great. Can't see why you would shift to cheap heavier kit.
I was in the same situation/quandary. X01 came as standard on the Liteville 601.
I fitted it and am giving it a go.
I like the carbon spiderless cranks. Stuck a 30t oval on and so-far so-good. Suspect the GXP BB won't last but plan to swap it out for a Hope one with GXP adapter when it fails.
I like the 10-42 cassette but will go for GX when it comes to replacement.
I don't like the shifter ergonomics at all and am missing the multi-release of XT too.
The rear mech is the problem for me. Mechs are pretty much consumable items IMO and consumables shouldn't cost hundreds of pounds. They'll only take so many impacts before they get mangled and die. Admittedly, so far the X01 mech is holding-up well and has survived a couple of decent impacts with only superficial damage.
I think I'll swap out the mech and shifter for XT when the X01 mech bites the dust. I'll keep the X01 crankset and stay with a SRAM cassette, just downgrade to a GX cassette.
I have heard people claiming Shimano 11 spd mechs will work with Sram shifters and vice versa . Anybody know if this is true ?
I have heard people claiming Shimano 11 spd mechs will work with Sram shifters and vice versa . Anybody know if this is true ?
Pull ratios are very close but not identical. I'd be interested to know if anyone's had success with this.
Easy swap to fit an XT mech and shifter. Would keep the SRAM cassette, chain and crank. Best of both worlds.
Easy swap to fit an XT mech and shifter. Would keep the SRAM cassette, chain and crank. Best of both worlds.
I think that's all I'd swap.
Already has XT brakes
just try it... i'm an ex shimano fanboi.... i now swear by SRAM stuff...i bet you're surprised how much you like it
What he said...
The difference between SRAM from a couple of generations ago (so your old 3x9 X9) and modern 1x11 stuff is night and day! Don't get me wrong, Shimano 1x11 XT/XTR is great stuff but SRAM is lighter, IMO the shifts are sweeter, you can upshift 5 cogs at a time, and though the cassettes are expensive the 10-42 gives a very useful extra 39% of range over a Shimano 11-42 cassette. Oh yeah, and at X01 and XX1 level, the removable spider on the carbon cranks is a real bonus as it means you can fit any size direct mount ring you like.
All that said, if you know where you are with Shimano and want shot of the X01, there'll be a queue of people on here ready to take it off your hands I'm sure!
I had X5 on my last bike, to be honest it was fine, and I always like SRAM shifters anyway.
I went 1x10 and even with the normal SRAM mech it was fine, but I had an SLX mech (with clutch) and shifter spare so it seemed logical.
There's nothing in it. They both worked flawlessly and since shimano trickled down the dual release shifters I've not missed the SRAM thumb release paddle so much, it's still better (IMO) as it's easier to click it with a knuckle like a gripshift, but only slightly.
My gripe with SRAM was that I went through 3 £80 X9 mechs in about 6 weeks at one time having not broken a Shimano one in years (or even ever?). Data isn't the plural of anecdote, it might have just been a run of bad luck although I'm not tot he only person to think SRAM mechs are made of cheese. But compared to the £25-£35 Shimano mechs it was just too much.
If a bike came with GX I'd probably keep it, and if it wore out then make a judgement based on what prices have dropped to. Could always fit M8000 mech/shifter if the mech got wacked for less than the cost of the GX mech, then do the cassete when it wore out.
Had SRAM stuff as OE on a few bikes in the past, it's fine.
My only gripe was the brakes seemed to need a bleed after the smallest change like fitting different pads, changing from one bike to the next etc, very finicky....Shimano brakes are my go to choice as soon as the SRAM stuff needs so much as a pad change, I just buy XT stuff and put the SRAM brakes on eBay.
Drivetrain is different, I've had decent performance and life span from SRAM stuff, even the low end X5 kit, however I do buy myself Shimano kit when doing a frame only build....current bike has XT brakes, SLX chainset, XT and SLX mechs and shifters....it's cheap, works flawlessly and lasts ages.