[joetutt offline]

I agree with Goo and a few others...SRAM all the way. I have had a few Shimano components in the past and never liked them. Seems too pricey for the quality of the product...but then again its just my .02...

Oh and by the way this topic will most likely win this months contest...congrats joetutt for being the first to post it up. This topic is like gas on a fire in the mountain bike world.

With all the comments here and some from a few riding buds, I'm leaning towards trying SRAM. I guess I'll never really know until I try right. My decision now is to determine what ratios. Chili suggests 1x9, but I'm leaning towards 2x10...not sure!

Oh bye the way element22 gave me the idea to post the thread.

I've ridden several different rigs set up 1x9, and you could probably get away with it in Florida no problem. I like the simplicity of it, and having a bash guard and chain retention is awesome! If you're in good shape, you could probably handle it up here in North Georgia too. Now if you were out west and riding AM/trail, I'd personally want more gears than that!

I like the idea of a bash guard too. Does the Truvativ Bashguard work with the x9 2x10 crank?

[element22]

With 2X10 no...

[seenvic offline]

I was running X9 for about 2.5 years. Switched bikes and started mostly riding dual control shimano (because I always liked it with a rapid rise rear der.). When the bike with X9 was ready to go again, I just took all the Sram off and bought new dual control on closeout as Shimano has quit making it.

For me, they both work fine. Shimano has a lighter shift engagement and I like the brake lever/shifter combo (I must be one of the very few who liked it).

I'm good to go on drivetrains for 2+ years. I'll be back then and will look at both Sram and Shimano as they are both good with me.

[dchaney389 offline]

I've spent plenty of time on both. Sram slams into gear, stays adjusted well. Shimano tiptoes around the cassette, and mine needed adjusting after every few rides. My Sram hasn't needed any real adjustment in the 6 months I've been using it, and that includes 6 races. Granted, it's X0 vs XT so that could have something to do with it.
Sram is typically a better value. The differences between X9 and X0 are mostly in the materials, not in performance, and an X9 kit can be had for less than an XT kit.

As for the push vs push/pull lever issue... I would argue that it is a good habit to always have at least one finger on the brake. Learning the Sram style shifters isn't hard at all.

Sram customer service is also very good.

[joetutt offline]

I've spent plenty of time on both. Sram slams into gear, stays adjusted well. Shimano tiptoes around the cassette, and mine needed adjusting after every few rides. My Sram hasn't needed any real adjustment in the 6 months I've been using it, and that includes 6 races. Granted, it's X0 vs XT so that could have something to do with it.
Sram is typically a better value. The differences between X9 and X0 are mostly in the materials, not in performance, and an X9 kit can be had for less than an XT kit.

As for the push vs push/pull lever issue... I would argue that it is a good habit to always have at least one finger on the brake. Learning the Sram style shifters isn't hard at all.

Sram customer service is also very good.

Great feedback! Thank you!

[RezBomber offline]

have you ever thought of getting RaceFace cranks? i think they are compatible with sram and shimano. if youre thinking of the 2x10set up.