Can you use Sram RD, Blips and a non-Sram chain set/cassette? literally only use the RD?
This is just a standard Sram Red AXS gxp crankset, so I assume 2x. As far as I’m aware they don’t make a 1x specific for road? But I could be wrong.
I think I could. I’ve actually raced/trained outside with the shimano 12sp cassette without fixing the shifting and it really works fine if you don’t get too bothered by tiny mis-shifts.
I’ve considered this and even tried to find shimano teeth pulley wheels that would fit into the sram RD but stopped trying. I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t. As it stands the shimano tooth design is close enough on the cassettes that just mis-matching the pulley wheels would probably cause even fewer issues. I think the bigger priority is matching the front chainring and chain. Since I just bought a fairly cheap 1x AXS chainring and sram chains aren’t that much more expensive than shimano chains I figured that was the way to go for chain retention on a 1x setup.
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I use these on the extensions https://leapcomponents.com/product/wireless-blips-tt-mounts/ and my blips by the brakes are held in place with double sided tape and some electrical tape.
If you look on Ebay, there a few selling 3d printed blip holders for the extensions.
Could you share what chainring it is?
I will share some pictures etc once I start building, but I’m pretty much set with my budget Speed Concept build.
Picked up a 2016 XL frameset in Classifieds for $550, came with 105 11sp crankset and derailleurs, as well as Bontrager brakes.
Thanks to some kind teammates, I was given a Dura Ace 9000 crankset + AXS Rival RD with battery and charger that I will use, and a bunch of extras that I can sell off. I bought 4 wireless blips on JensonUSA with 20% off at $160 and a cheapo 1x NW 50t chainring for the crankset at $30. I also found a set of Zipp 302’s on Marketplace for $250 to replace the initially purchased Easton EC90 TT tubulars. (I was hoping to upgrade the freehub or just build with 10sp, but being given the AXS RD changed that plan.)
So with selling off the wheels, extras and 105 parts, I should be all in on this build at less than $800.
I have been pondering with converting my Shimano 105 to electronic shifting and SRAM seems the way.
- Can you use shimano chainrings with a 12 speed SRAM cassette?
- What chain brand do you use when you have this type of configuration? Would any 12 speed chain work?
- Are SRAMs electronic FD limited to 48T ?
-TIA
From what I’ve learned while researching:
1 and 3: Shimano chainrings will work if using a third party chain like KMC or YBN, flat top will not. However, SRAM FD’s are theoretically limited on their chainring gap to 13T, so a 52/36 is not supported. That being said, I’ve found a few threads on Weightweenies where people have used 52/36 with no major trouble. I’m running 1x to start out, but if I come across a cheap AXS FD i’ll probably try out the 52/36 combo.
2: I haven’t bought one yet, but seems YBN is the most recommended.
Still needs a chain and to pull cables for brakes and wrap base, but all else is at least functional. I’ll probably get an aero chainring once I’ve settled on size. Currently with a Rival AXS RD and blips on extensions with 3D printed holders and OEM holders on base bars.
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What cassette have you got on the back?
I have a 10-33 and a 10-36.
Shimano/Sram?
Here’s a bike I built up with a minimal AXS setup…
Sram Force RD, 10-28 Sram Force cassette, 1 set of wireless blips on the aero bars, Neat Components 45° Blip Holders, 48t Sram 1x aero chainring
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I’ve got a lot of combo knowledge on this mixing of systems in my brain from experimentation.
I have too many bikes and worse addiction to wheels so this is on point for me.
Mixing 11sp stuff isn’t a big issue. 12 sp is a little different but doable. With 12sp SRAM, they changed the chain and roller size slightly. In short, the rollers are mildly bigger. So while you can make it work moving shimano parts on it, it’s not going to be perfect or ideal.
A AXS rear derailleur shifts a chain on any 12 sp cassette pretty well. So if you want to use a shimano casssette because you have a bunch HG freehub wheels, you can make it work no problem. But I would suggest using KMC X12 or YBN 12sp Chain. Those chains were meant to work on either shimano or SRAM. Again, while not ideal, they just seem to work a little better on mixed systems as a result. The only small compromise you have running a KMC or YBN 12sp chain on a mixed SRAM/Shimano system is that the pulley wheels on the SRAM will be just ever so slightly noisier. This is a result of the very small difference in roller diameter on the chain. But my experience is, that softer material on the pulleys wears in pretty quick to whatever chain. If you’re really bothered by it and looking for that 1-2watt friction savings, you could upgrade your pulley wheels to some other brand.
For 1 x systems, I would probably suggest Alugear rings for a couple reasons. They make their 12sp chainrings to work on either SRAM or Shimano. They also have appropriate offset built into rings for each chainring size AND have oval and round options. A bit more expensive, but you’ll get a little better performing set up with it.
I have a gravel bike with a Stone ring and that works fine too. Good value on the Stone rings, but keep in mind they are only meant to work on Shimano, KMC, and YBN chains. SRAM flattop isn’t recommended by Stone…although you can special order a stone ring for it. Absolute Black rings are very nice, but they don’t offer quite as many options for 1x.
Can you use a 2x front ring in a 1x configuration? Yes, but you run the risk of that chain wrapping or dropping on shifts. 1x chainrings have a narrow wide tooth profile which is designed to hold the chain better without a chainguide or FD. I wouldn’t recommend using a 2x chainring in a 1x system if you’re wanting to avoid an issue in a race. Especially a hilly race where you’ll be on the far ends of the cassette.
The key here is really the chain in my experience. While the KMC and YBN are sort of compromises, it allows mixing of systems with the least amount of issues. If you are running all SRAM or all Shimano then their respective chains are best. (PS…if you’re going with all shimano, get the DA chain…it’s the best of the them in speed and longevity).
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