I apologize for the newbie question, but i was wondering what parts are compatible between SRAM and Shimano; i’ve read a few posts by people who seem to have mixed component groups (and searched for the topic without finding all the info I’m looking for).
I assume that derrailleurs (front at least) can be attached to a SRAM or Shimano shifter, but…
are chains compatible between the two brands? do shifters and cassettes have to be of the same brand? and what about cranksets from zipp or fsa; will they work with either Shimano or SRAM chains/derrailleurs?
if someone could summarize which parts can work between brands i’d appreciate it!
also, if you were to mix, say a primarily red groupset with some shimano parts, are there any specific ones you would recommend going with shimano on? i recall reading that shimano cassettes are more durable, as well as some stuff about people disliking the titanium on the red front DR (flex reasons?)…
Good to go (maybe slight differences in shifting)
Cassette
Chain
Wheels
Crankset
BB
Brakes Not Interchangeable
Shifters (STI or Bar-end) - Cable pull is different
Rear Derailleur - cable pull is different Maybe
Front Derailleur (have heard its okay, but have not checked)
I like the sound of shimano chain+ cassette, but I like the gear ratio of a sram 11-26, so I run sram (shimano 12-27 is good, but I like the 11). SRAM is loud! I think that the Red shifters (STI) are great. I’m not sure that the rest of the group is worth the upcharge. BUT, it was cheaper for me to get a whole RED group then a Force group with RED shifters. The RED FD is fine, if you have lots of shifts of the FD, under load, maybe the Force FD is better option, but I doubt it…
This is more of a question than an answer but, It seems that the only thing that needs to be compatible are the crank/cassette and the shifters. This is becasue everything between the cassette and the right hand shifter does not move in set intervals. I could be completely wrong, but that is just what my logic is telling me. I dont see a reason why you couldnt use a sram red shifter with a shimano dura ace RD and a shimano chain as long as the cassette is compatible with sram.
SRAM shifters have different cable pull than shimano. The rear derailleur has to match the shifter which you are using.
Because the front derailleurs are not indexed the different cable pull is not important. With Bar end shifters, you can use a 9 or 10 speed, SRAM, Campy, or Shimano front derailleurs. I haven’t used the ‘09’ shimano STI shifters, nor Double Tap, but with the previous editions it wasn’t an issue to mix and match.
Shimano and Sram Cassettes, as well as Brakes work fine with either group.
Some Cranksets only work with certain bottom brackets, but a shimano chain/ derailleur will work on either crank/ chainring.
Speaking of Chain, pre '09 SRAM chains don’t work very well in general (it wasn’t until mid '08 that Astana stopped using Dura Ace chains, despite being sponsored by SRAM)