SRAM Vs Shimano Chains & Cassettes

SRAM Vs Shimano Chains & Cassettes

Author
Discussion

OneDs

Original Poster:

1,629 posts

182 months

Tuesday 12th October 2010
quotequote all
Time for a change on my MTB cassette and chain:-

Currently have what the bike came with Shimano HG-53 Chain & a SRAM PG 950 cassette.

As usual with me when it's time to change something I look to upgrade it.

I'm not a particular brand fanboy so am happy to mix and match or swap completely from one to the other.

Any body have any experience +/- on a Shimano XT HG-93 chain Vs SRAM 991 and a Shimano XT 770 Cassette Vs a SRAM PG-990 cassette.

Cheers in advance.

Edited by OneDs on Tuesday 12th October 13:26

P-Jay

10,761 posts

197 months

Tuesday 12th October 2010
quotequote all
I don't know why, but it's common knowledge that Shimano make the best cassetts and SRAM the best chains.

I've always found SRAM 991 chains work really nicely with XT cassetts.

Infact SRAM 971 with Shimano SLX cassetts work just as well, cost less - weigh more but shift just the same IMHO.

I wouldn't bother with any cross-step / hollow pin bks unless you're kept up and night worried about scary grammes.


HundredthIdiot

4,414 posts

290 months

Tuesday 12th October 2010
quotequote all
P-Jay said:
I don't know why, but it's common knowledge that Shimano make the best cassetts and SRAM the best chains.
Yes, I use SRAM chains with Shimano cassettes.

I think Shimano have some patents on tooth profile which give better shifting performance but have developed a reputation for unreliability of their chains.

CerbitonFlyer

155 posts

205 months

Tuesday 12th October 2010
quotequote all
HundredthIdiot said:
P-Jay said:
I don't know why, but it's common knowledge that Shimano make the best cassetts and SRAM the best chains.
Yes, I use SRAM chains with Shimano cassettes.
Yep - I'll third that. Defo the best combo, but again I don't know why. I also hate the stupid pins that Shimano insist you use on their chains

lou_m

67 posts

252 months

Tuesday 12th October 2010
quotequote all
I use KMC X9SL or X10SL chains on my bikes with a mix of sram and shimano cassettes. Shimano cassettes are a wee bit smoother when chainging gear. Broken plenty of sram and shimano chains over the years, over 3500 miles on KMC chains this year with no problems.

SkinnyBoy

4,635 posts

264 months

Tuesday 12th October 2010
quotequote all
You can't go wrong with a Wipperman Connex chain

OneDs

Original Poster:

1,629 posts

182 months

Tuesday 12th October 2010
quotequote all
Argh!!! banghead someone had to do it didn't they, give a PHeader two good enough for anyone options and there will be a 3rd better one along in no time.

Well done lou_m clap, right who's got the fourth, maybe an unobtainium cassette or chain somewhere I don't know about

Edited by OneDs on Tuesday 12th October 14:42


SkinnyBoy bounce get in!!! ok come on there must be a 5th anyone?

biggrinbiggrin

Edited by OneDs on Tuesday 12th October 14:43

ysnnim

235 posts

237 months

Tuesday 12th October 2010
quotequote all
Sram 971, xt cassette..

lou_m

67 posts

252 months

Tuesday 12th October 2010
quotequote all
Oh and if you want to save more weight you can run a 10sp chain on a 9 speed set up!

SkinnyBoy

4,635 posts

264 months

Tuesday 12th October 2010
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Oh if you insist... Viking titanium hollowpin chain when one expects the best and would sir care for a M980 cassette

snotrag

14,861 posts

217 months

Tuesday 12th October 2010
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Shimano cassettes - SLX or up that are on an alloy carrier, not the pressed/stamped cogs with that are screwed/riveted together.


Chains - classically used Sram 971, The only thing Shimano dont do well is chains.

The issue with Sram chains is they go 'baggy' quickly, not stretched but lateral play, so on a mtb they tt around off your wheel and chainstay.


Now though - KMC. Brill, AND Gold - and seems to be lasting better than Sram so far.

was8v

1,985 posts

201 months

Tuesday 12th October 2010
quotequote all
KMC chains and Shimano cassettes unless you can get the sram equivalent much cheaper.

Shimano cassettes shift slightly better than Sram, and KMC beat all other chains.

beanbag

7,346 posts

247 months

Tuesday 12th October 2010
quotequote all
I've got an XT cassette and I can't fault it in any way.

It works miles better than the stock HG-50 I had on the Spesh Stumpy. Much smoother, quicker changes.

Raven Flyer

1,645 posts

230 months

Tuesday 12th October 2010
quotequote all
On my road bike I have changed my Shimano CS-5600 12-25T cassette for an SRAM 1070 11-25T. The SRAM is better in all respects. It changes better but the biggest improvement is it is much quieter.

Parsnip

3,132 posts

194 months

Tuesday 12th October 2010
quotequote all
was8v said:
KMC chains and Shimano cassettes unless you can get the sram equivalent much cheaper.

Shimano cassettes shift slightly better than Sram, and KMC beat all other chains.
Yup - 'specially the gold KMC affairs - the extra bling makes you go quicker.

OneDs

Original Poster:

1,629 posts

182 months

Tuesday 12th October 2010
quotequote all
many thanks all for your input.

OK so a 770 XT cassette and a KMC chain.

Is there any reason why Merlin have KMC X9 SL chains for £27 and wiggle/CRC have them for £40+, unless they are old versions at Merlin or have miss printed that looks like a bit of a bargain.

itsnotarace

4,685 posts

215 months

Tuesday 12th October 2010
quotequote all
Merlin are very cheap but don't stock a huge range of stuff. I will always check Ribble and Merlin before looking elsewhere

mackie1

8,165 posts

239 months

Wednesday 13th October 2010
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SLX HG80 cassette with SRAM chain here, no problems so far.

zebedee

4,592 posts

284 months

Wednesday 13th October 2010
quotequote all
CerbitonFlyer said:
HundredthIdiot said:
P-Jay said:
I don't know why, but it's common knowledge that Shimano make the best cassetts and SRAM the best chains.
Yes, I use SRAM chains with Shimano cassettes.
Yep - I'll third that. Defo the best combo, but again I don't know why. I also hate the stupid pins that Shimano insist you use on their chains
Another for me - have broken 2 or 3 shimano chains, never a SRAM one. No specific problems with SRAM cassettes though, so if you see a good deal, get it!

MrTom

868 posts

209 months

Wednesday 13th October 2010
quotequote all
I use the cheapest Shimano or Sram chain with a Sram pg990 cassette. The strongest chain is one that is fitted properly, and maintained correctly (regularly cleaned, and lubed).