Sram Red vs Shimano Dura Ace

[cucci35]

i like dura ace. Because I like smooth riding.

[SixThirteen]

What kind of riding do you do? Across a few bikes I have 7900, 6700 and Red 22

For commuting / being in traffic Shimano is better for me because I can shift and brake at the same time.

For longer rides not much difference in terms of minute to minute usage. Yes I do get the wrong shift now and then with Red.

Do prefer the shape of the Red 22 shifters to the Shimano.

[DavidMLee]

Either way, you will be happy.

If you cant decide, it would be a good idea to choose an option your LBS recommends.

[kgt]

Both work fine but DA is a higher quality product IMO.

[Frankie - B]

Either way, you will be happy.

If you cant decide, it would be a good idea to choose an option your LBS recommends.

That way, 9 times out of 10 you will end up with shimano as that is what most of the mechanics have experience with. a bike with components that the mechanics are unfamiliar with is often a *beep* bike.

Get what makes your heart beat faster.

[nemeseri]

Probably that's the case most of the time, but this shop actually said that they think it's easier to keep sram in tune and it's less prone to cable stretch. All of this without having a real interest in pushing me in that direction.

[jerrybrabus]

Sram Red is ok but i prefer Shimano Dura Ace

[1415chris]

That should help, Dura Ace is ok but I prefer Sram Red

[josephtroppo]

Exactly, pick what you prefer.

Every mechanic should be able to work with Shimano, so that should be o.k.
SRAM is a different story, you need a competent mechanic, I've had loads of trouble with my FD until I switched mechanics; worked like a dream after that.

So if your mechanic is comfortable with SRAM, pick whatever you prefer visually and ergonomically.

[2lo8]

The SRAM FD isn't that hard to set up. Just have to know how to adjust. What's really important is the cage angle when it is pushing the chain into the big ring. You tweak the angle based on how the chain is or isn't catching on the ring.

[eric01]

Red 22 vs older (pre 11 speed shimano) isn't a good comparison. IMHO dura ace 7900 was a step backwards from 7800. 9000 is much better and smoother than 7900.

I have red 22 on one bike and dura ace 9000 on another. I think they re both very good and happy with both.

There differences between them will boil down to personal preference.

The one piece where red is definitely superior is its cassette. Issues with the dura ace cassette are well documented on this site. So I end up running red cassette on all my wheeels

[Ozrider]

I've had SRAM Red 2010 and currently have Red 2014 on my Madone
I have Dura Ace 7800 on my steel bike and Dura Ace 9000 on my Parlee.
I will probably be replacing the SRAM Red with Dura Ace 9100 next year.
The SRAM works well and has been pretty reliable, I just prefer the smoother shifting of Dura Ace.
ETap is however tempting, but Di2 will probably be the option I go for, just to maintain the same shifting pattern between my different bikes.


Parlee Z5, Trek Madone, Jonesman Custom

[wheelzqc]

The SRAM FD isn't that hard to set up. Just have to know how to adjust. What's really important is the cage angle when it is pushing the chain into the big ring. You tweak the angle based on how the chain is or isn't catching on the ring.

I followed the instructions to the T and took my time. I have a Rival22 FD and it really shifts lightly and fast. I have Ultegra 6800 on the other bike and I'm not sure which shifts better. Actually I bet the Rival does and mostly because the Ultegra could get tuned a bit better. Install and tune it right and they will both shift flawlessly and effortless.

[mcjayw]

SRAM eTap.

Simple shifting and easy install for mechanic frame.

[wallyPual]

I recommend Shimano . SRAM shift should adapt .