Transition to SRAM questions

[sturner]

So, I'm thinking about transitioning to SRAM from Shimano. My drivetrain is in need of some replacement and I've heard good things...but, I have a few questions.

First and foremost, what size do I get? SRAM has a short, medium, and long cage for the x.9 derailleur. Which one should I use? When would you use the others?

Shimano has the cable housing that goes all the way to the deraileur but SRAM doesn't, will the existing cable bosses on my frame be adequate for SRAM?

On the front end, do I need to change the type of chain rings that I use? Will the SRAM x.9 shifters work with the Shimano front derailleur?

Is there anything else I should know before switching over?

Thanks,

Scott

[halfinch]

i'll start with the last. my x.7's work with my deore front mech. no issues. truvativ chainrings if that matters. (it shouldn't).

cable bosses should be fine. use end caps on the cable housings. i like routing of the cable in the sram rear mech's better.

i'd run a long cage if you're running 9 speed 11x34 and 3 rings up front.

if you're running a 2 x 9 set up or a road casette range (11 x 25ish), then i'd lean towards a medium cage.

if you're running a 1 x 9 then you could swing a short cage.

i prefer my srams to shimano's now. i like the thumby goodness and better finger contact on the grips. BUT shimano's over twisties.

[jabberwocky]

First and foremost, what size do I get? SRAM has a short, medium, and long cage for the x.9 derailleur. Which one should I use? When would you use the others?To determine what derailleur you need, first determine the tooth difference of the bike. This is the difference between the smallest and largest cog on your cassette and the difference between the smallest and largest chainring added together. For example, a bike with a 12-34 cassette and a 22-32-bashring combo up front would have a tooth difference of (34-12)+(32-22) or 32 teeth.

For SRAM, the capacities are:
Short: 30t
Medium: 37t
Long: 45t

Generally, its best to use the shortest one you can, as that reduces chainslap and makes the shifting a little crisper.

Shimano has the cable housing that goes all the way to the deraileur but SRAM doesn't, will the existing cable bosses on my frame be adequate for SRAM?Sure. The only difference is that SRAM does away with the loop of cable at the end of the derailler. It still has a termination place for the last segment of housing.

I would plan on replacing the cable itself because the existing one is likely pretty frayed. But you could probably get away with just swapping the derailleur in and cutting the last segment of housing a little shorter.

On the front end, do I need to change the type of chain rings that I use? Will the SRAM x.9 shifters work with the Shimano front derailleur?No need to change chainrings, and Shimano derailleurs work fine (I use XT derailleurs with all my SRAM drivetrains, and a mix of Shimano and Raceface cranks and rings). The only components that are required to be SRAM are the shifters and rear derailleur (as the cable pull is unique to SRAM).

[tuba_transport]

I run mid-cage on my Ellsworth cause I only have 2 chainrings up front.

Front shifters and front derailleurs are interchangeable between SRAM and Shimano. You could even use a Shimano front shifter with a SRAM front derailleur. Any combo up front works. Personally I use an old thumbie friction shifter up front cause I got tired of flaky front derailleur tuning and chainrub in some gears.

Also be warned that SRAM doesn't ghost shift as much, is less susceptible to misstolerances, and doesn't knock the chain around the cassette on rough terrain as much as Shimano. That takes some riding style adjustments because right now you have trained yourself to deal with those adversities. Dropping those riding hesitations and assumptions might take a little while. :thumbsup:

Oh, and we won't be embarrassed to ride with you anymore. :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[sturner]

Thanks for the info everyone. Based on your answers, I think I could switch over pretty reasonably.

Tuba, I bet I can do other things to make you embarrased to ride with me.

Another question, is the quality difference between x.9 and x.7 noticeable?

[mscard]

Just FYI, if you're mostly after the ergonomics of the SRAM shifters you can buy the Rocket and use it with your Shimano rear derailleur. I've been using Rocket/Attack triggers with SRAM Rapid Rise rear derailleurs with great success for the last few years.

I've ridden X.O before and its very nice. Comparable in quality to XTR but not so superior that I'm willing to give up Shimano's reverse spring.