[fireman]

I'm looking to replace the shimano shifter on my DH bike with sram trigger shifter, because I like being able to shift with only my thumb. While I'm at it should I buy a sram derailer too, or stick with my xtr? I'll be stuck with shimano derailers if I get a rocket or attack shifter. most likly this season I will have to replace my derailer anyway, so I would just assume get what ever is better now. I run an ultegra on my DJ bike and it works pretty well but I'm open to trying somthing new.
zak

 

[DHCorky]

Go with the Sram. The derailleur does not bounce anywhere near as much as the Shimano. It is very nice not having that clanking noise. Shifts are very solid and precise. My X.9 derailleur made it through a full season of DH this year and shows no sign of stopping. I have bounced it off rocks and have a witness that made me aware asking me after my run if I needed their spare. They though mine must have broke after watching hit a rock the way it did.

Here is a nice video to show you how much less a Sram derailleur moves:

http://www.angryasian.com/images/Which_would_you_rather_ride_sm1.mov

 

[Jm_]

I'd still stick with shimano. My SRAM cassette (990) just pooped out after 6 months, this is including 3 changes of chains during that time period and none indicated stretching.

SRAM stuff usually preforms fairly well out of the box, long term durability is the question. The top end sram products have a 2 year warrenty, and the top end shimano products (XTR, Dura-ace) have a 3 year warrenty. That should tell you something right there. There's no way their stuff holds up over the long run with plastic teeth in the shifters, and many of their derailers crack around the pivots over the long run.

The new stuff hasn't been out enough to really say one way or the other from my personel observations, but if you are really tough on components you may wear out components at an accellerated rate compared to others, and if these derailers share any traits with previous sram products, you might have some problems.

Sram innovation is usually pretty neat, but durability and long term reliability is not up to XT/XTR level IMO. I work on plenty of bikes with XTR groups from 1 to 5+ years old, they are truly long-term performers that will maintain a high level of performance without serious degredation or failure.

 

[Rip]

I'll let you know in a little over 4 months on how the X-7 triggers are holding up.

 

[Jm_]

I'll let you know in a little over 4 months on how the X-7 triggers are holding up.

would that be only 4 months of use? Or do you have like 6 mo already on em?

 

[Rip]

More like 9 months of use already.

 

[Shmoe]

Go SRAM for sure. Last season I must have used about five shimano rear D's. One X7 lasted me all season and is still running. The PC99 chain and 990 cassetee have also been flawless.

Shimanos '3-year warentee' is a joke as far as downhillers are concerned, Hell last season I couldn't warentee a mech that got ripped off about 1/2 way down the arm on a hard pedal stroke, broke a few spokes, went into the front D and mangled that as well.

If you actually getting replacements under DH use I would be surprised. And you shouldnt at all if you are using a read rear d. I hope to never have to run shimano drivetrain again, it simply isn't as good.

 

[buildyourown]

Run the sram. I've about the same luck as far as durability is concerned. I've averaged about 2 shifters and 2 derailuers a season regardless of which brand. SRAM has a huge advantage because of the 1:1 ratio. It sounds like hype, but on a DH bike where the suspension causes slight cable movement, the 1:1 ratio all but eliminates ghost shifts. It also means that a worn out shifter and slightly bent der will still shift decent enough to make it through the weekend.

 

[MikeD]

I prefer the SRAM after a long stint with Shimano road derailleurs. I also don't like how Shimano derailleurs shift with SRAM shifters (twists, anyhow, never used the triggers.)

Haven't had durability problems with SRAM, but I usually kill a mech way before wearing them out. My used XO mech ($30, heh, off Colin Bailey) was amazing until I absolutely creamed it against the cut end of a log.

 

[J_B]

I am running an XO rear der and X9 rear shifter. They have performed flawlessly this past season at Northstar. The XO has been bashed and beat on rocks and it runs great. Even missing some material from the knuckle area. The XO cage is getting pretty wobbly so I am gonna switch to the X9 at the first of the year.

I just bought a Shimano 105 rear der for my Imperial and will be buying the Sram Attack or Rocket rear trigger shifter.

 

[Echo]

I'd still stick with shimano. My SRAM cassette (990) just pooped out after 6 months,

Who said anything about cassettes? I think it's pretty much universally known that Shimano cassettes are better. But that doesn't have anything to do with shifters or derailleurs... SRAM wins those categories HANDS DOWN.

 

[JRB]

I personally don't like X9 shifters and an X0 derailleur nearly as well as I like XTR.

 

[mobius]

I had SRAM triggers the attacks since they first came out. They lasted quite a while but in a wreck even with them loose they snapped off my bighit DH this past season. I liked how they shifted but towards the end of their life it felt kinda sloppy but i'd definetly run em again.

 

[Monkeybidnezz]

I've had great luck with my Sram derailers. They've taken repeated hits and still functioned flawlessly. Another bonus is the fact that was mentioned is the the level of noise put out...very modest chain slap vs. Shimano products.

You can't go wrong either way..either the Rocket/XTR set up or x9/x0 etc...

 

[jackalope]

Easy call IMO...Go with the X-9 Sram shifters and rear derailleur...I've used XTR rears for a long time, and they are just plain awful...I musta broke 5 of those f'ing plastic brackets that hold the b-tension screw in place...$25 a pop for that little POS...Regardless of that, the X-9 on my DH rigs shifts significantly better than the crap ass XTR that's still on my trailbike...

Anybody want to buy a XTR rear derailleur? I'll trade for a 6 pack of Schlitz or something of equal value...

 

[joelsman]

i say go SRAM x0, x7, or x9 also, the 1:1 ratio is much better much less likely to ghost shift and easier to tune the shifting, doesn't bounce around as much, the cable routing is also much better, no hoop to kink and cause friction or barrel adjuster to break off.

I have been using my x9 triggers since march and has worked great.