Shimano vs SRAM 2024: New Red AXS to be the BEST Road Groupset? Hot Take

[@outdoorbros_]

Are you choose Shimano or SRAM in 2024? 👇🏻

[@terrywalker7127]

Campy for me.

[@MasteringGrappling]

Sram all the way.

[@price8745]

SRAM for sure, can grx shifters control deore RDs?😅

[@johnbuchan]

SRAM

[@DaveCM]

I was a Shimano fanboy for over 30 years. I rolled my eyes when someone claimed SRAM was better. Well, I have become what I used to hate. I now have SRAM on all of my bikes. I just like it better. I do not have an issue with chain drops. I did at first until I learned how to dial in the front derailleur. It does seem more sensitive to setup when compared to Shimano. But, once it is right, it just works.

[@jonathanwoo6597]

I upgraded from 11-speed Di2 to 12-speed Di2 with HG+. The rear shifting improvement of HG+ was noticeable. I'll be a Shimano fan for life. I care less about how a group looks, the app, or whether it has wires or not.

[@plain-bagel]

The speed of SRAM AXS shifting, I'm told, is limited by the logic of the shifting. The system is purposefully delayed to wait for a potential second input from the rider on the other lever. They could definitely speed up shifting if they wanted, but that would mean reducing the window for rider inputs.

[@kpizzle1985]

Tempted to go SRAM 1x on the gravel bike, just waiting to see what the next GRX is like. I like the versatility you get with Di2 and it's multiple button configurations so for road 2x I'll be sticking with Di2 for the foreseeable future. Battery life and ease of charging is also a big plus for Di2.

[@bry-dav]

I bought a new bike this summer. I had to go with the new SRAM Force groupset to get the model/color combination that I wanted. I've had SRAM mechanical in the past so I am familiar with SRAM but I was still hesitant. I told the shop I was concerned about SRAM electronic being notorious for dropping chains. They assured me that a properly installed SRAM groupset shouldn't drop a chain. I moved forward with the bike and guess what happened on two separate occasions. I dropped a chain. In each case I took the bike back to the shop for an adjustment and they did it on the spot no questions asked. It''s never happened again. IMHO in 2024 a professional properly installed electronics group set should not drop a chain.

[@mister_ray]

The Shimano 12 speed 105 Di2 is flawless and an incredible value. Giant TCR with carbon wheels and Shimano 12 speed Di2 for US$3,500.

[@EddyCat1234]

Absolutely spot on. I run both DA and Red eTap on different road bikes. DA is definitely superior. Having said that I would be sort of interested in trying the new eTap Red but if they can’t sort out the FD issue then it is a total deal breaker for me. People say the eTap FD requires perfect set up to operate correctly. My eTap FD has been ‘tweaked’ by multiple mechanics and tbh has never totally sorted the dropped chain problem. Currently it is the best that it has been after I sent a couple of hours researching the Sram ‘how to’ guides and checking out a few KZbin clips then adjusting myself. Even now it is not perfect as i dropped a chain yesterday after attempting to get back onto the wheel of my riding group - F&@#ing SRAM! Maybe I just need to find that single ‘unicorn’ bike mechanic who actually knows what they are doing. Btw: never dropped a chain with DA 9000, 9100, 9200, UL6800 or UL8000…..

[@8rk]

here's where i'm at looks : sram force > any shimano groupset (da, ultegra, 105) > sram red shifting : any shimano > any sram everything else that makes a good product : sram > shimano i would never, ever put sram on my road bike unless they fix the front shifting. i also just don't like silver groups. i hated sram red levers but looks like they'll be fixing that. new rival and force look *chef's kiss*

[@Eflosd]

Road you ask: shimano 100%. I have 6k miles on a Ultegra 12 speed road group (dura ace chain and cassette) and it is flawless. Brakes are perfection as well. Mtb and gravel is a different story. I run sram there. There’s no beating a sram 1x setup

[@ilgour]

Shimano user for mor than a decade, absolute shimano fan boy. Shifter ergonomic is the main reason i prefer shimano imo. Also a shimano fan boy for mtb component. I do my own mechanic and mineral oil is just easier to work with for brake. Not saying sram is not good it absolutely is, just personnal preference. I have to admit that Sram bring alot more innovation to the market tough, that is just obvious. Shimano is quite conservative.

[@yonglingng5640]

I personally find SRAM like to change numerous things over the years, like their cranksets, from GXP, to 30 mm and then to DUB (28.99 mm). They literally change so many standards. UDH is probably the only thing from them I have no qualms with. Anything to make hanger purchase way easier. I like Shimano's "If it's not broke, it'll stay." logic. Hollowtech II has been good all this while, so why change, right? Another one is HyperGlide on the splined cassette interface, sticking with 11T means many riders can keep their wheelsets when they transition to 12-speed, I was hoping to see this when it was first announced and boy I was glad they did.

[@ozgurinsan]

Shimano all the way. I just do not like to press the both shifters to front shift in Sram

[@MrJohnnyTN]

ride both, but Shimano on what I race on

[@veloperso5314]

Our favorite Sram 2024 AXS would look like this: Choice of chainrings/front derailleurs: keeping 46,48,50 and adding 52,53,54. Choice of cassette departure: 10 or 11. A new chain that would be KMC friendly. Keeping batteries into each derailleur with improved design better integration.

[@freebird61885]

I think the difference in rear shifting is negligible, to be honest. SRAM Red AXS rear shifting is fine. The front shifting can be OK, but I rarely need to shift between the small and big rings more than a handful of times, even on long, really hilly rides. That’s mainly because I can stay in the big ring for a greater amount of time using SRAM versus Shimano (46t/33t vs 50t/34t) and SRAM handles cross-chaining better IMHO. Well set-up, I no longer feel the need to look down to make sure there’s no drop if I execute the shift properly. It can definitely be, and should be, improved. I actually really wish SRAM would just give us 1x14 and skip the FD entirely.

[@keepingtherubberdown5715]

I am SRAM all the way noawadays. Shimano lost its appeal to me. And I run pretty much 1x all the time on all bikes and the easy of carrying a battery and swapping by far by passes all issues I have had and seen with Shimano

[@adunnthing]

I’m all in on SRAM. I had non stop issues with Shimano Di2. Bluetooth modules that would drain the battery, poor battery life, poor customer service… I’d never go back. Then there’s the stories of friends severing cables when they removed the seat and reinserted it when they went for an overseas trip. I’ve only had the chain drop issue a handful of times since owning SRAM Red, and it has happened about the same number of times with Shimano. I may will be in the minority here, and that’s ok.

[@ericwilson6750]

Agree on all points! I’ve already began to switch back to Shimano. But I’m hopeful new Red is all we hope for and more.

[@rct8884]

I have the original Red eTap with AB oval chain rings and have only had a chain drop twice over 3k miles. Setting up etap is definitely more fiddily to set but once done It's good to go. Note that I don't race but have been riding for over 40 years (grew up on down shifters 😉)

[@shimona500]

Shimano is like Apple, SRAM like Samsung. SRAM do all these new wild things ASAP. Shimano take their time to do core thing well (shifting), and then wait for tech to mature before using it.

[@marcowalther7867]

Yes, and especially, they wait for Sram to invent something and a few years down the road come up with a very similar feature.

[@RonBalone]

Never ridden Sram - but I'll never buy a bike again with Shimano after how Shimano treated customers in 2020. Couldn't find brake pads, rotors, or chains anywhere due to shimano prioritizing large bike shops who were taking all the stock and putting them on brand new bikes. Leaving smaller LBS and customers high and dry.

[@logojones96]

still running sram red etap rim brake, and love it. However, they do need to step it up with the new groupset. I think they have to figure out the front derailleur thing, maybe make the shifting a bit quicker and it should go back to the old sram ways of being the lightest groups as well. Sram has so many benefits for me, but it would be cool to see a big upgrade.

[@madisonsinclair5123]

I don't even bother shifting my front mech anymore. Sram = a real PITA. Chain drops a LOT. Very annoying. And, yes, I have to LOOK when I shift to make sure it's shifting properly. Rear mech skips around. And, yes, I bought new front and rear mechs JIC the problem was from damage. 2nd set shifts just as bad. My other bike has Shimano, absolutely positively no issues whatsoever, 3+ years now. Not a single problem.

[@outdoorbros_]

Let’s hope they launch a new group that improves the front shifting 🤞🏻

[@youloveulises]

Never had an issue with FD chain drops on my AXS groups. This goes for both Force and aftermarket chainrings. Except Rotor Q Rings, they run well but shift like ass. Perhaps I've been lucky (on 3 frames in a row???? I doubt it.) but I have no issues with AXS shifting, I've always chalked it up to user error or shop techs that just really don't know AXS. My biggest gripe has always been noise.

[@petersouthernboy6327]

SRAM for electronic, Shimano for mechanical

[@pandatactical4530]

100%

[@arthursosajr.2031]

I keep hearing about these chain drop issues on AXS. I have had my bike for over 1 1/2 years and dropped my chain about twice. Once because I stopped pedalling when going over very rough road on a downhill at about 35pmh and figured all the rattling and bumps knocked it off since I don't have a clutch and I was in the 50-10 gear. I haven't tried the 12 speed Shimano Di2 but I did have 11speed Di2. I like the AXS better. But I agree the hoods need to be improved and the shifting can be faster.

[@yoshim100579]

Agree on shifting performance. Weight is also a significant factor.

[@adossantos69751]

In the last 5 years I have ridden sram red AXS on all my bikes. Gravel, Road and TT bike. I have never had a chain drop on me, even on gravel. Perhaps Im not pushing the boundaries with my shifting. At the end of the day its all about personal preference.

[@terrywalker7127]

SRAM front derailure still isn't electronically adjustable is it? Have to use a screwdriver to adjust?

[@yonglingng5640]

Yes, you still use a 2.5 mm hex tool to adjust its High and Low limits.

[@justsomedude7556]

Chain drop issues? I've ridden SRAM for a while, never had a chain drop.

[@ageofsigmar7236]

Shimano 105 DI2 all the way👌🏻😚👌🏻

[@johnchouinard6947]

Shimano is lower cost, lighter and more versatile. You can't set Sram up to shift like a mechanical group set.

[@ryanjones8482]

This sounds a lot like Apple vs android, a lot of it is based on your personal bias and how you expect something to work. SRAM won all three grand tours in 2023 as well as many victories in other races. Mathematics would suggest that Shimano, who is ridden by most teams in the world tour would win many more races.

[@ricecrash5225]

Had a Shimano rear derailleur issue. Emailed Shimano as it may have been a warranty issue (internal gears stripped). They didn’t even respond. I will move to SRAM from now on. One thing I hate more than bad customer service and that’s NO customer service.

[@werb24]

So, from my time with SHAM the key issue is in getting the correct spacers on the crank. It's much more fiddly than Shimano. You need a mechanic that can really get that settled and is willing to take the time to do it. It can literally take an hour to get it right. So is it an issue, yep, is there a solution, yep.

[@brianstein406]

I like some things about sram red axs but that front chain drop issue is a killer for me. For now sticking to using it for my gravel/winter bike where the advantages of the clutch and the way you shift seem worth it and I like the gearing ratios. I would like to be able to buy the next red groupset to fix the chain drop issue but if I’m not 100% sure the issue is resolved I won’t bother. I’m sticking with Shimano for road as it just works.

[@steve_m.3403]

@outdoorbros_, love your content, keep up the good work! I noticed the drop chain problem right away on my bike and thought it was related to my smaller frame (51cm) and shorter chain stay (more severe angle) so I put a K-Edge chain catcher on it and never looked back. I know it's a pain and extra work but it solves the problem and gives me confidence in the front shifting. That said, the only issue I have with Shimano is the shifting mechanism when wearing heavy gloves which are necessary here in the northeast in the winter. Having the small difference in upshift and downshift levers on the Shimano shifters makes shifting difficult in the winter here. The SRAM left / right shifting is not only more intuitive but makes shifting a non-issue in the winter. My 2 cents.

[@lukewalker1051]

You should convert your bike to 4 year old Sram Rival 22 mechanical. Save $1K+, no batteries and flawless shifting. I hate electric groupsets and yes I have owned them. Most chain drops are due to people not knowing how to set up a Sram yaw front derailleur which is the majority who ever work on one.

[@yonglingng5640]

Yaw-equipped SRAM front derailleurs are most easily set up with the electronic versions. For the mechanical version, I have to predict the movement when it's in the small chainring's position and do more trial & error. Either way, I never had trouble setting up a SRAM front derailleur.

[@ilgour]

Just one more thing mtb related, i have to give SRAM big credit. They did bring UDH standard to mtb which has lead to SRAM T-Type Axe drivetrain. I dont personnaly use it but its absolutely wild because frame manifacturer have all adopted this standard which only Sram has high end component to match that. In the mtb world, shimano is years behind for drive train. Who would buy XTR over T-Type axs for top end spec...? yeah...

[@williamforbes7156]

Ok so I feel like this is a very controversial thing but with electronic shifting being the new norm I'd love to heard about race spec one off setups gimmick or game changer (like the classified hub paired with cane creek titanium cranks for 1x 'if they can even fit road bikes?' the over the top build with hidden instant shifting plus aero boost) not sure where I'm going with this I wouldn't think it's hill climb lightweight but definitely close to what's already on the market for marginal gain or maximal loses. 😅

[@olivierdecoen5396]

So negative about SRAM red (and force) but it just won 3 grand tours and a lot one day races last year… Also I saw more chain problems with the new dura ace instead of the famous sram chain drop. I think you all need better mechanics because if it works with Jumbo then it’s al about your mechanics that don’t do the job right. On my sl7 and Aethos i had 0.0 chain drops with sram red. And hey i’m not a Sram fanboy because I even ride Dura ace 12 speed now because I didn’t wanted a 5 year old groupset on my new sl8 😉

[@craven4adventure]

I own Shimano ultegra and Sram Force. I prefer Sram. I haven't had chain drop issues. I put sram on two of my bikes.

[@kimwarner6050]

Scram needs smaller shifters. The new shifters are still to fat. My newest bike has ultegra di2, and I'm in love with the shifters. Thankfully it cost to much to change all my bikes. I'm holding out hope the new red shifters will be as small as Shimano.

[@pandatactical4530]

It's a simple answer for me. The small differences in performance are outweighed by the big one for me. WIRELESS! Shimano is way behind the curve with a wired electronic shifting setup.

[@mudonsunday]

Dura Ace! Period.

[@veganpotterthevegan]

I'd rather have another cog than a better front derailleur

[@vothry]

For me it's a battery life issue. I don't have "range anxiety" with the Ultegra on my Enve Melee. I see my friends with SRAM have batteries run dry, and that sticks with me when I consider buying new road or gravel.

[@RonBalone]

W/ di2 it's almost a different issue. Battery is so long lasting and if you have HH head unit (which I do) no way to view battery levels. I've exp as have several in my club where you're out on a ride only to have di2 die bc you didn't charge it and no way to have a backup (like you can with sram).

[@petersouthernboy6327]

OMG, I charge my SRAM batteries every two months or so. Never had an issue. None.

[@pandatactical4530]

What are you talking about? Not only do the SRAM batteries last a month or more you should always have a spare. Problem solved. NEVER had a dead SRAM battery.

[@petersouthernboy6327]

@@pandatactical4530 you really don’t even need a spare if you’re running 2x - just switch derailleur batteries.

[@petersouthernboy6327]

@@RonBalone this is hilarious to me - I have put thousands of miles on a Rival group set without a single issue. And I rarely charge the Batteries

[@tipkeri7923]

Shimano

[@ArteUltra1195]

Don’t get the discussion, Shimano had the more mature and dependable system for years

[@pandatactical4530]

Key word HAD!

[@FlorianAbrahamson]

Sram brake fluid kills it for me.

[@MasteringGrappling]

As a rider who does just under 6000 miles per year I feel i have a dog in this fight. I ran a 105 mechanical (not Di2) but I have ridden a bike with Di2 before. Dropping the chain with my 105 Groupset did happen but it was very rare. When I switched over to SRAM Rival AXS I started to notice that the chain would drop far more often. When I got the old Force ASX about 6 months ago I realized that the chain dropped about every 3-4 rides. I am not racing but I ride often enough that I started to notice the drop. This is the only issue Ive had with SRAM. For me, it’s not that big of a deal to pull over and set the chain. I would trade that experience with the ease of working on and living with the SRAM system. Bleeding breaks is far better with SRAM than Shimano. The wireless setup is far easier to live with than Shimano. The ease of use (one button to shift up, one button to shift down) is far better with SRAM especially if you havre gloves on. I thought that the buttons on the Di2 system are way too small even if it means not dropping chains as often. The ability to take off derailleurs while cleaning without having to worry about wires is a big win for SRAM. I don’t understand how people can prefer Shimano. The app, swappable batteries, wireless system, ease of use and Maitanance are all wins for SRAM. At the cost of a dropped chain hear and there I’m all in for SRAM. I just think Shimano is overrated. Let me know what you guys think.

[@petersouthernboy6327]

I’ve put thousands on a Rival group set without a single issue.

[@MrJohnnyTN]

and what do you mean leapfrog and be on top "again".. no this never happened honestly.

[@daveallenwex1962]

I had 14500 Kms last year and no chain drop noise or problems with shifting even once so I think your talking nonsense tbh. Shimano is the one giving problems. Have you been paid for this or are you fishing for an earning. On a par with Shimano is a down grade because it’s so far ahead already. Sorry but you are talking nonsense