SRAM Cassette + Chain or Shimano: Mix/Match?

[cbrshadow]

I have all Etap Wifli groupset and will be getting Sram Red 22 crankset. Next I need a cassette (11/32) and chain. Is there any advantage to keeping it all SRAM or is there no advantage to keeping SRAM cassette+chain vs mixing in Shimano?

[TobinHatesYou]

The Red cassette is very light and won’t gouge freehub splines. SRAM cassettes are more chattery than Shimano cassettes, especially in the smallest cogs...the teeth don’t have as much lateral taper. Red cassettes are particularly loud due to their one-piece construction. They are essentially shaped like a megaphone or brass bell. Dura-Ace cassettes like to start creaking or even breaking at the carrier for the largest cogs.

If weight isn’t a concern, I’d go with an Ultegra cassette.

[cbrshadow]

The Red cassette is very light and won’t gouge freehub splines. SRAM cassettes are more chattery than Shimano cassettes, especially in the smallest cogs...the teeth don’t have as much lateral taper. Red cassettes are particularly loud due to their one-piece construction. They are essentially shaped like a megaphone or brass bell. Dura-Ace cassettes like to start creaking or even breaking at the carrier for the largest cogs.

If weight isn’t a concern, I’d go with an Ultegra cassette.

I appreciate the advice. If I go with an Ultegra cassette should I also use an Ultegra chain? Other options I guess are Dura Ace and SRAM Red.

[Johnny Rad]

I'm a big fan of KMC chains and in particular their KMC-X10SL (10spd) / KMC-X11SL (11spd) chains Their SL chains are very light and quiet plus they've got a quick disconnect link so you can remove it from the bike for cleaning.

Since I've been exclusively running SRAM XG Red XG-1090 (10spd) and XG-1190 (11spd) cassettes for many years now, I can't give you a comparative response on drivetrain noise. However, I will go out on a limb and say the so-called greater "noise" is much ado about nothing. From what I've read many times, Shimano cassettes run quieter though SRAM ain't bad in my experience.

Happy shopping!

[glepore]

No advantage to going to Shimano. The red cassetes are a bit louder, but not annoying if in adjustment. Huge weight savings over Ultegra and moderate over DA. Wear like iron, they're all steel. Easy on FH body. Like Johnnyrad, have been using these semi-exclusively for a long time. I find no difference between the upper end KMC, Sram or Shimano chains. Even use one on a Campy SR drivetrain with no issues.

[TobinHatesYou]

Chains largely don't matter. SRAM PC22, Shimano HG901, KMC X11SL, Campy Record are all good chains. I'm a sucker for the gold X11SL.

Lightest to heaviest = X11SL, Record, PC22, HG901

They should all wear at about the same rate so long as you take care of your chains.

[FIJIGabe]

Regarding the cassette issue, I used to run a Red cassette on my TT bike and a DA cassette on my road bike. They definitely sounded different, and the Red cassette was “louder”, but I never found it to be annoying or distracting. The only reason I didn’t keep the Red cassette longer was because I wanted a different gear ratio (12-25 vs 11-25 on Red).


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[pdlpsher1]

I've had both and I'm currently using Shimano. There's one thing that no one has mentioned yet. And that's gearing ratio difference between the two. It might or mat not matter to you but I thought I should point out this difference (only on the 11-28).

Shimano
11-25 (175g) 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17*,19*, 21*, 23*, 25*
11-28 (193g) 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19*, 21*, 23*, 25*, 28*
11-30 (211g) 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19*, 21*, 24*, 27*, 30*

Sram
11-25 - 11,12,13,14,15,16,17,19,21,23,25
11-28 - 11,12,13,14,15,16,17,19,22,25,28
11-30 - 11,12,13,14,15,17,19,21,24,27,30

[TobinHatesYou]

SRAM and Shimano 11-32s have slightly different large cog sizes too.

[jfranci3]

One thing to keep in mind, as I have learned, don't mix/match the cassette and the lockring. SRAM and Shimano use different lockrings.

[Lewn777]

I buy SRAM because I like SRAM everything. Although I could envision choosing a different brand cassette if the ratios weren't right.
I do prefer Shimano rim brakes though.

It won't matter if you use a Shiman chain or KMC, but the thing is SRAM chains are the best especially for SRAM systems so why bother with anything else?

[alexdi]

I prefer SRAM cassettes because they keep the changes closer in the smaller sprockets. That means larger jumps in the bigger sprockets, but by the time I'm on the big end of the cassette, I don't care as much.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... =976355591

If you're already budgeting for Red, Edco's 11-32 cassette takes this to the next level. Everything from 11T to 16T has a 1T progression. Likewise Recon's 11-32. SRAM goes to 2T jumps after 15T, and Shimano after 14T.

[Step83]

I'm in the same quandry, been looking at 11-32T cassettes, I was looking at the X1190 but lots of poeple despite the marketing gumph say just how loud it is.

Chain wise I've always got on better with KMC the SL and EL theres not a huge amount in it weight wise uncut but I find the heavier EL chain gave me better mileag.

Cassette wise I'm half tempted to take a weight penalty for something a little more quiet, like you I have eTap (winging its way to me though not on the bike).
Weight wise im for me the 1170 works out best, its a 35g penalty £131.30 cheaper you can nearly get three of those cassettes for one 1190, an if its paired with a KMC SL (239g @ 114 links) chain over the SRAM red chain (246g @ 114 links) your only down at worst 28g. Ratios are identical, an its likely more quite, also dont put alloy jockeys in its ten times worse!

I've thrown in the Ultegra and a cheap Sunrace which is a smidge lighter than the R8000 but has MTB ratios.

RX1 - 290g @ £46.99 - 11,12,13,14,15,17,19,21,24,28,32
R8000 - 292g @ £52.00 - 11,12,13,14,16,18,20,22,25,28,32
SRAM PG1170 231g @ £68.69 - 11,12,13,14,15,17,19,22,25,28,32
SRAM XG1190 - 196g @ £199.99 - 11,12,13,14,15,17,19,22,25,28,32