Carbon Frame - Ultegra or SRAM Rival

[Thomk]

Which of these 2 bikes is best value?

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPULT2/planet-x-pro-carbon-shimano-ultegra-road-bike

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPRIV13/planet-x-pro-carbon-sram-rival-road-bike

Both are £999.99.

 

[Dusty Bin]

In principle, they are both identical value, because the price is the same. The difference will be down to whether you prefer Shimano or SRAM as a method of gear shift and hood shape.

 

[Thomk]

In principle, they are both identical value, because the price is the same. The difference will be down to whether you prefer Shimano or SRAM as a method of gear shift and hood shape.

I don't understand what you mean by that. My intention was to ask which would give the best performance for the price.

I don't know whether I prefer Shimano or SRAM. I've only used sora and never used SRAM.

 

[winjim]

Have you looked at all the options? The SRAM version appears to give you more choice in terms of sprocket sizes etc.

 

[Dusty Bin]

I don't understand what you mean by that. My intention was to ask which would give the best performance for the price.

I don't know whether I prefer Shimano or SRAM. I've only used sora and never used SRAM.

Both are excellent performers, if that's what you are asking. You would obviously need to try SRAM before making an informed choice. Alternatively, if you are familiar with Shimano alreay, just go for the Ultegra bike.

 

[Dusty Bin]

Have you looked at all the options? The SRAM version appears to give you more choice in terms of sprocket sizes etc.

That's not really a consideration, because SRAM and Shimano cassettes are interchangable anyway...

 

[Thomk]

Have you looked at all the options? The SRAM version appears to give you more choice in terms of sprocket sizes etc.

Yes I quite like that.

 

[Thomk]

That's not really a consideration, because SRAM and Shimano cassettes are interchangable anyway...

Didn't know that!

 

[Thomk]

I guess SRAM components are cheaper to replace like for like?

 

[vickster]

I am building a bike with rival as I can't brake from shimano hods effectively. I don't think cost is that different, seem to be more deals on shimano as more stockists

As said, you need to try both out

 

[Dusty Bin]

I guess SRAM components are cheaper to replace like for like?

Not particularly. If everything else is the same, then the decision has to come down to hood shape and which shifting style you prefer.

 

[Peteaud]

I tried SRAM and didnt get on with them, then again ive always used Shimano, but no doubt if i used SRAM for a few weeks i would be more than happy. . Try them both and then decide.

 

[mattobrien]

Personally I really like SRAM. I have SRAM red on one bike and Shimano 105 on the other bike. I prefer the way that SRAM shifts, although I do appreciate this isn't comparing groupsets at the same level, so inherently not fair.

Personally I would choose SRAM over shimano on a like for like basis, but that is just down to my personal preference. That said, I don't find anything wrong with my shimano set up and am happy when using it.

The next bike bike may get the shimano groupset until such time that I can fund a SRAM switch over, possibly Rival or Force, depending on the tech at the time and available funds. I would like to move over to hydraulic discs on a cross bike, but SRAM are a way off releasing something of this like that I can afford. They need to sort out their red hydraulic shifters first and once proven for it to trickle down to lower priced gruppos.

Like I said, nothing wrong with shimano, but our of that choice I would go with SRAM.

 

[And]

My 2 cents.
I have one of these with the SRAM Rival set up, bought second hand, and I also have two of my other bikes fitted with Shimano. Give me Ultegra every time; in fact, give me 105 every time. SRAM is 'OK' but nowhere near as smooth. Also the Ultegra bike has a Shimano chainset and brakes, staggeringly good value for money.

 

[Adamsale]

My 10 cents,
I have a Boardman Team Carbon with Sram Rival and a Cube Attempt with Shimano 105 and agree whole heartedly with And's post.But that's just my experience of riding both bikes during the past year.

Happy New Year fellow pedallers