SRAM Rival

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
This review is for the SRAM 10 speed Rival shifter, brakes, front and rear derailleaur, and chain. My cranks are FSA team pro carbon, cassette Dura Ace 10 sp 12-27.

When I first installed the SRAM stuff, it was clunking and harsh in shifting. Like one of the other reviewers, shifting the front der. to the small chainring was really kinda frightening at first.

However, once everything was broken in and I had adjusted the cable tension (esp front der.), shifting is smooth and effortless.

Objective stuff: all reviewed SRAM componenets weigh less than their ultegra counterparts; positive / flawless engagement once broken in. Unlike other reviewers, I've had no greater problem shifting under load than on ultegra--note that I am using Dura ace cassette and FSA cranks, though--which may make a difference there.

Subjective: I was riding ultegra previously. Bought SRAM to drop the 1/2 pound (mostly due to heavier shimano shifters). Once I rewired my brain for the double click (which, btw, too me longer than expected), SRAM, in my opinion, takes less effort than ultegra to shift.

Aesthetics: I like the hidden cables like campy. I agree w/everyone that the hoods are MUCH more comfortable than shimano and allow more hand positions to reduce hand fatigue.

Installation: rear derailleur took only 10-15 min, even to get perfectly dialed in.

Front der. took additional tweaking. As noted above, if you set the cable tension too tight, it goes "KER-CHUNK!" and you think you're breaking the thing. Just gotta get the cable tension right and its smooth and quiet as can be.

I had zero cross-chain / rubbing issues of past reviewers. Respectfully, was their stuff installed correctly?

I agree that the single trim on the front der on the way up isn't what I'd prefer. I'd like one up and one down, and if I had to have just one, I'd want it on the way from big to small (personal pref). No more than one shld be necessary for trimming--just change the rear der guys!.

Brakes: got positive feel. Light. Easy to install. They work. what else can I say?

Shifting: I like the fact that I can shift using my first, second, third, or even pinky depending on my hand position--really takes little effort, and b/c don't need to change hand position just to shift, means one less movement you need to do. You can't do that w/shimano! Also, much easier to shift from drops than ultegra--prob b/c don't have to shift both lever and brake lever.

In sum, really nice product for the price and weight. SRAM's double click works, and in my opinion, esp b/c of ease of shifting and the fact you can shift from multiple hand positions effortlessly (which you can't do w/shimano), is superior to shimano.

Strengths:
Sure, positive shifting w/o failure; quiet, smooth, comfortable hoods, can shift from variable hand positions with little force (even w/pinky finger); lighter than ultegra counterparts; bargain price for quality/weight.

Bottom line: does the job better than ultegra for less weight and less cash. I'm a very satisfied customer.

Weaknesses:
Lack of trim while going from big to little chainring on front der. Takes a little extra time to dial in the front derailleur cable tension.

Similar Products Used:
Ultegra

Price Paid:  $0.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere near the beach/shore.

Bike Setup:
2008 Orbea Aqua with Rival Compact

Summary:
Shifts occur very quickly and are quiet if you reduce pedal pressure before shifting.
Shifting under full pedal pressure results in clunky shifts.

Downshifting of FD to small chainring has a lot of resistance and a noticeable click sound. You can feel the pressure release from the lever. At first I thought I broke it.

The rear shifter has the neat feature to downshift up the 3 gears.
Double click downshifts 1 gear.
Triple click downshifts 2 gears.
Push lever all the way downshifts 3 gears.

The chain gets noisy when cross-chained on large chainring (50) and 4 largest cogs (26, 23, 21, 19). Similarly on small chainring (34) and 3 smallest cogs (13, 12, 11). Of these combinations, I only use 50x19 from standing starts.

Brakes are very good, not too sharp and easy to modulate.

The levers felt better to me when mounted with at a slight up angle. Initially I tried using them with the tops level. This made them feel as if they were too far away and they hurt my hands in the soft spot between thumb and index finger.

Strengths:
Quick shifts.
Available multiple downshifts in one motion.
Brakes.

Weaknesses:
The lever resistance when shifting to the small chainring.

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $750.00 at performsnce bike, re

Favorite Ride:
montrise

Bike Setup:
tst ti frame w/mavic cosmos wheels ritchey carbon fork, and alum stem and seatpost

Summary:
I used this grouppo to build a ti rd bike I have had in my garage for few years. The shifter is trick, but figured it out within a few miles of the first ride. Once it was tweaked, had no problems.

Strengths:
I have switched most of my mtn bike to Sram, and like it better than Shimano. This new rd group is winning me over as well. Works as advertised, and have had no problems.

Weaknesses:
As with most 10 spd set-ups, took a litle work (threading derailleur cables into shifter, and adjusting brakes).

Similar Products Used:
shimano 105 and ultegra

Price Paid:  $0.00 at gift

Bike Setup:
Race Face crank, seatpost bottom bracket, handlebars, and stem.

Summary:
This grouppo requires some getting used to as all commands are done through one lever. A soft tap and the rig will upshift, a deeper tap and the downshift will occur. The lever floats and the brake lever is left for just braking.

Strengths:
The floating lever allows you to shift from the drops (in a sprint position) Very useful for quick shifting in race conditions. Hidden cables under the bar tape are a nice touch. Brakes are handsome and light but are very powerful. Easily recognizable, many stares and questions. Cassette is missing teeth, as part of the design to make shifting even quicker. Shop wrench thought the cassette was broken. Looks trick.

Weaknesses:
none as of yet.

Similar Products Used:
Shimano, Campagnolo

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I have ridden the Rival Group (sans cranks) for a full season now...~8k miles. Overall the shifting has been very reliable and required very little adjustment once set up. The brakes are strong and modulate well. Shifting is intuitive after one or two rides (coming from Shimano) and becomes natural after a week or two.

Strengths:
Crisp, reliable shifting. Strong braking. Light weight. Good looks (I prefer hidden shift cables).

Weaknesses:
The rival logo's on the brake levers rubbed off over time. Otherwise, not very many

Similar Products Used:
Shimano 105/Ultegra.