Description Built for serious and competitive riders who hammer on their gear day in and day out, the SRAM Rival gruppo delivers the same features and functionality of Force but with different materials and finis...
Summary: I have been using the first generation of Rival and I am generally happy with it after close to 8000 miles. I prefer double tap SRAM shifting to Shimano and, I am generally happy with the product. Shifting and brakes are flawless and it would be just great experience overall if it was not for the Rival crank and BB. Those are by far the weakest components. I did not like the crank from the start and it was getting worse with mileage. After three years of using Rival I changed the crank to Ultegra 6750 and this is heaven. I am planning to buy new Rival (everything but the crank) in 2010 and run it with Ultegra compact crank
Strengths: ergonomics, crisp shifting particularly RD, great brakes (strength, modulation)
Weaknesses: Crank and BB. Flexing rings, BB deteriorates very quickly, had to be changed on warranty and did not get much better
Similar Products Used: Shimano 105 groupset
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Summary: I replaced Shimano equipment on my mountain bike last year with SRAM. My Shimano groupo on my road bike was 5 years old; the Rival groupo fit my value point. I'm pretty sure that if I closed my eyes I couldn't tell between the Force and Rival, so I bought Rival. I did buy the Red ceramic bottom bracket, mainly because of the lifespan & strength of ceramic.
The installation was very easy. I have for done my own maintenance on my bikes for the last 25 years. I never looked at the instructions and never needed to.
Strengths: + 1 for the brakes. Much better than the Shimanos on my Ksyrium Elite wheel set. Not quite as good as my Avid Juicy Ultimate disks on my mountain bike, but the best road brakeset I've ever used. My Shimano's where so lame that I'm grabbing more brake than I need to on the SRAMs.
Shifting seemed kinda wierd when I had it in the stand. I was wondering if I was going to like it. Once I got it on the road all apprehensions were laid to rest. Shifting is smooth, precise and relatively easy. The front derailleur has a nice place two setting to avoid chain rub. There is a click up to the chainring that works for gears 1-5 on the freewheel and then the next click moves the derailleur over 3-5mm to handle freewheel cogs 6-10. I can't tell you how much time I've screwed with this issue on Shimano stuff. Like that!
Crankset and bottom bracket are completely smooth. It's really stunning; its like being hooked up to the road by an air link. I'm using SRAM PC1090 chain.
Weaknesses: I have big hands and I think the shifters are a wee bit long. A woman with small hands could find the span from handlebar to shifter excessive. I think they could pull 10-15mm out of the length from handlebar to brake lever and make everyone happier. I'm fine with this, but I'd check this out if your tip of pinkie to thumb distance is less than my 229mm.
Similar Products Used: Shimano Ultegra, Shimano 105
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Bike Setup: Synapse:
-BB30 Carbon Ceramic
-SRAM Rival
-DT 240 hubs to Velocity Aeroheads, all black
Systemsix:
-SRAM RIval
-BB30 Hollogram Ceramic
-Ksryium SL3 Clincher and Zipp 404 Tubular Full ceramic
Summary: This is for the 09' Rival Group
Let me start by saying i started out on shimano 105, then Ultegra, then SRAM force, then SRAM Red, then Dura Ace, then Campy chorus, then Record, then Centaur. All were ok groups minus Shimano, I hate the quiet shifting and weak braking power they provide. I liked the campy but levers were too small (I'm 6'1" 210 pound crit racer); the sram force was OK, Red was great minus the rear derailleur (had a difficult time getting it to stay in a gear).
Now for the Rival: I heard it was the same as the force with less carbon so i decided to try it given the 09' Rival was on eBay for 699.00 brand new and the live discount was 20%. Can't beat that deal... With SRAM taking a page out of Campy's book using the trickle-down technology, the rival shifts just as well as if not better than my RED. The group shifts more positive than any other group i've tried and just feels durable. It snaps into gear and no matter how hard i sprint, it stays there. I have never been happier with a product. SRAM's really got it right with the rival group. I am running it on both of my bikes, Cannondale Synapse (Training) and Cannondale SystemSix (Racing) and have had 0 problems! although i cannot attest to the durability/performance or the cranks as I ride Cannondale BB30's on both bikes.
After riding all that SRAM has to offer, I have come to the conclusion that the best cost and durability benefit is to ride a SRAM Rival group with my BB30 Cannondale cranks. I upgraded all bearings to ceramic and have great looking, reliable, and ceramic bikes for 1/2 the cost of the RED group.
Strengths: Positive shifting, GREAT ERGONOMICS, Red trickle down technology (Zero-loss shifting, longer carbon levers, trim adjustment on big ring), braking power, durability
Weaknesses: None! no reason to buy Red anymore!!!
Similar Products Used: Force, Red, 105, Ultegra, Dura-Ace, Centaur, Chorus, Record
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Bike Setup: Leader LD 781r Frame, SRAM Rival, Neuvation M Aero's, ControlTech flat top handle bars
Summary: Thanks to a few of you, I had my SRAM groupos installed using a Dura Ace chain. Gotta tell ya, it shifts smoothly and faily quiet. I appreciate that tip. Honestly, a couple rides is all it takes to re-wire your brain. After the break in and a couple adjustments afterward, no problems.
Strengths: The cabling is clean. Smooth shifting. I may have a tough time going back to Shimano. Honestly I got the deal of the century from Performance during the holiday.
Weaknesses: None.
Similar Products Used: Shimano
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Bike Setup: Merlin TR3/2.5 and Lapierre with Ulterga.
Summary: Long story short, an great attempt from scratch, but I prefer shimano.
I have always been a huge fan of SRAM's mt biking shifter (XO twist!) and so I was excited to be an early adopter of the SRAM road group when it was released in 2006. Having run it for a couple years now, and worked on it in shop on customer's bikes, I am ready to review.
The shifting is good. nothing exciting, but I don't look to be excited when shifting gears. the lever is intuitive, and I never had problems with accidental shifting during races. I had no problems with trim in any gear. The internal routing looks nice. Brakes are fine. Cassette is noisy and has to be cleaned quite a bit more often than any shimano cassette I've used. SRAM makes a big deal about their 1:1 actuation ratio being more resistent to contamination, but it got pretty bad in sandy or muddy cross races. The fit an finish is not impresive. The rear derailluier has developed significant play, and the finish has worn off of most of the group (brakes still look and work great, though).
Strengths: -Intuitive shifting
-noticeably lighter than Ultegra and barely heavier than Force/DA. Extremely good dollar per weight value
-Shiny aluminum looks better than carbon in my opinion.
Weaknesses: -Not as smooth or refined as Shimano offerings.
-Internal cable routings, while looking sharp, are harder to replace when the housing is contaminated.
-Unimpressive fit and finish/QC
-The hoods are too small in my opinion. I like the shimano ten speed shape better, but that's subjective
Similar Products Used: Ultegra/ Dura Ace
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