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The economist calls it a duopoly - two brands supplying a market virtually alone. When it comes to shifting and drivetrain components for mountain bikes, Shimano and Sram supply 99 per cent of all mountain bikes with shifting components.
The Shimano XTR crank has been available as a single, double and triple version since 2015. The crank shown here with three chainrings naturally has the widest gear range of the three variants.
Top gearshift groups form two bearings
When it comes to the top groupsets such as Shimano's XTR and Sram's XX1, which as technology carriers boldly display the different company philosophies, the comparison is simple: If you are looking for a single-speed drivetrain, go for Sram, if you want the best 2x or 3x drivetrain, go for the new Shimano XTR. With less exclusive groupsets, such as those found on most bikes (Shimano XT to Deore and Sram X0 to X7), it is more difficult to make a clear recommendation.
Our comparative tests have shown time and again that these top-selling groups differ functionally only in details. It is often subjective aspects and individual preferences such as shifting feel that allow differentiation. If you compare weights and prices as well as the durability of typical wear parts, one thing becomes clear: Shimano's top sellers are still the triple groupsets, while Sram and Shimano are roughly on a par when it comes to double drivetrains. Economists would probably call this a duopoly.
With eleven usable gears, the single-speed drivetrains achieve a gear range of up to 420%, the double-speed drivetrains achieve up to 500% with 18 usable gears, and the triple drivetrains have just 22 usable gears out of a total of 30 at 600%. Translation guide in BIKE 02/15 .
Conclusion: Shimano XTR as the new benchmark
In recent years, more and more sprockets have been added to the cassette: The latest mountain bike gears now have 11 sprockets at the rear, whereas 7, 8 or 9 used to be sufficient.
There are no more bad gear changes. All the gear groups listed here change gears precisely. The differences lie in the material quality and therefore in price, weight and wear. The type of operation and the choice of gear ratio are left to personal preference. In terms of technology, the new Shimano XTR Di2 impresses us. With all its functions and possibilities, it represents the benchmark in terms of shifting function. We are curious to see if and when this technology will be transferred to the cheaper groupsets (e.g. XT). For those who can cope with eleven gears, there is no way around Sram. 1x11 is a domain of the Americans.
Sram vs. Shimano: The main differences between the groupsets are price, material and wear
Light means expensive - this is impressively demonstrated by the top groupsets from Sram and Shimano - above all the breathtaking technical fireworks of the first electronic shifting system XTR Di2. The expensive XTR relies on a lot of innovation and optimised gear steps. XT and SLX continue to offer the optimum price/performance ratio combined with high durability - just a touch ahead of the X9 and X7. However, the higher prices of the X7 and X9 are only on paper, as the market prices differ greatly. Sram maintains its supremacy in the single-speed groupset segment, which it owes above all to the many chainring combinations and the 10-42 cassette. The 1x11 version of the XTR with the smaller 11-40 cassette and chainrings from 30 teeth is something for specialists who attach great importance to fine gear steps.
The detailed table with the specifications and technologies of all Shimano and Sram groupsets can be downloaded below.
Circuits: That's what matters to us
Price and performance, function and variety, gear changes as a philosophy of life. There is little black and white when it comes to choosing gears, it is more a matter of personal preference. Eleven gears can be completely unsuitable for one biker, for another they are the fulfilment of a dream. Here are a few arguments that could influence your choice.
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