SRAM or Shimano

[Iceman18T]

Been out of the game for a long long while. Looking at getting a hybrid bike to commute to work (15 miles one way), and just tool around. Considered a road bike, but some of my commute will require some minor trail work, and I really do not want to be restricted to just pavement.

Narrowing my search down to a Giant Roam 0 or Trek 8.4DS.
The Roam is equipped with SRAM X5 components. The Trek with Shimano Alivio/Deore.

Being a complete newb about things I used to be in the know about, I am looking for some opinions. Last time I was serious bike shopping was ~15 yrs ago. Buying a bike nowadays is NOTHING like it was then, there is so much to consider it's sick.

[merckx56]

At the middle of the component pricepoint, it's really a toss up. Look at what comes with ancillary bits, like the shock, stem, post, etc.

[J-Tim]

At the middle of the component pricepoint, it's really a toss up. Look at what comes with ancillary bits, like the shock, stem, post, etc.

x2. I think you'd be hard pressed to find bad components from either of the manufacturers. It's all a matter of which price bracket you're aiming at.

[nocondorfx]

not much to consider actually. They're both going to work just fine as a recreational dual sport hybridy light duty mountain bike thingy. choose whichever one looks cooler and enjoy it.

[VR6ix]

Ergonomics - choose the brand of shifters and brakes that you like the most for fit/feel/function. The overall quality should be the same between Shimano & SRAM at any price-point.

[eldo]

/\/\/\/\ this /\/\/\/\

[pschmerg]

Ergonomics - choose the brand of shifters and brakes that you like the most for fit/feel/function. The overall quality should be the same between Shimano & SRAM at any price-point.

Until the levers fall out of your SRAM Rival shifters

True story. Three times now.

[impact]

Shimano shifters allow you to shift one way with your thumb and the other with your index finger. It's nice. Not a dealbreaker, but nice.

[Iceman18T]

Thanks for feedback. My old mongoose MTB has the Shimano EZ fire shifters, I love those things. LBS is supposed to get a Roam0 in this week or next, can't wait to try it.

[206vw]

if you were gonna go with road drop bars, I would say shimano. I like my sram reds but I hate how often I have to tune them up

[A1an]

Personal preference really. Ride both to see which one feels best for you. Both of those are pretty much at the same level in their product lines.

[PGas32]

Until the levers fall out of your SRAM Rival shifters

True story. Three times now.

Got me beat by 1