Sram vs Shimano, 12-speed MTB groups comparison

In addition to the frame, suspension, and wheels, the drivetrain of a mountain bike is also a crucial component to consider. While it may not be the first aspect you examine when purchasing a mountain bike, understanding the drivetrain’s importance is essential.

I’ve observed that as you progress to your second, third, or subsequent mountain bike, the quality of the drivetrain becomes increasingly significant in your decision-making process. If the drivetrain on your first mountain bike begins to exhibit issues or work against you, you’ll undoubtedly want to avoid those problems with your next bike as much as possible.

Two major players: SRAM and Shimano

In the realm of mountain biking, there are primarily two major players: Sram and Shimano. Sram is an American company, while Shimano hails from Japan. While Shimano is more commonly associated with road cycling, Sram has made significant strides in the mountain biking world in recent years.

Debates over which brand is superior can span hours and can be likened to discussions about Mercedes vs. BMW, with both brands having dedicated supporters and detractors.

Without delving too deeply into the specifics, this article will explore the options and distinctions to consider when purchasing a mountain bike drivetrain. Ultimately, the choice often boils down to personal preference or past experiences. If you’re accustomed to Shimano or Sram and satisfied with their performance, there may be little reason to switch. Both brands offer high-quality, top-tier drivetrains that can enhance your cycling enjoyment.

The groupset of a mountain bike consists of the following parts:

• Cassette
• Chain
• Crankset with chainring(s)
• shifters
• Derailleur (rear and front if more than one chainring)
• Brake levers, brake discs, and calipers

10-11 or 12-speed?

Does this sound Chinese to you? 12-speed means that your cassette has 12 sprockets or cogs. 11-speed has 11, and 10-speed has 10. So easy and logical. The wreaths all differ in size.

If you have a 12-speed “10-51” cassette, this simply means that your smallest cog has 10 teeth, and your largest cog has 51 teeth. The cogs in between make leaps and bounds in terms of the number of teeth. Later in this article, you will find an overview of the different 12-speed cassettes with their maximum range and the jumps between cogs.

I myself started with a 10-speed mountain bike with a double sprocket in the front. Before that, you had 7-8 or 9-speed with two or even three cogs in the front.

So, evolution does not stand still. Today, it is already 11- and increasingly 12-speed what the clock is. This is in combination with only 1 front sprocket. It is becoming the standard. Fewer gears but a huge range.

A 12-speed cassette, in combination with one sprocket at the front, gives you 12 gears. A double cog in the front would then give you 24 gears so that the jumps between the different gears would also be smaller.

In terms of innovation, Sram is often the fastest. They already came up with their 12-speed groups in 2016, while Shimano still had to make do with 11-speed. However, they are again on the same level today, and you have the choice between both brands to go for 12-speed.

You still encounter opponents of the single chainring combined with a wide-range cassette. I, too, was initially skeptical. Coming from a double chainring setup, I rarely encountered surprises, especially in unfamiliar terrain, and with a simple shift, I could move my chain onto the smaller front chainring.

Steep inclines were manageable with two chainrings, so transitioning to a single chainring setup raised some concerns for me.

However, I can assure you that such worries are unfounded, particularly if you opt for a slightly higher-end (and consequently more expensive) build. With a single chainring setup, the need for a front derailleur is eliminated, resulting in fewer shifting issues, reduced maintenance, and a lighter bike—although the latter may not be a significant consideration for many.

It’s evident that 12-speed systems with a single chainring are increasingly becoming the norm in mountain biking, and the future may hold even more advancements. Therefore, in this article, I focus primarily on the 12-speed capabilities offered by both Sram and Shimano.

Sram 12-speed vs Shimano 12-speed

At Sram, the new 12-speed groups were labeled with the “Eagle” designation. Meanwhile, Shimano opted to maintain the same nomenclature as their other groupsets. Both brands offer groupsets and components across various price ranges.

Considering that mountain biking puts significant stress on the components, it’s advisable to steer clear of the cheaper sets. While a budget set might suffice for traversing forest paths, investing a bit more in your parts is recommended if you desire better performance and durability. Below, I outline the various options available from each brand.

Shimano	SRAM
XTR	XX1 / X01
Deore XT	GX
SLX	NX
Deore	SX

Shimano’s XTR group corresponds to Sram’s XX1 and X01. Similarly, Deore XT aligns with Sram’s GX group, and so forth…

Additionally, both brands offer electronic shifting groups:

• Shimano: XTR and Deore XT Di2
• Sram: XX1 and X01 Eagle AXS and recently the GX Eagle group also got an AXS upgrade.

The choice of which groupset to buy or install on your mountain bike is ultimately up to you. Generally, as the price of the mountain bike increases, so does the quality of the groupset. When purchasing a mountain bike, it’s beneficial to have it adjusted to your preferences by a reliable bicycle repair shop. If a dealer insists that you must accept the bike as it comes from the factory, it might be worth reconsidering your purchase.

For beginners or those looking for an affordable option, the Shimano Deore and Sram SX Eagle groupsets are suitable choices. SLX and NX are slightly more expensive but still offer good value and are suitable for intermediate riders. If you’re aiming for higher performance, XT and GX groupsets are recommended. These are pricier but comparable to the top-tier XTR and XX1 groups, offering improvements in weight and performance.

Recreational riders with some experience typically opt for SLX/NX or XT/GX groupsets, or a combination of both. It’s not uncommon to find mountain bikes equipped with components from both Shimano and Sram, such as a Sram drive paired with Shimano brakes.

To keep costs down, manufacturers may create different combinations within a single brand, such as pairing an SLX/NX drive with XT/GX brakes.

Sram vs Shimano, features compared

With both Shimano and Sram, you get quality components for your mountain bike that you can trust. However, there are some differences between the two brands that may affect your decision:

2-way release

This feature allows you to shift two gears with one click, typically to move to a heavier gear (switching to a smaller cog). It’s available with Shimano SLX, Deore XT, and XTR. With Shimano Deore and the entire Sram range, you need to shift tooth by tooth.

Multi-directional release

Shimano XT and XTR shifters allow you to shift with both your thumb and index finger, offering flexibility in shifting direction. Sram shifters allow you to shift both up and down with your thumb.

Is this a deal breaker

Not at all! I personally found it easy to adapt to using only my thumb for shifting with my Deore XT shifter, even though it offers a multi-directional release. You’ll quickly get accustomed to the shifting mechanism of your chosen group, so don’t let this difference deter you.

Shifting to smaller cogs

Both Sram and Shimano allow you to downshift multiple teeth at once (moving to a larger cog). Sram allows shifting up to 5 teeth in one movement, while Shimano’s Rapidfire Plus system varies depending on the group.

Compatibility

It’s important to note that Sram and Shimano’s 12-speed systems are not compatible with each other due to the different hub bodies they require. Sram uses XD hub bodies, while Shimano requires micro spline hub bodies. When purchasing new wheels, ensure compatibility with the Sram or Shimano body required.

Different Cassettes

Shimano

Shimano’s 12-speed cassettes consist of three parts made from various materials: steel for the smallest cogs, titanium for the middle ones, and aluminum for the largest ones.

Therefore, it’s feasible to replace individual parts of the cassette, especially if certain sprockets are seldom used and show minimal wear. However, personally, I prefer to replace the entire cassette altogether.

Shimano offers two distinct 12-speed cassettes:

SLX, XT and XTR group

• 10-45 with the following serrations: 10-12-14-16-18-21-24-28-32-36-40-45

Deore SLX, XT and XTR group

• 10-51 with the following serrations:
• 10-12-14-16-18-21-24-28-33-39-45-51

With the 10-51 cassette, the spacing between gears only increases towards the higher end of the range. This extended-range cassette is particularly advantageous in mountainous terrain.

Although Shimano introduced their 12-speed drivetrain later than Sram, their cassette had a slightly wider range, with 50 teeth for the largest cog compared to Sram’s 51 teeth.

Sram

Afterward, Sram introduced a 10-52 cassette, with the smallest gear being just 1 tooth larger than Shimano’s….

Whether it’s 50-51 or 52 teeth, the difference is negligible. If necessary, you can always opt for a different front chainring.

Sram’s 12-speed cassettes are crafted from a single piece of steel, with only the largest cog, featuring 50 teeth, being aluminum.

Meanwhile, at Sram you can choose from three 12-speed cassettes depending on your group:

XX1, X01 and GX group:

• 10-50 with the following serrations: 10-12-14-16-18-21-24-28-32-36-42-50
• 10-52 with the following serrations: 10-12-14-16-18-21-24-28-32-36-42-52

Striking with this cassette is the big jump from the penultimate to the last cog.

NX group:

• 11-50 with the following serrations: 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 22, 25, 28, 32, 36, 42, 50

This cassette is specifically designed for E-MTBs but is also compatible with all Eagle systems, although it is not compatible with the XD body. Additionally, this cassette can fit on a Shimano HG body or a standard Sram body.

The 10-50 and 10-52 cassettes can be interchanged with the GX, X01, and XX1 groups. The new 10-52 cassette derailleurs are also compatible with the 10-50 cassette.

You can always upgrade or downgrade your cassette (for example, from SLX to XT or from GX to XX1, or vice versa) if your current one needs to be replaced. Just ensure that everything remains 12-speed and that you stay within the same brand due to the different bodies. Your cassette, chain, and chainring are the components of your group that you will need to replace most often, and you can easily do this yourself.

Gears

With only one chainring at the front, the choice becomes simpler, doesn’t it? Depending on the terrain where you’ll be riding, you can install a larger or smaller chainring. A smaller chainring, for example, can make uphill climbs in the mountains easier because your smallest gear becomes even smaller.

However, not all chainrings are compatible with different groups. Below is an overview of which chainrings (the number of teeth) you can install on your MTB.

Shimano

• Deore: 30-32
• SLX: 30-32-34
• Deore XT: 28-30-32-34-36
• XTR: 30-32-34-36-38

Sram

• NX: 30, 32, 34
• GX: 30, 32, 34
• X01: 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40
• XX1: 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40

As you can see, there are choices to be made regarding the size of your front chainring. Often, finding the middle ground is the best solution. With 12 gears, you might find yourself lacking on steep descents at times, but then you can also take advantage of the opportunity to catch your breath after a challenging climb.

If you find yourself using your smallest gear (heaviest resistance) on flat terrain but still need more speed, it’s a sign of good fitness. In such cases, opting for a larger chainring might be beneficial. However, keep in mind that a larger chainring makes your smallest gear heavier, which could make steep climbs more challenging.

When it comes to replacing 12-speed sprockets or chainrings, both Sram and Shimano use direct-mount chainrings. However, there’s a slight difference in the replacement process. To replace a direct-mount chainring from Shimano, you’ll need a special tool (Shimano TL-FC41), while with Sram, you only need to loosen three torx bolts.

Personally, with a 32T chainring paired with a 10-51 cassette, I manage to maintain speed effectively in various terrains, including the Ardennes. So, I’ll stick to my 32T chainring. If I fall short on a climb, I still have my legs to rely on.

Now, let’s talk about chains. Without a chain, your new cassette and chainring are of no use. For 12-speed chains, you have several options:

• Shimano: XTR, XT, SLX
• Sram: XX1, X01, GX, NX
• KMC

If you have a Sram cassette and chainring, it’s advisable to use a Sram chain, and the same goes for Shimano. However, you do have a second option: KMC. A KMC chain is compatible with both Shimano and Sram systems.

If you choose a Shimano or Sram chain, you can also upgrade or downgrade it. The two major differences are weight and price. An SLX chain, for example, is heavier and less durable but cheaper than an XTR chain.

TIP: It’s advisable to rotate between multiple chains, not simultaneously, of course. By changing your chain every x number of kilometers or consistently using the shortest chain, you can prolong the lifespan of your drivetrain, reducing the need for frequent replacements.

You can opt to rotate between 2, 3, or even 4 chains, depending on your preference. Changing two chains every 150 to 250 kilometers is more than adequate in my opinion. Therefore, if you intend to replace your drivetrain, it’s advisable to purchase at least two new chains.

Final thoughts

I hope that this article has provided you with a good understanding of the differences between the 12-speed groups of Shimano and Sram.

Also, keep in mind that SRAM launched a new type of transmission in 2023, namely the SRAM Transmission. This is definitely worth considering as it addresses the “issue” of the large jump from the second-to-last to the last cog of the cassette. However, it’s important to note that SRAM Transmission is only compatible with UDH (Universal Derailleur Hanger) frames.

Do you currently have a 12-speed group on your mountain bike, and which brand do you prefer? I’d love to hear about it in a comment below.