SRAM and Shimano

[Danny521]

Hi I’ve got 2 bikes one with sram wireless shifter and one with cable shimano gears both bikes are 12 speed I’m wondering with out getting my self new wheels as one is 27.5 and one is 29 so can’t swap over would the seam wireless shifter work on the shimano cassette and shimano chain and then the other way round would shimano gears work on a sram cassette and sram chain as they both 12 speed sorry if it sounds dum just looking for advice before I mess around just wonder if anyone as done the same thank you

 

[nickf]

It's not a dumb question. In mechanical systems the indexing (ie by how much the cable is pulled) is done at the shifter. The derailleur design then has a "leverage ratio" which determines by how much the derailleur arm will move laterally for a given cable pull. The amount of lateral movement needs to correspond precisely to the lateral spacing between the rings on the cassette, Naturally Shimano and Sram choose to use different ratios at both the shifter and derailleur! So you can't just mix and match between shifters and derailleurs from the two brands.

However, what's key here is that (whatever the brand of shifter/derailleur) the derailleur arm moves laterally just the right amount for the cassette. You could try putting the 27.5 wheel on the 29er bike and seeing if the derailleur movement works across the whole cassette. If so, then it should also be OK with the other configuration. However, you will probably need to reset the end stops of the derailleur to match the cassette when you swap.

I don't have experience with electronic shifters, so others here might be able to confirm or refute what I've just said, but the principles are the same.

 

[Danny521]

It's not a dumb question. In mechanical systems the indexing (ie by how much the cable is pulled) is done at the shifter. The derailleur design then has a "leverage ratio" which determines by how much the derailleur arm will move laterally for a given cable pull. The amount of lateral movement needs to correspond precisely to the lateral spacing between the rings on the cassette, Naturally Shimano and Sram choose to use different ratios at both the shifter and derailleur! So you can't just mix and match between shifters and derailleurs from the two brands.

However, what's key here is that (whatever the brand of shifter/derailleur) the derailleur arm moves laterally just the right amount for the cassette. You could try putting the 27.5 wheel on the 29er bike and seeing if the derailleur movement works across the whole cassette. If so, then it should also be OK with the other configuration. However, you will probably need to reset the end stops of the derailleur to match the cassette when you swap.

I don't have experience with electronic shifters, so others here might be able to confirm or refute what I've just said, but the principles are the same.

I’m not sure if the 27.5 fits on the 29 one but I’ll take a look at that I suppose if it does that’s one way to tell the the sram wireless shifter will work on the shimano cassette

 

[nickf]

I’m not sure if the 27.5 fits on the 29 one but I’ll take a look at that

Why wouldn't it fit?

 

[Danny521]

Why wouldn't it fit?

Because it’s not made for 27.5 but then again even if it not (I know some have a flip so u can put a 27.5 on rear) it’s not like I’m fully riding it I’m just checking if the sram wireless shifter will work on the shimano cassette

 

[Stihldog]

At the time, when I first read about the Shimano/Sram AXS hack, it was considered the best of both worlds. I’ve been using this combination for several years now.
-29’ wheels
-Shimano XT 12 speed cassette
-SRAM AXS derailer with paddle controller
-Shimano 8100 chain
- Shimano 13 tooth guide wheel
-E-Thirteen 34t chainring

This is on my Rail 9.7. Smooth, quiet and fairly fast.

On my Fuel EXE I use an AXS SRAM transmission only. But I have spare wheels with different rubber for trail or pavement. This allows for a quick change without removing the tire each time.

I don’t use 27.5” wheels on either bike.

 

[Danny521]

At the time, when I first read about the Shimano/Sram AXS hack, it was considered the best of both worlds. I’ve been using this combination for several years now.
-29’ wheels
-Shimano XT 12 speed cassette
-SRAM AXS derailer with paddle controller
-Shimano 8100 chain
- Shimano 13 tooth guide wheel
-E-Thirteen 34t chainring

This is on my Rail 9.7. Smooth, quiet and fairly fast.

On my Fuel EXE I use an AXS SRAM transmission only. But I have spare wheels with different rubber for trail or pavement. This allows for a quick change without removing the tire each time.

I don’t use 27.5” wheels on either bike.

This is what I’m wondering I’ve got a trek top fuel 8 gx with the sram wireless gears but I’ve just got a trek rail + 5 with shimano gears but wanting the sram wireless on the trek rail + 5 instead of the shimano gears but save me replacing the back wheel I’m trying to work out if I can just swap the gears over on each bike as they both 12 speed sorry move the sram wireless and sram derailer over to work on the shimano cassette and then other way round the shimano shifter and derailer on to the sram cassette

Sorry if the wording is not the best I try and word best I can

 

[Stihldog]

This is what I’m wondering I’ve got a trek top fuel 8 gx with the sram wireless gears but I’ve just got a trek rail + 5 with shimano gears but wanting the sram wireless on the trek rail + 5 instead of the shimano gears but save me replacing the back wheel I’m trying to work out if I can just swap the gears over on each bike as they both 12 speed sorry move the sram wireless and sram derailer over to work on the shimano cassette and then other way round the shimano shifter and derailer on to the sram cassette

Sorry if the wording is not the best I try and word best I can

Yeah, we’re probably both complicating the description to suit our personal needs.
This is what I’ve heard, or know. SRAM and Shimano 12 speed cassette’s are basically the same diameter. However, the freewheels can be different. And the cog numbers can be different.
There also might be the matter of chain alignment to the chainring. Some different thickness “O” rings(spacers) may be required for the cassette or chaining.

The different combinations could be endless. Seems like a trial and error mission until you get things just right for your personal needs.

In the end, I stayed with what works for me. I have spare front and rear wheels for my Fuel EXE. That was cheaper than an entire new bike. And the change is fast and easy.

Post your results if you have any success. (Inquiring minds want to know)

Edit; maybe ask Greg Watts. He may have some in-depth suggestions.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

I've run Shimano 12 spd shifter and RD with SRAM 12 spd mechanical cassette and chain... worked fine. I would measure the cog spacing on both your cassettes. If it's very close, then it should work fine.... like it did for me. Granted I wasn't swapping wheel sets, I just hated the cheap NX shifter and RD that came with the bike.

Is it AXS or Transmission? Transmission runs a 55 CL, so that may affect how the RD is limited (H/L).

 

[Danny521]

I’m not sure if this make a difference here are the information this one is sram
Cassette
SRAM Eagle XS-1275, T-Type, 10-52, 12-speed
Chain
SRAM GX Eagle, T-Type, 12-speed
Max. chainring size
1x: 36T round, 34T oval, min 28T

Shimano
Shimano Deore M6100, 10-51, 12-speed
Chain
Shimano Deore M6100, 12-speed
Max. chainring size
1x: 36T

 

[gmkayaker]

I hate thumb-0nly shifters that come on most SRAM-equiped bikes so I always replace the shifter with a Shimano trigger-style shifter. And yes, it works fine even with the stock SRAM deraileurs. (I prefer them over Shimano because they have the "locked open" button to make it easier to remove the wheel. And I never use the Shimano clutch.)

So SRAM and Shimano mechanical shifters pull nearly identical amounts of wire per step. IIRC, the SRAM electronic shifters actually let you adjust the spacing of individual gears so you have even more control with than a mechanical shifter.

The only issue when swapping wheels is whether your cassette is in the same position laterally on all the wheels. On mechanical systems, you might have to use the adjustment barrel to shift the deraileur in or out a bit to compensate for a different cassette position. Or put spacer washers behind the cassette on some of your wheels to make the positions identical.

 

[Danny521]

I hate thumb-0nly shifters that come on most SRAM-equiped bikes so I always replace the shifter with a Shimano trigger-style shifter. And yes, it works fine even with the stock SRAM deraileurs. (I prefer them over Shimano because they have the "locked open" button to make it easier to remove the wheel. And I never use the Shimano clutch.)

So SRAM and Shimano mechanical shifters pull nearly identical amounts of wire per step. IIRC, the SRAM electronic shifters actually let you adjust the spacing of individual gears so you have even more control with than a mechanical shifter.

The only issue when swapping wheels is whether your cassette is in the same position laterally on all the wheels. On mechanical systems, you might have to use the adjustment barrel to shift the deraileur in or out a bit to compensate for a different cassette position. Or put spacer washers behind the cassette on some of your wheels to make the positions identical.

I’m not changing the wheel as my 27.5 rear wheel can’t fit a 29 wheel so I’m trying to find out if I’ll be able to use the
Shifter
SRAM AXS pod
Rear derailleur
SRAM GX Eagle AXS, T-Type
On a shimano cassette with the shimano chain save me buying a new sram cassette

 

[gmkayaker]

I’m not changing the wheel as my 27.5 rear wheel can’t fit a 29 wheel so I’m trying to find out if I’ll be able to use the
Shifter
SRAM AXS pod
Rear derailleur
SRAM GX Eagle AXS, T-Type
On a shimano cassette with the shimano chain save me buying a new sram cassette

YES. The gear spacing is the same between SRAM and Shimano 12-speed cassettes. I have wheels with 12 speed SRAM cassettes and 12 speed Shimano cassettes and I switch between them regularly. All their 12 speed stuff is interchangeable.

 

[Danny521]

YES. The gear spacing is the same between SRAM and Shimano 12-speed cassettes. I have wheels with 12 speed SRAM cassettes and 12 speed Shimano cassettes and I switch between them regularly. All their 12 speed stuff is interchangeable.

Thank you for that so if I leave the shimano chain and cassette on the 27.5 and just move the sram wireless over with the derailer it will all work like it does with the sram cassette

 

[gmkayaker]

Thank you for that so if I leave the shimano chain and cassette on the 27.5 and just move the sram wireless over with the derailer it will all work like it does with the sram cassette

Yes, as long as the deraileur hanger works. SRAM has gone with the UDH (Universal) hanger on a lot of their newer deraileurs and some bike manufacturers have designed their bikes around it so just make sure that how the deraileur attaches to the bike is the same before you start taking things apart.

 

[Danny521]

Yes, as long as the deraileur hanger works. SRAM has gone with the UDH (Universal) hanger on a lot of their newer deraileurs and some bike manufacturers have designed their bikes around it so just make sure that how the deraileur attaches to the bike is the same before you start taking things apart.

Thank you both brand are trek but I’ll have a look before taking all a part thank you