What's UP!!!!!!!!!!

Community

Community Login

Written by Paul Smedley on Wednesday, 04 March 2009 03:55

Printer Friendly

I have lost count of the number of conversations, debates, heated arguments, etc. that I have engaged in over the last several years on which brand of drive train is superior to another. This debate will go on seemingly long after I take my last pedal stroke and most likely never really be placated by a right or wrong answer. It is completely in the hands of the user what he or she prefers to ride. I have ridden Shimano Dura Ace for many years now, and for the most part it is bullet proof. Nothing gives me more confidence riding than when my bike is humming along, shifting swiftly, smoothly, and quietly. It is in these moments of riding bliss that everything seems right in the world. Laughing alt=Laughing mce_tsrc=plugins/editors/tinymce/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-laughing.gif Recently, while shopping for a new rode bike, I was convinced by a bike industry veteran to go with a new Sram gruppo. I did not even question this decision. As a retail buyer, I am constantly trying new products so I did not even think twice about adopting a new style of drive train. After getting used to the slightly different shifting patterns, everything seemed to sync. Not long after, I was starting a Saturday group ride when the front Derailleur decided to launch the chain off the big ring and it promptly wrapped around my carbon crank arm nearly catapulting me onto the road. No big deal, quite often new drive trains miss shift due to cable stretch, etc. No worries, I threw the chain back on and pedaled to the local bike shop for a quick adjustment. Two months later, a new big ring, new chain, and about 80 bucks in service fees, the chain just continued to fly off to the outside at will while shifting small ring to big ring. This is around the time I began to wish I had gone Shimano. Cry alt=Cry mce_tsrc=plugins/editors/tinymce/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-cry.gif Finally, an amazing master mechanic at Sport Chalet gave me the answer that seemed to evade every bike shop in a 40 mile square radius, the front derailleur was junk and it needed to be replaced. Sram was awesome. They sent a new Red front derailleur and stamped return envelope for the bad part. Just before I was about to have the new part installed, I happened to be on the phone with a friend from Shimano. After telling him the story above, he basically told me I should have consulted him before moving away from the best bike components in the world. Of course, he works for Shimano, what else would he say. He followed by giving me a simple request, If he were to send me a new Dura Ace front derailleur that I would install onto my bike, the following scenario would take place. The new Shimano derailleur would speak Japanese to my Sram parts and say "What's Uppppp!!!!" I took him up on the offer and went for my first ride up one of my favorite local mountain roads (Angeles Crest Hwy to Clear Creek). As I wound my way up the mountain with the sun dancing between the clouds, I could have sworn I heard something faintly coming from my bike...It sounded like my front derailleur said "What's Uppp!!!!! My shifting is seamless again and all is right in the world once again...Cheers. Cool alt=Cool mce_tsrc=plugins/editors/tinymce/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-cool.gif

By Larry: Poet Surfer posted on 2009-03-09 22:42:32

Hey Paul;

I'm sorry to hear that you had that experience with SRAM Red (I am
assuming). I came from the bike industry and I find that Dura Ace is very
difficult to beat, but I raced on SRAM and I wouldn't have it any other
way.

The last road bike I designed had Dura Ace 10spd on it, and I will say I
have never been impressed with product as much as I was with that gruppo.

I
guess I believe in market anarchy, so I tend to root for the little guys, in
both spirit and dollars.

Ride on...Larry

By sweet123 posted on 2011-12-10 07:51:37

Though thatCoach Outlet Online are always changing, Coach Factory Outle can stand the testing of time as Coach Factory Outlet Online are as stylish. In addition,as fashion Coach Outlet Online Store, available in Coach Factory Outlet Store, with different colors and Coach Purses USA. Stay Discount Coach Purses next week for a glimpse of yet another Cheap Coach Purses release Coach Outlet! My obsession with the Coach Outlet Online Store. Coach Factory Outlet Online | Coach Factory Outlet | Coach Factory Online | Coach Factory Online StoreIt is really one of the best Coach Outlet Store Online ad campaigns I have seen so far this Coach Factory Outlet, and Coach Factory Outlet Online is my Coach Outlet USA so that helps too Coach Outlet Store! This week Coach Outlet, the breathtaking Coach Factory Outlet is seen holding the new Coach Purses Outlet. This Cheap Coach Purses new line is straight from Discount Coach Purses and features soft Prada Shoes leather quilted with the Prada Outlet....

By north face jackets for women posted on 2011-12-24 04:43:10

The north face jackets for women has also been translated in to the north, the northern slopes belonging
in the direction of mountain could possibly be understood (USA
outside brand), north face denali confront started out designing, producing and marketing its individual
producer of outside equipment, the development north face outlet belonging in the direction of previous due 1980s, TNF turn out to be U.S.
producing addresses only one jacket, ski clothing, backpacks, tents
as well as a sequence of outside products manufacturer. 90 is regarded
getting a discount north face jackets shine time.Two avid hikers through america San Francisco arranged up
merely a little, and quickly develop as very much as turn out to be north face coupons considered a effective mountain climbing and hiking equipment, the profit
of Achillea brand belonging in the direction of company. The ch...

By Jimmy Choo Shoes posted on 2011-12-27 11:19:20

So don't blame next to the person love trend-spotting charlotte olympia shoes is their "SAO", feel oneself "clear" quite good, you
already are behind The Times.Wear clothes is wear good-looking, hermes outlet not good-looking don't wear. This is the word of truth in clothes. But our
side the most example is such, Jimmy Choo Shoes don't think her clothes good-looking where, or to the wearer add beauty,
Hermes Bags outlet only feel go is black and white, Hermes Bags outlet is bad to elaborate dress instead of a deduction.The cause of the
deduction generally divided into two kinds, Christian Louboutin Heels one kind is clothes itself and not collocation, drive your temperament
fuzzy, a more miserable, customs.
First of all, what kind of hermes bags you wear good-looking must try to wear it in the upper body, and put the
clothes in front of a mirror than hermes outl...

By xuebdoo posted on 2011-12-29 01:34:31

The GHD Straighteners description Ugg Boots: UGG Bailey Button with low Ugg Boots price, Buy Ugg Boots Canada latest UGG 2011 with discount Ugg Boots on sale Canada Ugg Boots save 60% off Bailey Button UGGs. Cheap Ugg Boots sale Canada Goose Jackets online Canada Goose Sale store GHD Australia GHD Hair Australia support GHD Glamour Limited Edition free GHD Straightener shipping to GHD Hair Australia worldwide GHD Midnight Collection, More order GHD Ireland you are, more Buy GHD Ireland discount GHD Pink Orchid you get. kymy020202 12.29

By prada uk posted on 2011-12-30 09:01:31

Our prime factors on affects to prada bags designer handbags allow it to be grown into well knew on the earth. prada sale has a serious now after harking back world house northward america.Your
personal consider the severe weather which will prada uk will take.Here I favor prada accessories. You may never consider the typhoon which will prada outlet sends.Here' opt for prada store purse.These Louboutin Back pack is undoubtedly magnificent to make the porn stars emblazoned
through the physical body.Another louboutin shoes uk pair of shoes accompanied by a couple of feather?kind of lamp yellowish or
golden-tinged silky smooth christian louboutin uk?pair of lgt green a silk duvet louboutin sale?louboutin shoes?End of it, unique red synthetic leather christian louboutin sale feet ends. Your louboutin shoes Rucksack is undoubtedly fabulous of the studs bespoked through soul.At
the base, private reddish artificial ...

By moncler outlet posted on 2012-01-03 17:29:26

moncler outlet down jacket design trend has been the concern. Excellence in style this
winter MONCLER show "flourishing" of the situation, as
the "winter fashion"MONCLER down jacket fashion and
practicality, moncler jackets better integration in the quarter to its unique charm,but also promote and
create a unique of Moncler Sale popular equation. from the
consumer's needs. Many people fall fashion,it is moncler maillol to dress up the beautiful spring and summer.In the traditional fall
colors, styles, fabrics, it is difficult to make any major breakthroughs,
and down jacket coat of MONCLER has unique advantages. Only from the
"point of fashion moncler mengs down jacket, can be found in the space of innovation and change, than the
traditional sense of the fall of men and women." Relevant R &
D of MONCLER designers 'fall down' in mind , ...

By Canada Goose Sale posted on 2012-01-04 01:01:36

Canada Goose always be the most popular winter clothes for so many people all around
the world.With super high quality goose filled inside Canada Goose Jackets and Canada Goose Parka,which means all Canada Goose Sale clothes are in very good quality and super warm to wear in cold days.Even
in Antarctic and Arctic,peole can’t not feel cold with Canada Goose Coats.As the coming hoilday is around the corner,you may be thinking about
where to buy warm and chic jackets or coats for yourself and your
family.Then you can come to visit www.jacketsmall2012.com where offer so many gorgeous of Canada Goose Mens Parka, Canada Goose Womens Parka, Canada Goose Youth Parka , Canada Goose Baby Parka , Canada Goose Gloves, Canada Goose Accessories and Canada Goose Vest for men,women and kids.At this Canada Goose Online Shop,you can find
whatever you want for winter clothes,like Canada Goose Expedition Parka, Canad...

By Moncler posted on 2012-01-09 05:01:32

Moncler Clothing is sold at a cheap price. We can offer the latest style at the
first time, suh as Moncler Jackets We deliver goods quickly. Moncler Outlet has been well accepted owning to its firmness of fashion. Our Moncler Sale online store help you save more and better quality goods. So,Waitting for
what? Moncler Online is here has been waiting for your arrival!