#!markdown
I'm a big fan of Shimano's manufacturing quality and, generally, well thought
out component evolution. But, you have to hand it to SRAM of late -- they have
their fingers on the pulse of what riders want and have been pushing a number
of categories (1x drivetrains, dropper posts, fork air springs with tuneable
and very progressive spring curves).
I think if any company is big enough, but bold enough, to move forward with
trail bike drivetrains by taking a step back it is probably SRAM and they've
proven they'll take a Hail Mary once in a while -- see Hammerschmidt which
worked brilliantly but for weight, drag in the aduction gear, and the small
size not being ideal with some suspension designs/pivot placements.
May 18, 2016, 9:29 a.m. - DrewM
#!markdown I'm a big fan of Shimano's manufacturing quality and, generally, well thought out component evolution. But, you have to hand it to SRAM of late -- they have their fingers on the pulse of what riders want and have been pushing a number of categories (1x drivetrains, dropper posts, fork air springs with tuneable and very progressive spring curves). I think if any company is big enough, but bold enough, to move forward with trail bike drivetrains by taking a step back it is probably SRAM and they've proven they'll take a Hail Mary once in a while -- see Hammerschmidt which worked brilliantly but for weight, drag in the aduction gear, and the small size not being ideal with some suspension designs/pivot placements.