One is a Scott Addict RC30 w/ Sram Rival for $2780. The other is a RC40 w/ Shimano 105 Di2 for $2900. Only the groupset differs and else is pretty much the same.
Another thing to note is Rival is 48/35 & 10-30 while 105 is 50/34 & 11/34.
Which one would be better?
by Just_Dank
25 Comments
Honestly personal preference, they are the same level in the hierarchy, I prefer SRAM all around so…I’d say SRAM, but 105 di2 is amazing as well. I like the paint job on the SRAM bike too
i prefer sram, being fully wireless makes life much easier.
Hopefully you get the vibe that this is very much personal preference. I’m very much a SRAM rider. But now that there is parity with Rival/105 both being electronic, they are both really good products and I’m sure you’ll be happy with either.
I’ve mostly ridden Shimano since the 80s, but I think SRAM’s implementation of the paddle shifters is a better solution to the problem. Why have four switches when two will do?
Shimano Battery life is superior. Sram has the ability to easily add a power meter into the crank and has a cool lockout function on the rear derailleur for taking your wheel off. Other than that, they are very similar. I run both and like them equally.
Sram. No wires.
SRAM, I like being able to carry a spare battery and easily swap it. Yes, Shimano battery life will be better, but I run into issues where I store the bikes on the wall and anytime you bump them the derailleur comes out of sleep mode and it’ll kill the battery over time. Having the ability to swap batteries that day when you take it out and realize that the bike is dead is a huge plus.
I own both Shimano Di2 (81xx) and SRAM AXS (Force D2).
The largest advantage SRAM has is the ability to wirelessly update the shifters. With Shimano, the suggested method is to get another ~1000mm Di2 cable along with an inline junction. Unhooking your FD and using that wire is the best method for updating shifters.
Shimano has a better feel/experience. Smoother, better shifts. I shift up and down with only my right hand. Battery life is stupid long. The largest annoyance is needing to wire the shifters for updates.
I ride by SRAM Rival everyday and still only need to charge the batteries about once every 4 weeks. I like that I can disconnect the batteries and leave my bike in the garage when I do charge the batteries.
For $263 I got a left crank arm power meter installed.
Likely boils down to personal preference and what is available on the bike you desire.
Shimano – because wires
I love my Shimano 105 Di2. Battery life is fabulous and shifts smooth as silk.
This is a Coke v. Pepsi question.
Both are solid.
So, you need to buy one of each.
n + 1 lives on forever
I would not buy this frame, it has that external carbon wedge seat clamp design that is incredibly easy to over torque and break. I have found that out the hard way and got it replaced under warranty. I also suspect that Scott is aware of this design flaw, as the new RC apparently is using an internal wedge like everyone else.
I tested both on some loaner bikes before getting SRAM on mine. If you are going electronic, SRAM. Doesn’t need any wiring. Batteries can be swapped if the rear does just swap in the front. Rear adjusts EZ via the app.
I like both. I used to work for SRAM and we rode everything Shimano. We worked incredibly hard to match Shimano. Personally I like the feel of the SRAM levers slightly better but not enough to make me pay more. I would get the best deal you can on either bike. I really like Scott frames. I have had 5 Scott bikes and always loved them. I did work at Scott from 1993-2001.
I’ve got no experience with electronic shifting, so this might not apply here but I do like the SRAM double tap implementation more than the Shimano dual lever setup.
As for brakes, while my SRAM rival does work fine, I really don’t like how soft the brakes feel. Even after a shop doing a fresh bleed.
Shimano brakes just bite sooner, and feel nice IMO
The cog sizes on the sram seem like a slightly odd choice too. Missing getting to 1:1 for climbing. Having less difference in front chainring sizes
Maybe that’s good for fast riding though? Keeping the changes smaller, having a higher top ratio, etc
depends what you’d like to do. if you’re looking to bike pack, SRAM since you can carry spare batteries.
I prefer Shimano, but again, they’re very similar and mostly preference. But I do think bike packing should be SRAM
I’d pick the cheaper one because it also looks nicer 😀
Sram chains are horribly inefficient. They last a long time though, so they are durable. Both are really very similar and have their ups and downs. I’m a Shimano rider for the simple fact that where i live it’s far easier to find Shimano parts. I also prefer the longer battery life, even if you can’t just change them in the fly.
Shimano brakes also run mineral oil, but that’s only an advantage if you do your own maintenance.
105, but I would say that.
This frame has a PF86 shell which has an opening diameter of 41mm. The DUB crank axle of the SRAM groupset has a diameter of 28.99mm, the Shimano axle is 24mm, and the former is a better fit due to the fact that it’s possible to fit bigger and sturdier bearings. Based on this fact alone, i would pick Shimano regardless of everything else, and, if you really want the SRAM groupset, consider a frame with a wider BB shell, like T47 or BB386.
I’d go the shimano route, also like this gearing better with a 1:1 ratio which can come in handy when climbing.
Rival eTap on my Gravel bike and Shimano mechanical on road is what I have and I like it this way.
I like eTap for simplicity. I can even add a 2x chainring down the road without any issues. Battery change is a breeze and lasts like 6 months for me.
Default eTap behavior is intiutive to me. Analogous to Lefty loosey righty tighty, left click to get easy/looser gear, right click to get difficult/tighter gear.
Mechanical shimano is still the gold standard though, I have a 9 speed claris from 14 years ago and still works just fine, might swap to a used R7000 though.
Mineral oil is much nicer to work with than DOT fluid. Other than that, both work fine.
I’m happy with my Shimano 105 di2, it works very well. For me it was replacement parts, Shimano spare parts I less expensive where I am and more accessible I found.
My bike mechanic also told me Shimano hydraulic braking is more superior to SRAM. I can’t comment or offer an opinion on this as I have not used SRAM rival groupset, so take what you will from that statement.