Igo

Forget shifting preferences. Forget higher or lower gear ratios. How do you compare build quality (actual construction grade - engineering, maintainable, durability, reliability, etc) between SRAM Apex and Shimano 105. I'm mostly interested in the drive components for a mid level build.
Thanks in advance

voull

Both are excellent

mazdaspeed

105 5700 is nicer hands down IMO

Adrianinkc

Shimano>Sram on build quality.

Igo

I keep seeing SRAM pitted against 105 but no reviews say one is better built than the others.

Pinkbullet3

That means you just flip a coin, Shimano heads, SRAM tails.

renton20

shimano crank and front shifting is better, sram brakes and rear shifting are nicer. Lever shape should be the determining factor as far as which you prefer. If it was me I would do all sram with a shimano crank.

unterhausen

I was thinking about getting an Apex crank, but when I went to the LBS to look at one it looked cheap to me. I have a long-term dislike for Shimano, but they seem to take fit and finish more seriously than SRAM. Functionally, I have no way to make a comparison

Igo

What I'm seeing here is pretty much what I've seen everywhere. 6 of one, half dozen of another. We've got serious hills/grades here and I like the idea of the 34/32 low gear of the Apex but the 105 is a saple of the bicycle industry.

adefeatedman

I found myself in the same boat recently. I was between the same components. I was sure I would like the SRAM better, but after riding bicycles equipped with both at my LBS, I went with the 105. The shifting mechanism is very intuitive and appeared to be smoother, although that may just be the specific bike I was on. I also liked the comfort of the hoods on the 105s. It's very much personal preference and I would check them out before making a decision.

DropDeadFred

Campy

Igo

This sin't a campy thread.

James1:17

105

Biscayne05

That's my observation so far but I hope I get to fix my front shifting issues soon with SRAM. It's pissing me off.

Nick Bain

You can put all the build quality in the world into a component but if the design is not optimal then its all for nothing. The business end of shifting is feel and to me shimano feels better as I like the smoother feel. I have tiagra 9 speed, 105 9, and rival 10.

Nick Bain

My sram rival seems to have a very low tolerance in the front derailuer. That would be a tolerance of 0!

AKcycling

Shimano 105 is like butter.

simonaway427

I have 5700 on my cross bike - it has seen some nasty conditions and crashes with no loss of performance - haven't even touched the RD barrel adjuster yet. So far, very impressed.

Igo

What issue?

Igo

I'm having a down shifting issue on the chainring with my Apex at the shifter I think.

rebel1916

But it should be. Veloce or Centaur would be fine for your purposes.

carbonframe

That's exactly why I went with the Apex. I live in Colorado and we have lots of serious hills around here. I like the low gearing of the Apex with the 32 cog. The shifting is clean, and I like the double-tap. The brake levers seem to have a lower profile on the handlebars too. I actually had Tiagra on my last bike but so far I'm liking the Apex, no complaints.

Andy Somnifac 

For build quality, Shimano feels more refined when compared to SRAM, but I prefer the operation of SRAM at this point.

pgjackson

The doubletap of the SRAM takes a bit of getting used to. I went with Rival on my current bike over 105 because Rival is a little lighter. Never had a problem with my previous 105 set-ups. If I was picking 105 or Apex, I think I'd go with 105. Easier to use. But I think the quality of both systems are virtually equal.

dayday82

Sram all the way