SRAM AXS vs Shimano Di2 – The “live with” test – I switched back to Shimano. Why?

Intro

Is there much difference? When I first started to write this article, I thought there wasn’t going to be that much, but read on, theres quite a lot, it’s subtle but its there.
My aim here wasn’t to document all the differences, but more of the subtle ones that required a direct comparison, I categorised things into Usability, Battery, Install and Performance

Background

As a fairly early adopter of electronic shift systems, I have spent many years riding different brands.
Three years on SRAM AXS – a road 2x setup and the prior three years on Shimano 1st Gen Di2 6800 compact road 2x on a gravel bike.
And recently Shimano for the 8170 Di2 series which represents Gen 3.

SHIMANO Di2	SRAM AXS
Usability
Shimano’s shape and ergonomics of the handlebar shift levers are suited better to smaller hands. They are a little narrower and overall a little smaller. If you have L or XL gloves you will find either Shimano or SRAM comfortable.	SRAM’s hoods are more pronounced and some would say better as you feel like your hand cannot slip off as much. This is at the cost of being a touch larger than Shimano.
Using the controls to shifting gears – the front derailleur controls are on the left shifter, rear on right. (these can be customised in app but this is default) For many years this is how shimano have done things on non electronic groups. *please note in software controls can be customized	Left shifter easier gear, right harder gear on the back, to change the front derailleur you press both levers at once. … Personally I find this interface easier and more logical on SRAM, but you learn either method pretty fast and overall its probably super marginal. *please note in software controls can be customized
Rear Derailleur is low profile and doesn’t stick out much. Shimano’s mechanical design lets it sit inboard a little more, plus theres no large battery.	SRAM’s Derailleurs are naturally larger since the battery is mounted . The unit thus is a bit bulky, this took a little getting used to at first.
Removing and installing the rear wheel from a Shimano system is hands down easier. The mechanism and geometry of the derailleur make it smooth and its easy to line up the chain on the gears	Removing the wheel feels more cumbersome, spring tension? having to pull different? then the chain is hard to position on the gears before sliding into the frame.
Shimano has gear shift controls at the handlebars / hoods only.	SRAM’s derailleur’s have a gear shift button located on the derailleurs body. When working on or cleaning the bike in a workstand-stand it’s nice that the shifters could be locally manually shifted rather than reaching up or up and over to the bars. It’s a subtle feature that you miss when it’s gone.
Battery
Shimano Di2	SRAM AXS
The Battery level LED is on the spoke side of the rear derailleur. Press button on rear derailleur to check level, the LED shines on the cassette. Initially this is not as obvious as SRAM’s button location. Green = 100-51% Flashing Green = 50-26% Red = 25-1%	Battery level light is in a very obvious position on each derailleur which is helpful in a quick pre ride check. The check can be tripped conveniently from pressing the handlebar shifter paddle and looking down to see the light. Hit your shifters, see a red light, you know you are in need of a charge.
Battery Life is longer than SRAM. Supposedly 2x longer, – my results 545miles fairly hilly terrain, 36.8hours – down to the red light indicating 25%- 1% left. So a possibility there I could have gotten around 49hrs before battery died totally. Single DN300 battery is 500mAh	If you ride a lot, you will soon get irritated by the relatively short life batteries. Even though you aren’t, you will feel like you are charging them all the time. AXS batteries do have a nice feature that if dead you can pop them on the charger for 15 and they will be good for a single ride from empty. Each 25401 battery is 300mAh
Shimano’s shifters are wireless and use a 1632 Battery – this supposed lasts 2years. and is ever so slightly smaller than the battery used in SRAM. Shimano shifters have a small LED on the outside of the shifter, hold the two shifter buttons and it gives you a battery level.	Everything on SRAM is wireless. The shifters use 2032 battery. Each battery lasts 18months in shifters. The battery level of these shifters can be checked in the APP and somewhat awkwardly on the shifters by pressing the outside while looking at the inside of the paddle.
One cable to charge everything. Plug into the rear derailleur and charge.	Pop off individual batteries and plug them into a charger. If you have two batteries and 1 charger, they will have to take their turn or fork out for the multi bay charger.
Bluetooth connecting to the system is easy, one press via RD to connect the whole system	To connect you have to manually wake up and connect each component. RD, FD, Shifter 1, Shifter vs doing one connection and everything being there.
Installation
Shimano Di2	SRAM AXS
Front derailleur is easy to install and setup	Difficult to set up front derailleur, finicky in mechanical positioning.
Full setup of front and rear derailleur can be done via the app. in a guided manner. It’s really good.	Rear Derailleur adjustments can be done easily on the app. Initial setup is not via the app.
More wiring in Shimano system (battery to derailleurs). But this is a one time deal, remember you won’t have to do again. And the brake shifters are wireless for that clean front end.	All wireless
Brake calliper / rotor alignment is marginally more difficult than SRAMS.	SRAM’s more open caliper design allows for visually aligning rotors much easier. This is fairly marginal but can be pointed out.
Remember to buy a 160mm disc adapter. It’s not supplied with the calipers.	160mm disc adapter comes in the box
Shimano’s system for installing hydraulic hoses is somewhat cumbersome but effective. I have had bad results with Shimano’s Easy Joint system and went back to the traditional placement of olive and barb method.	SRAMS system for installing hydraulic hoses is much superior as far as ease of setup.
Firmware updates are done wirelessly EXCEPT for the shifters, you have to plug them to the battery with an extra e tube wire! goofy, if you are installing at home, you could by a wire for $25 or go to your local shop. Shimano say wireless firmware updates are in the works.	All firmware updates are done wirelessly. Connecting to each component of the system.
Performance
Shimano Di2	SRAM AXS
Subtle smooth shifts that you either love or hate	Affirmative shifts that you either love or hate.
Very nice brake feel, more progressive via Servo Wave technology developed for mtb. Superior to SRAM
Very fast rear shifts. To the point of Shimano give you a warning, that if you select the fastest shift speed and full multi-shift down the cassette, you can drop your chain off the front, the whiplash throws the chain. (Proven by myself)	Fast rear shifts
Spot on front shifts. Solid reliable	After you have dialled installation, front shifts are great.
Shimano doesn’t have a “clutch” setup in the rear derailleur. I immediately noticed this when switching from AXS with a little more chain noise against the chainstay when I hit potholes.	The AXS, Rival, Force and Red rear derailleurs have a type of tensioner system / clutch which keeps the pulley cage taught, chain. Purists will say that this costs you a watt or two in friction, which maybe correct. The upside is small jostles and gravel bumps don’t affect chain-line as much as they would on Shimano road derailleurs.
No brake reset is needed.	As you wear down your brake pads, sometimes the hydraulic system in SRAM’s design needs a piston reset to get the brakes to feel good again. It’s pretty easy to do, but you have to do it.

Early Days

Early on with SRAM AXS I did have issues with front derailleur setup, and many of my friends did also. Often it would overshift or undershift we figured it out, but there wasn’t much support from SRAM back then. Nowadays SRAM have improved this, so I doubt there is need to worry, but it would be wise to research other users of your specific frame and AXS 2x setup.
NOTE: if you are out there suffering with this now, try adding a 0.5mm spacer on the drive side, that made a world of difference for me.

Summary

It sounds like a cop out, but both systems are truly great and offer top notch performance. There are some differences which are subtle and dependent on personal preferences. The big differences in my mind being battery life, quality of shifts and the size of components (I do like that Shimano’s rear derailleur is lower profile)

My recommendation is optimise for the features that matter the most to you. Think about your usage and what you are sensitive to. Neither system is perfect, but if you get the bang for buck where you need, thats what counts.

Please note this doesn’t really touch on the details and options with the SRAM AXS XPLR group.

Let me know what you think….

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