Are rear SRAM deraileurs/mech really incompatible with shimano gear levers??
Meltman has it right….you can use a Shimano-compatible Sram *shifter* with a Shimano rear derailleur, but you *must* use a Sram shifter with a Sram rear. And it’s because of that cable-pull ratio that he mentioned. The front shifters and front derailleurs are fully interchangeable between brands since nothing much has changed up front in 50 years. If Shimano ever licenses the patents that Sram holds on the 1:1 ratio, then they could offer a shifter that would be compatible with Sram rears, but that ain’t happenin’….competition, pride, and protection. Lucky for Sram, since so many manufacturers have used the standard classic 2:1 one ratio for so many years, they can offer shifters for other rear derailleurs and still make a sale that way. Shimano is stuck where they are unless they invent a better mousetrap. I like a lot of the features of Sram rears, but the new Shimano XT Shadow rear is the cat’s meow…..they improved vastly on both their own/Campy’s classic design and upon Sram’
