Does a Shimano shifter work with a SRAM rear derailleur?
By Crankworthy · Published · Updated
No, generally not. Shimano and SRAM mountain derailleurs use different cable-pull ratios, so a Shimano shifter moves a SRAM derailleur the wrong distance per click and the gears never index properly. Keep the shifter and rear derailleur from the same system.
Why
Every click of a shifter pulls a set length of cable, and every rear derailleur moves a set distance for each millimetre of cable. That relationship — the actuation ratio — is designed as a pair.
SRAM and Shimano chose different ratios for their mountain drivetrains. Pair a shifter from one with a derailleur from the other and each click moves the chain too far or not far enough, so shifting drifts across the cassette.
A few combinations are designed to cross over, and some third-party parts are made to match one brand or the other. Do not assume — check the stated actuation first.
How to check before buying
- Read the actuation spec
- Our catalog records it as "Rear Der/Shifter Compatibility" on each part — for example "Shimano Mountain", "SRAM Exact Actuation" or "SRAM X-Actuation". The shifter and derailleur must share one.