SRAM
You hear it said quite often, "For best overall drivetrain performance, use the same brand of components throughout". I have always found this to be true especially regarding cassette / chain combos. There are, of course, exceptions and many accounts of mixed combos that work just fine.
In my case, I added a Sram PG-1170 (11-36) cassette to my Shimano GRX 810 equipped Trek Checkpoint SL6 in place of the stock Shimano XT (11-34) cassette for just a touch more low end. Now, paired with the stock XT / Ultegra chain, the drivetrain became noisier and mysteriously would not upshift from the 13 to the 12 cog. I checked and experimented for hours with every aspect of adjustment possible (proper chain length, b-screw, trim screws etc.) to no avail.
I've read many accounts of Sram cassettes / Shimano chain combos working fine. I was baffled that mine wouldn't do the same. So I switched to a SRAM PC-1170 chain and BOOM !......Problems gone.
Now my entire system is quieter running and shifts perfectly in every gear.
"For best overall drivetrain performance...................
Make your chain and cogs last. I lube my chain with Royal Purple gear oil. A drop on each link the night before and wipe it down with a paper towel. Add a little Gibbs oil to the small bottle I use for my RP gear oil 75/145 wt to condition the metal. After every ride no more than two I clean the chain with dawn and a rag. And a little water. A little dawn on the cassette and a paint brush And the cogs are shining, the same for the chain rings. RP cost $20 for a quart, but it lasts most of a year.
Not a fan of the BBright design in general, but ignoring that this BB itself does its job for a decent price. You could argue it's worth the extra money to get a thread-together adapter type BB but again, that's a different subject to review.
Easy enough to install with the proper tools, bearings spin as they should. Installed this for a friend who had been running the original BB in his 2012 Cervelo S5. Cranks felt much smoother after swapping, as to be expected. Got some creaking soon after, but that's more to do with the BB system design as a whole as well as the shell probably being a bit worn. When I get time I'll get the bike back from my friend, pull the BB, and add some Vibratite compound. That should clear up the creaking.
