Wireless group sets, Di2 and all that

[gbs]

I am beginning to form ideas about what will almost certainly be my final road bike. I have got over my intitial annoyance that the big American company offerings (Trek, Giant etc) are emphasising wireless group sets; my intial reaction was "significantly more expensive the mechanical and out of the range of my limited maintenance skills".

The question is which groupset? On my first bike, bought second hand about 15 years ago, I had Campagnolo Centuar kit but component shortages prompted me to change to Shimano Ultegra about 18 months later. I would have no qualms about continuing with Shimano. However SRAM offer at least one advantage; two batteries (one for the FD and the other for the rear mech) so the live battery can be used to change to the small ring (if necessary) and then deployed on the rear mech.

So, my specific request is for comment on:
1) the SRAM double tap method
2) availability of components
3) does servicing require specialists or can a good LBS be expected to do the job?

 

[jay clock]

Sorry I am not up on the SRAM options, but on point 3 a decent LBS should be fine.

I understand the frustration about the expense of the new electronic groupsets. However having had Di2 for 14 years on various bikes it has been fab. just took delivery of new bike yesterday with 105 Di2.

I now have Parkinsons so have discovered that changing gear with Di2 makes life massively easier. My mechanical 105 is now nearly impossible on the (weaker) left hand side. Hydraulic discs have the same benefit of less effort required

 

[Ian H]

Groupset? I always specify individual components. Chainset, gears, brakes, all from different manufacturers. But nothing electronic, electric or hydraulic (KISS).

 

[cougie uk]

Groupset? I always specify individual components. Chainset, gears, brakes, all from different manufacturers. (KISS).

I think you're missing out. Groupsets just work.

 

[Ian H]

I think you're missing out. Groupsets just work.

I can assure you that my set-ups work, and I have exactly the gears that I want.

 

[ColinJ]

So, my specific request is for comment on:
1) the SRAM double tap method

I [had] never used SRAM double tap shifting before but got used to it within the 5 minute ride home. It seems an elegantly simple design.

I like it.

 

[StuAff]

I am beginning to form ideas about what will almost certainly be my final road bike. I have got over my intitial annoyance that the big American company offerings (Trek, Giant etc) are emphasising wireless group sets; my intial reaction was "significantly more expensive the mechanical and out of the range of my limited maintenance skills".

The question is which groupset? On my first bike, bought second hand about 15 years ago, I had Campagnolo Centuar kit but component shortages prompted me to change to Shimano Ultegra about 18 months later. I would have no qualms about continuing with Shimano. However SRAM offer at least one advantage; two batteries (one for the FD and the other for the rear mech) so the live battery can be used to change to the small ring (if necessary) and then deployed on the rear mech.

So, my specific request is for comment on:
1) the SRAM double tap method
2) availability of components
3) does servicing require specialists or can a good LBS be expected to do the job?

SRAM eTap shifting is not double tap (that's mechanical only). With eTap, one lever shifts up the cassette, one shifts down. You push both levers to shift rings.

Mechanical shifting is still widely available. 105 R7000 works very nicely indeed, sure the same applies to GRX 600 & 800. Campagnolo is still doing Super Record, Record, Chorus (all 12 speed) & Centaur (now 11 speed) in mechanical, though Centaur is rim brake only.

 

[T4tomo]

I am beginning to form ideas about what will almost certainly be my final road bike. I have got over my intitial annoyance that the big American company offerings (Trek, Giant etc) are emphasising wireless group sets; my intial reaction was "significantly more expensive the mechanical and out of the range of my limited maintenance skills".

The question is which groupset? On my first bike, bought second hand about 15 years ago, I had Campagnolo Centuar kit but component shortages prompted me to change to Shimano Ultegra about 18 months later. I would have no qualms about continuing with Shimano. However SRAM offer at least one advantage; two batteries (one for the FD and the other for the rear mech) so the live battery can be used to change to the small ring (if necessary) and then deployed on the rear mech.

So, my specific request is for comment on:
1) the SRAM double tap method
2) availability of components
3) does servicing require specialists or can a good LBS be expected to do the job?

from reviews, very little to choose between systems, its more about availability and price of the bike you want and what electronic system its comes with.

SRAM arguably is the smarter system as it has 2 batteries and completely wires, whereas Shimano retains a wire to the RD.. The new 105 Di2 is pretty well priced when incorporated into a new bike so may well be the "volume" option going forwards, and it will certainly drive the price down as SRAM wont want to miss out on sales of their various AXS series. All systems have buttons to changes in a similar way, so no double tap to get used to, the fancier (more £££) ones you program the buttons should you desire to.

Virtually impossible now on a new bike to have electronic gears and rim brakes which is a little sad, but at least road disc technology has settle so its relatively rub and squeak free now. It may not bother you if its a year round do it all road bike.

LBS's are all over electronic groupset set up, as indeed you could be with a little research and practice, its just a different few things to learn from mechanical.

 

[Dogtrousers]

As @StuAff has pointed out SRAM double tap is mechanical. I think the OP means SRAM eTap.

Regarding Groupsets, I think (but don't know) that once you get in to the world of electronic shifting, which is what this thread is about, then you are buying in to an overall system and the latitude to mix and match components is limited at best. Can you get hydro disk brake calipers from other manufacturers that are compatible with the levers of the big brands? I dunno.

 

[Joffey]

My experience with eTap and Di2 is the latter is smoother. I wouldn't worry about battery life with Di2 either, it lasts over a 1000 miles (maybe 2000) - just charge it up regularly and you won't need to be switching batteries.

 

[T4tomo]

As @StuAff has pointed out SRAM double tap is mechanical. I think the OP means SRAM eTap.

Regarding Groupsets, I think (but don't know) that once you get in to the world of electronic shifting, which is what this thread is about, then you are buying in to an overall system and the latitude to mix and match components is limited at best. Can you get hydro disk brake calipers from other manufacturers that are compatible with the levers of the big brands? I dunno.

yes the likes of Hope for example do dot oil and mineral oil version of their calipers and tell you exactly what SRAM Shim and Campag levers they work with incl the di2 versions.

I'm also pretty sure you can take eg an Ultegra Di2 lever and pair it with a 105Di2 mech etc.

You don't however have the range of inter brand compatibility IanH is talking about with (probably*) old mechanical 9 speed and below systems, but that's largely irreverent to the OP and anyone else looking a new bike purchases.
*and indeed non indexed / friction shifting pretty much everything worked with everything, again irrelevant to this thread.

 

[midliferider]

I am beginning to form ideas about what will almost certainly be my final road bike. I have got over my intitial annoyance that the big American company offerings (Trek, Giant etc) are emphasising wireless group sets; my intial reaction was "significantly more expensive the mechanical and out of the range of my limited maintenance skills".

The question is which groupset? On my first bike, bought second hand about 15 years ago, I had Campagnolo Centuar kit but component shortages prompted me to change to Shimano Ultegra about 18 months later. I would have no qualms about continuing with Shimano. However SRAM offer at least one advantage; two batteries (one for the FD and the other for the rear mech) so the live battery can be used to change to the small ring (if necessary) and then deployed on the rear mech.

So, my specific request is for comment on:
1) the SRAM double tap method
2) availability of components
3) does servicing require specialists or can a good LBS be expected to do the job?

Did you decide on what bike?

 

[cougie uk]

I love my new Etap but I believe on Di2 you can change the display on your garmin from a button on the hoods ? That's a neat trick.

 

[Dogtrousers]

My dream setup would be to have satellite buttons set up so that I could have down-tube electronic shifting.

 

[midliferider]

My dream setup would be to have satellite buttons set up so that I could have down-tube electronic shifting.

Wireless electronic shifters collect user data. Soon it will incorporate AI driven software system that will automatically select the appropriate gears for the effort, terrain etc.
We only have to focus on pedaling.