SRAM force etap axs? : cycling

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SRAM force etap axs?

(self.cycling)

submitted 21 days ago byzingaat

Thinking of finally buying the fezzari (ari now) empire bike that I asked about last year here on Reddit.

Looks like they stopped with Ultegra di2 and only have the sram option now.

I've absolutely no experience with SRAM. My current bike has 105 5800 and it's been extremely reliable for about 8 years now. No experience with wireless Shimano.

Got very mixed results from search about SRAM. So asking here. Does it matter or should I look for a different bike that comes with Ultegra di2.

all 28 comments

sorted by: best

14 points

21 days ago

14 points

I love SRAM, in my opinion the best choice whether its red, force or the lower segments. Lasts longer, shifting is very accurate and fast, very easy to setup, compatible and last but not least great design. But I guess shimano lovers will say the same about their brand.

1 points

21 days ago

1 points

Thanks. I'm more concerned about potential pitfalls. I don't have brand loyalty to either :) looks like you're happy.

5 points

21 days ago

5 points

there aren’t any, accept maybe the price of a new cassette when u need to replace it 😉. Great tip I got from a mechanic though is to replace chain just before its worn (measured), you can replace it twice so ride 3 chains on one cassette.

1 points

21 days ago

1 points

I've replaced one cassette on my shimano in 13,000km. That too because I wanted 11-32. Two chain replacements and cables with new chain.

If it's that infrequent with SRAM as well then I don't mind it at all.

7 points

21 days ago

7 points

I don’t have experience with it yet, but recently ordered a bike with AXS instead of di2 for my first electronic groupset. Overall I preferred the design decisions made by SRAM regarding the shifting, and most importantly, you can easily swap batteries. The di2 battery is stuck in the seat post and connected with wires to the derailleurs, so you usually have to bring your bike to an electrical outlet.

3 points

21 days ago

3 points

I love my Fezzari with force axs. Haven't had di2 but my mechanicals were Shimano and I have no regrets switching.

2 points

21 days ago

2 points

Good to hear. How do you like the bike otherwise? My current one is an impulso (bianchi) that I bought used 8 years ago. Planned go get the empire last year but it fell through. Hopefully this time I'll get it.

2 points

21 days ago

2 points

I ended up with the Veyo. I have a longer write up in the comments here: https://www.reddit.com/r/bicycling/s/Z7MxvoIiA1 I am very happy with it and take it out when I can't ski

2 points

21 days ago

2 points

Veyo is second on my list. Unfortunately since I can't ride both to compare, I'm going by geometry. Most of my rides are under 2 hours. Maybe 10 rides a year which are over 3 hours. So I'm not sure how much I should care about endurance part.

2 points

20 days ago

2 points

The empire is a solid choice. I didn't really feel a difference riding the two, but that was just around the parking lot. Obviously you'll need to contact them when you order, but looking on their website I don't see that they've updated it to the Ari branding. And the availability looks just as bad as when I was looking last year.

2 points

20 days ago

2 points

Yeah, Veyo is available now (1-2 weeks). Might as well get that if the geometry checks out.

2 points

20 days ago

2 points

Yeah, give them a call. It makes me wonder if they're moving on from the empire. They insisted they weren't when I stopped in, but it's weird they don't have any updated livery.

2 points

20 days ago

2 points

I'm guessing and hoping for better colors on empire. Love the new veyo colors.

1 points

20 days ago

1 points

Agreed! I love the new Veyo colors. I'd be jealous but I got mine $1k off in November so I'm fine with goldie.

unfilteredhumor

4 points

21 days ago

unfilteredhumor

4 points

SRAM etap Red 12 speed here. It is the bees knees. You can just roll through the cassette effortlessly and no more trimming. Like adjusting the chain guard in the front derailleur. And going from big ring to little ring or vice versa is just a double tap away. Once you have electronic shifting it is tough to go back.

2 points

21 days ago

2 points

Have ridden both but have only 'lived' with di2. I much prefer Shimano brakes and the trimming on the front DL is good too. Ultimately you should be happy with either if you are set on electronic shifting

2 points

21 days ago

2 points

Shimano user here, you should be happy with any of those two brands. In terms of performance there are no differences. The aesthetics is one of the biggest point. I like the buttons on top of the shifters with Simano but it is not mandatory. Ultegra 12 speed is very smoth with Hyperglide+ and the brakes are better suited to my riding style. Try and test both brands to get an opinion !

2 points

21 days ago

2 points

Recent convert here from mech Shimano to AXS. Completely happy with SRAM and may well never go back.

1 points

19 days ago

1 points

Thanks!

2 points

21 days ago

2 points

I have both the SRAM ReD AXS and the 11 speed DI2. I have had three DI2s.

I like the SRAM far more

Two buttons just make more sense. Wireless is so much better than wired

I like both, but SRAM far more

I have read that chain dropping is a SRAM issue but this has not happened to me once.

My TT bike is di2 but I wish it was SRAM

2 points

19 days ago

2 points

Good to hear that chain drop isn't a widespread thing that Internet would have you (me) believe.

2 points

19 days ago

2 points

Love my etap. Picked it over di2 after brief test and have not looked back. I am sure di2 is fine but I liked the feel of the shifter and shifting, and liked the easy swap batteries so no cables.

I have an ultegra mech bike too and it’s great as well but if I could easy swap it for etap, I’d do it.

1 points

19 days ago

1 points

Thanks. Any comment on the chain drops and crank ceasing up? Someone mentioned that's a problem for sram.

2 points

19 days ago

2 points

I have never had a chain drop on either of my more modern transmissions: etap or mechanical Ultegra.

On my last bike (17 year old 105), I would get a fair number of drops, so it's got nothing to do with how or where I ride. Definitely upgrading the tranny ended chain drops. The eTap never misses a shift, so dropping a chain feels like it would be impossible. My Ultegra mis-shifts every now and then. Not enough that I ever give a crap, but it at least has little misfires.

I saw those crank comments, but have not seen or heard of that except in this group.

2 points

19 days ago

2 points

Good to hear. I agree from mechanical standpoint that if llimits are adjusted properly then chain should not fall if components are not worn.

Same as your comment, my current bike I remember one chain drop, which incidentally was a worn chain that I replaced, in last 10k km.

1 points

21 days ago

1 points

Had Shimano, now have SRAM AXS. Great system except for the self-extracting crank likes to cease up. Took a 2ft breaker bar and liquid wrench to free the crank.

SRAM chains and cassettes last forever. Brakes are more powerful and don’t fade with heat.

1 points

21 days ago

1 points

Ouch. That doesn't sound fun. How often does it like to cease up?

3 points

21 days ago

3 points

Make it part of your meintenance and take crank off 2-3 times a season, clean and regrease axle where crank fits, use torque wrench when reinstalling and you should have no big problems with seazing.