Pmswanepoel wrote:
I am torn. Really
like the idea of electronic shifting, and want to go that route (thinking of going 'big' with eTap), but I am struggling with a) the cost premium and b) the 'there's more that can go wrong' argument -if that is even a valid argument. Also, it is not likely to make me faster, is it?
More of a luxury spend? For my road bike. Tribike is new and came with mechanical Ultegra so not looking to change there (yet).
I have had
SRAM Red 10spd on the road bike for a while and it is
getting a bit wonky, hence I am looking at replacement.
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Back in December I had all of these thoughts, as well as, suffering and fighting "new bike fever" for most of 2016. In January I decided to update my road bike frame as I do like it and it is still as good as any new road frames. So I took the plunge and bought the SRAM etap wifli so that I could change my gearing as well. I also bought a few other new things and at the end of it all I am very happy going this route and very glad to have kept this LOOK frame.
So far this group is working great and I did have the rear derailleur battery go dead on me a week ago (my error), but it was super easy to just swap the front battery to the back since I was on a route that I could stay in the large ring for the remainder of the course.
I have no other justifications for getting the group other than I just wanted to freshen up the SRAM red group. As mentioned before I also took the opportunity to change my gearing a little from a 50 / 34 11-28 to putting Praxis 52 / 36 rings and a 11-32 cassette. I have SRAM Red mech on the tri bike and typically use it on flattish to low rolling hill courses and do very little shifting so I am in no rush to upgrade that group. I probably would if I upgrade the Felt frame in a few years.
Summary: I like it and I am very glad I got it.
Not to do with anything important training wise, but here is a post ride analysis from WKO 4 using an electronic shifting chart and where I am most likely to camp out on gear use for one of my common routes.
Entire Workout Shifts
559
Entire Workout
Time in Chain Ring
Chain Ring h:m:s
52 2:14:02
Entire Workout
Time in Gear
Gear h:m:s
-- 0:02:28
52x11 0:11:12
52x12 0:13:14
52x13 0:07:47
52x14 0:14:47
52x16 0:16:46
52x18 0:17:50
52x20 0:20:28
52x22 0:12:51
52x25 0:07:24
52x28 0:05:23
52x32 0:06:20