I want to put a new component group on my road bike, which I use extensively for training. I plan to also dabble in some road racing next year. The frame is a Litespeed Ultimate with a Reynolds Ouzo Pro fork. I am considering the SRAM Red group, as well as the new Shimano Ultegra 6700 group. I have read much about SRAM Red and it appears to be a nice lightweight option, although a bit more expensive than Ultegra 6700. I will need to mail order, as I live in the sticks with no LBS with either of these choices on hand to try in person. If I opt for Ultegra 6700, I’ll have spare funds to put toward something really useful like a power meter. On the other hand, gear lust has a hold on me and the SRAM Red stuff makes me drool. I would view the Ultegra 6700 simply as a workhorse tool. I think the Ultegra 6700 group weighs something like 3/4 pound more than SRAM Red. Would this be a factor at all in moderately hilly road races? Something tells me the money is better spent on Ultegra 6700 and a power meter than forking out for SRAM Red and satisfying my gear lust. I do really like (on paper, anyway) some of the innovative SRAM features, like the Double Tap shifting, machined/hollow cassette design, fully adjustable lever reach, and ceramic bearings. Ultegra 6700 doesn’t seem to offer any significant innovation other than the hollow outer chainring, but I’m sure it’s a solid/reliable component group. What would you do… satisfy gear lust with a top-of-the-line, very lightweight, innovative component group, or stick with a less expensive, heavier, less flashy group and pocket the change to use elsewhere? Hmmm…
Do you want to get faster or flashier?
Two words: SRAM Force. THE most underrated groupo out there right now. The new force is the same price as the old force, but with the benefits of first generation sram red (full carbon levers, and crank). I am not sure exactly how the price compares to what you can get 6700 for or Red. Just think about it.