Has the shifting issue been fixed or is it still recommended to use a Rival FD with a SRAM drive train?
LOL! What shifting issue. My bike with a Red FD shifts just as good for the last 3K miles as my new bike with a Force FD (actually better). I kept “hearing” things about the Force steel cage being stiffer/better and figured I’d just replace my Red if/when I had an issue, but … Bike came with full Red. Now, as for Red being any better if parting/buying new then 2010 Force? Ah, no.
Mine broke due to flex this last week. Prior to that I had put on about 350 miles in May on the 2010 version. I was told many Pro teams have switched to Force. I was offered Force or Dura Ace as a replacement. It was handeled so fast and smooth they must be getting used to the calls.
4000+ miles without any problems. My Red derailleur shifts from chainring to chainring as well as any of my bikes ever have (comparing to DA 7700 and 7800 and Force FDs). It definately has made me curious what fuss is about.
I believe it is just a problem with the 2010 FD. Sram has said it is a weld/flex issue. Older models and Force seem to be fine. (if you have 4000+ miles on a 2010 model, you are superman and it does not apply)
I saw 2 Red FD’s broke within a few months last year (June and Sept '09). Both were during road races with extended climbs, and if I remember correctly, both involved cages that were completely broke (not bent).
Both riders were your average rider, not putting out extreme power and probably around 160 lbs.
Not saying its a bad product, and I do not have any experience with Sram stuff, but I found it interesting- I have never seen that on Shimanos.
-Physiojoe