I was looking at the Argon18 Dark Matter recently. They have two models: a SRAM Force 1X and a Shimano 105 2X. The SRAM model is exactly $1000 more expensive. The other components seem almost identical. Interesting, I says to myself. Maybe SRAM Force is a higher quality build set. So I went to price build sets at one online retailer. An Ultegra build set costs exactly $100 more than the 105. Cost difference on the online retailer for a 105 vs Force 1 build set is $750.

Maybe the SRAM Force is a better build set than the Ultegra, I don't know. I do know that I'd want the 2X model any way, but even if I didn't, I couldn't possibly justify the extra $750-1000 cost for a SRAM set up.

I've got nothing against SRAM and if pricing were close and their 2X model was available on a bike I liked, I'd certainly consider purchasing it. I just don't personally see any value benefit for the cost difference.

-Matt