Before you ask, yes, I've used the search function

So I'm swapping the 7700/7800 mix on my CAAD9 over to something of the SRAM flavor. After riding in the bike shop, I fell in love and I'm buying myself a belated birthday present.

So, I have a few options. I'm leaving my FSA crankset on the bike and I'll just be doing brakes, derailleurs and shifters. My options are basically to either buy Red shifters and Force everything else (maybe red calipers), or go Red everything with Force shifters. I guess it comes down to what's important to me - "Zero Loss" on the rear, or the bling of Red on the drivetrain. Is this a tossup? Can other SRAM users comment on what's ACTUALLY important on the different groups?

If it comes down to Red being flat out better (which I highly doubt), I'll spring for all Red, but that will stretch my budget and require an "explanation" on my part to certain other parties

Thanks a ton!

-Collin-

Red shifters, force everything else

Rival. Who deserves anything more?

I've read on the forums that the Red shifters are worth... even if you're doing a Rival build try to save up for them if possible.

I don't think the brakes matter. You may save a few grams but that's it.

I've heard the Red FD is flexy and you're better off with Force.

As for the RD, they have ceramic bearings I think, which saves like a watt?

k, so, what's 'zero loss'?

Go figure that I posted this and then won a Red rear derailleur unintentionally on eBay. Oh well, guess I'm going with a Red RD! I think I will definitely save up for the Red shifters. I hear that they are worth it, with Force everything else, too.

So what that leaves is a question of front derailleur and brakeset. The Force brakes are a little over half the price. Is the Red derailleur really flexy? Haven't heard that before.

Thanks, appreciate it!

-Collin-

i am not a SRAM expert, but my gut tells me if i were to do this i would do red shifters, a red cassette and force everywhere else. if finances allowed, i would also do a red rear derailleur (for bling if anything else)

edit:

i see you got the red rd

i'd go with the Force brakes and Red FD. i've never heard that it's flexy.

I can't find my research now, but I saw photos of pros with Rival or Force FDs and everything else Red.

I have a full Rival group, and I must say the FD is not nearly as fun to shift as the RD. Doing it over again, I'd have gotten Force shifters at least.

Well all the shifters now have zero loss so red would just be a few grams lighter.

Weird, I guess Rival only has Zero Loss on the front. Judging by how crisp rear shifting is, I'd have guessed the other way around. So, scratch my previous post, I'm completely stoked with Rival, especially how much money is still in my pocket after getting a ridiculously awesome bike together.

unless you just want everything to match, your DA calipers will be more than adequate to save a few bucks.

further to this, if funds were the key to this, i would absolutely cheap out on the brakes and fd to get a better crankset.

Red has zero loss on the rear.

Red Shifters, Force RD and brakes keep your 7800 FD, chain and cassette.

red rear derailleur is a must!

If you really want to save bucks, switch out that crankset first. THEN see if you want to change anything.

You know, there IS a reason why a lot of the pro teams use modified Red FDs with a steel cage. Search around, there's plenty of info about this.

But to the OP...Red Shifters, Force everything else.

best thing to do is Red shifters and force/rival everything else. you really don't get that much weight saving between force & rival. if i were to build up a new group, that's what i'd do. the zero loss, as i was told, is a function of the shifters, not the derailleurs

the red shifters are not that much more efficient without a red rear derailleur

********************?

Believe it or not, the same seller offered me a Red FD for a very reasonable price, so basically I have Red RD/FD nailed down. I will absolutely go with the Red shifters. I think to round out the set, I'll go with Force brakes. I forgot to mention that of my 7700/7800 group currently, there are Ultegra brakes. I think I want to upgrade those to Force, though I know they'll work fine for now.

I appreciate you guys helping me out. This should be a fun project! Now, to find some reasonably priced Red shifters...

By the way, does Cane Creek or any other manufacturer make brakes that are on part with DA/Red for a more reasonable price?

-Collin-

Ultegra's with good brake pads will do you just fine. Otherwise get the new Force brakes. Same design as Red, just a little bit heavier.

2010 Force Brakes, or if 2009, then Rival Brakes (I believe '09 and earlier Rival/Force are the same except for color)
Red shifters if you can swing it
Rival or Force FD

All right, sounds good. Looks like I can save a few bucks on the brakeset then, though at this point I've invested in a lot of Red stuff

I guess it would make sense to upgrade my crankset. It's an FSA Gossamer which I've read is pretty terrible, though I've never had an issue other than some minor creaking at first. Bet I could save some serious weight going with a Force or Red crank, though. Will definitely keep that in mind.

Thanks guys. Will report back when I get all the stuff! We may as well keep the discussion going, though, as I'm fairly certain I'm not the only one that's wondered this question.

-Collin-