Debating which group set to purchase for my new project. I've never used SRAM before and am unsure about the Double Tap shifting and the maintenance, reliability etc of SRAM. I tried Campy 11 this past season and I was constantly adjusting it, so I'm not even considering Campy. Really cant afford DA or Red at this time as well.

Here is my project frame.

The frame is so sexy !

Go with the SRAM yo.

I've often wondered...how big is the difference between Force and Red? I'm sure there's a certain weight difference, but what about performance?

Anyways...go with Force.

The more time I spend with the new Ultegra the more I really like it. Love the shape of the hoods. How it fit my hands would make this decision for me.

Ultegra is more comparable to Rival, based on most of what I've read on BF.

I'd go with Force:

STI shifters - unserviceable, (possibly) sketchy braking, especially when shifting the FD.

DoubleTap - replaceable parts, independent braking/shifting

I've got their new low-end group, Apex, and there's absolutely no comparison to Shimmy's low-end Sora/Tiagra. But really it's the limited lifespan of STIs that turn me off.

hogwash... I have tiagra shifters with 20k miles and another set with 10k miles and 6600 ultegra with god only knows how many. Never a problem and the sketchy braking? WTF learn how to shift.

Both are nice groups.

Reading comprehension fail.

Force is lighter and shifts better (to me). Bought mine in 2008 and it's been problem free. SRAM is crushing the market, so you might as well jump on board.

It still sounds like a much better idea IMO to separate the brake and shift lever mechanisms. Eliminates any possibility of accidental braking (which is not unheard of, as you're suggesting).

That's nice you're having good luck with the lifespan of your STIs though.

Personally, I'd go with SRAM again. I really enjoyed my Ultegra, it was problem free, smooth and quiet but I love the SRAM feel.

Either. Test them both if you can. Choose whichever fits and feels best to you.

You're comparing a groupsets that aren't even equal. Force is better than Ultegra.

Ultegra is to be compared with Rival.

However, go with whichever you prefer. If you like SRAM's double tap go with it. If you like how smooth Shimano is, go with Shimano. Neither one is going to make you go any faster.

I personally like SRAM because of the double tap, the smaller shift levers, and the feel of the shifters. SRAM products are also lighter than Shimano.

Personally I have a Dura-Ace, Ultegra, and 105 mix on one, Red on another, and 6700 Ultegra on another. My vote would be for Force. I think I am going to build a caad10 and that is what I am going with for what it is worth.

That is a nice looking frame =).

I come from a Dura-Ace 7800 bike. Recently build up a new bike with Rival and actually enjoy it a lot more, particularly the shifter design. Can't wait to make the leap to Red when I save up.

To elaborate- the shift lever blades are really just that- blades. The innards are in the hoods. The design is much more refined and modular in appearance. Shifting feels about the same, no big deal. Double tap is great compared to the Shimano system. I always hated how all the innards on Shimano STI controls are in the head of the brake blade.

My hands have never been picky so I'll refrain from commenting about the ergonomics other than mentioning that it works fine- no discomfort.

The DA7800 bike is custom build Ridley Boreas, new Rival bike is a Kestrel Evoke.

Force was Sram's answer to Dura ace when their road components first came out. Both are fine gruppos, but the latest reviews for force basically say they are for all intents and purposes red parts even down to the weights. Red is still lighter but not by much. If you are a weight weenie, go with force.

Essentially Rival, Force and Red shift the same for the Front Derailleur (zero loss), but only Red had zero loss for the rear derailleur.

until i picked up a dura ace 7800 group for $670 i was going to build mine up with a sram rival group however, i was going to use a Red rear derailleur.

Obviously Force is lighter than Rival and Red is lighter than Force.

IMO go Rival w/ Red rear derailler and use the saved money to buy a nicer wheelset than you planned.

btw Rival shifts amazingly nice. definitely on par with ultegra.

If we're mixing and matching, I'd say rival shifters, force crank, rival fd, red rd, force brakes. Exact actuation is nice but even without it, shifts are clean and punctual.

You can't go wrong with either of them. Personally, I like SRAM better, a shifter paddle for shifting and a brake lever for braking. Shifts are fast, smooth and reliable. Red swept TDF podium in 09 and the last 10 TdF winners rode it this June. Lance bought a share in the company. Force is only slightly heavier, otherwise same performance as Red. I have an Ultegra 6600. It's really good too, and the 6700 should be great.

First!


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IMO, campy shifters with Suntour everything else.

If you can get a mix of SRAM components, I recommend getting Red shifters, Rival FD, Force/Rival RD, Force cranks, KMC x-10 SL chain, Red cassette, and whatever brakes (possibly CNC Ultralight Brakes by Planet X)

Just out of curiosity, why do you recommend this mix?