Best hydro mech 11 speed group

[PLA]

Is there a consensus on what the best 11 speed mechanical hydraulic Chinese groupset is? Or just go 105?

[Serge_K]

Will depend where you live, but I did the analysis a few days and posted about it. In Europe, it means second hand Shimano 105.
The Chinese versions are surprisingly expensive, some are hard to find, are sometimes weird, and Shimano just works.
11s shifters and calipers cost about 200 euro, sometimes even new, on second hand websites.

[rovescio]

I've been on the exact same hunt. You don't actually have many options for hydraulic brake 2x11.

Sensah Team Pro is kind of the only Chinese option. USD197 shifters, USD226 with brakes.

There's L-Twoo but reviews seem to be pretty bad.

Now people say you can get Shimano 105 used for ~200. I've been on the lookout and that's the price for sketchy looking used ones. I copped a pair of relatively unscratched RS685 (the ultegra generation between 6800 and 8000) for USD110, but the hood rubber is old and there's mineral oil spillage everywhere.

You'd probably want NOS, which runs about USD260 with brakes. That's still pretty good value compared to Sensah, especially if you take into account reselling in the future.

[jonathanf2]

I’d go hunt down some Ultegra R8000 shifters. You can pair them to cheap ZRace XG calipers. I found a new pair for under $180 USD on EBay. I do think they shift smoother than 105 and they come with higher quality shift cables.

[hagerd]

I think LTWOO mechanical with hydro is ok, Ive been running the gravel GRT 12speed mechanical for a year now with no problems. Im sure the 11 speed road is similar.

[jefflinde]

R8000, r7000 or GRX800/600 is going to be the best option.  Merlin cycles has 12 speed 105 hyd/mech for like 580$.  11 speed can be had for less.  i am all for the Sensah and Lwtoo group sets but you cant beat those shimano prices.  if you go with a different crankset they are even cheaper. 

[00Garza]

Ridden and raced Ltwoo GR9 for the past year. It has held up well, but if I could do it all over again I'd probably do a budget GRX mullet build. Thinking of doing that to replace the Ltwoo in the near future.

You can find pretty cheap shimano oem stuff on ali. Might do 105 shifters with GRX mech if I decide to go 2x.

[Ludo]

What are your issues with GR9? Thinking of going GRT on my built…

[zxcvbnmjm]

I recently built up a bike with ltwoo RX (12 speed hydro) for a friend and was pleasantly surprised with how well it worked!

shifting was super smooth and braking was great. installation was easy too and had no problems. i had previously installed a 11 speed ltwoo mechanical groupset and the front derailleur was a massive pain to set up. the RX fd was fine

but i got the full groupset barely used for only $110.. 

[armada]

I have a similar question.

I have a XDR wheelset and would need a 11 speed cassette that would be a good fit for a Rival1 mech so around 10-42.

has anyone found something that would fit?

[00Garza]

What are your issues with GR9? Thinking of going GRT on my built…

Shifter that came with group was dead on arrival. Had to wait a few weeks for replacement but it got sorted.
Left brake lever is working, but doing a strange click/pop when I pull hard on it. Not currently affecting performance, but it can't be a good thing.

Right shifter and brake caliper probably needs a bleed. Brake lever is hard to pull and sometimes stays engaged a bit causing slight brake rub.
Meanwhile my mt200's on my mtb haven't been bled since I bought the bike back in 2020.

Shifting has never been perfect, but it works.