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Messages - jonathanf2

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1
There's also a TX-R7101-SGS derailleur mentioned there - TX is for road, but SGS is long cage. It might be that this is a wide-range 2x option.

If it's a 2x gravel electronic groupset, I'm sold. I hate 1x. I prefer riding to the trails which requires doing road miles beforehand. I find driving to a trail just to ride a bike to be incredibly lame. Probably accounts for why most of MTB'ers I see in my area are switching to e-bikes to make up for their lack of fitness!


2
I'm curious with the hydraulic hoses on fully internal frames. On semi-internal frames you can just detach the stem/bar from the bike and pack the bar sideways next to the frame in a box.

On fully internal frames, is this not an option for travel? Do you have to detach the hoses for travel? Sounds like a big hassle if that's the case.

3
Just a heads up with the ER9. I found if shifting maybe 3-4 gears without pedaling, you can derail the chain and jam it on the RD cage. I also ended up scruffing up the inner cage plate. I'm way too OCD, so I removed it, sanded it down and repainted the cage matte black with some paint primer.

It does make me wish there were some optional cage replacements in case of major damage.

4
Thoughts on shifter forward play?  For me, It would have been nice if that movement wasn't there but not a deal breaker.

Youtu.be/EnTpydWnZEY
youtu.be/GJAumV2gOCs

Both my Ultegra and LTwoo ER9 levers do that. If you adjust your lever reach, there will be slight play. Not really a big deal.

5
On the plus side of LTwoo's missteps, it's allowed more Chinese groupset competition to catch up. Wheeltop and soon Magene will also be in the electronic groupset market. I haven't heard anything from Sensah, but if they do make an electronic groupset there will be four potential players. Whoever can step up quality and customer service will own the Chinese cycling market which is on the rise.

I think within the next 3-5 years one of these companies will come out on top. Also that's the number that was thrown around for a Chinese sponsored cycling team to enter the World Tour. That means one of these manufacturers will really need to step up reliability if they want to represent.

6
Can anyone identify these frames? The CK-Two has a threaded BB68 bottom bracket and 32c tire clearance.The CK-One will be available in both rim and disc framesets with also threaded BB and max 28c tire clearance.

CK-Two:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806754058593.html


CK-One:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805925005976.html

7
Very pretty build (with the exception of that saddle bag :)!
What frame is that?


It's a TFSA disc frameset (SL6 clone). I believe TFSA is the OEM for the Delihea framesets as well. I initially bought it because it was cheap, but surprisingly it's held up to quite a bit of abuse.

Though if I were to build a new bike I'd probably go with one the Aethos clones floating around. There's just too much climbing in my area!

8
Component Deals & Selection / Re: chinese carbon saddles
« on: May 12, 2024, 02:43:56 PM »
It looks like Chinese saddles are quickly improving their 3D printed mesh process. I'd be curious to give these a try.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806722844182.html


9
I had the GR9 hydraulic levers paired with the Zrace XG calipers, design, weight and color choice were attractive at the time.
My experience with the calipers was less than stelar... the back brake did never work, even after several bleeds. The brake feeling was always soft and not very assuring on steep downhill rides. Installed the heavier L-Twoo calipers and breaking feel and performance is now good.

This is funny, I just did the opposite. My LTwoo calipers worked fine, but the weight gain going with the ER9 was bugging me. I had ZRace XG calipers I bought on a whim awhile back and decided to install them. In the process I also opted to switch to 140mm rear rotors and cut a few extra grams. I didn't even do a proper bleed since I did a direct swap with the calipers. Brake feel is surprisingly good with the ER9 levers. The weight savings is quite significant because I cut about 100g from the calipers.

BTW - do you have a photo of your heat shrink cables? I'm using a coat of rubber cement + dielectric grease on my cables, but now I'm realizing it's a bit of a dirt magnet. I'd prefer a much cleaner application if possible!

10
This guy on YT said his was fine and he posted his video 7 months ago. So I'm guessing the calipers have been fixed.
https://youtu.be/FdZO2ZHmFio?t=125

I forgot to check mine, but I shoved the olive all the way in the ZRace calipers and both pistons seem to be squeezing. It appears mineral oil is reaching both pistons on each caliper.

11
Do update us on how it goes with those calipers, please.

After I posted this, I ended up switching both my road bikes to a 160/140 Kactus rotor setup with these ZRace XG calipers. I had no problem with the Ltwoo calipers, but they're just heavy. The Kactus rotors have excellent bite (using them on my gravel bike), so I'm presume going to 140mm in the rear shouldn't be an issue for road. I'll be able to see how the ZRace XG/Kactus combo handles on my local mountain descents.

12
 I swapped out the LTwoo calipers I was running on both my ER9 and Ultegra equipped bikes for ZRace XG calipers that were in my parts bin. I mainly did it because I recently picked up a pair of Kactus 140mm CL rotors and I was having a problem mounting them on LTwoo calipers with their stupid bracket adapters. Anyways, I cut about 100g going with the ZRace calipers. Hopefully they hold up!

13
The current batch of Sensah shifters have all the kinks ironed out. I'd go Sensah over LTwoo mechanical any day just so I wouldn't have to fiddle with that dumb Ltwoo thumb shifter.

Saying that, 11 speed Ultegra mechanical is the way to go or pick up 12 speed 105 R7100 hydraulics. They seem to be priced similar.

I'm starting to appreciate 12 speed and the better gear spread you get as you size up on the cassette.

14
Anyone running these with Shimano derailleurs? Is that thumb shifter comfortable? How do they hold up over time? And how much do the shifters weigh? I feel like these shifters + Shimano derailleurs are a cheap weight-weenieish setup.

I didn't like the Ltwoo thumb shifter. I couldn't fully wrap my hand around the shifters because it was in the way. If you shop around you can find Ultegra hydraulic shifters for a good price. Also I'd rather run the  Sensah Team Pro HRD shifters, mainly because I prefer the solid click shifts especially on the left shifter. If going mechanical those would be my 2 choices.

15
Well, you haven't had it for that long so too early to tell, I'd say.
Mine's also working fine still all the way through a very wet winter here. I'm past 3000k/1800miles now. I too am cautiously optimistic that I might have a well working unit. But so thought SergeK, until they all broke down on him.

I live in one the best climates for cycling so wet and/or cold weather isn't an issue for me. Though I did take all the preventative precautions for the battery cables. If the weather is wet, either I ride an indoor trainer or I take my gravel bike instead. I used the ER9 as an excuse to move to both 12 speed and electronic.

I'll be the first to report back if I have any issues, but I chanced getting the groupset knowing I wouldn't be riding in extreme weather.

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