LTWOO ER9 & ERX - Electronic groepsets

[PLA]

All these bad reports are really starting to tarnish LTwoo's reputation and is probably inadvertently affecting other Chinese groupset manufacturers (like Sensah). If anything they should be wooing the hardcore cycling enthusiast market, but it seems like they're just pissing everyone off who really wants to give them a chance.

my thoughts exactly. i was so close to pulling the trigger on er9 and mix/match it with some other stuff i had lying around, but after a bit more reading these bad reports on here and on a few more english and german forums, instead decided to go down a di2 105/ultegra frankengroup route.

[Takiyaki]

All these bad reports are really starting to tarnish LTwoo's reputation and is probably inadvertently affecting other Chinese groupset manufacturers (like Sensah). If anything they should be wooing the hardcore cycling enthusiast market, but it seems like they're just pissing everyone off who really wants to give them a chance.

I think thats a bit too far. L-Twoo has generally made good stuff; I don't think one bad product, especially one at the bleeding edge of bike tech, throws all that away.

I'm personally still not quite sold on electronic groupsets. Yes it's more annoying to get mechanical stuff setup right but it seems a lot more failproof.

[PLA]

Wasn't di2 introduced like 15 years ago? Not exactly bleeding edge lol.

[neobiker]

Just saying you can get Shimano 105 di2 with cransket, chain and cassette for 768€ here: https://www.bike-components.de/en/Shimano/105-Di2-R7150-Groupset-2x12-34-50-p88663/

So maybe 100€ difference with LTWOO tax included.

[Sebastian]

True. But one of the key selling points of LTWOO er9 for me is the flexibility it offers. I wouldn't have to upgrade my drivetrain components. I keep my lightweight 11sp cassette. I keep my chain. I keep my powermeter crankset and I only upgrade to electronic shifting. In my country, the cheapest offer for LTWOO er9 is 460 EUR. Nothing else can match that.

105 Di2 at that kind of discount is tempting, but I'd have to upgrade to 12speed and downgrade some of my drivetrain components.
There's also super cheap offers for Sram Force etap upgrade kits. But again, I'm stuck with 12 speed, I need a different freehub body, different cassette, different chain, different chainrings. So all in all these options are always significantly more expensive.

If you build a bike from scratch and have no other components lying around, I agree that LTWOO is a lot less tempting, however.

[BalticSea]

Just saying you can get Shimano 105 di2 with cransket, chain and cassette for 768€ here: https://www.bike-components.de/en/Shimano/105-Di2-R7150-Groupset-2x12-34-50-p88663/

So maybe 100€ difference with LTWOO tax included.

That's a nice deal (although shows up as roughly 850€, prob duo to vat difference?), I guess they have a sale because of mechanical 105 launch (which is now more expensive than Di2 counterpart).

However - lack of choice is sad. No option for 52/36 chainrings or 165mm crank arms. Buying a new crank and selling this one will result in additional cost, buying parts separately is more expensive as well

[neobiker]

True. But one of the key selling points of LTWOO er9 for me is the flexibility it offers. I wouldn't have to upgrade my drivetrain components. I keep my lightweight 11sp cassette. I keep my chain. I keep my powermeter crankset and I only upgrade to electronic shifting. In my country, the cheapest offer for LTWOO er9 is 460 EUR. Nothing else can match that.

105 Di2 at that kind of discount is tempting, but I'd have to upgrade to 12speed and downgrade some of my drivetrain components.
There's also super cheap offers for Sram Force etap upgrade kits. But again, I'm stuck with 12 speed, I need a different freehub body, different cassette, different chain, different chainrings. So all in all these options are always significantly more expensive.

If you build a bike from scratch and have no other components lying around, I agree that LTWOO is a lot less tempting, however.

Do you really need a new freehub for 12 speed? I thought the cassette was compatible with HG L.

I would pay slightly more for reliability per discount. Especially as you can buy replacement part easily from shimano.

[neobiker]

That's a nice deal (although shows up as roughly 850€, prob duo to vat difference?), I guess they have a sale because of mechanical 105 launch (which is now more expensive than Di2 counterpart).

However - lack of choice is sad. No option for 52/36 chainrings or 165mm crank arms. Buying a new crank and selling this one will result in additional cost, buying parts separately is more expensive as well

A Shimano 105 crankset is around 110€. I guess you could call this a customization premium, and it is probably only a matter of time before the price decrease further xD.

[Sebastian]

Do you really need a new freehub for 12 speed? I thought the cassette was compatible with HG L.

I would pay slightly more for reliability per discount. Especially as you can buy replacement part easily from shimano.

You need a new freehub for Sram cassettes is what I meant. With Shimano, you „only“ need to upgrade everything to 12sp. Still, either option requires you to buy many more components than just shifters, brakes and derailleurs.

[PLA]

You need a new freehub for Sram cassettes is what I meant. With Shimano, you „only“ need to upgrade everything to 12sp. Still, either option requires you to buy many more components than just shifters, brakes and derailleurs.

surprisingly you also need a 12speed cassette! 

[jonathanf2]

With everyone going 12 speed and electronic, I've noticed an uptick of 11 speed Ultegra/105/GRX hydraulic shifters being sold. I already put a few bids on some shifters. After hearing all the mixed reports about LTwoo, and the fact I don't feel like buying new cranks/chains/cassettes, staying 11 speed mechanical doesn't sound like such a bad idea!

[Takiyaki]

With everyone going 12 speed and electronic, I've noticed an uptick of 11 speed Ultegra/105/GRX hydraulic shifters being sold. I already put a few bids on some shifters. After hearing all the mixed reports about LTwoo, and the fact I don't feel like buying new cranks/chains/cassettes, staying 11 speed mechanical doesn't sound like such a bad idea!

Yea I have zero appetite to go 12 speed. 11 speed works fine for me, has more choice and costs less. If I ever go electronic it will be used R8070.

[jonathanf2]

Seems like proper timing for this podcast from China Cycling to pop-up:

https://youtu.be/2kGWqQGtsxk?si=KCgoLO-0O4nLZps1

[Dark17]

Seems like proper timing for this podcast from China Cycling to pop-up:

https://youtu.be/2kGWqQGtsxk?si=KCgoLO-0O4nLZps1

Somewhat solidify my choice of getting mechanical for my upcoming build lol.

[wandulus]

I think that LTWOO electronic WILL be a good option. Not today, may be in 2 years.
I just love SRAM's AXS, and the price AND performance must be very tempting to make me jump from this wagon.

You need a new freehub for Sram cassettes is what I meant. With Shimano, you „only“ need to upgrade everything to 12sp. Still, either option requires you to buy many more components than just shifters, brakes and derailleurs.

Not strictly necessary. You can run a Shimano 12s (HG body) with SRAM AXS (I use that combo on the trainer). The issue is that you loss the 10t smallest cog (XDR is mandatory). Not a problem in the trainer, but could be an issue on road, with 46T or 48T big chainring.