LTWOO ER9 & ERX - Electronic groepsets

[coffeebreak]

I wouldn’t lose sleep over this. Maybe the parcel got damaged or wasn’t properly packed. Good thing it happened in China still. Shouldn’t be too hard for the seller to sort it out. Did you order it with batteries? Customs issue maybe?

Yes, without box and without battery version from their own official store. After reading boxof13's reply I got curious and started a chat with customer care. Their response -

unfortunately it has been returned back to sender and on further inspection it seems the reason is "non-permitted items - batteries".

So I asked if sender can resend the package, reply -

"No. Again, unfortunately Aliexpress has no system for reshipment of a package. I am buyer of Aliexpress too and this has happened with me before. The only option is to request for refund. Since you cannot request a refund I will start a refund dispute on your behalf"

. Not wanting to let go I asked if I should ask the seller directly, reply

"You can try but best option would be refund as any reshipment process will be outside of Aliexpress if the seller agrees".

So yeah that's it. They have started refund. To be frank I am pleasantly surprised at this particular service rep's responses.

Did you buy the eR9 from LTWOO Official Store and you're in the US? I had this issue twice and ended up not getting the eR9 (my third). I was told it was because restricted item (battery), even though I ordered one without battery, so customs don't allow for shipment. It's a bummer. I was recommended to buy from other sellers to avoid this issue. It's kind of odd, since my first eR9 was from this store, though it was before they became AE Choice seller. Being shipped by Choice may have something to do with it.

You are right. This is exactly what happened and I am in US, ordered it from LTW official store the no battery or box version. My guess at this point is that they forgot to remove those CR2032 batteries from the shifters? Sent multiple messages to LTW but they don't reply. I should have known because they have never replied to any of my messages earlier too.
Man this is surely is a bummer. I didn't even need the group and now I am unreasonably mad.

[jonathanf2]

I receive lots of items with C2032 batteries. Maybe they accidentally packed a mineral oil container into your package? Anyways, I'd be annoyed that my package was returned. On the bright side, the blue edition ER9/X should be available on the next AliEx sale, so you can order the new & improved version instead! 

[Sebastian]

Keep in mind that the so called official LTWOO store is not actually owned or run by LTWOO. At least according to Joe from China Cycling/Panda Podium. That’s why I just chose the best offer regardless of who the seller is and went with the 80s Designer Store.

[coffeebreak]

I receive lots of items with C2032 batteries. Maybe they accidentally packed a mineral oil container into your package? Anyways, I'd be annoyed that my package was returned. On the bright side, the blue edition ER9/X should be available on the next AliEx sale, so you can order the new & improved version instead! 

That's how I am looking at it. I kept going back and forth because the new edition is coming. But then Joe's video where the new version doesn't seem to have any additional waterproofing pushed me over the edge. Not sure what went wrong, per the customer care its batteries. May be its for the better. With that said, today is Choice Day and with 50 off coupon the ER9 is again back to same price as anniversary sale.

Keep in mind that the so called official LTWOO store is not actually owned or run by LTWOO. At least according to Joe from China Cycling/Panda Podium. That’s why I just chose the best offer regardless of who the seller is and went with the 80s Designer Store.

yeah I remember reading that! In this case it was not only official store (apparently) but also the best offer by quite some margin. Almost a no brainer when coupons were stacked. Oh well.

[jonathanf2]

That's how I am looking at it. I kept going back and forth because the new edition is coming. But then Joe's video where the new version doesn't seem to have any additional waterproofing pushed me over the edge. Not sure what went wrong, per the customer care its batteries. May be its for the better. With that said, today is Choice Day and with 50 off coupon the ER9 is again back to same price as anniversary sale.
yeah I remember reading that! In this case it was not only official store (apparently) but also the best offer by quite some margin. Almost a no brainer when coupons were stacked. Oh well.

I have to say the groupset does look quite nice, externally the ER9 finish looks similar to Shimano 105. I'd also be tempted to try the EGR, but where I live 1x gravel doesn't make sense. I wish there wasn't such an industry to push gravel as 1x.

[boxof13]

I receive lots of items with C2032 batteries. Maybe they accidentally packed a mineral oil container into your package? Anyways, I'd be annoyed that my package was returned. On the bright side, the blue edition ER9/X should be available on the next AliEx sale, so you can order the new & improved version instead! 

It was indeed odd. My second eR9 came with CR2032 already installed too, but it was from 80 Designer Store.
Getting the new blue edition was also my thought process. I was planning to put the additional eR9 on my old road/commuter bike anyway. I somehow developed a new habit of pressing the shift button with my pinky finger after riding so much on the eR9, so the new button layout on the blue addition will be awesome!
Anyone got news when they will start selling the new edition?

[jmcabellom]

Keep in mind that the so called official LTWOO store is not actually owned or run by LTWOO. At least according to Joe from China Cycling/Panda Podium. That’s why I just chose the best offer regardless of who the seller is and went with the 80s Designer Store.

In addition to informing about who is the real owner of the LTWOO account in AliExpress, I understand that it is a way to attract customers. After all he is offering the same product at a higher price, but it is understood that with better warranty and better service.

[boxof13]

I just noticed that Pandapodium put up this comment on their eRX listing

The “Blue Edition” won’t be available til the second half of 2024. The eRX we selling currently are still the all black version but with the previous issues solved.

It looks like plenty of people are asking this question already to them.

[jonathanf2]

I was getting my ER9 groupset setup last night and I verified mine did not come with CR2032 batteries (bought from the LTwoo "Official" Choice Store). Though I had to do a quick Google search to find where the battery slot was on my shifters. I'm really impressed by the customizable options via the app. I got everything sync'ed up, so now I have to figure out which one of my road bikes will receive the conversion. Also I can see now see how water ingress can be an issue, I'm debating which sealing method would work best for me. I was thinking of just using rubber cement around the plug, because I don't see myself detaching the RD once installed.

[Pedaldancer]

I just noticed that Pandapodium put up this comment on their eRX listing

It looks like plenty of people are asking this question already to them.

Good that l ordered di2 last week 
..I was willingly to wait if the evolution of ERX would be better regarding the water ingress.. but my new frame arrived last week, no way that I would wait that long.  The summer is coming   
But: next bike build will come for sure and then  ERX is probably a solution.

[jonathanf2]

Today I sorted out my ER9 shifting. Unfortunately I picked the wrong bike frame to convert. I opted to use my TFSA (SL7 clone) frameset and despite having ports for Di2, the ER9 cable won't fit in the chainstay RD hole. So I had to route the cable externally. Also I tried running 52-36/11-34t and it's not that great. It shifts fine, but there's too much chain slack. I did try a shorter length chain while enabling gear protection, but you can still shift into big/big from small/big. I could potentially destroy the derailleur. I ended up sizing back down to 50-34 and kept the 11-34t. Chain length remained the same from my previous 50-34/11-32t combo.

So far I was able to properly fine tune shifting on my Goldix 12 speed 11-34t lightweight cassette. In fact the cassette shifts greats. I had some minor shift issues with the FD, though I was able to get it sorted. I installed an FD chain catcher for good measure (not needed on my Ultegra R8000 FD). Hopefully I'll be able to to get the bike up and running this weekend, and I'll report back.

Also I picked up a small packet of dielectric grease at the auto store. Just to verify, do I put it inside the connector port cable or just around the connector?

[Shinobi_77]

On the Chris Miller channel a first indication of the update ER9 group-set have been shared: September 204
quite looooong waiting time.

[zerstorer]

Today I sorted out my ER9 shifting. Unfortunately I picked the wrong bike frame to convert. I opted to use my TFSA (SL7 clone) frameset and despite having ports for Di2, the ER9 cable won't fit in the chainstay RD hole. So I had to route the cable externally. Also I tried running 52-36/11-34t and it's not that great. It shifts fine, but there's too much chain slack. I did try a shorter length chain while enabling gear protection, but you can still shift into big/big from small/big. I could potentially destroy the derailleur. I ended up sizing back down to 50-34 and kept the 11-34t. Chain length remained the same from my previous 50-34/11-32t combo.

So far I was able to properly fine tune shifting on my Goldix 12 speed 11-34t lightweight cassette. In fact the cassette shifts greats. I had some minor shift issues with the FD, though I was able to get it sorted. I installed an FD chain catcher for good measure (not needed on my Ultegra R8000 FD). Hopefully I'll be able to to get the bike up and running this weekend, and I'll report back.

Also I picked up a small packet of dielectric grease at the auto store. Just to verify, do I put it inside the connector port cable or just around the connector?

Just coat it outside the lip should be fine. What's important is that you ensure the cable is firmly plugged in. Personally I would prefer hot glue or liquid tape since that ensures a waterproof seal and yet is easily torn off when needed.

Chain catcher shouldn't be needed. Do note the FD limits are all adjusted in app.

[jonathanf2]

Just coat it outside the lip should be fine. What's important is that you ensure the cable is firmly plugged in. Personally I would prefer hot glue or liquid tape since that ensures a waterproof seal and yet is easily torn off when needed.

Chain catcher shouldn't be needed. Do note the FD limits are all adjusted in app.

I finished my bike rebuild last night and I opted to use rubber cement around the cable ports and then applied dielectric grease once it dried. I figure a glob of rubber cement should provide adequate adhesion that's easy to remove and the dielectric grease over that for moisture protection. So after installing the chain catcher, I was able to adequately tune the FD. I was too lazy to remove it though.

First impressions. Everything shifts excellent once setup. Though it was an all-day affair tuning the bike. I'm not sure it was any easier over setting up a cable mechanical bike. The software tuning app is amazing. I've never owned SRAM AXS or DI2, but gear protection and one touch shifting are awesome. I used a quality pair of batteries and battery life seems to be good so far.

On the not so bright side. I'm not fond of the puny RD springs LTwoo and Sensah tend to use. They work, but it's more confidence inspiring how Shimano uses an over engineered spring coil. Also my RD cage looks like it can only accommodate the same size jockey wheels provided. There's no wiggle room to tweak the size. Weight-wise, the ER9 isn't exactly less weight compared to mechanical Ultegra. I either broke even or maybe added a few grams to my bike.

[SirBikealot]

let me know how it goes with the customs. I was thinking about buying that set but am afraid of customs here in BE

the mailman rang a few minutes ago. Had to weigh everthing before i rememered to tell about the tax and so.
Price as declared was 83€ and i payed 19% VAT (15,77€) and a 6€ handling fee from DHL. So in total 21,72€ on top of the original price.