LTWOO ER9 & ERX - Electronic groepsets

[Bonka]

After washing in the shower, without any pressure, my group died; the app showed 0%.
I disassembled the RD and, naturally, discovered water leaks and burnt-out components on the board. After carefully re-soldering everything, the damaged areas revealed that the water was leaking through the charging port (that's why they simply soldered it into the v3).
Then I replaced the components. Naturally, I didn't have any schematics, so I had to make do. At some point, my group came back to life. I was very happy because there was a competition in two days, which I almost missed because of ltwoo.
I couldn't buy a new RD; all the suppliers only had the v3, and paying half a group, without the charging port, to these scammers—no thanks.
After the repair, I sealed the entire PCB with a special varnish (yes, that's how Wheeltops work, so they don't get damaged by water and don't have 99% of the problems that LTwoos have).

I've had several LTwoo groupsets with FD issues, including rapid discharge issues. And they all had water in the RD, which was obvious; I have photos of all the switches, just in case.

Next, I disassembled the battery pack and FD, and sealed all the chips and PCBs with varnish. The FD has no protection at all. It's not removable; the plastic housing is simply glued together. After I took it apart, it became clear it wasn't sealed at all. But the RD is the main brains, so it's probably not a big deal.

I was thinking about replacing this piece of crap with Ultegra Di2 this winter, but I decided to improve my group. This is probably another mistake on my part, and I'll be suffering in races all season again.

Dear friends, protect your charging port on the v1 and v2. It's through there that water gets in, it's just a matter of time. Personally, I seal it with hot glue, which I can easily tear off later, but even if water gets in, my board is protected with varnish.

If I had the choice again, I'd go with the wheeltop. Even despite the small shifters, which are incredibly uncomfortable for me. Ltwoo's shifters are also very strangely designed, as if they were designed without being tested for comfort. They have dips where they should be straight, so my wrists don't get numb. If Ltwoo doesn't change their approach, they'll be far behind. They already are.

Can anyone help me with warranty advice? I've read the entire thread, and it's unlikely anyone will tell me anything new.

P.S.
One person, because I have one offer from up to 80 designers, both officially and factory.

But dear friends, please help me measure my OSPW Ultegra. I have a size 105 and a stock Ltwoo.

[jonathanf2]

Bottomline, I wouldn't get ER9/X wet if possible. From day 1, I minimized washing my bike and used both dielectric grease and ample rubber cement around the RD battery cable to minimize water ingress.

ER9/X version 3 probably has the improvements like deeper RD cable seating which they implemented on the eGR and the removal of the magnetic port probably helped reduce potential electrical issues and water ingress. I've yet to install a Wheeltop EDS TX groupset I have laying around, but my two ER9 v1 groupsets are still running strong for over a year. I also have an EGR groupset that has survived heavy rainfall and constant bike washes.

Between the 3 current electronic groupset manufacturers (Wheeltop, LTwoo and Magene), I'm starting to lean towards Wheeltop as the brand that will come out on top. Magene was really the Chinese domestic favorite, but apparently they've yet to acknowledge the fault in their braking system which has been verified by several independent tests in China. LTwoo is still considered unreliable and not much cheaper than Shimano 105/Ultegra Di2. Wheeltop from what I was told, hasn't gained any traction domestically.

Though I'm going to place my bets on Wheeltop, because they seem to have their sights with global distribution. Also with the Rotor acquisition, they seem more set in creating legitimacy with their hardware. I really don't see Sensah taking off at this point or even TRP. Still too early to tell who'll come out on top.

[mozart]

Bottomline, I wouldn't get ER9/X wet if possible. From day 1, I minimized washing my bike and used both dielectric grease and ample rubber cement around the RD battery cable to minimize water ingress.

ER9/X version 3 probably has the improvements like deeper RD cable seating which they implemented on the eGR and the removal of the magnetic port probably helped reduce potential electrical issues and water ingress. I've yet to install a Wheeltop EDS TX groupset I have laying around, but my two ER9 v1 groupsets are still running strong for over a year. I also have an EGR groupset that has survived heavy rainfall and constant bike washes.

Between the 3 current electronic groupset manufacturers (Wheeltop, LTwoo and Magene), I'm starting to lean towards Wheeltop as the brand that will come out on top. Magene was really the Chinese domestic favorite, but apparently they've yet to acknowledge the fault in their braking system which has been verified by several independent tests in China. LTwoo is still considered unreliable and not much cheaper than Shimano 105/Ultegra Di2. Wheeltop from what I was told, hasn't gained any traction domestically.

Though I'm going to place my bets on Wheeltop, because they seem to have their sights with global distribution. Also with the Rotor acquisition, they seem more set in creating legitimacy with their hardware. I really don't see Sensah taking off at this point or even TRP. Still too early to tell who'll come out on top.

I prefer ltwoo v3 to wheeltop. On wheeltop if you don't have the app from drwtox it's unlikely you can adjust the fd. Also, many dead rds have already been mentioned. Mine makes the shifter rattle and it's also very slow compared to ltwoo. The only thing I miss on ltwoo is the autotrimmin on the fd.

[toxin]

I think sensah still has a chance if their group is REALLY solid and has a 2x version. It's been a long development cycle, so one would hope...

[jonathanf2]

I prefer ltwoo v3 to wheeltop. On wheeltop if you don't have the app from drwtox it's unlikely you can adjust the fd. Also, many dead rds have already been mentioned. Mine makes the shifter rattle and it's also very slow compared to ltwoo. The only thing I miss on ltwoo is the autotrimmin on the fd.

Having used both GeX and eGR gravel setups, the eGR is actually the superior performing 1x groupset. LTwoo has quicker and smoother shifting under pedal load. I actually don't consider Wheeltop the better groupset, it's just that Magene's mishandling of their groupset brake defect and LTwoo's lack of proper customer care has set a low bar for the Chinese groupset market! At the very least as long as you buy direct from Wheeltop, they actually have a legit warranty in-place.

I think sensah still has a chance if their group is REALLY solid and has a 2x version. It's been a long development cycle, so one would hope...

I thought Sensah was dedicated to doing their 14 speed 1x electronic groupset? I think their issue is lack of funding and having to navigate the patent jungle. A few years back someone posted the financials of both LTwoo and Sensah on here, and LTwoo was way more funded (with some western venture backing included).

[amacal1]

A few years back someone posted the financials of both LTwoo and Sensah on here, and LTwoo was way more funded (with some western venture backing included).

Almost every walmart bike has Ltwoo groupsets. That's a lot of sales JUST from walmarts.

[Unknownftp]

Random question: but I swear I saw someone on the forums that managed to mount a non LTWOO ospw onto their RD. I know that my 105 ospw does not work but I was curious if the ultegra/durace ones would work.

Looking at my the stock cage it's certainly different from the shimano cages but who knows. Also, the new ER7 rd has a normal allen key bolt to secure the cage vs the prior phillips screw.

[Bonka]

Random question: but I swear I saw someone on the forums that managed to mount a non LTWOO ospw onto their RD. I know that my 105 ospw does not work but I was curious if the ultegra/durace ones would work.

Looking at my the stock cage it's certainly different from the shimano cages but who knows. Also, the new ER7 rd has a normal allen key bolt to secure the cage vs the prior phillips screw.

I asked the same question above, but I can't find the dimensions for the OSPW Ultegra anywhere. I could modify it from a 105, they're similar, but I'd like a solution that doesn't require a file.

[odoyodo]

Has anyone here gotten the ERX / ER9 Time Trial groupset? Noticed some listings in Taobao has options where the brake levers don't come with buttons.
I have this idea to re-build a rim brake frame into a TT bike and use the ERX derailleur + bar end buttons. While I use brake levers compatible for rim brake calipers. Do you think its possible?

[Sebastian]

Bottomline, I wouldn't get ER9/X wet if possible. From day 1, I minimized washing my bike

Yeah, that might work for you in California, mate. Where I live, that would pretty much mean indoor cycling only. Honestly, I don’t get why people still bother using these groupsets. Sure, they’re cheaper than others and you might just get lucky enough to get a decent amount of use out of it before it randomly fails on you. But you sure do pay by being an involuntary beta tester.

[jonathanf2]

Yeah, that might work for you in California, mate. Where I live, that would pretty much mean indoor cycling only. Honestly, I don’t get why people still bother using these groupsets. Sure, they’re cheaper than others and you might just get lucky enough to get a decent amount of use out of it before it randomly fails on you. But you sure do pay by being an involuntary beta tester.

Yeah and that's why I bought them. It barely rains where I live and even when it does get wet, I'd rather take my gravel bike out instead. For the price I paid a few years back, they've held up just fine. Also it's not like I recommend them to the average cyclist, almost 95% of cyclists I meet are mechanically incompetent. Most people don't actually use their brains to figure stuff out.

In terms of maintenance with the ER9/X v1, it's easy, just protect the battery cable with an extra bit of grease/glue/rubber cement and periodically clean the magnetic charging port with an alcohol swab. It was already documented on here early on to protect the battery cables and use decent batteries as preemptive measures. The new V3 versions does away with the magnetic charger and switched to USB-C charging, so even easier.

[Sebastian]

That’s all good for you. My point is, it’s a badly designed product. Even if you get it for cheap. I did what you did. The RD still died eventually. Yours almost did, too, IIRC. Obviously none of us know the actual failure rate. But there’s enough stories in this thread to keep me from trying again.

[Bonka]

Yeah and that's why I bought them. It barely rains where I live and even when it does get wet, I'd rather take my gravel bike out instead. For the price I paid a few years back, they've held up just fine. Also it's not like I recommend them to the average cyclist, almost 95% of cyclists I meet are mechanically incompetent. Most people don't actually use their brains to figure stuff out.

In terms of maintenance with the ER9/X v1, it's easy, just protect the battery cable with an extra bit of grease/glue/rubber cement and periodically clean the magnetic charging port with an alcohol swab. It was already documented on here early on to protect the battery cables and use decent batteries as preemptive measures. The new V3 versions does away with the magnetic charger and switched to USB-C charging, so even easier.

Dear friend, I understand that you're giving me advice. You haven't disassembled this switch, of course, but try to find photos or videos of this product. Afterward, you'll understand that water can't get through the wire; it only gets in through the charging port. It's protected by a couple of weak rubber bands, but the cable port is sealed tightly with glue.

[Bonka]

 

[mozart]

Has anyone changed the pulleys with other quiet ones? They sound annoying compared to the Shimano ones. If I don't put wide narrow, will they be quieter?