Wheeltop EDS GeX

[RiP]

Aero-X, you, like me, use lever tip silicone protectors! I use those thingys on all my bike with STI levers... 

[ricchirock]

One of the things I like and also dislike about the GeX levers is it allows me to wrap all 4 fingers under the hood for a very firm grip when I pedal out of the saddle on a steep and rough climb. I have small hands with short fingers and small knuckles. A four finger grip makes me feel confident. If you have big hands with chunky fingers and knuckles. The lever/bar space below the hood might not be enough to get all 4 fingers under.

All of the previous generation Shimano, SRAM levers could only accommodate for 3 finger wrap, not enough room between the levers and the bar. I loved the latest 13spd SRAM levers when I tried at a LBS. It's a comfortable full 4 finger wrap. The entire hood sticks out a lot more to create additional space.

The dislike. This is the Industrial Design/Mechanical Design problem(pink line on my photo). There's not reason why the inner lever pivot bolt needs to stick out so much. SH and SR inner levers hide behind the outer lever perfectly. This is both ergonomically and visually pleasing. This GeX "protruding" inner lever pivot bolt rubs my index finger. The good part is that the GeX lever has about 5mm~10mm outward play(pivot away from handle bar). The spring tension is very light. So this bolt isn't pressing against my index finger. Still a minor annoyance because of the not so refined Industrial Design.

that's why the levers are so far from the handlebar

[Aero-X]

Aero-X, you, like me, use lever tip silicone protectors! I use those thingys on all my bike with STI levers... 

I have short fingers. Surprisingly, I don't have much problem with reaching the levers in the drop. Those lever tip protectors also increased the grip on the levers! I first found them out on OZ Cycles videos. Now those silicone protectors are on every brake lever of my bikes, mountain, road and anything in between.

The bend of the handlebar drop is also crucial to the "reach" in the drop. I found Lauf Smoothie bar's top and bottom bend really improved GeX lever reach. I spent 80% of my riding time on top of the bar anyway. The Lauf bar flares out quite a bit in the drop. It aids the lever reach, I think. The GeX hood makes a total flat transition to the Smoothie top bend. Super comfy to rest my palm on it. I did add bar gel on below the bar tape for shock absorption. I didn't expect the GeX hood/bar transition would be this good. More to do with the nice design of the Lauf bar, probably.

[antmorozov]

Did anybody try Wheeltop GeX with 9-51t (or 9-50t) cassette? I saw somebody reporting no issues with 9-46t, but I'm wondering if there is enough capacity for 9-51t.

[jonathanf2]

Did anybody try Wheeltop GeX with 9-51t (or 9-50t) cassette? I saw somebody reporting no issues with 9-46t, but I'm wondering if there is enough capacity for 9-51t.

I’m using it with the ZTTO 9-50t cassette in 11 speed. It works fine, but you need to set the initial calibration for the small cog as far outboard using the app for best shifting.

[Aero-X]

Did anybody try Wheeltop GeX with 9-51t (or 9-50t) cassette? I saw somebody reporting no issues with 9-46t, but I'm wondering if there is enough capacity for 9-51t.

Here's mine with Eagle 10/50 dinner plate. No issues so far. The initial cog by cog setup too a bit of time. The shifting under load is pretty good, on par with the AXS eagle RD(non T type) on my mtb. The Gex is rated for 52T according to WT.

[antmorozov]

I’m using it with the ZTTO 9-50t cassette in 11 speed. It works fine, but you need to set the initial calibration for the small cog as far outboard using the app for best shifting.

Thanks! Is 9-50t worth it in your opinion? Or better choose 10-51t?

[jonathanf2]

Thanks! Is 9-50t worth it in your opinion? Or better choose 10-51t?

I only use the 9t cog on descents and when I need a quick burst of speed. I try not to use it often. The main benefit is it allows me to run a smaller chainring when climbing. Also I found SRAM Eagle 12 speed chains (non-flat top) shift the best with these cassettes.

Though I find my GeX bike shifts a bit slow compared to my LTwoo eGR bike. The eGR can also shift the big cogs more smoothly. GeX is slightly more clumsy in the big/low gear cogs. This is using the same 9-xx cassettes and even same SRAM Eagle chains.

[darkening]

Did anybody try Wheeltop GeX with 9-51t (or 9-50t) cassette? I saw somebody reporting no issues with 9-46t, but I'm wondering if there is enough capacity for 9-51t.

You have to use long(93mm) cage to handle 52t cassete. Medium cage is only for 46t.

[Asco]

Just a heads up for those in colder climates: Had the first frost here yesterday, and my right shifter battery completely died - 10 minutes before the start of a race.
Unfortunately, the whole groupset then went completely dead until I got back home and plugged it in (there was plenty of battery on the RD, but I couldn't access it in the app or make it move at all).

Hopefully, the problem is just that the coin cell batteries that come with the shifters are terrible, because they should definitely last more than 4 months of about 10 hours / week. So yeah, just a suggestion to swap the stock batteries if you live somewhere cold.

[Tijoe]

Just a heads up for those in colder climates: Had the first frost here yesterday, and my right shifter battery completely died - 10 minutes before the start of a race.
Unfortunately, the whole groupset then went completely dead until I got back home and plugged it in (there was plenty of battery on the RD, but I couldn't access it in the app or make it move at all).

Hopefully, the problem is just that the coin cell batteries that come with the shifters are terrible, because they should definitely last more than 4 months of about 10 hours / week. So yeah, just a suggestion to swap the stock batteries if you live somewhere cold.

(LOL!) First frost!  In my neck of the woods, we've already had several snow days, and frost, most mornings, since before Halloween.   
Regarding the crappy very low quality CR2023 batteries that come with Wheeltop products, Their OEM batteries last at best 2 to 3 months.  Their crappy button batteries have been discussed a couple times on the EDS OX and TX threads.  (I feel for you because this exact same thing happened to me.)

It takes time to develop the preventive habits to keep from having dead or discharged batteries.  One has to open the app each and every time before you want to ride the bike for anything important, and check the battery levels for the derailleur/s and shifters.  I have 4 Wheeltop systems in use.   I always carry at least one CR2032 battery with me, (along with a quarter to open the cover)

I purchase the 12-pack of of Duracell CR2032s from Costco when they have them on sale.   Even the Duracell batteries only seem to last, at best, 6 months if you ride and shift a lot.   

Regarding CR2032 batteries"  New voltage is 3.3 to 3.2 Volt,   On our shifters, it appears that the batteries are good down to 3.0 volts, then I swap it out.
At 2.9 volts, the battery is considered weak, at 2.7V they are considered dead.   

[Asco]

(LOL!) First frost!  In my neck of the woods, we've already had several snow days, and frost, most mornings, since before Halloween.   
Regarding the crappy very low quality CR2023 batteries that come with Wheeltop products, Their OEM batteries last at best 2 to 3 months.  Their crappy button batteries have been discussed a couple times on the EDS OX and TX threads.  (I feel for you because this exact same thing happened to me.)

It takes time to develop the preventive habits to keep from having dead or discharged batteries.  One has to open the app each and every time before you want to ride the bike for anything important, and check the battery levels for the derailleur/s and shifters.  I have 4 Wheeltop systems in use.   I always carry at least one CR2032 battery with me, (along with a quarter to open the cover)

I purchase the 12-pack of of Duracell CR2032s from Costco when they have them on sale.   Even the Duracell batteries only seem to last, at best, 6 months if you ride and shift a lot.   

Regarding CR2032 batteries"  New voltage is 3.3 to 3.2 Volt,   On our shifters, it appears that the batteries are good down to 3.0 volts, then I swap it out.
At 2.9 volts, the battery is considered weak, at 2.7V they are considered dead.   

Lots of good info, thanks. Yeah I haven't checked out the OX and TX threads and honestly don't recall ever seeing this issue come up before. You're right about the preventative habits, I almost had a similar disaster at my last race where I plugged in the RD overnight and then next morning it said 5%. I guess the charger connection must have dropped. Luckily the remaining charge was enough but it was in the back of my mind the whole time lol.

The voltage reference values are good to keep in mind and yeah I'll for sure bring a spare battery always, and buy a set of name brand batteries.

[Rico666]

Here's my experience with the battery life. On my RD, I can do a bit more than 2000Km on a single charge. On my girl friend RD, it is at most 800km per charge. The battery on my right shifter died after 1000km. The one on my left shifter did 5000km. Both shifters on my GF bike are still fine after 4500km.

I bought the 2 groupsets from a seller called Weko Ln on ali and after I told him about the difference on the RD battery, He sent me a complete RD free of charge. I did not test it yet.

I rode the groupset at 2deg celsius without any issue.

[federic000]

there's smtg i'm missing about buying an OX 2.0 on aliexpress, at least for us europeans we can buy it for the same price or sometimes even lower from the official wheeltop website, any advantage buying from Aliex?

[jonathanf2]

I bought the 2 groupsets from a seller called Weko Ln on ali and after I told him about the difference on the RD battery, He sent me a complete RD free of charge. I did not test it yet.

Good to hear Weko Ln honored the warranty. I've heard mixed issues with some customers saying they were ghosted. Though I feel some people shouldn't be doing their own bike maintenance.