Chinertown
Other Resources => Component Deals & Selection => Topic started by: NiHearts on November 05, 2025, 06:38:20 AM
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Hey everyone,
I hope this is the right place to ask this question.
I recently ordered a LightCarbon LCR018-D frameset. It still needs to be produced, painted, and shipped, so I expect to receive it around January.
That’s fine for me — I plan to start using it at the beginning of next season. For now, I’m riding my gravel bike.
I’m currently deciding between a Shimano Ultegra R8100 and a SRAM Force E1 groupset.
- Ultegra R8100 (12-speed) — around €1300 for a full set.
- SRAM Force E1 — about €1250, but without the crankset and cassette.
My setup goals:
- Crank length: 170 mm
- 2x drivetrain
- Electronic shifting
- No power meter needed — I’ll use my Assioma PRO pedals so I can swap them with my gravel bike in winter.
- Ideally, the crankset and cassette should be lighter than the stock SRAM/Ultegra versions.
I could buy the standard SRAM crankset and cassette, but I’m exploring lighter alternatives.
What would you do?
Would you:
- Go with Shimano Ultegra R8100
- Build SRAM Force E1 with the SRAM crankset
- Go SRAM Force E1 with a custom crankset and cassette
- Try a Chinese groupset
Any experiences or recommendations are welcome!
Thanks in advance,
Nick
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Imho I would go with Ultegra for a 2x.
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Joining the thread, since I am also planning on a similar build next year.
Currently debating between 105/ultegra di2 (depending on price), but also waiting if magene releases their groupset in the meantime.
Ltwoo also has the new er7 (cheaper than er9 but probably heavier) available on aliexpress, and there is a shop with shipping from Poland for 550 Euros (shifters, battery and derrailleurs).
This would give the most flexibility with the rest of the component choice.
Safe bet would be ultegra
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If you think you might need it, 105 Di2 gives you the possibility for 34x36 as a low gear vs. 34x34 with Ultegra.
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For 2X, I would also go with Shimano.
R8100 Shifters, Brake Calipers, Derailleurs, and Chainrings (very cheap prices on AliX, the last I checked it was less than $800 US)
EliLee Carbon crank
Dura ace chain and cassette.
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If you think you might need it, 105 Di2 gives you the possibility for 34x36 as a low gear vs. 34x34 with Ultegra.
Is there actually anything physically different in the size of the rear mech or is it just Ultegra cassettes (and therefore HyperGlide +) only go up to 34t? I'm happily using mechanical 12 spd 105 with a 11-39 cassette and a 48-31 GRX crankset.
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If you think you might need it, 105 Di2 gives you the possibility for 34x36 as a low gear vs. 34x34 with Ultegra.
Thanks voor the tip. But on this moment i am still too heavy to be near the mountains ;)
For 2X, I would also go with Shimano.
R8100 Shifters, Brake Calipers, Derailleurs, and Chainrings (very cheap prices on AliX, the last I checked it was less than $800 US)
EliLee Carbon crank
Dura ace chain and cassette.
That's interesting. Thanks for the idea.
Can i ask why specific Alilee carbon cranks?
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Is there actually anything physically different in the size of the rear mech or is it just Ultegra cassettes (and therefore HyperGlide +) only go up to 34t? I'm happily using mechanical 12 spd 105 with a 11-39 cassette and a 48-31 GRX crankset.
12 speed di2 at least is very sensitive to derailleur b gap. Ultegra derailleur doesn't work well even with 11-36. I tried with sunrace cassette it wouldn't even shift to 11t. 105 rear derailleur worked fine with it. The cage is of course longer on 105 but probably the geometry too so it moves closer to the small cogs even with more b gap. You can stretch the limits with 11spd but not 12.
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Thanks voor the tip. But on this moment i am still too heavy to be near the mountains ;)
There's no such thing as too heavy, you just need lower gearing.
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Can i ask why specific Alilee carbon cranks?
Mostly for the weight savings. Shimano cranks are not the best and are very heavy. If you like the idea of all the parts matching then stick with the Shimano Ultegra crankset. The EliLee cranks are roughly 200 grams (1/2 lbs) lighter. Which is considerable.
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Mostly for the weight savings. Shimano cranks are not the best and are very heavy. If you like the idea of all the parts matching then stick with the Shimano Ultegra crankset. The EliLee cranks are roughly 200 grams (1/2 lbs) lighter. Which is considerable.
Sounds like a worthwhile upgrade. Good weight saving there. Can you tell me if there was any difference in Q factor when changing to EliLee cranks?
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I also join the 2x->Shimano camp. Sram is catching up, but they're still not there. You can swap cassette and crankset for lightweight chinese - these are the easiest upgrades and no brainers IMO.
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Am also just about to place an order for this frame. I’m going to run my current 1x SRAM xplr setup on it initially but plan to move to a 2x SRAM setup at some point. Can you get Chinese lightweight cranks / front gears for SRAM or is that just a Shimano thing?
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This looks like a really good deal, could flip the Karoo on for €300ish (or keep it as they’re really good and play nicely with SRAM kit)!
https://www.bike-discount.de/en/sram-force-axs-etap-e1-2x12-speed-centerlock-upgrade-kit-karoo-3
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Am also just about to place an order for this frame. I’m going to run my current 1x SRAM xplr setup on it initially but plan to move to a 2x SRAM setup at some point. Can you get Chinese lightweight cranks / front gears for SRAM or is that just a Shimano thing?
It's hard to find 8 bolt crank arms for SRAM. That said, SRAM Force is pretty affordable IMO and works great.
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Am also just about to place an order for this frame. I’m going to run my current 1x SRAM XPLR setup on it initially, but plan to move to a 2x SRAM setup at some point. Can you get Chinese lightweight cranks / front gears for SRAM, or is that just a Shimano thing?
That also works for the SRAM bottom bracket. If you look at Elilee’s website, you’ll see two versions of the same crankset with different axles:
https://elilee.com/index.php/product-category/crank-set/
The X310 with a 24 mm axle is for Shimano, and the X310-DUB (29 mm) is for SRAM.
You’ll just need a spider to connect the cranks to the chainrings.
This looks like a really good deal — could flip the Karoo for about €300 (or keep it, since they’re really good and work nicely with SRAM gear)!
https://www.bike-discount.de/en/sram-force-axs-etap-e1-2x12-speed-centerlock-upgrade-kit-karoo-3
That’s indeed a great deal — thanks for sharing! I’m currently using the Karoo 2 and really like it, so if I go for this kit, I’ll keep the Karoo 3 and sell the old Karoo 2.
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So if i am correct, for a SRAM 2x setup you need:
Crankset: Elilee X310-dub (310 grams, 340 dollar) https://elilee.com/index.php/product/crank/
Spider: Elilee 5 bolt ( 49 grams. 50 dollar ) https://elilee.com/index.php/product/spider/
Chainrings:
- Pass Quest 110BCD 5 Bolt Aero AXS 2x (195 grams, 90 dollar) https://www.pq-sprill.com/products/110bcd-5-bolt-aero-axs-2x-sprocket-round-road-bike-foldable-bicycle-12-speed-gravel-bike?variant=44291226632357
- Pass Quest 110BCD 5 Bolt Hollow AXS 2x (154 grams, 90 dollar)https://www.pq-sprill.com/products/pass-quest-2x-110bcd-5-bolt-hollow-axs-sprocket-round-road-bike-foldable-bicycle-12-speed-gravel-bik?variant=44291232891045
Total of 554 / 513 gram and 480 dollar
Looking at this post: https://ccache.cc/blogs/newsroom/sram-force-e1-groupset-actual-weight
The official 170mm crankset is around 711 gram and costs about 414 dollar.
Thats when i convert the price found on Mantel changed to dollar
https://www.mantel.com/sram-force-e1-dub-crankstel?autocomplete=1
If i am doing something incorrect, please let me know.
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[quote author=NiHearts link=topic=6644.msg96813#msg96813 date=1762809091
That’s indeed a great deal — thanks for sharing! I’m currently using the Karoo 2 and really like it, so if I go for this kit, I’ll keep the Karoo 3 and sell the old Karoo 2.
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Yeah, I'm a big fan of the Karoo3, I started with a Magene unit, tried a Garmin Edge Explore 2 for a bit but found the UI really clunky - the Karoo is so much better in that respect, the navigation and live segments etc are so much nicer.