Groupset choice help..

scooby_doo_do

Good morning, just wondering if someone could help me with a decision..
I've recently purchased a specialised venge vias frameset and i'm having trouble deciding on a groupset.
Ideally i was looking at electronic shifting, so my choices would be Di2, SRAM red or Campag EPS.
I'm use to Campag (manual) from my previous bike and like the idea of the new V3, but not too sure if/how it'll fit on a vias (can't seem to find much info on EPS fitting) or if its worth the extra money over the other groupsets.
Just wondeirng what people's thoughts are?
thanks in advance.

bobones

Etap. Easy to install, fewer parts (no wires) to go wrong. I know a couple of guys who've had a lot of trouble with Di2 wiring going bad due to water ingress. Raceviewcycles are usually the cheapest.

nickbotfield

It's a bit shallow, but I really like the idea of the groupset geographically matching the frame, so Campag on an Italian brand, SRAM on an American brand, etc. For that very shallow reason I'd put eTap on the Venge! Plus it looks brilliant and works really, really well.

sloppyschleckonds

I've yet to hear anyone say how much better shifting is with eTap over EPS or Di2.

thefd

nickbotfield wrote:

It's a bit shallow, but I really like the idea of the groupset geographically matching the frame, so Campag on an Italian brand, SRAM on an American brand, etc.

...Shimano on a Japanese brand...oh wait...hang on!

scooby_doo_do

Thanks All. Think i'm leaning towards ETAP so now just have to decide on the rest of the kit, Wheels, Chainset, Saddle etc.
Would you go with the S-works Chainset, or go with sram red and keeping everything in line with the etap? or something completely different..
sorry for the questions, i've never built a bike up before and its a complete minefield!
thanks

bobones

scooby_doo_do wrote:

Thanks All. Think i'm leaning towards ETAP so now just have to decide on the rest of the kit, Wheels, Chainset, Saddle etc.
Would you go with the S-works Chainset, or go with sram red and keeping everything in line with the etap? or something completely different..
sorry for the questions, i've never built a bike up before and its a complete minefield!
thanks

I'd stick with the SRAM chainset because it will be cheaper if you buy the complete Etap groupset and it keeps everything within the Etap family so no incompatibility risk. Zipp finishing kit goes well with SRAM as it's the same company.

MiddleRinger

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

I've yet to hear anyone say how much better shifting is with eTap over EPS or Di2.

I don't think eTap shifts better - or worse for that matter - than EPS or Di2. All the electronic groupsets I've ridden (on test or owned) from 10-speed Ultegra Di2 through to DRAM eTap have shifted perfectly and have been a joy to ride. Then again, mechanical 11-speed 105 is super slick these days.

But if money were no issue, I'd buy eTap for sure!

Unfortunately it is, so I haven't..... lol

pilot_pete

This could be worth a read;

https://intheknowcycling.com/2017/10/08/best_electronic_groupsets/

I always find his reviews very thorough and honest...

PP

964cup

I have bikes with 7970, 6870, 9070, 9150 and eTap; no EPS. Of what I have I think 9150 is the best overall package and certainly has the most configurability. However, eTap is far and away the easiest to install. PROVIDED you read the instructions. I've had to rescue two bikes built by others who clearly failed to do so. eTap is very sensitive to correct FD setup and to RD adjustment, and you can't (easily) adjust the RD while riding in the way you can with Di2.

Actually, of them all, it's 7970 that still has the best basic shift quality. Perfect, silent, reliably flawless. But also no multi-shift, no configurability at all and long obsolete.