Etap 11speed Upgrade kit v Ultegra R8000 Full Di2 Groupset

galatzo

Long time Sram Force 22 user (with a Red chainset) and wondering whether to take advantage of one of the cheapish upgrade kits.

After a bit of buying and selling I think Ultegra will come out a little cheaper but not much so price isn't the issue, shifters are nice and small on both and have always liked the 11 speed Sram ones (Ultegra were always too big imo compared to Sram and Chorus). I expect R8000 Di2 will be quite a bit heavier than Force/Red/Etap but I'll put up with it if its the right option.

So my main question is that Etap is now 5 years old I think so am I wise to buy old tech or do I go for a complete R8000 di2 groupset with newer tech ?

Cheers

handful

I assume you know SRAM have now released their new electronic AXS 12 speed groupsets? They also have a Force version for the first time. I know this doesn't help if you want to keep the chainset but it's an option if you want to upgrade everything.

If you want an opinion of the 11 speed etap I've had it for a few months on my best bike and can highly recommend it. Some people are saying SRAM are not going to continue supporting it now they have the new version out but I'd be surprised if that's the case.

diamonddog

Go for it, as above I have been using Sram 11 speed Etap for a couple of months and wouldn’t consider it ‘old tech’ at 5 years old. The changing on the rear is really fast with the slightest touch of the paddle and the front is as fast as a mechanical changer IMO.

I use it with a Force chain set and it works a treat and apparently it also works fine with a Force PG1170 cassette so a big saving over a Red cassette.

12 speed for me is just too many gears a bit like the 7 and 8 geared cars that are available, tbh an 11 speed system is one gear too many for me but I can live with it, I find a 10 gear system about right and still have it on my other bike.

galatzo

Cheers
Given I have SRAM now and prefer the shifter shape to all others then eTap seems to be the way to go.
Sure I saw eTap on Wiggle for £900 a few weeks ago so as soon as they do it again I'm in !

StillGoing

I was a SRAM Force and Red user since 2009 and changed my main bike to R8050 Di2 when it first came out by purchasing an upgrade kit consisting of shifters, e-tubes, battery, bar end junction box, both derailleurs, charger and junc B. I added a D-Fly unit and already had 105 direct mount brakes on the bike as SRAM didn't make any at the time I bought the frameset. I wouldn't go back to SRAM now. The Shimano shifters on the R8050 are much better shaped than previous versions and the hidden buttons to operate your head unit/lights or simply change the gear on the rear cassette is a bonus over SRAM eTap, as is the option for synchronised shifting, which I find a real bonus with my dodgy left side circulation, meaning I don't have to worry about changing up or down on the front. I still have SRAM Rival 22 on my winter trainer, but it feels agricultural in comparison.

Weight wise, I'll never be a good enough cyclist for it to bother me. If shaving a few grams here and there really matter to you, maybe you should be seeking some sort of sponsorship.

vinnymarsden

I’ve had both ETap 11 and Di2 8050 and both have good/not so good points in my opinion.
I found the Etap front changer was VERY temperamental and needed to be set up sooo accurately, but a great system once set up.
The Di2 is a faff to route all the wires to keep the cockpit clean but once done again a great set up... you pay your money, make your choice.
I don’t think either would be a disappointment.

StillGoing

VinnyMarsden wrote:

The Di2 is a faff to route all the wires to keep the cockpit clean .

Strange as I didn't find it any more of a faff than routing cables in a mechanical set up. I even went through the fitting of the bar end Junc A and routing the eTube through a set of carbon bars up to the shifter. A cable end cap crimped the wrong way to a length of cable inner is just the right size to take the eTube end and help guide it to where you want it.

vinnymarsden

Philty....my point was re the faff...compared to the Etap...in "real life" its not that hard..!
I didn't mean the actual routing of the cables through the frame.its easy with a few magnets etc....
I have the bar end Jctn and drilled my bars to hide all the cables..it looks great but it took some brain storming to work it out..oh and the Pro Vibe stem to route it into the bars in the 1st place....but does look very clean I must say

fenix

Galatzo wrote:

Long time Sram Force 22 user (with a Red chainset) and wondering whether to take advantage of one of the cheapish upgrade kits.

After a bit of buying and selling I think Ultegra will come out a little cheaper but not much so price isn't the issue, shifters are nice and small on both and have always liked the 11 speed Sram ones (Ultegra were always too big imo compared to Sram and Chorus). I expect R8000 Di2 will be quite a bit heavier than Force/Red/Etap but I'll put up with it if its the right option.

So my main question is that Etap is now 5 years old I think so am I wise to buy old tech or do I go for a complete R8000 di2 groupset with newer tech ?

Cheers

Are your gears not working properly ?

I was looking at an etap set this year but decided against it. My gears work - they never throw the chain off. Do I need the extra hassle of charging and the cost of £900 or so ? I could have a couple of holidays in the Alps cycling for that price.

Press lever. Gears change. Same with electric or cable really innit ?

StillGoing

VinnyMarsden wrote:

Philty....my point was re the faff...compared to the Etap...in "real life" its not that hard..!
I didn't mean the actual routing of the cables through the frame.its easy with a few magnets etc....
I have the bar end Jctn and drilled my bars to hide all the cables..it looks great but it took some brain storming to work it out..oh and the Pro Vibe stem to route it into the bars in the 1st place....but does look very clean I must say

Ahh I see. Yes it is more time consuming than simply bolting on the shifters and derailleurs of eTap, but as you say, nothing arduous.

Fenix wrote:

Are your gears not working properly ?

I was looking at an etap set this year but decided against it. My gears work - they never throw the chain off. Do I need the extra hassle of charging and the cost of £900 or so ? I could have a couple of holidays in the Alps cycling for that price.

Press lever. Gears change. Same with electric or cable really innit ?

Charging is no issue with electronic group sets. A quick check of the battery life via the Wahoo computer after a ride tells me whether it needs charging soon or not. I could afford it, it suited my immediate needs and having used it know it was the right decision. The only thing I miss about mechanical group sets is the occasional fettling, but I at least still get that with my winter bike that is still using mechanical.

galatzo

Well I've based it mostly on price as I've just picked up an Ultegra R8050 groupset for £850 and got cashback on it too :shock: :shock:
https://www.evanscycles.com/bike-compon ... ce_inc_vat
Cheers