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Road Bike Project - SRAM Red vs. Force?

wareagledustywareagledusty
in General Training Discussions


So I am going to build a new road bike this winter (first bike I will have built up myself) I picked up a Blue AC1 frames during the blowout from Cycle Sport last week ($550 for a frame that retailed for $2,400 a year ago!) and am now at the point to decide what gruppo to put on the bike. I am a big SRAM fan so have narrowed the choices down to SRAM Red or Force. There is basically a $600 difference between the two kits. I am not a weight weenie (I weight 225 pounds, instead of worrying about an extra 10 grams, I just need to focus on getting leaner myself.) 

 

So is the Red Gruppo worth the extra cost? I have Red on my Tri bikes and have never had a single issue which is one reason I am even considering Red. Thoughts?

 

 

dusty

 

Comments

  • novaavantnovaavant
    If you are doing the new red group I think the new Yaw front derailleur is a pretty nice upgrade and will give you smoother shifting up front versus force. I think you can do a blend of the two groups and get the best of all worlds. Maybe Force brakes, cassette, chain but Red shifter, F/R derailleurs. Will you be moving a PM between bikes? If so then how often would you ride the bike without a PM crank and if not that often then is the force crank with Red rings good enough? Just some thoughts.

    I'm building a Cervelo R3 that I got on closeout as well so I went through the same process. I started with Red/Force but ultimately went with Shimano because I got good deals on black Friday for Dura Ace 7900 mixed with Ultegra and am using my SRAM Quarq PM crank up front.
  • wareagledustywareagledusty
    Thanks Attila,

    I am definitely going to use my Quarq most of the time so the crank isn't a big deal to me. I do like the look of that Yaw derailleur and am planning to put it on my tri bikes (which I probably put 85% of my hours in on).

    Hadn't thought about mixing the kits, will need to start searching ebay for deals on individual pieces.
  • Dino SartiDino Sarti
    I have no experience with SRAM other than my Quarq with S975 crank and probably should not weigh in here, but for fun, I can share my experience with Shimano's different tiers. I use Dura Ace on both my TT bike and one of my roadies and have always thought very highly of it. I recently rented a road bike while on vacation and was a bit disappointed that it came with the full Shimano 105 group.

    After 10 minutes, I was totally blown away. The 105 shifted smartly, was really smooth and behaved great. It "felt" a little heavier when it shifted, but that made it feel "solid". Other than that it is spec'd heavier in the catalog. My lesson learned was that heavier is sometimes rock stable and bullet proof. When they shave weight and highly refine, things become a bit more "flimsy" feeling.
  • robin sarnerrobin sarner

     I like attila's ideas.    careful with the new red stuff though.    Less verstaile.    I believe you have to use shifters and derauilleurs and chainrings together.    Can not mix with force bits or older red bits.   Going all force, you can replace things cheaply in the future including using discounted old style red stuff.

     

  • novaavantnovaavant
    Dusty I think you will find this article pretty helpful with making your decisions.

    http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/03/news/it-works-we-test-sram-red-backwards-compatibility_209270

    Good luck and let us know how you make out.


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