Anyone running SRAM Force?

[BGCarrera32]

I've got old Campy Record Ergopower from the mid 90's and its time for a bike upgrade next year. I like my Ergopower, but have my eye on a bike with SRAM Force. Have not been able to test ride it yet and have never actuated their DoubleTap levers. I've raced on Dura Ace STI in the past, but Shimano is a little too buttery smooth shifting for me. I like more bam-bam-bam shifting resolution. When I hit the next gear on my Campy it is very positive and resolute.

Thoughts on Red / Force 22 etc. appreciated. I have a lukewarm opinion of SRAM due to the mountain bike Grip Shift I had 15 years ago which was rubbish, but things change.

I've looked at and heard nothing but good about Di2, but something about batteries for shifting and the ability to flash the firmware in my derailleurs is just a bit...overboard.

Thanks...

[saxen]

super happy with my Sram force on my last bike- I bought one with 105 after getting hit by a car and I really like the Sram products more... I also prefer them on my mountain bikes- x9/x0

[sc_rufctr]

SRAM make great stuff but you really need to test ride the gear before deciding.

It's a very "different" feel to Campy gear.

[look 171]

Like they say in the old days, " go ride the damn thing, in a few hours you'll get used to it" . Its true, but I do like my SRAM Force and I am a true Shimano Dur Ace man. That said, I really, I mean really like my SRAM levers. They fit just perfectly especially under the hood where the lever eats into your hand (shimano). Its rounded there, so I love it and also shifts pretty well to say the least. I Actually have a full set of DA sitting in a box to swap out the SRAM, but ended up liking the lever so much that I decided to not change it. Oh, forgot the shifting, its actually pretty damn good imo. the only complain is the throw into the big ring at the crest the top of the hill when the hammer heads are pouring on the gas in the false flats and I have to push that lever all the way so I can get it int the big ring when I am dog freaking tired. Its not ARAM, its me being a wuss and it takes a bit of work compared to Di2 with a press of a button. But what fun is an automatic? IMO, I can shift just as fast and accurate as Di2 with my SRAM. YOu will like it. Di2 is your Panamera, whereas SRAM is your hopped up early 911.

[Gogar]

Reliability and Consistency win over feel. If it feels "good enough" you'll adjust after a day or two, and it won't even be a consideration.

My opinion!

[look 171]

Gogar, they are reliable consistent. I have ridden this SRAM group for two years (my first SRAM product since Grip shift), and have not adjusted anything but tighten brake cables and I like my brake really loose and sloppy. I beat the hell out of this bike and have not made any adjustment yet. Not knocking Shimano, they are still my favorite, but SRAM is damn good stuff.

[MFAFF]

Go with the Di....
Full power upshifts are great and faultless....and overall you'll find yourself shifting more often to keep the cadence going exactly where you want it..

Would not want to go back to manual on the road bike, unless its to ride the friction shift on my old Raleigh Road Ace.. now that's early 911 riding....

[look 171]

I think hes asking if SRAM is good compared to shimano none Di2.

Many people are again, nit pick and over thinking it compared to the split second it takes to shift a gear, and they don't even race so really what's the point. WE are talking about a product that is made for nothing but racing, not riding a century with your buddies and stop by the road side cafe to have a coffee. Plus, how often does anyone shift into the big ring off the saddle at full power anyway. that's pretty much what shimano sells us on, but really how often? with the rear,shift anytime time you want, up or down, and it will do the same thing as Di2 or Di50. I have Di2 but have not ridden it in real anger yet. Its nice, but its not going to make me any faster or slower. Dont get me wrong, I like Di2, but not sure if its going to make that much of a difference compared to standard index shifting like SRAM.

[MFAFF]

Look.. it might not make YOU faster.. however it make my rides more enjoyable and hence faster to the next pub....as I am simply happy changing gears infallibly every time whenever I chose, something absent, in my limited experience of other brake lever activated indexed shifters (only Shimano Dura Ace and Campy.. not SRAM)

The real issue is when going from an older brake level shifter to another one is it really going to make much difference when other options are going to do so...in my experience.

Stealing from others' experience, which is far greater than mine, the difference in 'new' mech shifters is mainly one of 'character' as opposed to real capability, whilst the electric shifters do bring a step change in performance, certainly mentally if not physically as well.

I did a 300 mile day group ride a few months back and the feedback was that the electric shifters were generally giving people an easier time of it (in my MAMIL group), as gear selection was overall easier and faster, making them hills easier (!) to ride.. see Stage 1 of this year's tour for the route... while the racing whippets were happy with either, except for the two or three best riders who all had Di groups...who had all changed from their mech sets as the Di was a 'better' ride in their opinion.

My view is that the Di is a DSG gearbox...whilst the mech levers are a manual... friction shifts are a 915...so one is the past.. one is the future and one is.. well a choice.