SRAM Force 22

[nammynake]

Currently deciding on my next road bike and have the choice or Ultegra or SRAM Force, both 11 speed. I have 105 on my current bike so I'm sure the Ultegra will be a good choice, both for functionality, low maintainance and ease of use. I know nothing about SRAM other than their double tap levers. Anyone experienced both and care to offer any comments?

[matt-ITR]

Doubletap is a love/hate thing.
When new and fresh its pretty nice, but doesn't tolerate cable stretch/dirt well. It's the reason SRAM supply sealed cables with their top end systems.

[Eddh]

I've done about 200 miles with it on my new bike so far and really like it.

The cables did bed in after about 50 miles and required readjusting but its all sweet again now.

[Rouleur]

I've been running the 10-speed group for two years now and I love it, the double tap is far nicer than Shimano's system IMO and everything is wearing well. Brakes are very strong too.

[nammynake]

Worth noting that this will be my 'nice weather' bike and therefore won't be exposed to particularly wet or mucky conditions.

[dogbucket]

I have just upgraded Sram Apex to Force 22, although I went with 10 speed Force shifters as the budget didnt stretch to a new cassette/wheels.

Front and rear shifts are certainly improved, the front most noticable due to the Yaw action. And the extra carbon and magnesium bits are nice. I have riden Ultegra Di2 which is great, but felt the added weight/bulk and not having a suitable frame was not worth it.

Diffcult to say whether Force 22 is better or worse than mechanical Ultegra, it is certainly lighter and offers good value. Alot of people seem to say it comes down to the shape of the hoods.

[z4chris99]

I have sram red 10 speed on my new bike, did 90km with it on sat and really like the double tap. made going back to the tiagra on my commputer a bit weird.

[nammynake]

I've decided to stick with Shimano (Ultegra) and this should arrive next month. The Force 22 model is £400 more (admittedly with better wheels):

[bakerstreet]

dogbucket said:

I have just upgraded Sram Apex to Force 22, although I went with 10 speed Force shifters as the budget didnt stretch to a new cassette/wheels.

Front and rear shifts are certainly improved, the front most noticable due to the Yaw action. And the extra carbon and magnesium bits are nice. I have riden Ultegra Di2 which is great, but felt the added weight/bulk and not having a suitable frame was not worth it.

Diffcult to say whether Force 22 is better or worse than mechanical Ultegra, it is certainly lighter and offers good value. Alot of people seem to say it comes down to the shape of the hoods.

Don't agree with the last statement. Force 22 is £655 and Shimano Ultegra 11sp is £510. That is quite a difference. The price on the Force 22 has also dropped quite bit in the last few months, When I was looking a few months ago the best price I could find was £750.

I know the OP has made his choice, but hes gone for what the majority of buyers go for at that price point and its Shimano. I've been told that more bikes are Shimano equipped because of better discounts offered by Shimano and better supply too.

My Giant is Force 10sp equipped and I've had Tiagra and 105 too. Downshifts on the Force are much better IMO and I prefer the hoods.

Anyways. I hope the OP enjoys his new bike and I have to admit that I'd have probably gone with the Ultegra at £400 difference!

[Mad March Taffy]

Anyone out there have any experience of changing the gear cables on SRAM Force shifters? I've got the shifter in the correct position, but when I push the cable through the hole it just will not slide up the back and out of the hole at the top...

Any suggestions welcomed!


Thanks

[Your Dad]

Mad March Taffy said:

Anyone out there have any experience of changing the gear cables on SRAM Force shifters? I've got the shifter in the correct position, but when I push the cable through the hole it just will not slide up the back and out of the hole at the top...

Any suggestions welcomed!


Thanks

According to a recent how-to on road.cc (http://road.cc/content/feature/173607-how-replace-gear-cable) you have to remove the shifters off the bars.

Not sure why though, I swapped from Rival to Force shifters recently and the inners just fed straight through. Have you wound the tape back to expose the outers, might be snagging?

[Mad March Taffy]

No tape on the bars at present - cables don't want to seem to make the turn to go up and out of the shifter - I'll try taking the shifters off to see if that gives me more wiggle room