justonwo

I just bought the 2020 Roubaix with the Red AXS 12 speed drive train. I'm loving the gearing, which gives me more low end range for climbing and one more high gear for fast descending. So far, the shifting is more or less flawless. This is my first non-Shimano drive train on a road bike. I would say the only downside of this groupset is the ergonomics on the shifters. They're bulky and not terribly friendly to small hands. More importantly, however, they've increased the size of the shifter paddles. Ordinarily, that would sound like a great idea. However, with the reach adjusted to my preference (pretty far in), my knuckles his the shift paddles when I'm in the drops. The only way to remedy that is to either file down the paddles (obviously, not desirable) or increase the reach (also not desirable). It almost seems like SRAM didn't bother to test the ergonomics with the reach adjusted in.

My Di2 Dura Ace groupset is much better from an ergonomics standpoint. Smaller hoods and none of the goofiness with the levers when in the drops.

Anyone else out there experience this? Or am I the only one who has pulled the reach in?

noodle soup

So why did you "upgrade" to SRAM 12speed?

Kimmo 

It came on the bike?

Its lighter, has another gear, is American like the bike? All possible reasons.

But the question isn't exactly fair; upgrading wasn't mentioned.

I say bust out the Dremel and trim those paddles. The cut edge will be barely visible.

noodle soup

Calling SRAM(or Specialized) American is a stretch.

JohnJ80

I have the eTap Red on two bikes and really like it. One bike I converted from Ultegra Di2 when AXS came out because the price was so great and I wasn’t ready to hop on the 12 speed bandwagon yet.

I was a little disappointed that SRAM came out with casettes with a 10 tooth cog. I don’t really want the higher gearing, I’d have preferred the lower 11 tooth cog instead and then tightened up the spacing a little bit somewhere else in the middle to end. I’m going to wait this out and see if either SRAM or some third party comes out with a cassette with the 11 speed top end first. Other than that, I think it looks pretty good. Wireless makes for a very clean set up and for air travel with a bike, it’s the way to go.

Maelochs

I have no Actual opinion (use-based opinion) on this drive train. I have a lot of issues with the drive train based on engineering (efficiency loss, unnecessary gear range) and think it is more a gimmick than a breakthrough, but that is not based on use.

However ... here we have someone who actually laid ou the cash for this expensive new drive train ... who doesn't like it.

I don't know if Sram didn't test the ergonomics or merely made possibly awkward choices .... maybe people with larger hands love the shifter.

But this person doesn't like it---which makes me wonder why the OP bought the bike, knowing the shifter didn't fit ... or if there was no or insufficient test-riding?

In any case, OP ... you bought it, you own it. No point in asking how it works for others----it doesn't work for you.

justonwo

I actually think the gear ranges are much more sensible than conventional ranges, but I spend most of my time in the hills. I’m the OP. I got the levers adjusted to the point where they’re comfortable in terms of clearance in the drops. Having used the drivetrain for a year now, I’d say for the most part it’s great and an overall improvement from Di2 because of a gearing that works better for me. I don’t like the hoods as much as Shimano, but that’s the primary trade-off. I also have this drivetrain on my Canyon Ultimate, but with larger chainrings on the crankset.

As for efficiency, my guess is the science here is more complicated than simply looking at the isolated variable of chainring size. Regardless, there are so many other variables that ultimately influence how much of your body’s power ends up in the road. I’m not going to sweat chain efficiency much.

eduskator

That's what went through my mind as well. One must sometimes learn the hard way I wouldn't say it's an upgrade though, DI2 is clearly bettah.

seypat

Asking for opinions after the purchase has already happened. That's the 41 way.

justonwo

Read post #7. It’s my opinion after riding AXS for a year. Also, if you read my OP I was asking specifically about the lever reach issue. And, yes, sometimes it’s difficult to fully assess this kind of stuff in test rides at local bike shops. But thanks for your comments.

topflightpro

OP, was your DI2 hydraulic disc? I ask because that is a large part of the increase in hood size.

justonwo

No, it was the rim brake version. I have tried Shimano’s disc brake Di2, and they’re still smaller than SRAM. Overall, I like the functionality of AXS more, however. The hood size is my only nitpick.

The clutch on the RD is also quite effective at eliminating chain slap. Another nice perk.