Shimano 1x10 vs Sensah SRX Pro 1x11 Drivetrain
 

Hi everyone!


I'd like to hear your opinion with a dilemma I am having. I'm currently running a 1x9 Drivetrain with MicroNew Shifters paired with an Ltwoo A5 Elite RD.


My problems with this current drivetrain is that even though the spring tension of the Ltwoo A5 Elite RD is superb, shifting can get quite finicky and flimsy as compared when using its Shimano counterparts. The only advantage for me there is the max capacity of 50T if need be, and having no cable adjuster in the RD itself, since my experience with bumps, tunes out the Rear Derailleur especially if it has a cable adjuster with it. The cable adjuster I have is on the shifter.


My option 1 is I plan on changing my drivetrain to a 1x10 Drivetrain, this is composed of Shimano 105 ST-5600 Shifters, and an Alivio M3100 SGS RD. (For everyone's knowledge, the ST 5600 shifters have the old school pull ratio of 2:1 making it compatible with 9 speed and below MTN/Road Rear Derailleurs). I'm thinking of running an 11-46T Cassette, adding a Goatlink to the Alivio RD since I think its maximum capacity is only 45T. The con I see here is that I'm not used to operating the shifting of a Shimano Road Shifter, plus I'm not sure how the longevity of the 105 st-5600 Shifters will be like down the road. Another 2 cons is that, the rubber hood replacements might get phased out down the line, which is what I'm worried about, as supply gets lower demand gets higher therefore pricing for it would increase. Same with the Headbadge/Nameplate Cover, I am unable to see listings in Amazon/Ebay for replacements. There is one on ebay but it's a 3d printed version. It would cost me around 45usd in total shipping includede to have it delivered to my country. Lastly, I will be attaching pictures of the shifters, and I'm not sure if the scratches can be repolished, and If I ever do plan on repainting them, I'm not so sure it would stick in the long run, I'm worried about it not staying there since I am in contact with the shifters.


My 2nd option, is to go for Sensah's 1x11 SRX Pro drivetrain. With this, I no longer have to think about compatibility issues but only quality control. I love that this is internal cabling, maximum capacity of 50T as well, I only have to think about the 11 speed chain and cassette. I also like that the rubber hood replacement can be easily found in the market here in the Philippines. The shifting with the one big lever is I think forgiving for my fingers since I don't have to press which lever but only worry about how far should I swing the lever.


I have the option of going with the all Shimano parts since I believe that Shimano is better than what MicroNew, Sensah or even Ltwoo would bring out. Their quality control is already proven, old school parts are going to work. I'm just worried that, is it worth it to cleanup the shifters and all? Or is it better to just go ahead, going for a different direction to choose Sensah 1x11 SRX Pro instead?


I'd love to hear your thoughts guys. Those who have experience using Shimano 105 st-5600, let me know how it went for you guys, as well as users of Sensah 1x11 SRX Pro. What's better? What is more worth it in the long run?


Best regards,

Guan





https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...09cf9ecb60.jpg

Pictures of the Shimano 105 ST -5600
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...61974e5856.png
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1403d6487a.png
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3276c42e83.png
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5c670bdbeb.png

- your issues sound like they mainly stem from 2nd level components that dont have the features/refinement of quality Shimano products. Fall out of alignment just from bumps? No ability to adjust cable tension at the RD?
- 5600 shifters are 4 generations old at this point. I would not spend time painting the plastic. If the hoods deteriorate, maybe you can find a replacement?...but likely just switch the shifters at that time. If they shift well, I would take 5600 external cable shifters over your Micronew(and I have owned 4 pairs of drop bar micronew/microshift shifters so this isnt just ignorance).
- the different shift process for Shimano vs Microshift simply is not difficult to adapt to. Ive read some people cant handle it and I honestly question what is happening in their minds that they cant successfully move a couple of levers. Point is, those who cant manage to adapt seem to be in the very small minority. I wouldnt let this weigh much on you.
- if you are concerned about a different style of shifting, the Sensah is different from Microshift too. Just keep that in mind.
- if you switch to Sensah, itll be cool that you will no longer be using blatantly ripped off shifters.

Personally, if I were trying to save some $ and create a wide range bike, I would go with the Sensah Team Pro shifters that are 2x11 and pair them with some Shimano derailleurs. That would be 2x up front so the crankset would need to be changed to a sub-compact model thats 46/30. Toss a GS shaped RD on and an 11-40 cassette with maybe a roadlink or longer b-screw if needed. It would save a lot of $ on the shifters and give you a Shimano RD in back.
...or just take the stuff you have right now, get rid of the RD and use a Shimano RD, and run a double crankset since you already have 2x shifters.

But hey- I am clearly in the camp that views 2x as more versatile and simpler for planning how to set up a bike than 1x.

Most users on BF have no clue about alternative groupsets from China, I honestly wouldn't bother asking. I think the Sensah SRX has been fairly proven and is also used in the US under State Bicycle's All-Road gravel bikes. Though to be honest I find Sensah's shared brake lever shifting to be finicky.

I'll offer another solution. The LTwoo GR7 (10 speed) or GR9 (11 speed) are Shimano compatible and I feel have better index shifting versus Sensah with campy style shift levers, with the only issue is the inability to shift in the drops. They're a bit cheaper in price and perhaps you could get a Shimano GRX 812 1x RD with GoatLink which I still find superior to the alternative RDs on the market. You can then hit max 50t capacity on your cassette (my friend has the same setup but using 105 R7000 shifters). If the GRX 812 is out of your budget, Ltwoo does have the GR7/GR9 RD (also Shimano compatible), but doesn't come with a built-in barrel adjuster. If you can get access to a Jagwire Rocket cable barrel tensioner, it should give you the ability properly index your RD. You could even use Ltwoo GR7/GR9 RD with either Tiagra 4700 (10 speed) or 105 5800/R7000 (11 speed) shifters or just go full LTwoo GR7/GR9 with the entire setup versus the Sensah SRX which is SRAM only compatible.

I put the Sensah SRX Pro 1x11 on my gravel build. It's not bad, and hasn't given me any trouble.
That said, I'm keeping my eyes open for a way to go Shimano 2x9 or so. I didn't feel like that stuff was worth the new prices, and still don't. If I can get a deal on a gently used set, I'll probably rebuild.
1x11 to me is silly, too much chain deflection on the extremes. Plus I like heading uphill on a big front ring and easily dropping to the smaller one if I weak out.

There's enough of those Sensah groupsets out on State bikes and plenty of reviews. They seem very good for the money filling a void in the market that SRAM and Shimano don't even cater to. Would actually be interested to see how it performs with the ZTTO cable pull hydraulic calipers too. It's possible you get a drivetrain that functions 80-90% as well as GRX or mechanical SRAM 1x11 for about 1/4 the price that way.

Hi friend! Thank you for this suggestion. I was also wondering if I should go full shimano build on this. Basically going 105 R700 with any 11spd Deore RD + a Wolftooth Tanpan to make the shifters and RD compatible. But as you said with their compatiblity, I've got a few speculations here and there.

If I am going to choose 105 R700 STI combined with Ltwoo's GR9, that would be compatible right? Since if that is correct, knowing that MicroNew 2x11 speed Shifters are compatible with the 105 Groupset, this technically means the MicroNew 2x11 would be compatible with Ltwoo's GR9 Rear Derailleur? -> (which would technically then be the cheapest built out of all, and MicroNew for me is the best cheap Road Shifters that are crisp and solid with shifting) But I was thinking, the full Shimano build of 105 + Deore + WT Tanpan would be most crisp to begin with.

Is the Ltwoo GR9 RD finicky in any way regarding its shifting or how everything works? I'm worried about not having crisp shifts since this is the problem that I'm currently having with the Ltwoo A5 Elite RD. But as far as 2:1 RD goes, it's the best Long Cage RD that can reach up to 50T cassette.

Another note, is that IF Sensah SRX is compatible with SRAM only, that means I can use maybe a SRAM Rival (right shifter) along with Sensah SRX Rear Derailleur, since they are compatible right? Since I've read in other threads too that Sensah SRX shifters are compatible with SRAM road RDs. But I haven't seen any where SRAM Rival is used with Sensah's SRX Rear Derailleur