Love the style of the video. As a long time Shimano user (mechanical), I recently pull the plug and ordered new bike equipped with Sram Rival. Reason why I lean over to Sram is gear ratio, and ability to change battery on the fly. Still waiting for my bike to arrive, keeping my fingers crossed that I made good decision. Cheers
after 2000km on Sram Rival equipped Tarmac SL8... Shifting is intuitive, and precise. What I miss is Shimano hoods ergonomy (Sram hoods are kinda squared) and front derailleur trim feature that Sram front mech does not have (maybe I haven't discovered it yet). Battery life is great.
I just ordered a new bike with Rival eTap (first bike with an electronic groupset) because the moment I did the double lever swing and it dropped to the little chainring and jumped down two cogs, I was totally sold. It felt so much more intuitive compared to di2. I also don't like the lack of gearing choices for 105 di2 which effectively forces you to buy a higher end groupset if you want an 11-30 in the rear or 53/39 rings. I did find that under heavy load, 105 shifted smoother and the front derailleur was quicker. As proof I'm not a SRAM fanboy, I had SRAM mechanical on a gravel bike that I hated it so much, I replaced the groupset with Tiagra.
This video was very informative. I’ve already built a gravel bike with the SRAM Rival etap group set for rougher terrains. However, I’m now building a second gravel bike that I’ll use mostly on paved roads and light gravel. I initially planned to get the new SRAM Force ASX group set but was put off by the price tag of over 2000€. I didn’t consider Shimano’s 105 Di2 at first, but since their launch last year, it has come down in price. A full set (without BB) now costs 1090€ in Germany. After watching this video, it was a no-brainer for me to order the Shimano group set.
Hey Thomas, appreciate the positive feedback. I'm happy that we could help guide your decision. Let us know how the bike comes together and how you like 105 compared to Rival your self.
I think if a newbie rider that is new or has little or no experience, all these features will not make a difference at all, They do not know any thing, It will be what they get used to and not have any thing complain about. Or if you have always had Mechanical and these are your first electronic/ Disc group. Not until they get their next bike, they will now what they like or want. Experienced riders will get what they prefer and afford.
I think a category you could’ve included is from a mechanics perspective on Build and Maintenance and then again from a TT and/or Triathlon perspective. The fact that SRAM are actually electronic and wireless extremely affects the build and on TT/TriRigs to have Wireless Blips you can custom place on your cockpit is huge. The amount of wires on a Di2 system is horrendous.
Thanks for breaking it down so succinctly. I'm looking to get a bike with electronic shifting but couldn't decide. I do like the ease of swapping out batteries with SRAM. But breaking it down to basics like Racing = 105 or A little bit of evreything = SRAM - nailed it for me. I'm not racing anywhere... lol
I forgot I saved this comparison video prior to buying my new bike. I like the point you guys make in the video but we can feel the bias for Shimano on road (not sure where this is coming from) As I was shopping for a new road bike I test several bike from Trek Émonda with 105,agitant TCR with 105, Specialized Tarmac with 105 Scott addict with Rival or 3T with Rival. I have to say that even without gloves I could the 105 button very close to one another. That is reason #1 why I like Rival better. You mention weight - although 300gr is significant, someone who ride with 105 or Rival is most likely not a professional and 300gr on a. Bike versus weight of body-+bike may end up being less that 1% difference (easily compensable by wheels set) Another point you are making is the shifting speed. Again whoever buy 105 or rival are not pro and even though faster is better I don’t see why this could be an argument for someone at this level buying entry level groupset. The one function you mention that Shimano has over SRAM is the front derailleur adjustment along the cassette as you shift. I thought rival was doing this as well, no? Thanks for the review guys!
3200g vs 2992 is 200g diff,, not 300g. IMHO, Longer battery, esthetics, weight and front derailleur adjustments defo make sense to pay a bit more for 105 di2. Thanks for review guys. Not quite clear on how exactly to shift gears,, but that was a minor. Still riding my 10speed dura-ace sl6 and 10speed sram red hi-mod. Not going for a change till they break ;)
If you buy the grupos piece by piece, and can extend the budget, going for the 105 di2 shifting system and lighter options in the movement system (crank, bb, cassett and chain). You have a killer system. If it dosen't come close to the ultegra price ofcourse. even like the video says, the compability ain't the best
great comparison - we’re fortunate to have 2 great groupsets to choose from - I have force axs and ultegra di2 on 2 of my road bikes and Shimano performance is just more slick all around - I think you nailed it Shimano for road SRAM for all road
After 20k+ miles i'm ditching ekar for rival. The 13 speed ekar is too fiddly and does not work 100% reliably all off the time. Also, after a weeks ultra event the changing gears on ekar has left my thumb/forefinger numb.
I bought a bike (the brand is Origine) and I'm surprised about the weight comparaison because if I had chosen the 105 Di2 the bike woul have been heavier than the option with the Sram Rival (minus 173g for the Rival option)
is it a 1x or 2x drivetrain? because sram splits their battery for each deraileur, the 1x setup might be of similar weight (if not lighter) than the 1x 105 since it's one less battery, whereas if you go 105 1x, it's still gonna be the same sized single battery.
No problems if you bought your bike with the groupset. It will depends only of the guarantee of the bike manufacturer itself and it's too expensive to buy groupsets alone anyway when you compare with bikes with groupsets fitted.
How does this video have 800 views ? It's the best vid on 105 Di2 vs Rival eTap I've seen on youtube, very informative! Great job guys.
Exactly my thoughts!
Love the style of the video. As a long time Shimano user (mechanical), I recently pull the plug and ordered new bike equipped with Sram Rival. Reason why I lean over to Sram is gear ratio, and ability to change battery on the fly. Still waiting for my bike to arrive, keeping my fingers crossed that I made good decision.
Cheers
How do you like your new sram setup?
after 2000km on Sram Rival equipped Tarmac SL8... Shifting is intuitive, and precise. What I miss is Shimano hoods ergonomy (Sram hoods are kinda squared) and front derailleur trim feature that Sram front mech does not have (maybe I haven't discovered it yet). Battery life is great.
Great video guys. Did not make my decision easier...but way better informed.
I just ordered a new bike with Rival eTap (first bike with an electronic groupset) because the moment I did the double lever swing and it dropped to the little chainring and jumped down two cogs, I was totally sold. It felt so much more intuitive compared to di2. I also don't like the lack of gearing choices for 105 di2 which effectively forces you to buy a higher end groupset if you want an 11-30 in the rear or 53/39 rings. I did find that under heavy load, 105 shifted smoother and the front derailleur was quicker. As proof I'm not a SRAM fanboy, I had SRAM mechanical on a gravel bike that I hated it so much, I replaced the groupset with Tiagra.
This video was very informative. I’ve already built a gravel bike with the SRAM Rival etap group set for rougher terrains. However, I’m now building a second gravel bike that I’ll use mostly on paved roads and light gravel. I initially planned to get the new SRAM Force ASX group set but was put off by the price tag of over 2000€. I didn’t consider Shimano’s 105 Di2 at first, but since their launch last year, it has come down in price. A full set (without BB) now costs 1090€ in Germany. After watching this video, it was a no-brainer for me to order the Shimano group set.
crazy how mechanical 105 and ultegra are selling close to the new eletronic systems.
Hey Thomas, appreciate the positive feedback. I'm happy that we could help guide your decision. Let us know how the bike comes together and how you like 105 compared to Rival your self.
I think if a newbie rider that is new or has little or no experience, all these features will not make a difference at all, They do not know any thing, It will be what they get used to and not have any thing complain about. Or if you have always had Mechanical and these are your first electronic/ Disc group. Not until they get their next bike, they will now what they like or want. Experienced riders will get what they prefer and afford.
I think a category you could’ve included is from a mechanics perspective on Build and Maintenance and then again from a TT and/or Triathlon perspective. The fact that SRAM are actually electronic and wireless extremely affects the build and on TT/TriRigs to have Wireless Blips you can custom place on your cockpit is huge. The amount of wires on a Di2 system is horrendous.
Thanks for breaking it down so succinctly. I'm looking to get a bike with electronic shifting but couldn't decide. I do like the ease of swapping out batteries with SRAM. But breaking it down to basics like Racing = 105 or A little bit of evreything = SRAM - nailed it for me. I'm not racing anywhere... lol
Best comparison I watched!
Thanks guys, really enjoyed the video.
I forgot I saved this comparison video prior to buying my new bike. I like the point you guys make in the video but we can feel the bias for Shimano on road (not sure where this is coming from)
As I was shopping for a new road bike I test several bike from Trek Émonda with 105,agitant TCR with 105, Specialized Tarmac with 105 Scott addict with Rival or 3T with Rival. I have to say that even without gloves I could the 105 button very close to one another. That is reason #1 why I like Rival better.
You mention weight - although 300gr is significant, someone who ride with 105 or Rival is most likely not a professional and 300gr on a. Bike versus weight of body-+bike may end up being less that 1% difference (easily compensable by wheels set)
Another point you are making is the shifting speed. Again whoever buy 105 or rival are not pro and even though faster is better I don’t see why this could be an argument for someone at this level buying entry level groupset.
The one function you mention that Shimano has over SRAM is the front derailleur adjustment along the cassette as you shift. I thought rival was doing this as well, no?
Thanks for the review guys!
3200g vs 2992 is 200g diff,, not 300g.
IMHO,
Longer battery, esthetics, weight and front derailleur adjustments defo make sense to pay a bit more for 105 di2.
Thanks for review guys.
Not quite clear on how exactly to shift gears,, but that was a minor.
Still riding my 10speed dura-ace sl6 and 10speed sram red hi-mod.
Not going for a change till they break ;)
If you buy the grupos piece by piece, and can extend the budget, going for the 105 di2 shifting system and lighter options in the movement system (crank, bb, cassett and chain). You have a killer system. If it dosen't come close to the ultegra price ofcourse. even like the video says, the compability ain't the best
great comparison - we’re fortunate to have 2 great groupsets to choose from - I have force axs and ultegra di2 on 2 of my road bikes and Shimano performance is just more slick all around - I think you nailed it Shimano for road SRAM for all road
Do you have the latest upgraded version of Force AXS D2 on your bike?
Awesome video! Good explanations!
thanks a lot, really loved the video.
After 20k+ miles i'm ditching ekar for rival.
The 13 speed ekar is too fiddly and does not work 100% reliably all off the time.
Also, after a weeks ultra event the changing gears on ekar has left my thumb/forefinger numb.
One charge every 3 months ?
I just went with what I could get a lower price, can't go wrong with either really
I bought a bike (the brand is Origine) and I'm surprised about the weight comparaison because if I had chosen the 105 Di2 the bike woul have been heavier than the option with the Sram Rival (minus 173g for the Rival option)
is it a 1x or 2x drivetrain? because sram splits their battery for each deraileur, the 1x setup might be of similar weight (if not lighter) than the 1x 105 since it's one less battery, whereas if you go 105 1x, it's still gonna be the same sized single battery.
Go with Shimano Di2, SRAM eTap will break and good luck trying to get warranty or support from them.
No problems if you bought your bike with the groupset. It will depends only of the guarantee of the bike manufacturer itself and it's too expensive to buy groupsets alone anyway when you compare with bikes with groupsets fitted.