2011 "old" SRAM red vs 2012 "new" decision

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mdeth1313
Posts: 2070
Joined: Sat Apr 22, 2006 12:38 am
Location: Dutchess County, NY

by mdeth1313

I'm considering replacing my current sram red shifters and RD with the 2012-13 Sram Red. FYI: This is what I'm interested in doing. I'm NOT interested in 11-speed, shi(t)mano, electronic shifting or any of that other stuff. Yes, I'm aware of all the wonderful things all those other options could provide me.

Is it worthwhile to make the upgrade from a performance standpoint ONLY (is there a noticeable difference in the shifting)?
Speedplay is the devil!

rijndael
Posts: 402
Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2011 12:54 pm
Location: Haines, AK - Temporarily

by rijndael

The new front shifters don't have a trim position, it was designed to work with the Yaw FD. If you're going to upgrade the RD and shifters, I'd make sure that your front is a Yaw FD, it works very well.

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DaleRider
Posts: 52
Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2013 12:34 pm

by DaleRider

I've been using the 2012/13 Red group for a little over 500 miles now. The front shifting is the best mechanical shifting out there. It's almost as good at my 7970 DI2 and a whole lot lighter.

MarkThailand
Posts: 66
Joined: Thu Feb 23, 2012 1:19 pm

by MarkThailand

I have two SRAM Red set ups.

I was one of the early adopters of the 2012/2013 SRAM Red since April 2012 and have about 8000 km on that bike.

On one bike, I have the 2012/2013 SRAM Red ErgoDynamic shifters, SRAM Red Yaw FD, SRAM Red Aeroglide RD, SRAM Red Aerolink brakes (now since changed to eeBrakes), SRAM PC1091R chain (chain #2), SRAM Red Exogram XG-1090 11-23 cassette, and the Cannondale Hollowgram SISL 50/34 compact crankset.

I like the ergonomics of the hoods a lot. The RD shifts are immediate and I can rapid fire down shift from 23 to 11 very, very quickly - almost as smoothly as the Shimano DA but with the positive feedback that I like from SRAM. The FD shifts are also very smooth. The downshift from 50 to 34 is a bit loud and hard and I have had one or two drop chains that were stopped by the chain catcher. The up shift from 34 to 50 is actually smoother than the downshift and is immediate. I occasionally downshift from 50 to 34 and then immediately downshift from 21 to 19 to 17 to 16 to 15 with almost no change in cadence.

After the initial set up cable stretch period and after going to a more SRAM-knowledgeable tech, the bike shifts perfectly up front and in the back. Specifically, shifting down from 50 to 34 is immediate and shifting up from 34 to 50 is also very smooth with the Yaw FD. There is no chain rub at the 50-23 combo but the set up has to perfect with the 34-11 for no chain rub, or vice versa. And, the drivetrain is riding mode is super quiet with the PC1091R chain and the XG1090 cassette being very, very quiet - as quiet as Shimano DA. But, SRAM shifting is SRAM shifting - clunk, clunk.

On another bike, I have the 2011 SRAM Red shifters, the 2011 SRAM Red RD, the 2012/13 SRAM Red Yaw FD, the 2012/13 SRAM Red Aeroglide RD, 2012/13 SRAM Red Aeroglide brakes (moved from the other bike), SRAM PC1071 chain, SRAM PG-1070 12-25 cassette, and the 2013 SRAM Red Quarq 50/34 compact crankset.

The ergonomics of the hoods of the 2011 do not fit my hands as well as the 2012/13 SRAM Red Ergodynamic shifters but they are okay. The RD shifts are immediate and I can rapid fire down shift from 25 to 12 very, very quickly - probably as quickly as the 2012/13 SRAM Red Ergodynamic shifters. There is a bit more play but very, very minor. The FD shifts are also very smooth but the 2011 Sram Red shifters have a mid-way trim from 50 to 34 that is not necessary because I have the 2012/2013 SRAM Red Yaw FD. Otherwise, everything else feels the same. BTW, there is no discernible difference between the 2011 SRAM Red RD and the 2012/13 SRAM Red Aeroglide RD. Also, the PC1071 chain and the PG1070 12-25 cassette is quiet enough for me. Also, there is no chain rub at the 50-25 combo but the set up has to perfect with the 34-12 for no chain rub, or vice versa.

My recommendation is to get the 2012/13 SRAM Red Yaw FD first, the shifters next if you like the ergonomics, then perhaps the SRAM Red Quarq crankset
2012 Lynskey R330 with SRAM Red Quarq
2013 Parlee Z1 with DA 9070
2013 Lynskey Helix OS II with SRAM Red

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