SRAM Force

Price Paid:  $1045.00 at Cycle Club Sports vi

Bike Setup:
2003 Trek 2300, 2010 SRAM Force and Fulcrum Racing 1 Wheels.

Summary:
This is for the 2010 Group. Simply put, this group rocks! I upgraded from Shimano Ultegra with a triple crank to this group with a compact crank. The crank arms are super stiff, the shifting is superb (I installed myself and have had none of the front shifting issues other users have complained about), and the brakes are powerful. To top it off, the group just looks incredible! It's too bad my frame is older, and scrathced up. I test rode Ultegra SL, Dura-Ace and Campy Record prior to purchase, and have found the Force to be every bit as good as the other "top shelf" groupos, and much better than the second line stuff. Compared to either Shimano or Campy, the shifting is lightning quick and responsive.

Strengths:
Great looks, efficient cranks, solid breaks, superb shifting and super light weight (lighter than DA and Record)! This group is light years ahead of my old Ultegra!

Weaknesses:
Hard to find. Hardly anyone has it, or is able to get it. This should be resolved as 2010 model year equipment continues to hit the market.

Similar Products Used:
Shimano Ultegra 6510 (I rode this for several years). Shimano Ultegra SL and Dura-Ace, Campy Record (All on test rides).

Price Paid:  $1441.00 at Colorado Cyclist

Summary:
Where do i start when talking about SRAM force. I got my bike 4 years ago with entry components and this past february i decided to upgrade everything except my frame. After looking i purchased the build kit from Colorado Cyclist for $1441. After that is history. There parts are amazing in every aspect. The double tap shifting has a 5 minute learning curve and by my third ride i was shifting while not even thinking about it. The cables stretch out a little the first few rides but thats typical with any bike. The shifting is smooth even when out of the saddle no jerks and you can accelerate extremely fast through the cassette due to SRAMS sprint groove set up. I commute daily to work and havent had any problems over the 1000 miles ive put on the parts. The shifting is great when going through traffic or even in a group ride trying to catch up or sprint.

The brakes are AMAZING in the gruppo. SRAM has done a great job with them but you need to be VERY careful when you first ride on them because they can be very touchy and you can potentially hurt yourself, i personally opened them a little because they were a little too tocuhy for me. Overall the gruppo is top of the line. From the weight to the shifting to the hidden cable aspect because they come out of the back of the shifters and will run underneath your handlebar tape.

Strengths:
Anything and everything. Shifting is quick and smooth, brakes stop on a dime.

Weaknesses:
just make sure you lube up before and after every ride to make sure it shifts as smoothly as possible.

Price Paid:  $900.00 at ebay

Favorite Ride:
Kuota

Bike Setup:
kuota kiss, ec90 slx fork, handle bar, slr saddle, sram force.

Summary:
I've just got the set not too long ago and had it setup on my kuota kiss frame and had a local bike shop fine tune the system. the tech told me that force groupo set can only use 8 gears on each crank ring???!!! that was something I wasnt expecting to hear, and when I switch to the 39T-11t the chain rubs slightly on the 56t crank ring... the tech told me that thats how it is with sram... compared to all the other sifters I think sram is way too loud and has more to improve.

Strengths:
double tap system

Weaknesses:
LOUD LOUD LOUD

Similar Products Used:
shimano

Price Paid:  $1100.00 at Ebay

Favorite Ride:
Dripping Springs to Wimberley

Bike Setup:
* Litespeed Arenberg 2002
* Velomax wheels
*

Summary:
Was looking to replace my 2002 Ultegra component set with a newer set. I decided to switch to Sram. The reviews were not great. However, I wanted to see if a newcomer could give Shimano a run for it's money.

I took the components to a local pro shop for a professional build. It took Mallow Johnnies (local bike shop) less than an day to swap components.

Excited about the new components I rushed to pick up the bike. I asked for tips on how to use the brake shifters. Nothing to it. Very natural.

My first taste of the performance was terrible! All the issues mentioned here came up. Started to regret my choice. So, I took the bike for the adjustment they informed me about when I picked up the bike a few days earlier. Not tools. Simple adjustment and I was off. I was more than a little suspect that anything changed.

Back on the road - whoa! What a difference. The chain didn't jump, no need for trim on the front deraileur, shifts crisp (from low to high), and I pounded the drive train up a major hill without skipping a bit.

Glad I picked up the 2009 Sram Force group.

Strengths:
* Crisp shifting
* Full 20 cog range
* Front deraileur has trim (not needed)
* Flawless shifting

Weaknesses:
* Price
* Need for professionally trained techs to install group

Similar Products Used:
Shimano Ultegra

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
I have a Fuji SL1 with SRAM Force components.

Summary:
For the most part the SRAM Force works fine. The only fault is a terrible front derailleur. I can't ride anywhere without the chain getting jammed up when shifting to the small chainring. Once this happens I can no longer shift chainrings. Four bike mechanics have not been able to fix it. I am getting it off the bike.

Strengths:
The rear derailleur works great as does the double tap system.

Weaknesses:
FRONT DERAILLEUR-FRONT DERAILLEUR-FRONT DERAILLEUR-FRONT DERAILLEUR

Similar Products Used:
I have a Jamis Comet(12 years old) with Ultegra components and it has worked great.