User submitted reviews
Review by J Stew
I was really torn between going with SRAM Force eTap and Shimano GRX Di2.
I currently use Ultegra Di2 on a road bike and it has almost never failed me. On the rare occasion that it has, it was due to a jockey wheel needing to be replaced or an alignment issue. Shimano really paved the way for electronic shifting and they haven't skipped a beat with GRX. I ultimately decided to go with Shimano because of my experience with Ultegra. I really liked the idea of having one battery to charge and in terms of battery life I have never had an issue with running out of battery while on the road. I realize this is just down to an individual remembering to charge the battery, but I really only find myself charging the battery maybe once every month. I figured that if I really was doing a backcountry ride where I was going to blow through a 1500-2000 mile battery without the ability to recharge, then at that point I can always carry a spare battery. While it's not as easy to swap out batteries compared to SRAM, with it stored in the seatpost it wouldn't be a situation that I couldn't do it.
Another reason I went with Shimano is due to replacement costs. Derailleurs, if needed to be replaced, are simply just cheaper.
I will have to say that getting all the Shimano parts was a PAIN IN THE ASS! This is largely due to supply chain disruptions around COVID, however Bike Tires Direct was solid in being able to get most of them. I welcome BTD to reach out to me with any questions around my experience (good/bad/neutral) - I'm def excited to look their way for future needs. Inventory and customer service are amazing in my experience.
Install:
One of the things I really liked about SRAM was the setup. Basically wire-free. However, I figured that this is a one-time deal and considering I'm not traveling too much with my bike I viewed this really as a set it and forget deal. I'm also very confident in my mechanic's ability to set up Shimano and so I didn't want to base my decision on this.
Review by Anonymous
Great DI2 rear derailleur changed to the GRX from Dura Ace it's every bit as good and handles the wider range cassette with ease