There were definitely some teething issues with this eRX groupset from L-TWOO when first released, but how is performing 6 months down the line?
AliExpress store where I bought my eRX groupset:
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DnM6ach
The eRX from L-TWOO was the first electronic road bike groupset to come from a Chinese manufacturer. At around £600, it comes in WAY cheaper than competitor offerings from the likes of Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo, but the first few units had some issues.
The battery holders caused groupsets to fail suddenly, there were allegedly some waterproofing issues, and on my groupset the front derailleur died suddenly for no reason. However since highlighting these early issues, L-TWOO have been working on improvements, and since getting some replacement parts, my eRX groupset has been working flawlessly for the last 2000km.
The ergonomics are great, the braking is absolutely fantastic, the shifting is quick and reliable, and the battery life is very impressive.
To start with, I was very hesitant to recommend this groupset. The issues were unpredictable, there were random differences between groupsets, and ultimately £600 is a lot of money to spend on a groupset that may fail mid-ride. But with the work L-TWOO have put into improving their product over the last year, I feel it is at a point where it has become a viable option for new bike builds.
Big thanks to @ChinaCycling and @GCPerformance18
eRX ‘Blue edition’ unboxing
Timestamps:
00:00 – Start
00:29 – eRX 2.0 ‘Blue edition’
01:24 – Front derailleur issue
02:47 – Battery housing issue
03:06 – Waterproofing issue
03:33 – Performance 6 months later
06:23 – Button issue
07:36 – Conclusion
09:13 – Bonus clip time
Intro roll:
Created by Dev Joshi – http://www.go2dev.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracevelo/
Email: tracevelouk@gmail.com
Please note:
I am not a professionally trained bike mechanic. There can be risks associated with using products that are unbranded, untested, or come from sources where the provenance is unknown. Please talk to a qualified bike mechanic if you are in any doubt.
In essence, be careful, do your research, and cycle safe!!!
36 Comments
How on earth is it possible that Luke hasn't reviewed the Mangene crank spider powermeter yet, he could fit it to any of his existing carbon cranks…
I’ve put about the same distance into my eRX set. Apart from an early failure of the rear derailleur which was replaced free of charge it has been working flawlessly. Interestingly I have recently had the same issue with the up shifting. It seems to shift 3 gears with one touch on the shifter. I’ll have to have a look at the springs you mentioned. It’s actually been behaving though so don’t know why it happened. Either way I love it. Smooth, quick and the braking feels very solid. I live the feel of the grips too. They are slimmer than the shimano Ultegra so feel slicker. Enjoy the pasta! 🥖🍝
You’re quite the bike mechanic from frame repair to electronics, very impressive! I’m seriously pondering a ER9 group set, and the timing of this review is perfect.
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Do they have levers for rim brakes?
Woah….. the mooostach threw me hahaha…. 😅
🐄-stache!!
I've just taken delivery on mine, have about ~70 miles on it, and have had no issues whatsoever. the ability to fine tune each sprocket is pretty awesome. One thing I haven't found or noticed is the ability to save profiles for say, different wheelsets and freewheel setups. If it is in the app, I didn't come across it. Otherwise, solid groupset, and nice to have a 3rd alternative out there for wireless shifting. Thanks for you honest reviews, between you and Joe, I was able to feel good enough to pull the trigger! 🥖🥖🥖🥖
Люк как всегда молодец!
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Thanks for the update Luke! I was so close to pul lthe trigger on the eRX until I saw you had a new version 😉 Do you happen to know when or where we can get our hands on the groupset?
I praise you for having the patience for this unfinished crap! The lack of reliability and unknowns…. Would drive me mad. Need stuff to work!
Is auto trim still not available?
Dude, that mustache makes you look like a total perv.
I prefer the look of the ltwoo comoared to the wheeltop but still no sign of ltwoo supoorting rim brakes on erx 😢
I'm using a ERX groupset too.
I had an issue after cleaning the bike, but after some days de rear derailleur back to work.
Soon I will post a review too 🙂
Aaaand I'm want to test the gravel electronic groupset.
Good to know, that finally there is solid Chinese competitor to vastly expensive Shimano and SRAM systems. Do we already know which price range L2 is targeting? Cheers.
Hi just bought a ltwoo gr7 Hydraulic 1×10 group set but what brake fluid should I be using. 👍
Hi Luke! Could this be used without the front derailleur, as a 1x system? (ignoring of course there is no clutch mechanism).
Would most bike shops in the US swap my current shimano groupset for this or other non-traditional brands? Would appreciate people that have tried in the US to see what to expect. Yes, I can go to my LBS and ask but maybe you folks have tried already 🙂
Shimano slx, Sram Gx _))
So the buttons are vulnerable, got it.
Two wishes for them:
1. be able to cope with some unusual gravel/touring gearing choices e.g. 42T in the back and a tiny subcompact double in the front.
2. satellite shift buttons for aerobars
I still j off manually
Sadly mine died today during a ride. Not even 6 month old. Rear derailleur motor turns but the derailleur is stuck in the smallest cog. Went there from the middle of the cassette by itself. Neither a reset, new shifter battery nor charging the main battery does anything. Front derailleur is working still fine…
Have you considered sending back the faulty rear derailleur for their engineering team to look at? Might be interesting to know for sure what went wrong. Also bread.
I would consider this if I could have it with post-mount calipers.
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I'm trying to build an er9 model .. questions: What are the olive and pin you used on the hydrolic cable when building ? As there seems to be 2 standards bh90 and bh59
Friend, do you knnow how can i check the status or level of the battery CR2032 of the shiftters?
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Shaved bread? Is that a British thing? We slice our bread in the USA.
As a geek this appeals but as a practical rider I prefer the inherent simplicity of a conventional cable operated derailleur. Modern shifters are so good now, I struglle to comprehend the problem a costly amd less serviceable electronic shifter brings. Auto trim is cool I guess and elimjnates the need for understanding trimming?
Bought erx last night, sent back to seller after the FD dead this morning 😅
the best purpose of these are truly to put pressure on sram and shimano. they probably will take 1 or 2 generations until perfection, but seing how they even now have features that arent available is hilarious. only thing that holds them back is patents. luke.. is there a chance that you are interested in building a chinese titanium road or gravel bike? thinking about buying a frame but am unsure about quality of titanium frame from aliexpress
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