S40 with either XTR DI2 or SRAM Eagle groups

[Black Hawk Down]

I currently have a V20 I assembled with the Ultegra DI2 group and truly love it. The only issue is I'm fat and have trouble getting up steep hills. I'm dropping weight and plan to be optimal by the end of next year where I will start world touring on a S40. On a tour, I'll need low gears to handle the extra load and steep hill climbs. On the other hand, I love pedeling my V20 down hills at 30+ mph and wouldn't want to lose that feeling by having to coast, spun out. My V has a 2 x 11 drive train with 11-32 cassette and 165mm/50-34T crank set. Currently I can spin uphill at about 7-8 mph in the 34-32 configuration but touring with all that weight through the Rockies, Sierras, Cascades, etc., I'm hoping to have nice low gears for, say, 12% grades pulling a 50-60 lb trailer. Optimum would be spinning at 3-4 mph all day, without losing too much at the high end when flying down the other side. So, I'm thinking XTR DI2 2 x 12, 10-51 or SRAM Eagle 1 by 12 10-50 groups. I lean to the XTR for the greater range. Anyone know if either of these groups will work on the S40? Electronic shifting is an absolute must for me. I can't go back, no more than I would go back to a DF. Thanks!

 

[ak-tux]

Why not keep the 50-34 crankset and use an 11-36 cassette at the back. 34x36 is plenty low.

 

[3WHELZ]

Have you given consideration to fact that both use MTB shift mechanisms? How you plan to mount them on either a V20 or S40? That has one of the reasons I have not pursued this option further.

Thanks

 

[LMT]

Not sure about the XTR, but I have SRAM Red Etap, this along with using a Wolf tooth road link with a short/med cage mech and you can go up to 40/42t.

 

[Mathew Fy]

Not sure about the XTR, but I have SRAM Red Etap, this along with using a Wolf tooth road link with a short/med cage mech and you can go up to 40/42t.

Lee, I’m inspired. Do you use the WiFli derailleur that SRAM states can go up to 32 tooth or an after-market option? What cassette do you use? I would love to see some pics, too.

Anyone, does SRAM offer eTap on their Mtb line?

 

[Bill K]

Last time I checked the Shimano XTR group did not have a braze-on adapter for the front derailleur (fd-m9070).
None of the adapters they sell for it will fit on the V20 or S40 so you would need to have an adapter custom made if you want to use the XTR group.
Also the di2 controller (inside the di2 battery) does not support the road FD and mountain RD combination so be careful with that.

I have the Ultegra group on my V20. The rd-r8050GS RD works well with an 11-speed 11-42 cassette by adjusting the b-screw.
The other combo I have used on my S40 is the rd-6870GS RD with WolfTooth RoadLink. It works pretty well with an 11-46 cassette.
Note that the RoadLink works well with the rd-6870 RD but NOT with the newer rd-r8050 RD.
Look carefully at the compatibility chart on the WolfTooth site if you are considering using the RoadLink.

Flying down the hills with a 50+ pound trailer: I'd bet that the handling would less than ideal. I'd put some nice big 180mm rotors on, just in case.
Otherwise it sounds like great fun!

 

[LMT]

Lee, I’m inspired. Do you use the WiFli derailleur that SRAM states can go up to 32 tooth or an after-market option? What cassette do you use? I would love to see some pics, too.

Anyone, does SRAM offer eTap on their Mtb line?

I don't, but have seen videos of it online and yes it would be with the WiFIi mech.

FWIW see below for an ultegra 'shadow' rear mech running a wolf link to give 23/46 & 40/46. Don't see why this cannot be done with a Red Etap rear mech providing it is a medium cage, although I'd probably go up to 40/42t at a stretch. I would not want to risk snapping a mech and fork out £400 for a new one.

 

[3WHELZ]

I have been doing some research on this topic for the last few months. I came across this series of articles, which you may find useful. http://biketestreviews.com/wolftooth-roadlink/ It is three part series on Extended Gearing for Road Bike, authored by Rick Schultz. Part 1 includes a discussion on the use of the Wolf Tooth RoadLink.

 

[Black Hawk Down]

Why not keep the 50-34 crankset and use an 11-36 cassette at the back. 34x36 is plenty low.

I searched high and low. Didn't see that as an option. Guess I could trrit on my V20 and see how it goes.

 

[Black Hawk Down]

Have you given consideration to fact that both use MTB shift mechanisms? How you plan to mount them on either a V20 or S40? That has one of the reasons I have not pursued this option further.

Thanks

Hence.. the reason I posted. I have no idea what works. I sent an email to Robert at Cruzebike and he said that both XTR di2 and SRAM Eagle would work great on the S40. I guess I don't know what the problem is with the shift mechanisms.

 

[Black Hawk Down]

Not sure about the XTR, but I have SRAM Red Etap, this along with using a Wolf tooth road link with a short/med cage mech and you can go up to 40/42t.

Thanks for the tip. I'll look into it.

 

[Black Hawk Down]

Last time I checked the Shimano XTR group did not have a braze-on adapter for the front derailleur (fd-m9070).
None of the adapters they sell for it will fit on the V20 or S40 so you would need to have an adapter custom made if you want to use the XTR group.
Also the di2 controller (inside the di2 battery) does not support the road FD and mountain RD combination so be careful with that.

I have the Ultegra group on my V20. The rd-r8050GS RD works well with an 11-speed 11-42 cassette by adjusting the b-screw.
The other combo I have used on my S40 is the rd-6870GS RD with WolfTooth RoadLink. It works pretty well with an 11-46 cassette.
Note that the RoadLink works well with the rd-6870 RD but NOT with the newer rd-r8050 RD.
Look carefully at the compatibility chart on the WolfTooth site if you are considering using the RoadLink.

Flying down the hills with a 50+ pound trailer: I'd bet that the handling would less than ideal. I'd put some nice big 180mm rotors on, just in case.
Otherwise it sounds like great fun!

Thanks for the info. I wonder why Robert said it would work.. I was planning to use the full XTR group. Not mix and match. If it won't work with the braze-on, I guess I'll try using a non-standard freewheel and adjust the b-screw, like has been suggested. I don't really need an MTB group
Just need the low gears.

I bought the SharperBike T2 All-Terrain Bicycle Trailer. Only 11 lbs with the waterproof bag. I have not yet taken it down any hills, so I'm not sure how it will handle high speeds. Should know in a couple weeks (on the V20). Will report back.

 

[Black Hawk Down]

Lee, I’m inspired. Do you use the WiFli derailleur that SRAM states can go up to 32 tooth or an after-market option? What cassette do you use? I would love to see some pics, too.

Anyone, does SRAM offer eTap on their Mtb line?

My understanding is the MTB version of the etap is the sram eagle. It's a nice setup but only comes in 1x12 config. No FD.

 

[Black Hawk Down]

I have been doing some research on this topic for the last few months. I came across this series of articles, which you may find useful. http://biketestreviews.com/wolftooth-roadlink/ It is three part series on Extended Gearing for Road Bike, authored by Rick Schultz. Part 1 includes a discussion on the use of the Wolf Tooth RoadLink.

Thanks! I'll check it out.

 

[Black Hawk Down]

I looked at the wolftooth site and I'm confused.
I get the derailur extender, but can't quite figure out the GS cassette gear. I have an 11-32, 11 speed cassette. It seems the GS cog is only to extend MTB cassettes. I don't know the difference. Any suggestions on what to do to get an 11 speed 11-40 or 11-42 cassette? Do I modify my Shimano cassette or buy a different one? What would be a good replacement cassette? Thanks.

 

[3WHELZ]

There is one other option that I had explored, but chose not to make the commitment. K-Edge can modify the rear derailleur cage to accept larger cassettes. https://fitwerx.com/k-edge-long-cage-conversion-for-shimano-rear-derailleur-now-cheaper-and-quicker/

Like you I have a DuraAce Di2 setup.

 

[Bill K]

I looked at the wolftooth site and I'm confused.
I get the derailur extender, but can't quite figure out the GS cassette gear. I have an 11-32, 11 speed cassette. It seems the GS cog is only to extend MTB cassettes. I don't know the difference. Any suggestions on what to do to get an 11 speed 11-40 or 11-42 cassette? Do I modify my Shimano cassette or buy a different one? What would be a good replacement cassette? Thanks.

I'm not very familiar with the Wolftooth GS gear, but I believe it is used to 'upgrade' an existing cassette. So if you have a compatible 11-32 cassette you would install the GS (40-tooth), then remove a gear from your old cassette (17-tooth) and install your cassette on top of the GS.

I am using a Shimano CS-M8000 11-42 cassette.

Great source of bike info:
https://sheldonbrown.com/k7.html

 

[telephd]

Ive used both Wolf Tooth and Hope replacement 40T cogs to upgrade a 10sp 11-36T cassette on both my V20 and S30. I think this would work just fine on an 11sp cassette too. Im running a SRAM X9 and X0 type 2 GS rear derailleur with a longer B-screw. With my SRAM cassette I removed the 15&17T cogs and replaced it with a 16T and the 40T. With my Shimano cassette I removed the 11&13 T and replaced with a 13T locker cog and the 40T. Both mods work great though I lean towards the Shimano retrofit because it allows good spacing on the smaller cogs. It is rare that I spin out the 13T cog.

 

[Black Hawk Down]

I'm not very familiar with the Wolftooth GS gear, but I believe it is used to 'upgrade' an existing cassette. So if you have a compatible 11-32 cassette you would install the GS (40-tooth), then remove a gear from your old cassette (17-tooth) and install your cassette on top of the GS.

I am using a Shimano CS-M8000 11-42 cassette.

Great source of bike info:
https://sheldonbrown.com/k7.html

Thanks!

 

[Black Hawk Down]

There is one other option that I had explored, but chose not to make the commitment. K-Edge can modify the rear derailleur cage to accept larger cassettes. https://fitwerx.com/k-edge-long-cage-conversion-for-shimano-rear-derailleur-now-cheaper-and-quicker/

Like you I have a DuraAce Di2 setup.

I have the Ultegra DI2, but they should be similar. It would be last resort for me to modify the derailleur. Hopefully on of the other fixes will do the job.