Endurance test: Cross groupset from SRAM - SRAM Force1: 8,700 km endurance test on a road bike

We rode the groupset, which dispenses with the front derailleur and manages with one chainring, 8,700 kilometres on the road and off-road, mounted on a Canyon Inflite. For flat terrain we chose a 44 chainring plus sprocket with 11-32 gradation, for off-road riding we fitted the 11-36 WiFli cassette (75 euros). We liked the handling and shifting characteristics; the lever ergonomics are good and the effective width adjustment for hands of different sizes is practical. You quickly get used to the shifting logic. In difficult terrain, the lack of a second gear lever is a plus, but on flat or hilly terrain, the large gear steps force you to change cadence inharmoniously; with the more closely spaced cassette, there are no gears for steep climbs and descents. The gears change crisply and precisely, even when shifting up under extreme load, although not as smoothly as with Shimano's Ultegra. With the WiFli cassette and a lot of dirt, the chain sometimes got stuck when downshifting under load and the shifting process became louder.

The brakes are reliable in every situation, there was no noticeable loss of braking power or fading even after long descents. We regularly washed the drivetrain with water, cleaner and a brush, but did not use a steam jet. In between, the chain was also cleaned with degreaser and freshly lubricated, and chain elongation and brake pads were checked regularly. In general, the shift cables are sensitive, which required more manual force when shifting up after extreme muddy rides. After 3,200 kilometres, the bottom bracket (30 euros) drew attention to itself with cracking and rough running; we replaced it with a new one, which showed the same symptoms after 7,500 kilometres. The first chain (25 euros) was worn out after 5,200 kilometres, the brake pads (19 euros) 800 kilometres later. That's good considering the numerous mud battles. The gear cable (18 euros), which we have now replaced three times, required a lot of attention.

Conclusion: You can do without the front derailleur, but the big gear jumps require a strong and persistent rider. If you often switch between flat and mountainous terrain, you might want to plan for a second sprocket set. Apart from the frequent gear cable changes, wear and tear can be rated positively.

Price 1,030 Euro complete with disc brake
Info www.sram.com