Cheap gravel groupset issues - Sensah & L-TWOO

The Sensah SRX Pro & L-TWOO GR9. Both cheap 1x11 gravel groupsets, but which is best, and where is the major design flaw?

SIROKO CLOTHING – 10% off (automatically applied via link below):
https://srko.co/tracevelo

My size and weight:
Height - 6ft 2In (188cm), Weight - 11.5 stone (73kg)
My sizes for Siroko clothing:
Jersey & Jackets – M, Bib shorts – L

I have always built and ridden road bikes, but last year I built up a Chinese carbon gravel bike using an ICAN X-Gravel frame. I fitted it with disc brakes using the Giant Conduct SL kit, and to keep the costs down I chose the SRX Pro from Sensah as the groupset.

It is a mechanical 1x11 gravel groupset, and for the last 600 miles it has been pretty great. However, L-TWOO have a slightly cheaper option available, their GR9 groupset, so I had to try it!
I have some experience using L-TWOO groupsets, and have used both their R9, and RX groupsets extensively on my road bikes. They have both performed well, so I was expecting the same here… but it didn’t turn out that way.

The rear derailleur for the L-TWOO GR9 appears to be re-purposed from one of their existing MTB groupsets, and as such it doesn’t really fit my gravel frame. I believe it would function on an MTB frame, but unfortunately the shifting was very poor on my setup, and I couldn't get it to work.

So in this episode, I’ll demonstrate both groupsets, discuss the new chain stabiliser from Sensah, show the design flaw with the GR9, and finally discuss the new GRT hydraulic groupset from L-TWOO.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Start
00:42 – Siroko clothing
02:18 – Intro
04:07 – Sensah SRX Pro
06:07 – Sensah chain stabiliser
07:43 – Chain stabiliser drop test
08:20 – L-TWOO GR9
09:04 – Sensah & L-TWOO barrel adjuster
11:12 – GR9 problems
13:46 – GR9 shifting example
15:50 – Summary
17:00 – New L-TWOO GRT hydraulic groupset
18:00 – Elitewheels Drive 6 gravel wheelset
19:48 – BONUS investigation

Intro roll:
Created by Dev Joshi - http://www.go2dev.co.uk

About Trace Velo:
I love cycling, and I love getting pro cycling kit for less. If it’s cheap, from China, and made of carbon fibre, I’m interested!

Instagram:   / tracevelo  

Email: [email protected]

Please note:
With the exception of Siroko, Sensah, and L-TWOO, products demonstrated in this video have been purchased by me, and I have no affiliation to any of the sellers or vendors shown.

In addition, 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!!!