Shimano Finally has a Competitor - Wheeltop EDS TX wireless groupset reviewed

[@CycoWarriorx]

Whether you think these group sets are good or bad is ok, but both Shimano, SRAM, and even Comp could use some fresh competition….

[@endtimeslips4660]

to be honest wt shifting quality is still below sram or shimano. if you already have one you know this wheelset are fast to degradable especially the front derailleur. the battery is fantastic but for longevity i think this upgrade kit still below sram or shimano

[@Pablo_Coach]

@@endtimeslips4660why front shifting are defreadable ?

[@endtimeslips4660]

@@Pablo_Coach latest batch they sold the fd cannot do adjustment you only can adjust by mechanical screw. what ever you do to adjust by screw, the chain rub will still happen neither you will got chain rub on the lowest gear or on the middle gear. wheeltop probably take this path because some owner got chain drop.

[@trinerd]

@@endtimeslips4660 I think you simply don't have the basic mechanical skills to set it up yourself. Hire a competent person to set it up and you will be fine. I had no issues setting mine up without any noise or chain rubbing, it is tricky but doable and I am just a DIY bike mechanic.

[@endtimeslips4660]

@@trinerd not only me some people i talk to they have same problem one of my ride buddy have similar issue. if i have mechanic skill issue why did i made from sram work well made shimano di2 work well. first i suspect it the cassette problem. but after switch to 3 different brand from sram red, duraace even use china made cassette mix match with different front chainring the problem still same. huge possibility it quality issue

[@csarcpab]

If I was building a new bike from the ground the discounted 105 Di2 seems the better value for money option, but for many people looking for an affordable upgrade this groupset is an amazing option. I had an Ultegra R8000 set on my rim brake bike, got the Wheeltop Rim Brake set on Aliexpress at a discounted price on the June sales and got it for around $500USD with shipping included to the américas. I was actually able to upgrade my bike to an electronic set and the remaining mechanichal hoods, front and rear derraileur from my Ultegra I trickled them down to my training bike. Best upgrade I ever did and my rim brake bike looks also much cleaner minus those 2 mech cables.

[@HeadPack]

Thanks for sharing. With prices being as outrageous as they are, learning about the pros and cons of more affordable options has value.

[@charlesblithfield6182]

If the 105 set comes with cassette and chain it’s a pretty good deal at the 900 pound discount. This set though is tempting because of those new features help match it up better when upgrading an old bike.. Excellent review David.

[@jerrylovins4804]

Looks great David. Thanks for letting us know.

[@waycool3808]

I've used a small strip of old butyl inner tube like a rubber band on the derailieurs to hold the weather covers in place. It works really well. Haven't worry about it since.

[@nodyah66]

I have put this groupset to replace Campag Chorus on a Lynskey road bike. Have kept the campag power2max crank and campag brake calipers. The groupset looks and works brilliantly. I decided to buy a new chain and 12speed cassette. I have setup shifter buttons differently. Left and Right paddles for up and down the rear and the front button on the right up and down the front derailleur. All in all amazing upgrade for 10 year old bike

[@abhimawa1]

That Fairlight bike looks seriously sexy, David. Btw, please tell us the long time review about this thing. The price difference from Shimano isn’t that great, though

[@daryltill70]

Everyone who reviews these Chinese groupsets claims they’re cheap at £650 but for £899 you can get the FULL Shimano 105 di2 groupset

[@davidarthur]

£620 is cheaper than £900… 😜 But yes get your point and did mention as much in the price section

[@robertcatuara5118]

Not for my 10 speed. They don't exist.🤦‍♂️

[@stuartdryer1352]

Not for a rim brake bike.

[@philadams9254]

Not wireless and no rim brake option though

[@mfe_]

Yeah, about that. If you plan to upgrade your 10speed bike - you're out of options. For 11 speed bikes it's also very limited. And this puppy covers all these bases. I've upgraded my Tiagra based bike with this. Now I have hydrolic brakes and e-shifting. Now I plan to upgrade it to 12 speeds by changing wheels, chainrings etc. You simply can't do it with shimano or sram.

[@seanyates2073]

Would love to see this compared with L-Twoo's ERX electeonic groupset and a long term review.

[@BSenn11]

I’ve had the groupset on my steel Raleigh bike running as 1x for over 700 miles and it’s been flawless (apart from initial setup). I bought it knowing there might be headaches but once I got it setup, I’ve almost forgotten it’s there, it just shifts like it should. To me, it’s been worth the cash!

[@realalbertan]

I want to see them pair their long travel RD with road shifters or sell separately

[@simonguard5087]

Love the paint on the Fairlight looks amazing.

[@paulwixman8151]

Wonderful review!!! I'm very impressed, I agree with you, the ability to run a 10er and rim brakes on a wireless shifting platform is an unTAPed convenance many cyclists would pony-up $$ if given the opportunity. Again, many thanks for your continued efforts David. Cheers Mate, PJW

[@sillypuddystl2907]

Great review. I’m definitely going to check them out on a new build over the winter.

[@prep1989]

If you have a rim brake bike with 10sp and you have to replace a shifter, they're near impossible to find. When you do, they're used and over $200. Wheeltop allows you to keep your frame and add wireless shifting that can keep you in the 10sp universe until you're ready to spend more and upgrade. When you do, you're only upgrading a cassette and chain! if you want to upgrade your whole set to 11 or 12sp all at once, it might be worth it to spend the extra $$ for Shimano. Wish I had this option when I had to replace a 10sp shifter

[@korsveien]

Same here. Had to replace my 105 11 speed shifters because they broke internally! Cost me 450 USD in Norway! If this had been available a year ago I would just add in some more and gotten this group set.

[@Philatlondon1]

I just went with a pair of Sensah carbon levers to replace DA 7800. They work perfectly and only cost £60.

[@realalbertan]

Same for 11 Speeds

[@trinerd]

@@realalbertan yup, it's a no brainer sold 11 speed mechanical parts and almost covered for the cost of a wheeltop electronic upgrade.

[@aaronedgeart]

Though my first gen 2015/16 Sram eTap hydro disc group is still somehow running brilliantly, it's nice to know there are other options out there. Thanx for the coverage, as always!

[@joehiatt1992]

Wheeltop can be used on ANY SPEED , with 105 ur LOCKED in with 1 speed either 11 or 12

[@ericallen7336]

That is a contradicting statement

[@joehiatt1992]

@@ericallen7336 What dont u understand

[@LimitedWard]

​@@ericallen7336I think they're saying with 105 you have to choose between 11 speed or 12 speed at purchase and cannot upgrade later. Whereas Wheeltop let's you configure the speeds later.

[@sccxvelo]

Tuff call for a 2017 mechanical disc/ shift sram1x11 upgrade on the outdoor CX/ gravel bike or 2x10 trainer bike 2010 CX bike with V brake. It saves money on axs or di2 systems with no hassle of changing working parts. But still questions of battery life, and longterm use as it is still a new system compared to proven shimano or sram.

[@hananas2]

I don't really get why people say these electronic groupsets shift so much better than mechanical.. My own fully mechanical Rival 22 shifts at least as quick as electronic groupsets I've seen so far, and I find it a much more satisfying, tactile experience and I love giving the lever a good deep press to shed 3 gears in a heartbeat. Is that just because I keep my bikes adjusted 100% perfectly all the time? Is it just a "you don't have to readjust it for cable stretch" thing?

[@daztastic147]

GCN done an article about possible wireless hacking on these systems. I commented that the benefit of the wireless shifting isn’t that it’s wireless, it’s that it’s electronic, and therefore precise. The lever and the derailleur remain in-situ on the bike, they aren’t removed frequently, so what’s the benefit of it being wireless? It may as well be wired with a discreet cable which will hardly be noticeable, the functionality will be the same, if not more reliable, and the app can still work wirelessly via Bluetooth

[@luketoms6110]

Shimano do offer a rim brake 12-speed groupset only in Ultegra and Dura-Ace.

[@bikeman123]

Di2?

[@maxlloyd3740]

It looks rather interesting! My Fairlight Secan is stripped currently as used the parts on another bike. Hopefully gonna rebuild it in the winter so want to see what the new gravel groupset is like. Specifically want it 1 X and cope with a 10-52 cassette. We will see! Its that or GRX mechanical.

[@SiopaoSauc3]

I'm guessing you've been testing this for a while, but this didn't tempt you into keeping testing and keeping the rim brake version on the CAAD12?

[@Autonomous_17]

most people dont realize that 105 di2 is “Wired” while edx is wireless except for the hydraulic hose. all Di2 systems use cables and seperate battery that goes under the seat post while sram and now edx use no cables to join the whole groupset. sram uses battery and edx seems to use soldered on batteries.

[@davidarthur]

Yup really good point, this was easy to install compared to Shimano

[@jeremiahison2511]

Website says max 36t. I see you're using microshift sword. Did it work with the 38t cogs?

[@trepidati0n533]

This would be very nice for people looking to upgrade a TT bike if they had bar end shifters

[@cup_and_cone]

These Chinese groupsets are so good, not a single Chinese athlete is riding them in the Olympics...

[@MichaelLeiBarrientos]

Nice review friend. I am just curious about the serviceability of this.. thanks

[@yukiko_5051]

The only selling point of this groupset is it's available for rim brake. For disc, there's no point in buying one when you can get either rival or 105 with a bit more money

[@ianfurqueron5850]

Not available in the US yet, but interesting. $705 US currently, but would have to get shipped to someone in Europe and then shipped to me. I'm curious how the system works with variable cassettes - say the 8 spd or 10 spd Campy cassettes I have that don't quite line up with other brands' 8 spd or 10 spd shifters.

[@1971lemond]

@@ianfurqueron5850 It will work with any casette even Campy, jut set up in the app 10speed or whatever speed you want to run, then fine tune………. but make sure that whatever you use that the crank, chain and casette are all the same speed, this is the key to the Wheeltop working correctly after setup.

[@nstrug]

It works really well. In the app you set the number of sprockets on the cassette and then can micro-index each sprocket individually. So I t will work with any sprocket spacing, including variable spacing.

[@mickchaganis6607]

There is always 'a but' with Chinese groupsets. It would be great if they got it right first time, not test them on us, wait for stuff to not work then do an update. I love the fact we can change the number of gears and the rim brake option. If I had a disk brake bike, it would be the discounted Shimano for me.

[@out_spocken]

The best selling point is the multi speed capacity. They should have bumped up the quality of the entire thing, sold it for the same amount and the speed alone as a USP would have sold loads. They didn't need to make a cheaper lower quality option...unless that's all they could produce.

[@fubiao9149]

beautiful bike! but whom did the bar tape?😅

[@tonymellor7979]

Funny when I saw the thumbnail, I was going to comment about Merlin’s deals on 105 di2… only to see so has other folks

[@davidarthur]

Yup and mentioned them in the price section 😛 some stonking discounts for sure

[@199724]

My thumb controller keeps micro adjusting instead of change gears. Do you know how to fix this?

[@ianthedondaws7559]

What tyres do you have on your fair light ?? 🙏

[@abedfo88]

I cant wait to upgrade my retro cross bike with this groupset. Electronic shifting with cantis 😅 P.s. didnt shimano used to call them "flight decks"

[@darrena.hollingsworth81]

What is the max cassette size?

[@1971lemond]

10 to 36

[@darrena.hollingsworth81]

@@1971lemond thank you!

[@waycool3808]

The only thing I wished the EDS has is Shimano Syncro shifting.

[@jamesturner2441]

How about more info on living with or perhaps spares availability. Not great value if you can’t buy a sin brifter if you have a small spill or even just new hoods. I have not looked into these things myself yet but at this end of the market I can imagine they will get used on many workhorse bikes and see wear. I love the versatility angle and think the big players are going in the wrong direction with too much emphasis on the high end and non compatibility even between same brand groups

[@HeyWattsUpCycling]

if they have a rim brake version and it will work on "classic" bikes like supersix evo from 2012 ill have to do another build!

[@bklyncyclist]

They do. The rim brake version is a little cheaper. It will work on any bike, even an old 2x5. It just won't work on a triple.

[@LorenzMapTV]

Yes!

[@valmorell]

Can it be run as a 1x or is the front mech mandatory?

[@davidarthur]

Yes they say it can be run 1x

[@BSenn11]

You can and I do, have from 700+ miles, works great!

[@tomconway6808]

They have a gravel version (EDS GX) coming out soon that is 1x and compatible with larger rear cassettes if you want a wider range 1x setup.

[@HempBike]

You didn't tell us its derailleur capacity, or it's cassette max sprocket clearance!

[@ivandjordevic696]

Shimano 105 di2 is cheaper overall (in Europe)... Just check the prices on bike24...Full groupset with battery, crank, cassette, chain, shifters, brakes, fd, RD, rotors, cables, support and 2 year warranty is 1170 eur. This is 740 eurs for shifters, fd and rd and that's it..

[@MalamuteMan1]

Wrong

[@trrtrr9969]

do they have something like "SHIMANO SYNCHRONIZED SHIFT" or any smart system ?

[@r.d.vaughan4541]

The Wheeltop group set has auto trim while the L-Twoo competitor had auto trim initially but removed it with a firmware update due to patent restrictions. I've no idea how Wheeltop is getting around the patent issue.

[@NickEe3158]

Hi hi, huge thank you for the honest reviews. I currently ride with a sram red 1x setup, so I'd like to know if anyone has ever used this groupset with only the rear d for 1x setup?

[@marksuzannebates1113]

Too expensive for the unknown plus many are reporting rattles. You can pick up a Shimano or Sram mini group for close to that. The only benefit is the ability to work with older groups but I do not have anything under an 11 speed. I love that the Wheeltop are challenging the established duopoly, hopefully creating more competition and better pricing.

[@martzeric7456]

BJRS David j ai acheter récemment ce groupe mais je n arrive pas avoir l application pour les réglages, pourriez vous me donnez la marche a suivre MERCI

[@reinholdachleitner2069]

Awesome bike the groupset is mounted to,I love the paint job but the groupset looks very appealing except for the brake calipers,they like they're LEGO.💯👌🏻✌🏻🚴‍♂️

[@korsveien]

Don’t ever say something looks like LEGO in a negative context again! ;)

[@reinholdachleitner2069]

@@korsveien Wasn't being negative,the brake calipers have no contours and are very flat like a Lego block if that could be a better description Kjetil.💯✌🏻🚴‍♂️

[@korsveien]

@@reinholdachleitner2069 I’m only joking. 🙃

[@pqzharold]

They need to release a gravel groupset for this .

[@MariaAnok-nq4dv]

How to get Spare battery ? Replacement parts

[@lazarusquek4702]

I get my spare battery on taobao.

[@Andy_ATB]

The more choice the better - and more affordable groupsets. Sram/Shimano are charging silly money for their groupsets - and Sram still ignore the lower mid range sector .

[@richiejames928]

Be cool if the offered a cable pull version. I know calling it rim brake will affect sales. but having the option to retro fit a cheap electronic groupo to a really old frame the can’t do disc brakes is a cool idea… get in while these are still cheap. Couple more years and they will be shimano money.

[@lawrencefalk8714]

Aren't dimples only effective on spinning objects like golf balls or wheels? If they are effective on stationary objects, wouldn't the car industry or F1 employ dimples?

[@alphamrc309]

Google the Mythbusters episode about this subject. Their testing showed that dimpled surfaces on a vehicle actually does decrease drag, but the weight and added manufacturing complexity likely offset the aero advantages.

[@mikekobal]

Weight?

[@shaung1719]

Slightly lighter than 105 di2.

[@niklaskristensson2231]

Interesting😊 Didnt get the real advantage of gear choosing via app. The more= the merrier?

[@HeadPack]

Useful for a retrofit.

[@philadams9254]

I've been tempted by this for a while, but I'm still on 3x for climbing and nobody has been able to tell me if that can be programmed into this. No answer from Wheeltop either.

[@1971lemond]

It’s only 2x, can not be adjusted or adapted to 3x.

[@BigBluey1]

Is the front mech self trimming

[@nomuetze]

Yepp

[@Fetherko]

What's the best components that I can get from a non-totalitarian state?

[@dominicfree7517]

Does it work for a triple chainset?

[@ethanw9434]

No it does not, option only for 2 speed at the front. I have it on my road bike

[@5891jonathan]

“The Wheeltop EDS TX groupset - it’s not terrible!”

[@glennicol1361]

It seems everybody I see when out on a ride is on electronic groupset.

[@larryt.atcycleitalia5786]

"Not terrible"? THAT's a ringing endorsement if I ever heard one!

[@FT__Bicycling_____-sc7yv]

mmmm. Those issues with the charging ports seem like they would become major annoyances. Personally at this point I would much, MUCH rather use the last mechanical version of 105. I'm glad to see competition and if some of these Chinese groupset companies last, and make refinements, they will be competing very well with Shimano and SRAM

[@rjdavey68]

It's not cheap enough. By the time you add a chainset and brakes in the case of the rim brake version, you're almost up to 105 price.

[@Phantom0309]

How aero is it?

[@korsveien]

It’s very aesthetically pleasing in aero positions.

[@pouzivatellinuxu9262]

The whole video about the featured product only celebrates its price. I suppose most of us who watched this video are not bicycle servicemen. All of the servicemen I know work and are trained on electric shimano and sram groupsets. If I decided to upgrade my bike with this groupset they would very quickly show me where the door is out of their workshop. Maybe they would be willing to mount it, but to set it up mechanically and electronically, or to give some limited warranty for mounting and setting it up, would cost me dearly. So from my point of view the usability of this groupset for those who will not know how to mount it themselves is zero.

[@daviddorson5111]

My MTB has T type GX SRAM, the removable battery means it's a workable solution.. non removable battery is an absolute deal breaker for me, it makes charging inconvenient

[@TESTA-CC]

There is nothing better for the money than a shimano groupset, SRAM on par aswell but prices are more expensive than Shimano, Campagnolo quality is coming back to it's best but again Shimano ticks all the boxes at a better price point.

[@MrZestystyle]

SRAM call their knobs pommels :D

[@did4h2k]

how is this incomplete groupset for 740€ a better deal than a fully complete (down to the chain) sram rival etap axs for 1000? or a 105 di2 fully set for 1100? chinese electronic groupsets are just too expensive! if these companies expect me to gamble on quality, customer support and possible import fees they better sell me a complete groupset for at least half the price (less than 500€ for a FULL groupset) of the trusted companies..... otherwise - thanks, but no thanks.. that 3-13 speed adjustment is nice, but just a firmware update away from the rest

[@davidarthur]

If you don’t ‘need’ a full groupset it can be a cheaper way to upgrade your bike, and it’s easier to install than Shimano imo

[@alleykat6273]

Ill need this for when 14sp cassettes come out sometime in 2030

[@lazarusquek4702]

I already have a 14 speed Wheeltop bike. Tt-x43

[@dcv9460]

"Hood top" 💯👍

[@DoomOfConviction]

Buying an electronic group set is the failure…

[@cityslacker6221]

I’m Jekyll and Hyde on chinese manufacturing: don’t want to support their cheap and disposable copies vs. serves the big manufacturers right for moving production to a country who steals everything and has no ethics, scruples or customer service.

[@1971lemond]

Keep in mind the products we buy down to your shoes are most likely made in China, look inside your Nikes they are made in China/Taiwan………SRAM is made in Taiwan……….Giant is made in Taiwan and is a Taiwan brand not a western brand. Cannondale is made in Taiwan as is Specialized, almost everything we buy comes from China, “FACT”. Garmin is made in China. Just saying do your research and yull see. Just because it’s from China/Taiwan or from the Asian countries doesn’t mean it’s junk. Every manufacturer has to start somewhere, wherever, look at Shimano, there made in Japan and we used to think Japanese products were garbage in the 80ds but now Shimano is good it just took time to be proven as with many other products. Of course this is choice of whoever wants to buy whatever because let’s face facts and put political views aside is that most of our products we buy are from China.

[@cityslacker6221]

@@1971lemond 1. Taiwan is not China. 2.Taiwan is not known for stealing intellectual property from the west the way china does.

[@1971lemond]

@@cityslacker6221 I don’t get into politics. 😃

[@julianmartin8356]

A few years ago you could get a entry level bike for £650. For £899 you could have a better bike.

[@Di2_GP]

Spare parts, aftersales, LBS willing to work on it... this is priceless. Shimano Di2 is far better and definitely better investment long term. How long do you have to wait if you had a crash and need a shifter... 2-3 weeks... Shimano is often next day. They are getting there, but there is a long way to go.

[@DaveCM]

Shimano and SRAM absolutely could do this. It is just in the software. They just choose not to.

[@out_spocken]

I hate this copyright BS. It's like saying, well we invented the car with 4 wheels...so you can't use four wheels. A removable battery is f***ing standard practice in most electronic gera. It's hardly some revolutionary thing. Sick of the copywriting shit going on in the cycling industry.

[@endtimeslips4660]

to anyone who want make this group set as their primary. do not make it 11 speed. if you chose make 11 speed it not run smoothly as you made it 12 speed. i did try many option cassette with multiple brand including shimano 11 speed cassette it not smooth. you will got trouble in the last 4th gear. seems eds tx not correctly setup their electronic group set for 11 speed.

[@davidarthur]

Interesting thanks for sharing

[@bruceciers5954]

You need to check your hanger alignment

[@JonWMS888]

This makes no sense. You can set RD position for each gear individually for perfect shifting in any gear.

[@endtimeslips4660]

@@JonWMS888 you need have one and test it your self.

[@JonWMS888]

@@endtimeslips4660 I have one, thanks.

[@tomr9661]

I wouldn't put a Chinese product on my bike if it was free, who cares how much someone admired it.

[@petef15]

4:06

[@haithamelmaleh1138]

It's really expensive

[@soytubebenenuco]

DONT BUY CHINESE! you just hurt the other brands and generate a low quality monopoly

[@Mattytube18]

Interesting…. This is something I’d consider buying for my Girlfriend’s whip.

[@doublejumpvideogames....]

Does her boyfriend agree?

[@KoreaRides]

I’m not a bike snob and not rich, but will never buy any of this Chinese stuff coming direct from Chinese manufacturers. It’s not even cheap anymore and not being able to change the batteries means it’s going to be landfill in a year or two.

[@midwesttreasureandrelicrec7914]

Even if you could change the battery doesn't it mean that that battery would be in the landfill in a year or two which is really the issue right? you say you won't be buying Chinese direct from China, you're buying Chinese with a middleman. The fact is these factories have been making all the top in name stuff for so long they know how to make it they're going to be some companies that make it right and some companies that don't give a crap. But some of the stuff as I found is going to be top-notch. They're literally making the stuff for sram and Shimano and other companies anyway.

[@SkylarsRnD]

LOL! Shimano and SRAM are coming from China....

[@danielt91]

Shrimp 😅

[@hunterboi00]

Lol bro half of the stuff in your house is made from China 😂

[@KoreaRides]

@@hunterboi00 and that’s all crap as well!

[@larryt.atcycleitalia5786]

Ride this groupset for 10-20K kilometers and get back to us. My guess is it'll be worn-out long before..but by then they'll have a new one to buy to replace the lot of it...totally disposable crap from China...no surprise there..SRAM's been making a fortune with it for years!!

[@d9918]

I don't think it's good value at all since you can get a pretty good brand new E Bike for the same money and it's a COMPLETE bike.

[@davidg2731]

This is for people who like to get real exercise!

[@tehepicmashimallow]

First

[@leeharding8306]

If you buy this over Shimano or SRAM you will be buying Shimano or SRAM in a few months when this crap falls apart or let’s you down 🤔

[@speedshifter]

even if they good, I will not go for chinese copied/reverse-enineered shit...

[@1971lemond]

Your watch is from China most likely,,,,,your shoes,,,,,and your tv your phone as well, just saying they have the global market on almost everything.

[@speedshifter]

@@1971lemond thats a big diff, produced in china and developped... Developped products has bigger marging, but expensive r&d... china by copying cuts r&d part...

[@1971lemond]

@@speedshifter Wheeltop is developed in China. Just saying don’t knock it till ya try it.

[@speedshifter]

@@1971lemond math was developped in greece, whats your point?

[@1971lemond]

@@speedshifter Just saying just because it’s a Chinese group set doesn’t mean it’s garbage. We used to think Japanese stuff was garbage in the 70ds80ds but now look at Shimano, it’s made in Japan and it’s a good product, just saying Wheeltop has to start somewhere as any company/ manufacturer does. I’m sure there’s hater’s and likes a both as a company starts off, of course it will be questionable at first because it’s new. Political views aside with China the fact is they make good and no so good products, but they make products on a massive scale that the world buys.