Bike Stuff

 In August of 2026, Wheeltop pushed a new version of firmware and a mobile app supporting the GeX system (and others, I assume). This is the first big update I've seen since I purchased it a year and a half ago. It dramatically changes the setup process for the better. For my full writeup of the GeX installation, see my original post , particularly the part on tuning and software Firmware updates My rear derailleur firmware made a big jump from version 2.67 (the one it shipped with) to version 22.4. I did not see intervening ones when I looked so they may not have been released to normal users. There was also an update to the ANT+ firmware from 6.2 to 6.4 that says it "optimized battery display". Based on my first ride, it seems to be giving more accurate display on my Garmin. We'll see how it goes. Right shifter (and now it's called a 'shifter' not a 'finger' in the English version) updated from 4.30 (as shipped) to 4.33 with the only claim of ...

So, there has been a fair amount of chatter in the last year+ about the new electronic shifting gravel groupsets from China.  LTWOO got to market first with the eGR and you can read my writeup of installing that here . But more recently Wheeltop came out with their equivalent GeX system ( Installation writeup here ). Initial pricing on both was almost too good to pass up as an experiment and I did so. Current pricing is still quite competitive vs even the lowest end electronic shifting from SRAM or Shimano but not the 'no brainer' it was at first. Highlights of these systems: Both 'groupsets' are really just 1x mini groups. They both include: Rear Derailleur Brifters Brake calipers Charge cable (use your own USB brick) For a full groupset, you will still need to provide: Crankset/chainrings (1x only with GeX and eGR. Both have road 2x options) Chain Cassette options: Wheeltop GeX 3-14 cogs, 10-52 teeth LTWOO eGR 10-12 cogs, 11-46 teeth officially. However, I've run ...

Installation and first impressions Updates: 6/10/24, 7/4/24, 9/26/24, 10/3/24, 11/8/24, Spring 2025 Note: I've left the early text more or less as written. But there have been updates. So do scan through the updates below Background I was interested in the LTWOO eGR groupset to use on my 2019 Salsa Cutthroat . It was running SRAM Force 1 HRD (Mechanical shifting, hydraulic brakes) with a Garbaruk 10-50 cassette and their cage extender to allow for that range on Force.  The setup worked, but I never had the reliable, crisp shifting I would have liked. Usually ended up 'finessing' each shift with partial presses etc. It was nearly impossible to find the right tension setting to get perfect indexing.  As my first 11s rig, I tolerated it as semi-normal for a while. Some of this is understandable given that it was modified outside of OEM spec. So I'm not badmouthing the Force itself based on that (for the badmouth, see this YouTube: SRAM Force 1 HRD (any DoubleTap) Shift...