Uploaded April 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This SUPER cheap 2x11 groupset catastrophically failed me last year… Have Sensah Empire fixed the issue?
**SIROKO CLOTHING LINK** – Additional 10% off your order ordering via this link
srko.co/tracevelo
I am ALWAYS on the lookout for cheap 11 speed groupsets, because offerings from SRAM (Rival, Force), and Shimano (105, Ultegra, Dura-Ace) are still quite expensive in my opinion. For example, for a full 105 R700 groupset, you can easily pay £600.
So, in early 2020 I put Sensah Empire on my carbon fibre road bike. It cost around £200 from AliExpress for the whole groupset, but after just 4 weeks the shifter for the front derailleur failed in the middle of a ride. However, Sensah recently updated their design and changed part of the mechanism that broke, from plastic, into metal.
This has MASSIVELY helped in several ways. It’s more reliable, the shifting is crisper, and it feels much more premium on the bike. But does this update mean Sensah can rival the big brands…?
In this review, I’ll cover the full installation, and give my detailed opinion after using it on the bike for over 1000km!
Got any questions or comments, stick them below 👇 and I'll try and get back to as many of you as I can!
Timestamps:
00:00 – Start
00:39 – Sponsor Segment
02:16 – Intro
03:58 – Previous Shifter Issue
05:21 – Updated Design
09:28 – Groupset Weight
10:43 – LTWOO R9 Update
13:16 – Installation
24:07 – Sensah Empire Pro?
25:22 – On The Road
28:01 – Positives & Negatives
34:39 – SRAM Compatibility
35:56 – Trim Positions
37:26 – Final Thoughts
Intro roll:
Created by Dev Joshi - go2dev.co.uk
Music:
Birocratic (birocratic.lnk.to/allYL)
Fresh Healthy Perspectives
Lakey Inspired (soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired)
The Process, In my Dreams
Noir Et Blanc Vie (youtube.com/user/billyocean2185)
MydNyte, Still Not Rite, QuangerineCream
NoMBe (youtube.com/channel/UCa2Lphlcewqb42zSjAuie5w)
Take Me Down To The Fashion Show
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:
instagram.com/tracevelo
Email:
tracevelouk@gmail.com
Please note:
With the exception of Siroko, all other 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!!!
This SUPER cheap 2x11 groupset catastrophically failed me last year… Have Sensah Empire fixed the issue?
**SIROKO CLOTHING LINK** – Additional 10% off your order ordering via this link
srko.co/tracevelo
I am ALWAYS on the lookout for cheap 11 speed groupsets, because offerings from SRAM (Rival, Force), and Shimano (105, Ultegra, Dura-Ace) are still quite expensive in my opinion. For example, for a full 105 R700 groupset, you can easily pay £600.
So, in early 2020 I put Sensah Empire on my carbon fibre road bike. It cost around £200 from AliExpress for the whole groupset, but after just 4 weeks the shifter for the front derailleur failed in the middle of a ride. However, Sensah recently updated their design and changed part of the mechanism that broke, from plastic, into metal.
This has MASSIVELY helped in several ways. It’s more reliable, the shifting is crisper, and it feels much more premium on the bike. But does this update mean Sensah can rival the big brands…?
In this review, I’ll cover the full installation, and give my detailed opinion after using it on the bike for over 1000km!
Got any questions or comments, stick them below 👇 and I'll try and get back to as many of you as I can!
Timestamps:
00:00 – Start
00:39 – Sponsor Segment
02:16 – Intro
03:58 – Previous Shifter Issue
05:21 – Updated Design
09:28 – Groupset Weight
10:43 – LTWOO R9 Update
13:16 – Installation
24:07 – Sensah Empire Pro?
25:22 – On The Road
28:01 – Positives & Negatives
34:39 – SRAM Compatibility
35:56 – Trim Positions
37:26 – Final Thoughts
Intro roll:
Created by Dev Joshi - go2dev.co.uk
Music:
Birocratic (birocratic.lnk.to/allYL)
Fresh Healthy Perspectives
Lakey Inspired (soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired)
The Process, In my Dreams
Noir Et Blanc Vie (youtube.com/user/billyocean2185)
MydNyte, Still Not Rite, QuangerineCream
NoMBe (youtube.com/channel/UCa2Lphlcewqb42zSjAuie5w)
Take Me Down To The Fashion Show
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:
instagram.com/tracevelo
Email:
tracevelouk@gmail.com
Please note:
With the exception of Siroko, all other 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!!!
