I know there have been posts flying around on this topic, but I just could not find any specific ones related to this specific config (ie compact crank related) so I am hoping to tap into collective knowledge of this bike brain powerhouse....I finally started the process of buying components for my dream bike....I decided on R3 SL frame.

Now, I really cannot make up my mind on DA7900 vs SRAM Red and here is why. Although I am interested in SRAM, I am scared shitless of SRAM RED with COMPACT CRANK due to some horror stories I heard about it's front derailleur. Anybody knows something about it? Does anybody have a personal experience with this? If this is not a problem I am leaning toward SRAM Red....however, if there is a slight chance that this can be a hassle I'd probably go with DA7900.

 Any help, please!!??

 

I have SRAM RED on my R3 SL with RED Compact 50/34 Crankset and RED 11-23 Cassette. Shifts like a dream front and rear. However to be perfectly candid the FD and RD are SRAM FORCE as these came off another bike that I have since sold. The shifting beats my old Shimano Dura Ace 7800 all hollow... there was/is no comparison IMHO.

I do have full SRAM RED w/compact Cranks on my SLC-SL and it shifts every bit as good front and rear as the R3 SL. I don't see how one could improve on the shifting performance of Red.

Go for the RED... Best bang for the buck in addition to being the lightest group out there. You won't regret it.

Cheers,

Brian

I was having a similar conundrum last week. I wanted the Red, but they only do a 11-xx cassette. Fine if you want an 11-23, but the other options lose the 16, and after some trials, I decided it was too big a jump. Maybe i should have gone with a 1070, but the powerdome is supposed to be one of the stand-out parts of the gruppo.

Not installed the 7900 on my new RS frame yet, so can't offer any insights on performance.

Matt.

I plan on building a R3SL with Sram Red and Compact Cranks with a 11-26 cassette. I know a few people who now ride the R3SL and love the compact with the 11-26 cassette. They say the 26 lets them spin up climbs that they were mashing on before and helps save the legs in hilly road races or rides.

I use SRAM RED compact with 11-26 cassette on my SLC and all is fine.  No problems encountered.

 

THanks everybody who replied.....I appreciate it. It makes me feel a bit more comfortable going with SRAM...cheers

MattSoutherden:

I wanted the Red, but they only do a 11-xx cassette.

Just go with red and use any shimano cassette you want, including one that starts with a 12t cog.  No need to stick with a sram cassette.

I just rode the Triple ByPass ride in CO and swapped out my standard RED cranks with a RED compact 50/34 and used an 11-23 cassette. The compact crank worked great in the mountains. No problem with the RD. The only problem I had was if I cross chained from 50-26, the chain would occassionally drop to the small ring. For steep, long hills, the compact is great. I am switching back to my standard cranks though because most of my riding is on the flats and I need the top end.