The SENSAH EMPIRE PRO 2x12 groupset offers good value with lightweight carbon components and reliable shifting, but suffers from poor stock brakes, setup difficulties, and some quality inconsistencies.
Pros
- Lightweight carbon fiber shifters and rear derailleur.
- Crisp, positive shifting with loud click.
- Front derailleur has trimming and shifts quickly.
- Shifters comfortable with reach adjustment.
Cons
- Cannot brake and shift simultaneously.
- Long lever throw for upshifts, causing wrist discomfort.
- Stock cable disc brakes are poor and spongy.
- Setup and tuning difficult, especially rear derailleur cable routing.
Key Facts
- Shifters weigh 410g per pair, 90g lighter than Shimano 105.
- Rear derailleur weighs 195-200g, 30g lighter than Shimano 105.
- Front derailleur weighs 95-101g, similar to Shimano 105.
Reviews & Ratings
The reviewer provides a first impressions unboxing and analysis of the SENSAH EMPIRE PRO 2x12 speed groupset. They note that the shifters and derailleurs look promising, with carbon-effect levers and a light weight. However, they express concerns about the crankset being heavy and low quality, and the cable-actuated disc brakes being subpar. Overall, the groupset offers good value for the price but has some compromises.
AI Summary
Pros
- Shifters and derailleurs look nice and are lighter than Shimano 105.
- Shifters have a lever reach adjust bolt.
- Cassette is light (224g) and has machined ramps for shifting.
- Chain is light (245g) and includes a quick link.
- Bottom bracket looks decent and uses a common 24mm spindle standard.
- Price is very low at around £310.
Cons
- Crankset is heavy (1035g) and appears low quality, with scuffed paint out of the box.
- Crankset uses a design similar to Shimano, potentially infringing on patents.
- Crankset chainrings are stamped steel, not as good as Shimano.
- Cable-actuated disc brakes are heavy (225g) and likely perform poorly.
- Brake calipers are from an unknown brand (Nut) and have uneven pad movement.
- Rear derailleur has rough casting and finish imperfections.
- Cassette design uses Phillips head bolts that may round out easily.
- Cassette is hollowed out, raising durability concerns.
- Front derailleur finish is rougher than Shimano or SRAM.
- Rotors are 5-bolt, which may require adapters for road wheels.
Key Points
- Groupset is 2x12 speed, mechanical (cable-actuated).
- Shifters weigh 224g each, lighter than Shimano 105 (238g).
- Rear derailleur weighs 200g, lighter than Shimano 105 (220g).
- Front derailleur weighs 101g, lighter than Shimano 105 (108-109g).
- Cassette weighs 224g (11-28T), significantly lighter than Shimano 105 (330-360g).
- Chain weighs 245g, lighter than Shimano 105 12-speed (260g).
- Crankset weighs 1035g, much heavier than Shimano 105 compact (716g).
- Disc brake calipers weigh 225g each, heavier than Shimano 105 hydraulic (147g).
- Rotors are Avid brand, 160mm, 5-bolt, weighing 98g each.
- Bottom bracket is threaded, 24mm spindle, similar to Shimano.
- Total cost was approximately £310 from AliExpress.
The reviewer tests the SENSAH EMPIRE PRO 2x12 Speed groupset from AliExpress, finding it functional but with notable compromises. The shifting is intuitive but has a long lever throw, making simultaneous braking and shifting difficult. Front derailleur shifting is sluggish and requires backing off power, especially under load. The mechanical disc brakes are underwhelming, with lever pull reaching the handlebars during an emergency stop. The groupset is lightweight overall, but the crankset is heavy, and the cassette appears decently made.
AI Summary
Pros
- Lightweight derailleurs and shifters
- Intuitive shifting method similar to SRAM mechanical
- Cassette larger sprockets machined from one piece, fairly well made
- Low cost (under 300 pounds)
- Carbon fiber lever blades
Cons
- Long lever throw for shifting into easier gear
- Cannot shift while braking
- Front derailleur shifting is laggy and slow, especially under load
- Brake performance underwhelming; lever pulls to handlebars in emergency stop
- Brake system has flex at pivot point, cable stretch, and many moving parts
- Crankset is heavy (typical for low-end groupsets)
- Lack of ramps and pins on chainrings for smooth front shifting
Key Points
- 2x12 speed, 24s groupset
- Carbon fiber shifters and rear derailleur
- Mechanical disc brakes with 160mm rear and 180mm front rotors
- Shifting method: press lever for harder gear, push lever across for easier gear
- Weighs more than Shimano 105 or Ultegra when built up, but lighter than Sora
- Cassette likely costs as much as the entire groupset if from premium brand
The reviewer tested the SENSAH EMPIRE PRO 2x12 speed groupset over three months of commuting. They found the shifters ergonomic but short, with crisp shifting and a loud click. The front derailleur shifts quickly, and the rear derailleur performs well after proper setup. The crankset is lightweight and looks good. However, they noted issues with simultaneous braking and shifting, setup difficulty, and a rear derailleur alignment problem when switching chainrings. The brakes included are poor and should be replaced. Overall, the groupset is recommended for commuting due to its low cost, light weight, and wide gear range, but it may not be as robust as Shimano 105.
AI Summary
Pros
- Shifters have good ergonomic feel and crisp shifting with loud click
- Front derailleur shifts quickly, comparable to Di2
- Rear derailleur shifting is smooth and crisp after proper setup
- Crankset is lightweight and looks good
- Wide gear range (50/34 front, 11-34 rear) ideal for commuting
- Shifters work well with thick winter gloves
- Hoods are grippy in wet conditions
- Reach adjustment available on shifters
- Good value for money with 12-speed capability
- Lightweight for the price
Cons
- Hoods are too short, causing pressure on hands
- Cannot brake and shift simultaneously
- Setup is difficult, especially cable routing on rear derailleur
- Shifters have a long throw for upshifts, especially on front derailleur
- Pinching hazard on inside of hoods
- No clear feedback when in largest sprocket
- Underneath mechanism parts may not be durable long-term
- Rear derailleur backpedaling causes chain slip on largest cogs
- Cable stretches significantly in first week, requiring replacement
- Alignment issue: perfect shifting on big chainring but not on small, and vice versa
- Included brakes are poor and should be replaced
- Not as robust as Shimano 105 for harsh conditions
Key Points
- 2x12 speed, 24-speed groupset
- Carbon fiber shifters and rear derailleur
- 170/175mm crankset
- 50/34 chainrings and 11-34 cassette
- Shifters have one lever for both up and down shifts
- Reach adjustment on shifters
- Front derailleur limit screws prone to gumming over years
- Rear derailleur setup requires cable through specific hole and guide
- Crankset is one-piece, copied from SRAM Red
The reviewer, Diwa from Wiser Biker, tested the Sensah Empire Pro groupset for over a year and 2,000 km. He found it to be a lightweight, affordable 2x12 speed groupset with carbon fiber components, offering good value compared to Shimano 105, but noted some issues with shifting lever throw and difficulty in tuning.
AI Summary
Pros
- Lightweight: shifters 90g lighter than Shimano 105, rear derailleur 30g lighter, total 120g lighter for shifters and derailleurs.
- Affordable: priced at $193 USD or 263 Singapore dollars, significantly cheaper than Shimano 105.
- Carbon fiber brake lever and rear derailleur cage.
- 12-speed groupset with accurate indexing after proper tuning.
- Front derailleur issue (soft material in early batches) resolved; reviewer's unit worked well after a year.
- Good for budget builds and race use due to low cost if damaged.
Cons
- Cannot brake and shift simultaneously.
- Large lever throw for shifting, which can cause wrist discomfort.
- More difficult to tune and index compared to Shimano groupsets.
- Front derailleur required angling outward for proper shifting.
- Mechanical brake system may have friction issues with fully internal cable routing; recommends cable-actuated hydraulic calipers or hydraulic levers.
- Lever throw not adjustable.
Key Points
- Shifters weigh 410g per pair; Shimano 105 shifters weigh 500g.
- Front derailleur weighs 95g (same as Shimano 105).
- Rear derailleur weighs 195g (30g lighter than Shimano 105).
- Single lever design for shifting (similar to SRAM).
- Shifting: push lever inward for harder gear, push further for multiple gears; up to 4 clicks from gear 12 to 9.
- Front derailleur: push inward for big chainring, trim before dropping to small chainring.
- Comes with brake cable adjustment but no shift lever throw adjustment.
- Only braze-on front derailleur mounting available.
The reviewer tested the SENSAH EMPIRE PRO 2x12 speed groupset over a thousand miles, including a ride through Europe. They found the groupset to be good value, comparable to mechanical 105, with reliable shifting and comfortable ergonomics, but noted issues with the stock brakes and some quality inconsistencies.
AI Summary
Pros
- Shifters are comfortable and small, with good ergonomics.
- Lever reach adjustment is available.
- Shifting is clicky, positive, and reliable even when dirty.
- Front derailleur has trimming and works well.
- Crankset is solid and uses SRAM DUB standard.
- YBN chain performed well without issues.
- Cassette is durable and fits Shimano HG freehubs.
- Overall value is excellent, about half the price of 105.
Cons
- Stock cable disc brakes were poor and spongy, especially with internal routing.
- Hood material inconsistency (one smooth, one rough).
- Sharp pivot point on shifters can spike hand, though it can be pressed in.
- Bottom bracket is threaded only, not press-fit.
- Inconsistency in chain packaging grease.
- Cassette is heavy and nothing special.
Key Points
- 12-speed, 2x groupset with 50/34T crankset and 11-34T cassette.
- Shifters have lever reach adjustment.
- Front derailleur has multiple trim positions.
- Crankset uses SRAM DUB bottom bracket standard.
- Chain is YBN brand, often used for waxing.
- Cassette fits Shimano HG freehub.
- Stock brakes are cable-actuated disc; reviewer switched to Juin Tech F1 hybrid calipers.
- Groupset cost just over £300.
Where to Buy
SENSAH EMPIRE PRO 2x12 Speed, 24s Road Groupset carbon fiber Shifter Lever Rear Derailleur 12 chain 170/175MM Crankset
Specifications
Attributes
Included Components
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