LTWOO R9 Pro 2x11s Road Hydraulic Disc Brake Groupset (2026)

The LTWOO R9 Pro 2x11s Road Hydraulic Disc Brake Groupset (2026) is a remarkably affordable groupset that delivers shifting and braking performance very close to Shimano's 105 R7020, according to Trace Velo. Its build quality, use of Shimano cable pull ratios, and straightforward installation make it a compelling value, though the front derailleur is less refined and it lacks a crankset, cassette, chain, and bottom bracket. At £123, it costs a fraction of equivalent Shimano gear and performs so similarly that differences are negligible for most riders.

Pros

Incredibly cheap at £123; even with Shimano crankset, chain, cassette, and bottom bracket, total cost is almost half of a full Shimano R7020 groupset1
Shifts like Shimano and performs so close to legitimate Shimano gear that differences are negligible1
Build quality is genuinely impressive, feels very solid in hand, very Shimano-esque1
Rear derailleur completely redesigned, looks more modern, uses narrow-wide jockey wheel, reduced chain slap1
Brake calipers completely redesigned; hydraulic brakes are really decent1
Installation and bleeding process super straightforward; design with install and maintenance in mind1
Zero issues over thousands of miles on previous generation1
Works with Shimano 105 R7000 derailleurs; rear shifting with Shimano derailleur is quick, crisp, and as good as the LTWOO derailleur1

Cons

Front derailleur is nothing special, quite basic and identical to last generation; Shimano front derailleur is better, smoother and easier to tune1
Slightly heavier than equivalent Shimano gear (1,299g vs about 1,260g)1
To replace a shift cable, need to pull rubber on hoods down slightly to access port, which is not easy with shifters in place; may need to undo clamping bolt and pull shifter away1
Does not include crankset, chain, cassette, and bottom bracket like a full Shimano groupset1

Key Facts

Price paid: £123 on AliExpress after coupon1
Weight: shifters 687g, front derailleur 106g, rear derailleur 254g, total with brake calipers 1,299g; equivalent Shimano gear weighs about 1,260g1
Compatible with Shimano 105 R7000 derailleurs and uses Shimano cable pull ratios1
2x11 mechanical groupset with hydraulic disc brakes; also available as 2x12 speed called RX Pro1
Uses mineral oil for hydraulic brakes1
Total cost with Shimano R7000 crankset (£75), Ultegra chain (£20), 105 cassette (£43), and Shimano bottom bracket (£14) is £275; full Shimano R7020 groupset costs £500 (without rotors, which add about £60)1
Previous generation R9 used Campagnolo-style shifting; new generation shifts like Shimano (downshift with whole brake lever, upshift with smaller lever behind)1

Sources

1
Trace Velo2 sources

Reviews & Ratings

Trace Velo2 videos

19:35

This New Chinese Groupset Is Legitimately Fantastic

The reviewer, Luke from Trace Velo, discusses the LTWOO R9 Pro 2x11s Road Hydraulic Disc Brake Groupset (2026) as a new generation groupset that he purchased for £123 on AliExpress. He notes it shifts like Shimano, has impressive build quality, and performs very close to Shimano gear at a fraction of the cost. He installed it on his bike, replacing the older R9 groupset, and found the installation straightforward, though he mentions a minor issue with shift cable replacement.

September 09, 2026Watch on YouTube

04:21

Cheap Chinese Shifters on a Shimano Groupset...

The reviewer discusses the LTWOO R9 Pro 2x11s Road Hydraulic Disc Brake Groupset, which he purchased for £123 on AliExpress. He praises its build quality and shifting performance, noting it is close to Shimano. He tests compatibility by pairing LTWOO shifters and brake calipers with Shimano 105 R7000 derailleurs, finding that the rear shifting works well and is comparable to the original LTWOO derailleur, while the Shimano front derailleur is smoother and easier to tune. He confirms LTWOO uses Shimano cable pull ratios. He also compares costs, showing that adding Shimano crankset, chain, cassette, and bottom bracket to the LTWOO groupset totals £275, almost half the price of a full Shimano R7020 groupset at £500 (without rotors). He plans to keep the groupset on his bike.

September 12, 2026Watch on YouTube

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