This hydraulic disc brake groupset offers impressive performance and value for money, with excellent braking and mostly reliable shifting, though it has some ergonomic and quality control issues.
Pros
- Light, clicky, and precise shifting with quick and reliable performance
- Phenomenal braking performance especially when using the hoods
- Affordable pricing ranging from £165 to around $300
- Easy to bleed brakes with straightforward indexing setup
Cons
- Shifters are chunky and large, not comfortable for smaller hands
- Brakes lack bite and squeal under heavy braking
- Rubber on hoods doesn't conform well and can come loose after few rides
- Front derailleur arm doesn't move back far enough causing chain interference
Key Facts
- 2x11 speed mechanical shifting with hydraulic disc brakes
- Total weight approximately 1075g (shifters 585g, rear derailleur 200g, front derailleur 99g, calipers 191g)
- Carbon pulley cage on rear derailleur and steel cage on front derailleur
Reviews & Ratings
The reviewer discusses the SENSAH EMPIRE HRD 2x11s Road Bike Hydraulic Disc Brake Front Derailleur Rear Derailleur Carbon Shifter Bike Parts extensively, highlighting its performance, design, and value. They note that it is a pre-release version of a 12-speed hydraulic group set from Sensah, a Chinese manufacturer. The reviewer praises the braking performance, shifting quality, and overall robustness, but also points out some issues with the shifting mechanism and comfort for smaller hands.
AI Summary
Pros
- Best Chinese group set the reviewer has ever used
- Braking performance is phenomenal, especially on the hoods
- Shifters have a nice solid robust feel
- Shifting is quick and reliable
- Carbon pulley cage on the rear derailleur saves weight
- Front derailleur has a more robust steel cage
- Competitive pricing (around $300)
- Inspires confidence when riding
- Hoods are nice and chunky for a firm grip
- Indexing setup is straightforward and requires minimal adjustment
Cons
- Shifters are on the large side and not the prettiest to look at
- Shifting mechanism requires quite big hands to make full use of
- Overshift safety feature is non-functional on the right shifter in the pre-release version
- Not as comfortable as L2 shifters, especially for smaller hands
- Front derailleur arm doesn't move back far enough, causing chain interference
- Downshifting at the back can be unreliable under certain conditions
Key Points
- 12-speed hydraulic group set
- Carbon pulley cage on rear derailleur
- Steel cage on front derailleur is more robust
- Shifters have aluminum parts for durability
- Brake calipers are improved over previous versions
- Uses Shimano mineral oil for brake fluid
- Weight: shifters 585g, rear derailleur 200g, front derailleur 99g, calipers 191g (total 1075g)
The reviewer discusses the SENSAH EMPIRE HRD 2x11s mechanical group set with hydraulic disc brakes, which they purchased for £165 from AliExpress. They mention using an earlier version of this group set before and being impressed with its performance. The shifters are described as chunky but functional, with the shifting being light, clicky, and precise. The reviewer notes that the shifting works similarly to Shramm's double tap setup, with one small click to upshift and a larger swing to downshift. They also mention that the front derailleur has three trim positions, which they find slightly frustrating. The rubber on the hoods of the shifters is noted to be different between the left and right shifters, with the left being nicer and more supple. The reviewer also points out that the rubber doesn't conform well to the shape of the shifter and is already coming loose after a few rides.
AI Summary
Pros
- Light, clicky, and precise shifting
- Similar shifting mechanism to Shramm's double tap setup
- Good quality supplied gear cables
- Easy to bleed brakes
- Affordable price at £165
Cons
- Chunky shifters
- Front derailleur has three trim positions, which is frustrating
- Rubber on hoods doesn't conform well and is coming loose after a few rides
- Left and right shifters have different rubber quality
- Brakes are described as 'a little bit crap' with not much bite and squealing under heavy braking
Key Points
- Mechanical group set with hydraulic disc brakes
- 2x11 speed
- Similar shifting to Shramm's double tap
- Front derailleur has three trim positions
- Supplied gear cables are polished and coated
- Brakes are easy to bleed but lack bite and squeal under heavy braking
The reviewer mentions the Sensah brand several times throughout the video, but does not specifically discuss the 'SENSAH EMPIRE HRD 2x11s Road Bike Hydraulic Disc Brake Front Derailleur Rear Derailleur Carbon Shifter Bike Parts' as a complete, named group set. They refer to Sensah group sets in general, sharing tips applicable to them and other cheaper groupsets from brands like LTwoo. Specific mentions include that Sensah shifters can rattle, that Sensah hydraulic groupsets use mineral oil, that the bleed port on Sensah shifters is recessed and at a funny angle, and that Sensah front derailleurs lack a built-in tension adjustment screw.
AI Summary
Cons
- The reviewer states that Sensah shifters can rattle, a common issue with cheaper shifters.
- They mention that the bleed port on the Sensah shifter is recessed quite far and at a funny angle, making bleeding trickier.
- They note that Sensah front derailleurs do not have a built-in tension adjustment screw, requiring an inline barrel adjuster on the cable run.
Key Points
- Sensah groupsets use mineral oil for hydraulic brakes, not DOT fluid.
- The bleeding process for Sensah hydraulic groupsets is broadly the same as Shimano but may require different adapters due to thread sizing and port location.
- Sensah rear derailleurs tend to use a slightly older design with a standard hanger bolt, requiring a larger cable loop for optimal shifting.
Where to Buy
SENSAH EMPIRE HRD Disc 2x11s Road Bike Hydraulic Disc Brake Groupset, Hydraulic Disc Alloy 22s carbon Shifters
SENSAH EMPIRE HRD 2x11s Rennrad Hydraulische Scheibenbremse Vorderer Schaltwerk Schaltwerk Carbon Shifter Fahrradteile - AliExpress 18
Specifications
Attributes
Included Components
Spotted an error in the specs? Help us correct it — sign in or create an account.
Questions about SENSAH EMPIRE HRD 2x11s Road Bike Hydraulic Disc Brake Front Derailleur Rear Derailleur Carbon Shifter Bike Parts
Sign up and share your experience — help other riders decide!
Create Account & Review