
The Chinese groupset manufacturer Sensah is about to release their first hydraulic groupset. It may be the best one I've ever tried!
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Hydraulic groupsets from the big brands like Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo, have historically been very expensive, but last year a Chinese company L-TWOO shook up the cycle industry by releasing the first Hydraulic groupset for road bikes. Now Sensah, another Chinese groupset manufacturer has joined in with their Empire Pro HRD groupset.
It is a 12 speed mechanical groupset, but offers fully hydraulic disc braking, and is only set to cost around $300!
I have been riding a pre-release version for the last few weeks, and I have been INCREDIBLY impressed. The braking performance is absolutely fantastic, and the gear shifting is smooth, accurate, and precise.
However there are a few things to be aware of before jumping in to buy this groupset. Namely the shifters/brifters are quite large, and the lever throw to change gear is quite long. But regardless, this could be my favourite Chinese groupset to date!
So in this episode, I’ll give you a rundown of the groupset, demonstrate you what to look out for, compare it to the L-TWOO RX, and show you why it has impressed me so much!
Sensah Store: https://www.aliexpress.com/store/5888062
Sensah HRD: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Dm6cKSn
Timestamps:
00:00 – Start
00:23 – Context - Why should I care?
01:43 – Sensah HRD overview
03:02 – Weight
03:28 – Install
06:15 – Sponsor segment
07:40 – Install continued
10:24 – Install and shifting problems
12:25 – Brakes and bleeding
15:50 – 150 miles later
20:20 – Comfort
21:25 – Sensah vs L-TWOO
22:46 – Wrap-up
25:21 – Bonus bike weigh-in
Intro roll:
Created by Dev Joshi - http://www.go2dev.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracevelo/
Email: tracevelouk@gmail.com
Please note:
With the exception of Siroko and Sensah, all 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!!!
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Bike part mentions in this video
SENSAH EMPIRE HRD 2x11s Road Bike Hydraulic Disc Brake Front Derailleur Rear Derailleur Carbon Shifter Bike Parts
Created: June 23, 2025The 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)
