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Cheap Chinese groupsets from brands like L-TWOO and Sensah from AliExpress, can be VERY tempting. But out of the box, performance rarely matches Shimano gear.
However, I’ve been using these cheap groupsets on my bikes for MANY years, and believe with a few tweaks, hacks, and techniques, they can come very close in terms of performance to groupsets from SRAM and Shimano. So in this episode, I will share all my tips and tricks for squeezing every ounce of performance out of these cheaper Chinese groupsets.
I’ll cover things to look out for, ways to improve shifting performance, proper brake bleeding technique, and some general tips to ensure they run as smoothly as possible in all conditions!
If you fancy checking out any of the groupsets featured, these are the sellers on AliExpress that I personally use.
L-TWOO R9 Disc:
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DklWe4h
Sensah Empire HRD:
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4dKXvL3
BTW, they are affiliate links, but don't raise the price for you in any way, just help me out slightly with some commission.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
00:46 – Mechanical shifting tips
01:45 – Full length gear housing
03:11 – Gear cable liner
03:58 – More shifting tips
06:19 – Wear on chains/cassette
07:14 – Rattling shifters
08:09 – Tips for bleeding disc brakes
10:45 – Conclusion
11:26 – Bonus clip - C/SiC disc rotors
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/tracevelo/
Email:
tracevelouk@gmail.com
Please note:
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!!!
Keywords: cheap chinese groupset,l-twoo,sensah,aliexpress groupset,budget bike build,chinese bike components,improve shifting performance,bike maintenance tips,road bike upgrade,budget groupset review,diy bike repair,hydraulic brake bleeding,ltwoo review,sensah review,shimano alternative,sram alternative,budget cycling gear,enhance groupset performance,bike hacks,cycling tips,L-TWOO R9 disc,Sensah Empire
Bike part mentions in this video
SENSAH EMPIRE HRD 2x11s Road Bike Hydraulic Disc Brake Front Derailleur Rear Derailleur Carbon Shifter Bike Parts
LTWOO RX / R9 Disc 2x12s / 2x11s Road Hydraulic Disc Brake Groupset, 6 kit, Benchmark R7170 R8170
GroupsetSENSAH EMPIRE HRD 2x11s Road Bike Hydraulic Disc Brake Front Derailleur Rear Derailleur Carbon Shifter Bike Parts
Created: June 23, 2025The 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.
LTWOO RX / R9 Disc 2x12s / 2x11s Road Hydraulic Disc Brake Groupset, 6 kit, Benchmark R7170 R8170
Created: September 20, 2024The reviewer discusses the LTWOO (referred to as 'L2' or 'L2 group set') R9 disc groupset, which they state costs 108 quid on AliExpress. They explain that while cheaper groupsets like this are rarely as good as Shimano equivalents out of the box, with specific tweaks they can come incredibly close to Shimano levels of performance. The video is dedicated to sharing tips for improving the performance of this and similar budget groupsets. The tips cover mechanical shifting, cable routing, component wear, shifter rattle, and the specific process for bleeding the hydraulic brakes, including unique features like a grub screw on the brake lever. The reviewer also mentions that newer LTWOO groupsets have a tension adjustment screw on the front derailleur.
AI-Summary
Pros
- Can come incredibly close to Shimano levels of performance with a few tweaks.
- Very low cost (108 quid on AliExpress).
- Uses mineral oil for brakes (not DOT fluid).
- Newer versions have a tension adjustment screw built into the front derailleur.
- On the reviewed model, there is a little rubber bumper behind the shift lever to reduce rattle (though older generations lacked this).
Cons
- Out of the box, it is rarely as good as Shimano equivalents.
- Shifting can feel vague or mushy compared to Shimano due to tolerances and return springs.
- The rear derailleurs use a slightly older, more dated design with a standard hanger bolt (not a B-link).
- More sensitive to B-tension adjustment and component wear (chains, cassettes) than Shimano.
- Shifters can rattle (though this can be remedied).
- Bleeding the hydraulic brakes can be trickier: bleed port threads and locations may differ from Shimano, calipers lack proper bleed nipples (just a threaded port), and the recessed bleed ports may require modified adapters.
- The grub screw on the brake lever (a free stroke adjustment) must be unscrewed during bleeding or it can block oil flow.
Key Points
- Cost: 108 quid on AliExpress.
- Type: Mechanical shifting, hydraulic disc brake groupset.
- Brake Fluid: Uses mineral oil.
- Shifter Rattle: Can be an issue; fixed with adhesive bar tape or tape behind the lever. The reviewed model has a rubber bumper.
- Cable Routing: Crucial to reduce friction; recommends full-length cable housing.
- Rear Derailleur: Uses older design, benefits from a larger cable loop.
- B-Tension: More sensitive than Shimano; set upper jockey wheel as close to cassette as possible without grinding.
- Bleeding: Requires a universal bleed kit with various adapters due to non-standard thread sizes and recessed ports. Calipers have a threaded port instead of a bleed nipple.
- Grub Screw: On brake lever is a free stroke adjustment, not reach adjustment. Must be unscrewed during bleeding.
- Front Derailleur: Newer LTWOO groupsets have a built-in tension adjustment screw.