Once you understand what needs to be done for the chain length, and setup for a full mount derailleur, the process is simple and shifts perfectly after the first attempt. I have raced, and ridden on this setup for a few months now and have not had to make any adjustments to shifting at all. The braking power is unmatched, I feel confident that using one finger to actuate the brake lever is more than enough to brake when needed.
Necessity for SRAM AXS road flattop chains. Stock up on a bunch especially if you need to take your chain on/off frequently (like for waxing). Not 100% sure on the one-time use aspect, but better to be safe than to risk damaging your drivetrain.
Really make sure to line up the notches and make sure it's securely locked. I've had times where I line up the notch on the front, but the notch looked "OK" in the back. Nope! That resulted in a snapped power lock
IMO best looking rotor on the market, also very reliable and works great in mixed conditions. The edge of the rotor is polished so wont cut your hands/skin. And the rotor is very sturdy, wont warp as easily as the Shimano ICETECH Steel/aluminum/steel sandwiched rotors. Cheaper than Shimano/SRAM rotors. Great value. Not the lightest rotors on the market, but it's only 20g of difference, 2 rotors is 40 ish grams. Equiped all my bikes to these rotors.
I decided to try the Absolute Black Graphene pads after seeing positive reviews in cycling media. and having a sketchy experience on a long, steep road descent when I had some severe brake fade with Sram Rival brakes with conventional organic pads. The graphene pads were noted for having superior heat dissipation, and in my experience so far, that seems to be true. A couple weeks after installing them, I did a big climbing day that ended with a 20+ mile descent. I'm a bigger guy, at around 195 lbs., but since getting these pads I haven't had any issues with brake fade, and the modulation and stopping power are as good or better than with regular organic pads. They also seem to be lasting longer than regular organic pads. So, while they're pricey compared to conventional pads, I feel like I'm getting my money's worth in terms of performance and safety, and I highly recommend these if you're in need of an upgrade.
