Which Groupset?

To clarify:

ST-9000

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/gear-spares/shimano-duraace-st9000-name-plate-fixing-screws-left-hand-y63z98020/

ST-9001

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/gear-spares/shimano-duraace-st9001-name-plate-fixing-screws-left-hand-y00h98020/

Just to answer my own question for future reference, my SRAM Force 1 chainset seems pretty happy with an AXS flattop chain. That said, the chainrings have had plenty of use so I imagine they are a little more worn and forgiving than new rings would be. Have to admit AXS is ridiculously easy to setup.

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So after eight faithful years service my etap 11 speed rear mech appears to have died.
Assuming nothing miraculous happens and it suddenly comes to life, I have a decision to make about getting my good bike back on the road.
I want fully wireless shifting as the frame is old and has no internal routing for wires, so does that mean I’m looking at Sram again? Or is shimano on the table?
It’s a rim brake frame and I have brake callipers and a power meter chainset, so I don’t need a full groupset.
Also, I’d prefer to stay 11 speed if I can as I have another bike running 11 speed and have various chains and cassettes that are all 11 speed, but if I have to move to 12 speed then I’ll suck it up.
I’m completely out of touch with groupsets so any advice would be appreciated.

Why don’t you just get the same mech and keep everything else as it is?

Shimano Di2 12-speed is what they term a semi-wireless groupset. Basically the shifters have their own battery each, then the front and rear derailleur is powered by a battery that they are attached to by wires. There is no compatibility between 11 and 12 speed.

SRAM remains completely wireless, but is also 12 speed. You might be able to pick up an 11 speed groupset, but they are becoming increasingly harder to find.

There is also Campagnolo of course, but you don't strike me as a rich idiot.

Also, Shimano have overstocked on 12 speed groupsets in the UK so they are some great deals to be had, i.e. Fawkes Cycles will do you the groupset for £1200.

I think you can still get hold of the 11sp Red etap derailleurs, but they will cost a fortune. You could buy a 2nd hand one that may or may not break immediately, or a new one for £500+. I think the problem with that investment is that you will be struggling to get replacements if other components break (I think they are only still selling the derailleurs new).

I think you can probably buy some previous generation 12sp AXS rim brake Force/Red shifters new still that you could pair up with 12sp derailleurs - probably the cheapest and most future proof option?

It's a pain tbh - I wanted to put wireless onto one of my rim brake bikes, but didn't fancy the cost/risk of 11sp etap.

That may well be the best way forward, but I had a look and a replacement rear mech is about £500 and I saw a complete Force AXS gearset for £950. My worry is that I buy a replacement rear mech and then the front goes kaput, or the shifters. Like I said, it’s all eight years old so I’ve been expecting it to fail for a while now.

There is also Campagnolo of course, but you don't strike me as a rich idiot

You’re somewhat correct, I’m not rich.

Thanks for the shimano details, I’ll take a look. But it sounds like I’d still have to hide a battery somewhere and then have some wires outside of the frame? Not keen on that.

Inside the seatpost, then run the cables to the mechs and bring them out there. Let me dig out a photo of mine.

See it here:

https://www.lfgss.com/comments/17233078/

Lovely bike, but I’m not going to be able to do that in this frame unfortunately.

Yikes. Pricing/availability of some components defies logic.

New bike time!

I've spent some time looking at Sram this morning and have found the following -

Full Force eTap AXS gearset (shifter, FD, RD, 2x batteries and a charger) - £950

or

Red eTap AXS D1 FD - £200
Red eTap AXS D1 RD - £300

I'm struggling to find the Red rim brake shifters, and even then they're expensive at around £800 for the pair. However, the Force shifters can bee had for about £350. I can't see anywhere that says they're not compatible. Can anyone confirm they'll work with Red derailleurs?

If so that means I can build this set for about £850. I have batteries and a charger already, so can live without that.

I’m not going to be able to do that in this frame unfortunately.

Are you sure?

the frame is old and has no internal routing for wires

You're only routing a cable out from the seat tube, then down along the trad mechanial cable path.

What frame is it? You should easily be able to drill a small exit hole out the bottom of the BB, assuming there isn't one. Pretty sure I've drilled a water escape hole in every steel frame I've had that didn't already have one.

The whole issue does bring the obsolescence thread to light though doesn't it?

It’s a 2012 carbon Storck that had external cable guides that I had removed when I had it painted a few years ago.
I’m not keen on the thought of drilling into Carbon

It's a pretty beefy BB.
Might be worth asking a pro for their take. I wonder if you could sacrifice the 2nd bottle and then route through on of the bottle boss holes?

I have bought an absolute bargain full 1x12 SX groupset from FB but everyone seems to be down on the shifter and derailleur performance. Is there any point setting up the derailleur or shall I install look out for a GX replacement mech and shifter?

Do I need the sram b gap tool or is there a hack to go by eye? There are some 3d printed ones on ebay, any good or just go for the manufacturer one?

So many questions........

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Can Dura Ace R9100 chainrings fit onto a R8000 crankset? I'm not bothered about looks, just want it to work.

Apparently force D1 shifters are compatible with old etap. Not so sure what are you using new and what old.
Just be aware that if you go full axs you'll need chainset, chain, cassette and a XDR freehub. It gets expensive very quickly

Aha, this is useful and what I was struggling to work out.

So, my current plan will almost certainly not work?

Keep my 11 speed P2Max chainset
Keep my Red etap 11 speed FD
Buy new Force AXS D1 Shifters
Buy new Force AXS D2 RD
Buy new 12 speed chain and cassette
Ride my bike

I had a similar issue with my eTap 11 speed RD a short time ago @TTM (suddenly died completely).

I picked a VGC one off eBay for £230. They are out there for semi-reasonable prices, but it’s definitely a matter of timing.

Flattop chain won't work with 11sp chainrings. Or it will, just not great?
If it was me I'd buy the silly money red 11sp derailleur and squeeze some more miles of the groupset