Was lucky enough to install Rival levers, brakes, ders onto Dan Smatz's
bike last week. Gee, it all is just pulleys and cables, very easy setup
with some observations.
-Must take a small cover off, held by three teeny-tiny screws, to
install the shift cable. The inner workings are fascinating. Little 'L'
shaped thingy does it all. Pushing the lever releases this thing from a
toothed disc, first click, smaller sized cog, push it a little farther,
second click, and it goes underneath the "l" shaped thing and pushes
the disc the other way, bigger sized cog...Very simple.
-The innards are servicable, with the only gotcha, according to Sram,
that the pin the holds the brake lever on, and must remove to get at
the shift guts, is a one use thing, ala chain pins. So have an extra
when you service these. Small sprtings and all other guts will be
available as small parts. Also have a few of the teeny 'just lose me'
screws that hold the panel on.
-The whole group is nice, functional but not as finished or refined, in
both looks and function, as those groups that is competing with, IM
humble OPINION. Rival is around the price of Ultegra/Centaur, Force
with the RD, lever and crank carbon, around DA/Chorus...I think the
other two maker's groups are a little more finished, refined and yes, I
know this stuff is not preproduction, and it will improve in these
areas, I am sure.