INCREDIBLE 1x12 gravel performance on a budget - L-TWOO GRT

The new L-TWOO GRT. An incredible value gravel groupset, but is it worth considering over Shimano and SRAM?

SIROKO CLOTHING – 10% off (automatically applied via link below):

My size and weight:
Height - 6ft 2In (188cm), Weight - 11.5 stone (73kg)
My sizes for Siroko clothing:
Jersey & Jackets – M, Bib shorts – L

In late 2022, a chinese manufacturer called L-TWOO debuted their brand new, and pretty groundbreaking series of hydraulic disc brake groupsets. They offer incredible shifting and braking performance, for a fraction of the price of the big brands like Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo. I have been using their RX 2x12 road bike groupset for the last few weeks, and the performance on the road is very impressive.

In this episode I will be installing and testing their new GRT 1x12 gravel groupset on my carbon gravel bike. It looks incredible, and has some very impressive specs, including carbon fibre brake levers, fully hydraulic disc brakes, and a clutch mechanism on the rear derailleur to prevent chain drops.

I go through the whole install from start to finish, give my thoughts on the groupset, discuss the cost and weight, and finally hit some gravel trails to put it through its paces.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Start
01:11 – Intro
02:33 – L-TWOO GRT overview
04:52 – Installation
06:05 – Bottom Bracket issue
08:44 – Giant Conduct brake removal
10:53 – Brake install
12:19 – Shifter install
14:38 – Fitting brake lines
19:30 – L-TWOO GRT - 2 small issues
21:57 – L-TWOO GRT - The good stuff
24:35 – Cranksets snapping!?
26:38 – Bonus crash test

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!!!

[TraceVelo]

*VG SPORTS CORRECTION!!* So massive thank you to Luuk Rutten and others in the comments for pointing this out. For the VG sports cassette I actually needed to use a spacer behind the Cassette to make it function! 🤦‍♂Apologies to VG Sports, I'll quickly throw together a video explaining this later!

[TraceVelo]

Also forgot to mention, the small issue that I had with the RX road version of this groupset (where the shift lever didn't return fully, sometimes blocking a shift with the thumb trigger), it's not present here at all! The shifting is basically perfect 👌🥖🥖🥖

[riemervandenhaak]

Hi luke, just a quick tip from a bike mechanic here ;), when working with hydraulics (especially bleader/removing a hydraulic system) take your wheels out the bike, and take the pads out. Then if some brake fluid spills, you dont ruin your pads/rotors. If you dont plan to reuse those, it does not matter ofcourse ;)

[luukrutten]

The cassette issue is simple enough. You are required to use the 10 speed spacer, required for mounting 10speed on 11 speed road bodies. The spacing of this 12sp cassette is based on the 10sp mountainbike body, which basically still is the same as the old 10speed road body. Mountainbike cassettes never required an upgrade of the spacing since the larger cogs can overhang on the spokes ( if the wheels are properly dished ). This means 11 speed mountainbike cassettes fit 10speed bodys ( also road bodys ) and so do the 12 speed cassettes. I am sure you have one of those spacers somewhere.

[maritimezombie]

Be nice to see you review the aluminum version of these shifters, see if they are any more durable.

[tree_Studio]

Sorry you fell and glad you didn't get hurt. I fell on my gravel bike once and smashed my knee cap. Couldn't ride for a few months. I love your pet duck you brought along for the ride!

[edmundhodgson]

Great stuff Luke. The larger numbers on the adapters are for mtbs as they start with 160's where as road bikes start at 140, hence the 20mm difference.

[noci]

Was looking forward to the groupset for a potential on a cyclocross bike, after seeing how easily the shifter snapped off I think its a big swerve from me especially for a cross groupset.

[MrThearijal]

Hi Luke, about the caliper adapters, 140/160 means it's for 140 front and/or 160 rear. 160/180 means for 160 front and/or 180 rear, so you can use the same adapter for rear or front depending on the rotor size

[moof]

I've been using the GRT groupset now for about 6 months, mostly pretty happy. I went with the aluminum version. The shifting took some getting used to after years on Shimano style, and after a while I really don't mind the difference. Shifting from the drops is easier with GRT than my R7000 for me at least. The shifting mechanism is not as crisp or refined feeling as Shimano, and the upshift has some phantom half-click feelings that can result in not shifting, or getting a double shift if you are not intentional. Braking has been issue free. The left lever has a void where guts would have been, and I wish they filled that up so your left hand sits on the hood just a little different than the right. The "butter zone" for the rear barrel adjuster just a tiny couple click region, and if I did it again I would add an inline adjusted at the front so I could adjust while riding. Overall it does what I needed with minimal fuss, and made for a nice build I don't mind getting muddy or beat up.

[brianwilson]

My eyes light up when i see you have posted another video Luke. Love your videos, and you are a very talented lad.

[tomahoks]

That chainstay design on the blue bike looks marvellous.❤

[lolbubs]

Sometimes the disk brake mounting adapters can be flipped the other direction to fit either 140 or 160 (or 160/180). The other orientation might put the caliper closer or further relative to the wheel hub.

[boyacki]

loving the work and damn, you would think that the redemption cassette would be checked before shipping! always fair to give a chance and the real time footage guides are so helpful.

youve mentioned that the groupset shifts smoothly and quietly, would you praise the cassette and/or chain?

im so sorry to see the crash!! so glad to see you didnt get hurt, unlike my face...thank you for the shout out!! got another week to recover but nearly there! really helps with confidence so thank you!

[mireia]

The crap getting in and not getting out is an issue also with original SRAM bottom bracket. I have also the same issue with wheels and so. Solution (or kind of) ... drilling holes for things to breath and dry. Otherwise the water ends up destroying steel/aluminum axles, bearings, everything.

[jonaqwerty]

And another amazing video from Luke. I got to say man you have become my favorite bike YouTuber. By far the most entertaining one and just spitting amazing review videos.

[roilev]

I LOVE the ZTTO 10-52 12speed cassette! I bought it for my winter alu wheelset for my XC MTB. I have the SRAM XX1 oilslick one on my summer carbon wheelset, but they look and work the same. The weight difference is minimal too!

[r.o.b_irl]

True to your word Luke, thanks for including the shimano / sram equivalent pads that fit!!

[danalec]

Great news, Luke! I was waiting this video to crack on and to replace my 105 hydrolic groupset. Thanks, mate! I hope China cycling is watching this video, because he wasn't fully satisfied with this groupset. 😉

[michaelmechex]

I'm really sorry about the crash, but also glad you're okay! Those deep ruts can be nasty. I've found moving my center of gravity a little bit back on the saddle helps me keep the steering steady on rough roads. I'd like to see how you go about getting a new brake lever, because I haven't seen any spare parts from L-twoo. Anyway, those cranks seemed a little bit too hollowed out to me, sadly, they were. In my experience the only way to get super stiff, reliable and light cranks is carbon. Aliexpress has been showing me some lovely looking carbon cranks from Racework, maybe they're worth checking out. Altough I got older Sram Force gxp cranks second hand very cheap, and they're amazing.