Does anyone already have Shimano Ultegra 8100 Di2 2x12 shifters and drivetrain, and can tell me what the difference in brake/shift lever feel is compared to the new SRAM AXS 2x12 Rival and Force brake/shift levers? I was going to swap from the older SRAM force AXS D1 to Ultegra 8100, but now I also need to consider going to the new SRAM shifters instead. I find the SRAM D1 shift/brake levers very UNcomfortable. I have GRX on my gravel bike and those are more comfortable for me. No one in town has any of the new SRAM yet (and probably won’t ever since I live in a college town and they don’t really sell high end bikes). I would need to drive 100 miles to feel what the new SRAM levers feel like and compare them with Shimano, so I’m hoping to hear your opinions instead.
I should add that though it would be a lot cheaper to upgrade the levers only with my current SRAM drivetrain, I’m not overly enthusiastic about the Force D1 groupset I have. I’ve had to replace the rear derailleur under warranty after only one year because it started shifting poorly in the smaller cogs, and the 2nd derailleur is starting to show the same problem. In addition the front derailleur sometimes throws the chain off in either direction. Lastly, the left shifter ate through batteries at a high rate for awhile. That problem seems to be magically fixed though. All in all, my SRAM Force 2x12 groupset has not been as reliable as I would expect. So that is part of my decision. I haven’t heard these reliability problems from other riders, but I sure did experience them. Thoughts?