SRAM - which groupset?

Last year, I would say definately Force over Rival. I did test both and Force just felt more exact, and distinct. With the updates of Rival this year, I'm not too certain... here's probably what I would do...

Front derailleur Rival
Rear derailleur Force
Brifters Force
Brakes Rival
Cassette Rival
Chain, I think they're actually one and the same....

would you say since 3 of the 5 were Rival to go with the 2009 Rival set

What's wrong with your 105 components?

nothing at all. I've got an old steel bike (sentimental - from my dad) that I've been meaning to fix up for some time, and instead of buying a group for it specifically, I figured I'd buy myself a new group for my birthday for my road bike, and move the 105 to the Dad Project.

Nothing mechanically, just toying around

Understand that older frames often don't have spacing for modern cassettes. They require freewheels with 6 or 7 speeds. You might have too small of a rear end (snerk).

that's a good point, I'll make sure to check it out beforehand.

It is currently 10spd equipped though, albeit dtube shifters.

CR1 + full Red = light as sh-t bike.

Go Red!!

this is the advice I don't need haha. Gonna be a really good birthday

I've got a mix of Red and Force on my Road bike. If I was buying a bike or frame and build kit right now, I'd do Rival. I have mostly S105 on my Commute/CycloCross bike. I find S105 to be fine, it's a bit softer feeling than SRAM and I do like SRAM better overall, but not enough I'd ever bother to change out a bike from S105 to SRAM.

BTW I like Shimano chains on SRAM better than their 1070 or 1090R chain. I have a nice KMC chain waiting for the current 1090R to wear. Figured I'd try KMC and if that does not run better than Shimano chains, I'll go back to Shimano next time.

what crazy prices did you get so that when I shop closer to the holidays I can say yes go for it?

Rival =