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Sram release their flagship road groupset for 2012 with the improvements all round. 
With Shimano concentrating on their Di2 electronic shifting and looking towards 11 speed, Campagnolo going down the 11 speed road and following Shimano into the electronic path, Sram have decided to differentiate it's self from the pack and stick with the 10 speed mechanical setup. A smart move from Sram with all efforts to improve the Red groupset. First signs look as though they have accomplished their goals on every level. Starting with the Shifters, although sticking with the same Sram double tap and feel the hoods are shorter with new grip section on top and higher raised section above the lever pivot. The brake lever blades are longer and the shifter lever reach adjustment has been simplified away from the cam rotator to an easy use 2.5mm allen key adjuster. The front derailleur is where some the Sram engineers have done one of the biggest improvements. The new design allows for a new Yaw system that eliminates the need for shifter trim. The Yaw system actually pivots the derailleur so it keeps in line with the chain regardless of the gear you select. Aluminium and steel have been used instead of the current titanium cage and it's beefed up design is said to be stronger with less flex and with a built in chain catcher, dropping the chain looks to be a thing of the past. The Crankset and chainrings also see a vast improvement in both the strength and stiffness compartment. Sram claim that the stiffness is higher than the bench mark Shimano Dura Ace. A complete hollow crank construction matched with X - Glide chainrings and the Yaw front derailleur are said to deliver seamless gear changes. The rear derailleur also sees so nice subtle improvements with New AeroGlide jockey wheels for silent performance and a process Campagnolo have used for a while now. The cage and body have been redesigned to improve the cassette clearance and improve the ability so a larger 28t cassette spread can be used. The new larger carbon cage allows for Sram to advertise their logo and a hollow titanium anchor bolt to shed the weight even further. The cassette improvements have taking ideas from the XX groupset to produce what Sram call the Powerdome X. The middle eight cogs are manufactured form a single block of tool steel, with a Stealthring elastomer between each cog and an aluminium large cog. This combination it said to have silent operation and weighs less than a titanium cassette. The chain has heavily chamfered outer plates for improved shifting and quieter running. Still using the Sram power link system to join the chain the claimed weight comes in at 255 grams for 114 links. The brakes have seen a new radical redesign with the use of a cam for extra power and modulation has been used. A steel internal piece operating the cam is housed in the aluminium body. Brake caliper alignment is made easier with spring tension adjusters on either side of the brake. The new aerodynamic body and Aero indexed 4 position quick release produces less drag allowing it to cut through the air better. Sram now are testing hydraulic rim and disc brakes but will not be seen in this groupset yet. So the big question? has Sram done a clever thing sticking with mechanical 10 speed and bringing the weight down to the lightest groupset on the market, with a claimed 1739grams (BB30) and 214grams over the current Red groupset? With a price increase and tough competition from Shimano and Campagnolo's flag groupsets the improvements have to be nailed first time with no teething problems. The pressure is on Sram trying to gorge its own path here but if successful and with great pre-testing feedback Sram will gain extra support form its current lovers and the weight conscious riders will be attracted to jump ship and follow the Sram wagon. Claimed weights SRAM Red: 1953g SRAM Red (2012/13): 1739g (BB30) Campagnolo Super Record EPS: 2098g Super Record Mech: 1875g Record EPS: 2184g Record Mech: 1974g Shimano DA Di2: 2219g DA Mech: 2149g Ultegra Di2: 2482g Ultegra Mech: 2402g So the new SRAM Red is 136g lighter than the next closest groupset (SR Mech). We will see our first group sets available in Australia Early - Mid March 2012 !!!! Get your orders in, this will be a sort after product for mid season bike upgrades. http://www.bikeology.com.au/contact-us to pre-order.
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