SRAM lineup for 2009

While everyone is trying to reveal the new offerings from Shimano and Campagnolo for 2009, SRAM decided to already unveil the product updates for next year during the Sea Otter Classics.

Let us start with the high-end group, the SRAM red. Many athletes in the pro-peloton complained about the group’s crankset performance and we saw many DuraAce cranks labeled with SRAM stickers, on Astana bikes especially, or bikes equipped with Rival cranksets. Obviously there was some room for improvement and therefore SRAM will offer a completely redesigned crankset in 2009. It features the increasingly popular BB30 standard and is supposed to be lighter ( approx. 100 grams ) and stiffer, also having a lower Q-factor than the predecessor. Perhaps SRAM could already benefit from their recent acquisition of Zipp while developing this crank in BB30 standard, which is also used by the Vuma Quad. The second innovation comes with two new offerings on the PowerDome cassette, which will be available in a 11-25 (11,12,13,14,15,17,19,21,23,25) and 11-28 (11,12,13,14,15,17,19,22,25,28) gear ratio respectively. We are still missing a cassette, starting with a 12 tooth sprocket though, but apparently SRAM does not believe, that many recreational riders will buy their top offering.

Riders needing time trial equipment will be able to get their hands on several new items for 2009, too. New aero chainrings ( 55,54 and 42 tooth ) with an anodized finish are introduced, already spotted in the pro peloton during this season. The lineup is further widened by new shift and brake levers named 500 TT. Former weighting 154g a pair, the latter weighting 16g more per pair than the original one, while replacing the carbon lever with a red anodized aluminum one.

Meanwhile some of the features introduced last year exclusively for red will be handed down to the force group for 2009. One feature incorporated is the full reach adjustment for both brake and shift levers. Also the Zero-loss technology for the front derailleur, offering a faster and smoother front shifting is new to Force. The shifters will feature a longer brake lever and an extended and widened shift paddle additionally. One last fact worth mentioning is, that the shift and brake cables can now both be routed on either side of the handlebar.

The most dramatic changes however are related to the Rival groupset. Most parts now have a new polished, black anodized surface, the levers receiving a new carbon brake lever, reducing the weight by 20g to 320g overall. All other features which are new to the Force group, have also been implemented in the design of the Rival. Furthermore the aluminum crankset receives a complete redesign with hollow-forged crankarms, shaving off a mere 40 grams. 110 and 130 BCDs are offered and even though the official press release states crank lengths between 165 and 180 cm, we think mm should be already sufficient. Have a further look at some live product impressions for yourself with the following pictures or see the stuff in a small video.

Astana to ride SRAM RED

Johan Bruyneel’s newly re-formed team rides SRAM’s new road group

In what might be the biggest ‘leap’ in cycling for 2008, the newly reformed team Astana, now lead by current Tour de France winner Alberto Contador (ESP), American Champion Levi Leipheimer, and Team Director and 8x Tour de France mastermind Johan Bruyneel, will be powered by SRAM road componentry.
Team Astana will be exclusively riding and racing the World’s lightest 1928 gram SRAM RED road gruppo, just introduced this past
September at Eurobike. While RED was launched as the most ergonomically refi ned and technologically advanced road group in the
world, with numerous effi ciencies and features, it was the weight story that caught Bruyneel’s attention. “SRAM has proven itself at the highest levels of cycling, but having the lightest gruppo in the World with RED, along with all the function and features, is a real advantage. They are making serious impressions in the road market and we would not consider partnering with them if it wouldn’t benefit this team (Astana) and put us in a position to win.” Astana General Manager Johan Bruyneel. SRAM’s Global Marketing Director, David Zimberoff, traveled to Astana’s Team headquarters in early November to finalize the three year agreement.
“Johan’s proven leadership and legacy of success was the perfect opportunity for us to demonstrate the pure advantages of our road drivetrain and, most specifi cally, RED. Prior to the agreement we had Alberto Contador and Levi Leipheimer testride RED groupsets and they gave enthusiastic thumbs up. That is the type of verifi cation that excites us at SRAM and we are truly looking forward to 2008,” stated David Zimberoff.

Sram Red - first pictures!

First Pics of the new Sram RED:

See Red.
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SRAM RED

First shots of the brand new SRAM RED:

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SRAM Red 2008

We´ve got an e-mail from sram:

The information and posting on this new group in your headline is an unfortunate accident and represents inaccurate as well as premature data on one of our developments.

So, we have agreed to remove the sensitive informations. We´ll get more informations a soon as possible.