Sram XX - 10speed MTB!

First pics of Srams complete new high-end 10speed mountain bike groupset:

Claimed sub 2300g including disc brakes. The rear cassette will likely be based on the innovative PowerDome design of the Red road-groupset but modified for better performance in muddy conditions with a more open architecture. The 11-34 tooth range is unlikely to change much but the additional ratio in the middle will mean smaller jumps between gears, something racers always like. Other options: 26/39, 28/42, 30/44 at front - Cassette 11-32 and 11-34. Avids new “XX-Brake”:

To be available mid-year 2009.
source: wheelgiant.com.tw

Zipp unveils new drop bars

Zipp Speed Weaponry is releasing all new drop bars to meet the needs of the most demanding racers on earth. Building on its’ 20-year pedigree in carbon layup and design, Zipp has created some of the lightest, strongest and stiffest bars on earth in the SL, the SLC2 and the Contour SL. Completely redesigned graphics aren’t the only thing that set these bars apart. Zipp’s drop bars exceed the highest standards in strength and stiffness, passing EFBe testing with flying colors while setting new standards in comfort and ergonomics.

SL – Super Light. Super Stiff.
The all new SL is the lightest and stiffest handlebar to pass the EFBe Laboratory’s top performance racing standard. No more wet-noodle flex in your lightweight bar. Weight: 165 grams. Drops: EB (ergo bend) (90 reach, 150 drop); TB (traditional bend) (87.5 reach, 130 drop), SS (short shallow) (84.5 reach, 128 drop).

SLC2 – The Do Everything Bar.
Massively stiff and capable of handling serious torque, 60% of this bar has a 31.8 diameter. It’s the perfect bar for massive sprinters or mounting VukaClips. Weight: 185 grams. Drops: EB (90 reach, 150 drop); TB (87.5 reach, 130 drop), SS (84.5 reach, 128 drop).

Contour SL – The Stage Racer’s Bar.
Comfort, ergonomics, stiffness and aerodynamics rolled into one. The airfoil top is not just aerodynamic but it also makes it the most comfortable bar Zipp has ever designed. Weight: 185 grams. Drops: TB (87.5 reach, 130 drop), SS (84.5 reach, 128 drop).

All bars are available in 40, 42, 44, or 46 cm (o-o); 31.8 clamp diameter

RockShox rolls out all new Reba

The popular RockShox Reba suspension fork is new and improved. First, Reba rolls out an entirely new chassis. As seen on several other RockShox forks, Reba now features Power Bulges that add stiffness, durability, and consistency to the chassis. The magnesium lowers now utilize a post disc brake mount. The hollow crown is forged of a proprietary AL66 TV material, providing light weight with increased stiffness and strength. Upper tubes are constructed from 32mm, 7000 series straight wall aluminum tubes and then completed with a low friction anodized finish.
All Reba models are available for both 26” and 29” wheels. Both wheel sizes will also offer either a standard QR, or the all new Maxle Lite option based on the existing 20×110mm thru axle standard. With available travel from 80 to 120mm, Reba provides both wheel sizes with the options they need for XC and Trail riding.
All Reba models receive a brand new damper. Reba SL and Reba Race get a fresh new Motion Control, while Reba Team is upgraded to a BlackBox Motion Control damper. The new BlackBox Motion Control damper is built upon the foundation of the original Motion Control. It features a titanium spring tube as well as Dual Flow compression and rebound. External adjustments are detented. Crown adjust forks utilize a carbon fiber compression knob, while forks using a remote have a new ‘Nip-Tuck’ spool that hides excess cable for a cleaner look. All Reba forks will feature a significantly revamped Dual Air system. Improvements are focused on further reducing friction, while providing a more linear spring rate. Dual Air gives riders the ability to independently adjustable positive and negative air spring chambers. The result is a very light and highly tunable spring system.

What’s New?
• All new chassis for 26” and 29”
• Standard QR or new Maxle Lite 20×110mm thru axle option
• Power Bulges
• New Motion Control in SL and Race
• New BlackBox Motion Control in Team
• New Dual Air system
• Post disc brake mount
• Travel increased to 120mm
• Hollow crown in all models
• Detented controls on Team

Suggested Retail Price (USD)
• Reba SL 26” $475
• Reba SL 29er $504
• Reba Race 26” $509
• Reba Race 29er w/Pushloc $607
• Reba Team 26” $656
• Reba Team 26” w/Maxle Lite & Pushloc $741
• Reba Team 29er $686
• Reba Team 29er w/Maxle Lite $701

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.

Breaking News: SRAM acquires Zipp

Chicago, IL, September 21: SRAM and Zipp announced today that they have signed a Non-Binding Letter of Intent for SRAM to acquire Zipp. The acquisition is expected to be completed within 60 days. Stan Day, CEO of SRAM says: “Zipp is a great company and respected brand, with a strong management team, advanced technology and superb manufacturing capability.”

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Rock Shox SID 2008

Video about the new SID for 2008!

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.

New carbon SRAM TT shifters & brake levers

The lightest TT set on the Pro tour: 237g.

SRAM, have already taken Road shifting to the next level with two innovative groupsets: SRAM Force and SRAM Rival. To further complete the product range and answer Time Trial and Triathlon needs, SRAM has developed state of the art TT shifters and brake levers. Featuring the highest quality materials and breathtaking design, the new SRAM TT shifters are the only shifters on the market using full carbon fiber levers. With black and red anodized aluminium plugs, the pair of shifters weighs is at an incredible 138g. To maintain quality shifts across a variety of chainring sizes, front shifting is operated on a friction mode; while the rear shifter is indexed to maintain precise and rapid shifts in all circumstances. An internal mounting system is used to make sure the new SRAM TT shifters can fit all industry standard TT bars. Only compatible with SRAM Force and Rival rear deraillleurs, SRAM’s new TT shifters will offer high performance to anyone driven to beat the wind. To match the TT shifters to perfection, SRAM offers for the very first time TT brake levers. The sleek design combined with a full carbon fiber blade drop the weight to an incredible 99g for the pair. The very low profile and extremely light blade, does not compromise on strength or durability. The ergonomic full carbon lever maintains the natural hand position while offering you a comfortable feel for enhanced control. Product available in June 2007.

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Sram - EXPANDED RECALL NOTICE

FORCE REAR BRAKE ADDED TO RECALL

SRAM has learned that some SRAM Force Front and Rear road brake calipers may have faulty titanium mounting bolts. This issue has since been corrected, and does not affect ALL Force Front and Rear brake caliper pivot bolts. SRAM will replace any Force Front and Rear brake caliper assemblies produced within the specified time frame noted below.
Do not use bicycle until both Front and Rear Force brake calipers have been replaced.

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Sram Force Front Brake Recall!

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