SRAM has been leaking photos and details of their redesigned flagship Red group steadily over the past few weeks. Here's the teaser we've seen:
Details released have been somewhat cryptic, but there seem to be more than a few improvements. Launch is speculated to be in February of 2012, with the full range of parts likely being in shops by Summer.
The lever internals are reported to be the same but it appears we'll be seeing some textured hoods and user customizable padding, as well as a longer lever blade with a more pronounced hook. Shift lever reach adjust should be easier to access and it appears that the body of the shifter is lengthened slightly. The hook on the lever blade will be a nice addition, making braking from the drops a little more confidence inspiring. The shift lever adjustment was almost impossible to reach before, so moving it is a wonderful thing. I'm not sure I'm liking the graphics, but those are of small consequence. It doesn't appear that current generation hoods will fit on the new levers, which would preclude Hudz (which many people, myself included, love.)
The crank will feature hollow carbon arms, an aerodynamic styling, hidden 5th chainring bolt and stiffer chainrings. Shifting ought to be improved by the stiffened chainrings, and the design of the hidden 5th chainring bolt should also bolster chainring and crank stiffness. The aero design looks to provide greater ankle/foot clearance, and the hollow carbon arms should drop weight significantly.
The front derailleur seems to have a large number of changes. For one, the limit screws are now adjustable via allen key, as opposed to a tiny slotted screwdriver. It also seems to feature non-parallel linkages (the Yaw feature) that will adjust the cage throughout the throw in order to make it run more quietly. Supposedly it will also feature a steel cage (as opposed to the current titanium cage) to improve shifting response.
The rear derailleur appears to be basically unchanged, save for an update to the jockey wheels allowing quieter operation and longer lifespan. Really, there's not much to change out of a rear shifting system that works as well as it does.
The cassette will be very reminiscent of the 10 speed mountain bike versions currently produced. Heavily machined steel, reduced weight from the current Red model and much quieter are the big advantages being touted. One big question that remains will be the shift quality, of which Shimano seems to have cornered the market on.
Brakes appear to be a huge redesign. Gone is the double pivot design, replaced with a cam operated single pivot, very similar to Ciamillo's Zero Gravity design. In theory this design should allow for greater modulation and less hand fatigue during long descents. Details are fairly sparse and photos don't show much, so more will probably be revealed closer to the launch date.
On important thing to consider: SRAM has leaked little bits of information here and there that indicate the existence and imminent release of road/'cross disc brakes. Various web sources are claiming they will have mechanical and hydraulic discs ready for next year's cyclocross season, with road variants not far behind. Interesting to say the least, but who knows if it will catch on?
Overall, SRAM appears to be making some welcome changes to their flagship group. The one biggest weakness of the current model Red is the finicky front shifting, and it seems they've addressed this in multiple ways. Weight has dropped by over half a pound (reportedly anyway) and adjustments have been made easier to access, making the group more (easily) tunable than before. As for pricing, the current Red (black) group is selling for about $2100 for an 8 piece group with ceramic bottom bracket. Current pricing rumors put the new Red at about $2350 (no bottom bracket specified, no chain specified either.) Online retailers will probably be selling for a couple hundred dollars less 6 months after release, and the current generation's price should drop as well.
All in all, it appears to be a good bridge between the current technology and whatever they may decide to move to in the future. With Shimano's 11 speed Dura Ace coming down the pipe, it will be interesting to see where SRAM decides to go next.
