Yes that's right, SRAM have introduced road equipment to their range. Campagnolo or Shimano for years was all you could choose from for your road bike, but now SRAM (who are more famous for their mountain bike kit) have brought out the Force and Rival Road Group sets
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Its nice to see something new in the road world, its been the same old two for a long time, now we have SRAM to look at, its new and should be in the shops now or very soon.
There are two groups in the range; the Force is top of the range, lots of carbon, alloy and a little titanium. The Rival has the same technologies as the Force but without the expensive carbon, both groups use a little steel.
The Technology
The technology is all in the brake/gear shifter, if you like the feel of Campagnolo you'll like the feel of the SRAM shifters, the mechanism is in the body of the lever, unlike Shimano which is on the lever its self, pushing the weight forward, which gives the actual lever a heavy feel, with SRAM the weight is more central making it more balanced.
SRAM introduces the Double Tap Technology, this enables the rider to change gear up or down with the one lever, so leaving the brake lever for just what it is made for, braking. Both the Force and the Rival use the same system for shifting, but with different materials.
The SRAM Force Group Set
If you are a keen racer or just like the best, this is the group for you. Carbon is used on the brake levers, the cranks and on the cage of the rear derailleur, titanium is used on the brake dual pivot bolts, everything else is alloy and there is a little bit of steel on the front derailleur.
Brake Lever/Gear Shifter
As I have said above, the technology is in the lever, the one tap system seems good, but we have to see how it works over time.
The beautiful carbon brake lever gives a feeling of lightness and rigidity, like Campagnolo all the cables are hidden under the handle bar tape, no untidiness there. Very stylish, well-finished piece of technology.
Crank set
A beautiful piece of carbon with a five-arm design in 6K carbon weave with a clear cote finish, a total weight of 665 grams. Hollow axle and a bottom bracket with a power transfer to take the strain from the off side to the drive side to spread stress and wear. The chainrings are alloy with a hard anodized finish, the bolts are also alloy.
Rear Derailleur
10 speed accuracy in alloy with carbon jockey wheel cage and magnesium linkage for strength and weight saving. The technology that SRAM used for their mountain bike gears they now use for the accuracy on this gear, 174 grams weight.
Front Derailleur
There isn't much you can say about front gears, but this combines the capability to change on a standard or compact chain set arrangement, comes in braze on or clamp.
Brakes Set
In my opinion the brakes are the only thing I don't like, they do have titanium bolts and they have a nice alloy finish, but I don't like the double top arm, maybe personal, they look a little bulky, but probably work well.
Cassette and Chain
SRAM chains have been famous for years for strength and durability also the PowerLock connecting system is strong and safe. The cassette is ten-speed and the sprockets have been shaved down to save weight, but not lose and strength.
The SRAM Rival Group Set
The Rival group set is based on the top of the range Force; using different materials, no carbon, but top class alloy saves money. This group set is for the sports cyclist who maybe can afford the top of the line kit, but still wants value for money.
Brake Lever/Gear Shifters
The Rival is just like the Force except the brake lever is made in polished alloy, slightly heavier, but very responsive and that bit cheaper. All he technology is there with the Double Tap gear change.
Crank Set
The Rival crank set uses the same bottom bracket as the Force, the rings are TNT coated alloy and the cranks themselves are the same design, but in hollow forged AL-6066 alloy. Weight for the cranks is 725 grams.
Rear Derailleur
The rear derailleur has all the expert functions of the Force, but yet again the money saving alloy over the carbon, 3mm adjustment gives you that precise gear change you need, strong versatile.
Front Derailleur
As before there is not much you can say about front gear changers, a mix of alloy and steel and comes for either clamp or braze on design, this one also works with standard or compact design chain sets.
Brakes Set
The brakes look the same as the Force set, these have titanium pivot bolts and are dual pivot design, but are slightly heavier at 290 grams, the design is the same with the double top arm, so I'm not so happy with the look.
Cassette and Chain
Again much the same as the Force, for many years riders have relied on SRAM cassettes and chains without any problems, hard wearing, light and durable, you can't go wrong with these.
What Do We Think?
All in all these two group sets are well made, well designed and use the best materials for the jobs they were designed for while also keeping an eye on the budget. With use we will see if all the parts will stand up to the demanding rider. Will this group set compete with the BIG two, Shimano and Campagnolo?
There is no reason why not, if SRAM can get them in the shops and maybe on some professional team bikes then people will want to buy it, there are a lot of riders out there who want something different, this could be it. SRAM has a nice little carbon frog in their adverts that asks will you make the leap, I think some will, but time will tell.
