Over the weekend, X consumer @MoBaohua posted three photographs of what seems to be the anticipated subsequent SRAM RED group. They present a really totally different hood and lever form, a streamlined and hollowed-out rear derailleur, and a tightly-spaced cassette. Learn our 2024 Predictions from a few weeks again. We aren’t too shocked to see it’s actually coming quickly.
Right here’s what we are able to inform up to now…
First, the disclaimers: SRAM has not introduced a brand new Purple group. However based mostly on timing and the age of the present Purple group, it’s very possible launching this 12 months. Second, they haven’t commented on the veracity of those photographs nor are they more likely to, that’s simply how this works. Third, the pictures are low high quality and we’re residing within the age of unbelievable AI picture era, so….
Is that this a brand new 2024 SRAM Purple eTap AXS that’s leaked on X?
All that stated, in the event that they’re actual, probably the most thrilling half appears to be the revised brake levers. Slimmer and shorter total hoods, much more so than the just lately revamped Drive and Rival teams, result in a really new lever form.
The recess slightly below the hood ought to assist it clear your fingers higher when braking arduous, which is a giant deal. The paddle appears taller, although, so it’ll be fascinating to see if that interferes with fingers on the drops. Equally fascinating is the apparently greater lever pivot location, which ought to give us extra leverage over the brake lever and permit for extra nuanced braking.
And that little rubber plug on the prime of the brand new carbon lever blade appears rather a lot lie the place we might discover the entry gap for a brake lever reach-adjust bolt.
Upgraded ergonomics?
After all, there’s no telling any of those are actual, however they do match patent drawings from mid-2023. These drawings additionally reveal a button on the within prime of the hood, which may permit distant management of a biking laptop. If it’s an AXS button, it may additionally (lastly) permit one-handed shifting in both course from a single shifter…one thing that we’ve wished for when making an attempt to carry a bottle, snack, or telephone whereas on a climb.
We’ve learn loads of unsubstantiated on-line rumors that following SRAM’s buy of Hammerhead again in 2022, that the brand new Purple group may also include a newly-integrated biking laptop head unit. So these may possible be the management buttons for these, with out taking your arms off the bars!
Lighter brakes?
The calipers seem a lot smaller, with a bigger hole between it and the mount, and fewer materials across the pistons. Mixed with the slimmer levers, these may very well be considerably lighter weight than earlier than, serving to put SRAM RED again within the weight-weenie pole place.
The rotors look leaner, too, with deeper scalloping across the circumference, bigger vents, and far much less materials on the aluminum service.
Nonetheless 12-speed, however lighter MTB-inspired Purple rear derailleur?
The rear derailleur appears leaner, significantly with the cutout on the outer parallelogram. The burden-weenies are actually rejoining now!
That half doesn’t look to be consumer replaceable like on the brand new T-Sort Transmission MTB derailleur, primarily as a result of the rear-ward pivot sits contained in the B-knuckle, not outdoors.
Two options actually stand out, although:
- It’s not UDH – it’s utilizing a regular derailleur bolt attachment, not a concentric one like Transmission. This makes us suppose UDH continues to be primarily a gravel and MTB factor in SRAM’s eyes. However highway bikes will stay centered on the lightest attainable weights. The inclusion of excessive/low restrict screws reinforces this notion.
- Bigger decrease pulley – This seems to have a 14-tooth decrease pulley with the identical breakaway design as T-Sort. We really feel just like the breakaway facet appears much less vital for highway. However we do like that it’s larger. Larger wheels imply much less resistance, simply ask each aftermarket cage maker.
The angled view of this cassette makes the primary six cogs seem a lot nearer than the present cassette, however each share 1-tooth jumps for the primary six cogs with a 33-tooth large cog. Present smaller cassettes get 1-tooth jumps for the primary seven cogs and we assume that’ll carry over, together with 2x chainring combos up entrance.
It stays 12-speed, however that chain appears to have big cutouts on the outer plates to avoid wasting weight. That’s one thing the present Purple chain doesn’t have, however the brand new Eagle XX SL does.
Ideas? Did we miss something?
What do you need to see from a brand new SRAM RED group?
Tell us within the feedback!
