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EUROBIKE 2015 | SRAM news – bags of performance for little cash

03.09.2015
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Having already unveiled their mountain bike highlights a few weeks ago, the biggest piece of news to emerge from the SRAM stand at EUROBIKE was certainly the wireless road bike drivetrain. But with the mountain bike delights also on display, including the brand new RockShox Lyric and the Guide Ultimate brakes, we took a closer look at these affordable, newly launched products

Der SRAM-Stand war wie jedes Jahr gut besucht.
As expected, the SRAM stand had a legion of exciting new products to covet.

Met with fearful looks, the dollar’s exchange rate is certainly a taboo topic when it comes to the 2016 bike season, as the weak euro is leading to huge leaps in prices and bikes are set to become on average 10 – 20% more expensive in the coming year. But there’s a glimmer of hope, as manufacturers are now designing products that offer a substantial boost to performance for a price that’s never been as low before. The SRAM GX groupset is just one of these 2016 bargains, as is the newly released RockShox Yari forks and the low-cost X-SYNC steel chainrings.

The RockShox Yari forks

Over the past few years, the RockShox Pike has deservedly taken on the role of standard within the world of forks, but RockShox have now set the bar even higher and has launched its own competition against this super popular fork from two angles: first up is the RockShox Lyric, which errs towards the Boxxer fork to offer more performance on descents, and then there’s the low-cost Yari, which should breathe fresh wind into entry-level market.

Die neue RockShox Yari ähnelt nicht nur optisch stark der großen Schwester Lyrik. Der einzige große Unterschied: die Dämpfungskartusche.
The new RockShox Yari isn’t just similar in looks to the Lyrik, and there’s just one pretty significant technical different: the damping cartridge.
Anders als Pike und Lyrik verfügt die Yari nicht über eine Charger- sondern über eine überarbeitete Motion Controll-Dämpfungskartusche.
Unlike the Pike and the Lyrik, the Yari doesn’t feature a charger and instead takes a revised Motion Control damping cartridge.
Features wie die Torque-Cap kompatible Achsaufnahme sind bei allen Modellen identisch.
Features such as the Torque Cap-compatible mount for the axle, the high quality SKF seals and the adjustable air chamber (using tokens) are identical on all of the models.
Auch die Yari verfügt über 35 mm Standrohre, ist jedoch bereits für einen Preis von 730 € UVP verfügbar.
The Yari also has 35 mm stanchions, but comes with an RRP of 730 €.

SRAM X-SYNC Steel 1x chainrings

The new X-SYNC steel chainrings were one of the stand’s irrefutable highlights, largely due to its incredibly decent price of just 19.90 €. As a rider, you’re still treated to all of SRAM’s well-known features on these new chainrings, with perfect chain management a guarantee. The chainrings are available in two versions: a direct mount for the 28-tooth and the 4-bolt version for 30 and 32 teeth.

Die neuen X-SYNC Stahlkettenblätter bieten massig Features fürs kleine Geld.
The new X-SYNC steel chainrings offer tons of great features for a low price.
Darüber hinaus sollten sie vor allem auch im Bereich Haltbarkeit punkten können.
And they’re reputed to score highly when it comes to their lifespan.

SRAM GX drivetrain

We’ve been waxing lyrical about 1×11 drivetrains for the past year, and if you ask us there’s no need to ride with two front chainrings – unless, of course, you’re taking on a serious Alpine crossing or adventuring to the ends of the earth. However, even until now there’s been one disadvantage, namely that the world of 1×11 has had exclusive access only to those with sufficient pennies in their pocket. Or, at least, that was the case until SRAM introduced their brand new GX groupset. Uniting all of the familiar features with simpler materials, SRAM are able to launch this groupset with an affordable and attractive price tag, while still offering the same gear ratio as its more expensive siblings from the same company.

Auf den ersten Blick lässt sich die SRAM GX nicht von den teureren Gruppen im Sortiment unterscheiden.
At first glance the SRAM GX doesn’t appear any different to its more expensive siblings.
Erst beim genauen hinsehen werden Details wie die genietete Kassette sichtbar.
But a closer look reveals the riveted cassette.
Schick! Die SRAM GX-Kurbel weiß auch optisch zu überzeugen.
Nice! The SRAM GX cranks are a definite looker!

With the whole groupset retailing at 588 €, SRAM have succeeded in created an attractive entry-level groupset that boasts all of the advantages of a 1×11 drivetrain. During our testing the shifting was precise and the chain remained secure.

A glimpse into the future: SRAM eTAP gearing

Quite honestly, the new SRAM eTAP wireless shifting has no place in a mountain bike magazine, but just like the once top of the range XX1 groupset, the technologically advanced eTAP permits us a rare and exciting glimpse of the future. Will electronic shifting soon be at home on mountain bikes? Who knows is the current answer! With off-road riding posing a ton more demands on the bike than road riding, we are certainly excited and hope to see a more wallet-friendly entry-level version appear in a few years.

Eine klare Ansage: Time to shift forward!
The writing on the wall: Time to shift forward!
Der Akku am Schaltwerk soll nach Angaben von SRAM für mind. 1000 km Saft besitzen.
The battery on the derailleur should hold enough power for at least 1,000 km of riding.
Die neue eTAP-Gruppe schaltet nicht nur extrem schnell und präzise, sie ist auch sehr einfach zu montieren. Kabelsalat? Fehlanzeige!
The new wireless eTAP groupset doesn’t just shift extremely rapidly and precisely, but it’s also super easy to mount. Cable chaos? Nope, not any more!

For more information on the latest products from SRAM and RockShox head to: sram.com

Words & Picutres: Christoph Bayer

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