SRAM Spills the Beans on New Road Group

News of SRAM’s new road component group has leaked out steadily since last fall’s Interbike trade show in Vegas. These reports, however, have been in the form of small rumblings. We’ve been on top of the news with several reports here on bikemag.com (including this excellent report by reporter Jarad Petroske, SRAM Bids on the Road Market ).



Now, just weeks after announcing their sponsorship of road racing’s elite Orbea team, SRAM has sent out a press release that spills the beans on several key details. First and foremost, the group will be known as “Force™”. The Force™ 10-speed group will include integrated levers, front and rear derailleur, brake calipers, cranks, bottom bracket, chain, and cassette. The entire Force™ group’s projected weight is 2138 grams.



The Force™ shifting system will feature a “One lever, one direction, for both up and downshifts” shifting system. In short, SRAM’s “DoubleTap” shifting technology, allows both up and down shifts to be executed by a single inward pivoting shift lever.



Double Tap shifting works with a single lever located directly behind that of the brakes. Push this lever in towards the frame once for a downshift and then in a little further for a shift up in the cogset.



SRAM states that their dedicated shifter/dedicated brake lever system will equal “No brake movement during shifts”. Michael Zellmann, SRAM marketing manager, explained the system in our previous report this way, “We didn't want to create what had already been done. We want to exceed what currently exists. The brains of any new group really is the shifting. We were really trying to find an economical, ergonomic, efficient way to do that. We think Double Tap shifting is it."

This being a high-level road group, it should come as no surprise that SRAM’s engineered the Force™ group with a focus on light weight. Though we do not have the complete group weight at this time, SRAM states (as evidence) that the Force™ group’s integrated brake/shift levers tip the scales at 307 grams, or as their press release puts it, “111 grams less than a leading competitor – that’s a 25% weight savings at the handlebar!”.



The company is also making pains to highlight the new group’s advanced ergonomics. Force™ features unique right and left “fighter pilot” style shift levers, which, according to SRAM, equal superior control.




The Force™ group will be made from a range of lightweight materials, including magnesium, carbon, and aluminum.



SRAM® Force™ in Action While no one in the media seems to have logged any miles on the new Force™ group, several pros have. SRAM has sign on to sponsor the 12-rider Kodakgallery.com/Sierra Nevada (KGSN) pro team as well as the Spanish Orbea team.



KGSN will race at major U.S. events including the Sea Otter Classic, Tour of Georgia, as well as the USPRO Championships. Orbea will also compete at Sea Otter, but will follow a European calendar including the Tour de l’Avenir and the Euskatel Bicicletta.



SRAM is rolling out Force in a phased fashion. The company predicts that both KGSN and Team Orbea will be fully equipped with the SRAM road kit by April of this year. Consumers will get their first opportunity to check out the new componentry at the Sea Otter Classic, which follows SRAM’s global launch in April.