SRAM Red 2024: With the redesign of the professional components, SRAM has completed the revision of its racing bike program. And the new Red almost makes young component groups like last year's Force look a bit old...
The SRAM Rival AXS introduced in 2021 was a big surprise. At number three in the range, the US manufacturer presented a newly shaped brake shifter that was significantly more compact and prettier than the handles on the more expensive groups. The electronic-hydraulic lever was also successful two years later on the new SRAM Force AXS, as well as on the SRAM Apex AXS as a 2023×1 gravel group, which will be presented in summer 12.
Of course, people were now waiting for a new Red - the parts manufacturer's flagship is now at least five years old. Now it's here, and SRAM hasn't continued what it started with the Rival in 2021, but rather redesigned its top group from the ground up.
Completely new handle with plenty of space for your fingers
The eye-catcher of the SRAM Red 2024 are the brake shifters, which are completely different from the 2019 model and also represent an advance compared to the current levers from Rival, Force and Apex. The handle body has become noticeably slimmer and appears longer; the brake lever is bent back more and the shift paddle is narrower and longer. The new shape is intended to solve a problem that users of the 2019 shift brake levers are particularly familiar with: Depending on the position of the hand, it can happen that the lever and fingers get in the way when braking. With the Red 2024 there should now be significantly more space between the handlebars and brake lever; Getting your fingers caught when braking or not being able to pull the lever far enough towards the handlebars seems impossible with the new shape.
The handle owes its slim shape to a new hydraulic pump inside: braking is now done with a pressure piston, no longer with a pull piston. This meant that the large “hump” on the handle body could be eliminated. In addition to the fact that the levers have become lighter - together they have lost 83 grams - the hand force required for braking has also been reduced: by 80% in the grip position and by 33% in the underbar position. According to SRAM, this means that you only need one finger to brake and can grip the handle or handlebars with the other.
In addition to the shift paddle, there is now a button per handle on the top inside, which can be used as an additional switching option. Alternatively, you can use the buttons to switch through the functions of a bike computer.
This works with the Hammerhead computer, which is based in the SRAM microcosm and is part of the new top group, but also with the various devices from Wahoo. Instructions for pairing and operation for Elemnt, Bolt and Roam can be found here: https://support.wahoofitness.com/hc/en-us/articles/115000134084-Using-electronic-shifters-drivetrains-with-ELEMNT-BOLT-or-ROAM
The surface structure of the rubber grips also serves as an assembly aid on the handlebars: the line formed by the lower edge of the grooves on the rubber should be horizontal, which then corresponds to a neutral position of the grip. The rubber grips are beautifully designed and fit into the cockpit really nicely both visually and tactilely.
Less manual strength, more braking power
The new brake calipers also contribute to the lower braking force. They are now stiffer and have been changed so that they grip over a larger radius in conjunction with the new brake discs. The rotors (140 or 160 mm) are only available with Centerlock fastening; There is no longer a red rim brake.
Rear derailleur with a new look, launcher with trim function
The rear derailleur is visually more delicate and has also become a few grams lighter. It is now available in just one length and can shift cassettes with up to 36 teeth. The new aluminum-plastic pulleys now have 14 teeth instead of twelve, which, according to SRAM, is primarily for aesthetic reasons, but should also allow the chain to run a little more smoothly. What has remained unchanged is the Orbit liquid damper instead of a spring.
The point of criticism at SRAM has always been the function of the front derailleur, which is of course better than its reputation. The changer in the SRAM Force AXS has already undergone a “running change”; The crux of the matter remains the exact alignment, for which there is now a new assembly tool. As before, however, you can only use this if the chain is dismantled. The new front derailleur is designed for chainring combinations 46/33 to 56/43 teeth - so professional teams do not need a special thrower for their extremely large chain wheels. The launcher has an electronic trim function; The screws for determining the outer and inner stops have finally been marked H and L, respectively, so that they are not constantly confused when adjusting.
Now also 160 cranks
The bottom bracket of the new Red has hardly changed visually. As before, the chainrings come as a one-piece combination in the gradations 50/37, 48/35 and 46/33 (plus 52/39, 54/41 and 56/43 for the professional teams). The cranks, which have become a total of 29 grams lighter, are available in lengths of 160, 165, 167,5, 170, 172,5 and 175 mm. There is also a power meter that is now even better integrated into the chainring combination and which SRAM certifies a measurement accuracy of +/- 1,5%. The crankset can also be equipped with a mono chainring (48 or 50 teeth), which is available with or without a power meter.
The transmission includes four cassettes: 10-28, 10-30, 10-33 and 10-36. The last two have already been available, but not with the Red. The power is transmitted using a hollow pin chain that has been lightened by 13 grams. Chain and cassettes are also available in the iridescent rainbow version. Also part of the new group is its own cycling computer: a Hammerhead Karoo with a “smartphone quality” display that is tailored for optimal connectivity with SRAM products.
The lightest electronic groupset?
SRAM describes the new Red as the “lightest electronic group of all time” and specifies a weight of 2.496 grams for the complete group with power meter (172,5 crank, 48/35, 10-28 cassette, including batteries). This should correspond to a weight reduction of at least 153 grams compared to the old Red. It hasn't necessarily become more expensive: the 2×12 group without a power meter costs almost exactly 3.700 euros; Add to that the rotors (approx. 240 euros), as well as the chain and cassette, which in the new version are dizzyingly expensive at 110 and 525 euros (Rainbow). A price for the complete group including Hammerhead has not yet been determined; the power meter chainring combination costs 895 euros.
What's practical is that the Red 2024 is completely backwards compatible - if you're particularly interested in the new levers, they're included for two times 755 euros (shift lever including brake base and cable, without rotor). As of today, May 15, 2024, the new group should already be available - as soon as a test sample is available, Velomotion.de will take another look at the matter.