SRAM Red launch
- By Caley Fretz
- Published Feb. 1, 2012
- Updated Mar. 14, 2012 at 8:25 AM EDT
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Pulleys
A carbon cage and Aerogide pulleys. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews
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Barrel adjuster
Small details, like the barrel adjusters, have been slimmed down. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews
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Bike with red
Specialized with new Red. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews
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More space
The lever blades have been slimmed down, allowing for more room in between them and the bars. That means wrapping three fingers under the hoods is no problem. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews
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Shifter
Both the brake lever and shifter lever are adjustable. The brake lever curves nicely at to match the hood and drop touchpoints. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews
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Front shifting
Front shifting has taken a dramatic step forward. The group still comes with Gore's excellent cable system, too. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews
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Yaw
As the derailleur moves outwards, it pivots to better match chainline. No trim is needed, and shift performance is drastically improved. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews
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Shifter
Shifter shape. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews
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Long cable
As with old Red, a long bit of housing for the rear derailleur helps shifting. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews
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Chainrings
The redesigned ramps and pins on the chainrings help imrove shifting. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews
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Chain catcher
The built-in chain catcher. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews
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Brakes
The brakes are designed to work with wide rims, up to 31mm. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews
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Texture
Texture was added to the hoods to increase grip. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews
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Aluminum cog
The largest cog on a Red cassette is aluminum. The rest are machined steel. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews
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Brake
The new cam-actuated Red brakes are slimmer, lighter, and work better. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews
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Cassette
The new cassette uses elastomers to keep noise down. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews
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Red Quarq
The Red Quarq crankset. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews
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Drivetrain
New Red uses the same chain, but everything else has been updated. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews
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Setup
Laser-etched setup marks are used to ease installation. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews
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Rear derailleur
The rear derailleur drops weight and is more user friendly, but is functionally very similar to the old one. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews
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Red Shift Levers
The new Red shift levers have a much nicer transition from the bars, and more space for your fingers in between the evers and the drops. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews
FILED UNDER: Gallery TAGS: SRAM Red
Caley Fretz
Caley came on board with the VN tech department in September 2010. Beyond his journalistic pursuits, Caley is a category 1 road, 'cross and track racer, and pro mountain biker.















