SRAM Red launch

A carbon cage and Aerogide pulleys. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews

Small details, like the barrel adjusters, have been slimmed down. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews

Specialized with new Red. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews

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

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

Front shifting has taken a dramatic step forward. The group still comes with Gore's excellent cable system, too. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews

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

Shifter shape. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews

As with old Red, a long bit of housing for the rear derailleur helps shifting. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews

The redesigned ramps and pins on the chainrings help imrove shifting. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews

The built-in chain catcher. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews

The brakes are designed to work with wide rims, up to 31mm. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews

Texture was added to the hoods to increase grip. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews

The largest cog on a Red cassette is aluminum. The rest are machined steel. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews

The new cam-actuated Red brakes are slimmer, lighter, and work better. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews

The new cassette uses elastomers to keep noise down. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews

The Red Quarq crankset. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews

New Red uses the same chain, but everything else has been updated. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews

Laser-etched setup marks are used to ease installation. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews

The rear derailleur drops weight and is more user friendly, but is functionally very similar to the old one. Photo: Caley Fretz @ VeloNews

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