Amgen tour of California 2012

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2012 SRAM Red - Full details

  • Mounted on a matte black bike, SRAM's new Red group certainly lends a stealthy look.

    Mounted on a matte black bike, SRAM's new Red group certainly lends a stealthy look.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • SRAM sticks with the familiar GXP spline interface for the non-driveside crankarm.

    SRAM sticks with the familiar GXP spline interface for the non-driveside crankarm.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The new front derailleur stays the same weight as before but boasts a stiffer structure for better shifts plus clever pivot geometry that all but eliminates the need for trim.

    The new front derailleur stays the same weight as before but boasts a stiffer structure for better shifts plus clever pivot geometry that all but eliminates the need for trim.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The parallelogram pivots in the new front derailleur aren't actually parallel. By angling them relative to each other, SRAM engineers were able to tune in a bit of rotational movement as the cage moves through its range to help eliminate chain rub.

    The parallelogram pivots in the new front derailleur aren't actually parallel. By angling them relative to each other, SRAM engineers were able to tune in a bit of rotational movement as the cage moves through its range to help eliminate chain rub.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The new SRAM Red front derailleur is built with a stiffer mixed-material cage (aluminum outer plate, steel inner) that more closely follows the shape of the outer chainring.

    The new SRAM Red front derailleur is built with a stiffer mixed-material cage (aluminum outer plate, steel inner) that more closely follows the shape of the outer chainring.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Aluminum and titanium adjuster screws and anchor bolts help keep the weight down to a claimed 72g for the new front derailleur.

    Aluminum and titanium adjuster screws and anchor bolts help keep the weight down to a claimed 72g for the new front derailleur.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Textured hood surfaces offer up a more secure grip than before.

    Textured hood surfaces offer up a more secure grip than before.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The heavily relieved lever body helps trim weight down to 260g a pair - down 58g from the current version.

    The heavily relieved lever body helps trim weight down to 260g a pair - down 58g from the current version.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Brake lever reach is adjusted via an easily accessible Allen head bolt.

    Brake lever reach is adjusted via an easily accessible Allen head bolt.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The new SRAM Red DoubleTap levers feature a slightly smaller body girth, a bigger bump up top, and slightly longer brake lever blades.

    The new SRAM Red DoubleTap levers feature a slightly smaller body girth, a bigger bump up top, and slightly longer brake lever blades.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • As before, the shift paddles and brake lever blade reach are independently adjustable.

    As before, the shift paddles and brake lever blade reach are independently adjustable.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Shift paddle reach is now adjusted via a convenient Allen head bolt instead of the previous version's awkward cam.

    Shift paddle reach is now adjusted via a convenient Allen head bolt instead of the previous version's awkward cam.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The new SRAM Red rear derailleur sheds 12g from the current version but retains the same precise movement.

    The new SRAM Red rear derailleur sheds 12g from the current version but retains the same precise movement.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The cable anchor on the rear derailleur is tucked a little tighter into the body for a cleaner look. Carrying over from last year's Red is SRAM's precise Exact Actuation geometry.

    The cable anchor on the rear derailleur is tucked a little tighter into the body for a cleaner look. Carrying over from last year's Red is SRAM's precise Exact Actuation geometry.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The carbon fiber outer pulley cage plate provides a generous canvas for a big SRAM logo.

    The carbon fiber outer pulley cage plate provides a generous canvas for a big SRAM logo.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • SRAM sticks with the familiar GXP spline interface for the non-driveside crankarm.

    SRAM sticks with the familiar GXP spline interface for the non-driveside crankarm.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The standard SRAM Red crankarms feature marginally lighter weights but a much stiffer spider for reduced chainring flex.

    The standard SRAM Red crankarms feature marginally lighter weights but a much stiffer spider for reduced chainring flex.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • SRAM has now integrated a Red-labeled QuarQ power meter into the group for 2013.

    SRAM has now integrated a Red-labeled QuarQ power meter into the group for 2013.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • SRAM sticks with its long-running GXP bottom bracket design for non-BB30 cranks. Critics may scoff given past bearing issues but the latest models have much lower friction and their updated Gutter seals have been holding up quite well.

    SRAM sticks with its long-running GXP bottom bracket design for non-BB30 cranks. Critics may scoff given past bearing issues but the latest models have much lower friction and their updated Gutter seals have been holding up quite well.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • SRAM moves away from a traditional dual pivot layout in favor of a cam-actuated design for the new Red brakes.

    SRAM moves away from a traditional dual pivot layout in favor of a cam-actuated design for the new Red brakes.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The new brakes feature a four-position quick-release lever integrated into the barrel adjuster. Independent spring tension adjustments allow for easy centering, too.

    The new brakes feature a four-position quick-release lever integrated into the barrel adjuster. Independent spring tension adjustments allow for easy centering, too.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The AeroLink looked dangerous spindly in preview shots but it's actually a stout piece of aluminum. Hidden in between the black and dark grey bits pictured here is a small steel link.

    The AeroLink looked dangerous spindly in preview shots but it's actually a stout piece of aluminum. Hidden in between the black and dark grey bits pictured here is a small steel link.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Cam-actuated single-pivot brakes can sometimes be tough to center but SRAM has tackled that issue with independent spring tension adjusters on each side.

    Cam-actuated single-pivot brakes can sometimes be tough to center but SRAM has tackled that issue with independent spring tension adjusters on each side.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The milled-out aluminum pad holders are lightweight. SwissStop pads will come as standard equipment.

    The milled-out aluminum pad holders are lightweight. SwissStop pads will come as standard equipment.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • SRAM moves away from a traditional dual pivot layout in favor of a cam-actuated design for the new Red brakes.

    SRAM moves away from a traditional dual pivot layout in favor of a cam-actuated design for the new Red brakes.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Deep cross-sections front-to-back combat flex under hard braking.

    Deep cross-sections front-to-back combat flex under hard braking.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The new cassette is once again milled almost entirely from a single block of steel but it's much more aggressively cut away like SRAM's XX unit to shed about 30g. Elastomer rings set in between each set of cogs helps keep things quiet.

    The new cassette is once again milled almost entirely from a single block of steel but it's much more aggressively cut away like SRAM's XX unit to shed about 30g. Elastomer rings set in between each set of cogs helps keep things quiet.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The largest cog is made of machined aluminum and is pressed into place.

    The largest cog is made of machined aluminum and is pressed into place.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • SRAM's familiar 10-speed chains will carry over for 2013.

    SRAM's familiar 10-speed chains will carry over for 2013.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • One unexpected addition is this tidy chain catcher, which is integrated into the front derailleur mounting assembly and rigidly fixed in place.

    One unexpected addition is this tidy chain catcher, which is integrated into the front derailleur mounting assembly and rigidly fixed in place.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The small adjuster screw just to the left of the mounting bolt both adjusts the position of the chain catcher and fixes it in place.

    The small adjuster screw just to the left of the mounting bolt both adjusts the position of the chain catcher and fixes it in place.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The new chainrings are noticeably stiffer than previous standard Red rings for improved shifting. The solid outer face is reminiscent of the TT-specific rings that many SRAM-sponsored pros opted to use even on their road bikes. Note the hidden fifth chainring bolt, too.

    The new chainrings are noticeably stiffer than previous standard Red rings for improved shifting. The solid outer face is reminiscent of the TT-specific rings that many SRAM-sponsored pros opted to use even on their road bikes. Note the hidden fifth chainring bolt, too.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Elastomer-coated pulleys help decrease drivetrain noise.

    Elastomer-coated pulleys help decrease drivetrain noise.

    Photo credit © James Huang