Syndicate rider Kirt Voreis gets ready for SRAM's big drop into the freeride/downhill sector
Rounding out its series of 2007 product launches, component maker SRAM unveiled its new range of components - aimed at the demanding all-mountain, freeride and downhilling segments of the mountain bike world - last weekend in Moab. James Huang braved the steep and rocky Utah trails to get the low-down:
SRAM introduced a wealth of MTB products at its Sea Otter Classic mini-event earlier this year, but noticeably absent were products designed specifically for freeride and high-end hardcore all-mountain riders. The company openly admits to being last to the party, but has clearly made a big effort to fill in the gaps for the 2007 model year with a second product launch held in picturesque (and borderline other-worldly) Moab, Utah. With the help of a few of its sponsored pros, SRAM unveiled three completely new long-travel single-crown fork platforms, a new freeride-specific brake, and updates to its drivetrain offerings.
At the top of Rock Shox’s new freeride lineup sits the Totem which offers 180mm of travel housed in a gargantuan single-crown chassis. Along with the new long-travel-specific Mission Control damper (see sidebar for more information), the new platform features 40mm diameter 7000-series aluminum stanchions, a forged Al-66TV crown, and cast magnesium lowers that are said to contain enough material to make two sets of SID lowers. The lowers are heavily braced not only in the arch area, but also around the lower bushings where a pair of Power Bulge reinforcements combat bushing slop and increase overall chassis stiffness. In addition, Rock Shox has integrated a set of SpeedLube ports that offer the ability to rapidly change oil bath lube as well as a clearly-defined disc hose mounting location on the arch.
Totem will be offered in coil, Solo Air, and 2-Step Air spring options with either 1 1/8in or 1.5in diameter aluminum steerer tubes. A refined Maxle 360 20mm thru-axle system is standard and all forks will come equipped with post-type disc mounts for rotors 203mm in diameter and larger. Weights range from 5.9-6.3lbs, including axle and full-length steerer. What’s the cost, you ask? Hope you’re sitting down as MSRP for the Totem will range from US$995 up to a whopping US$1150.
