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SRAM's revamped Rival group makes it an even better value with performance that nips at the heels at Red but at less than half the price.(Image credit: James Huang)
The levers receive the most complete makeover and save for the lack of Zero Loss internals on the right side, the feel is identical to Red.(Image credit: James Huang)
The new Rival levers get longer brake lever blades (now carbon) and bigger shift paddles, both of which are now far easier to reach from the drops. (Image credit: James Huang)
The brake levers are easily adjustable for reach via the small Allen head screw hidden underneath the hood.(Image credit: James Huang)
As with Red, the shift paddle is independently adjustable as well though it is accomplished via the same fiddly little cam.(Image credit: James Huang)
Rival also steps up to dual shift cable routing to accommodate user preferences or specific bar shapes.(Image credit: James Huang)
The cassette is carried over and yields very good shifts though it still can't quite match Shimano for overall smoothness.(Image credit: James Huang)
The front derailleur is a carryover unit as well (again, save for the new finish) and actually delivers marginally better shift performance than Red thanks to the stiffer steel cage.(Image credit: James Huang)
SRAM previously offered the hollow-forged Rival crankset as an optional upgrade but it's now standard for the group.(Image credit: James Huang)
It's just three little letters but the now-standard Open Core Technology makes the Rival crankset a much more viable contender.(Image credit: James Huang)
SRAM has also removed a lot of material from the back of the spider(Image credit: James Huang)
Chainrings are unchanged but still work well with their array of multi-shaped teeth and assortment of pins and ramps.(Image credit: James Huang)
Not surprisingly, the new Rival also makes do with the same GXP bottom bracket as before, along with the same could-be-better levels of seal friction.(Image credit: James Huang)
Save for the new finish, nothing has changed on the brake calipers…(Image credit: James Huang)
…but the pad holders get a subtle yet significant update: the pad fixing pins now come in from the sides instead of the top for far easier tool access.(Image credit: James Huang)
SRAM Rival has been a value leader since its introduction in 2006 and
The biggest changes are in the heavily revamped DoubleTap levers, which
The most noticeable effect of the changes on the road is easier
We can continue to live without Zero Loss on the revamped right-hand
Save for the new black finish, the brake calipers are carryover items
There are still no fine adjustments for
Other than the levers, the Rival crankset is the only major bit in the
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Weight-wise, Red still holds a sizeable 300g lead over Rival so while
Rival vs. the competition
Rival may be markedly heavier than Red, but ignoring
For example, Shimano’s 105 group is a near match for Rival pricewise
It’s a similar scenario with Campagnolo. Veloce is closer to Rival in
Rival’s biggest ‘rival’ may be big brother Force. SRAM gave its middle child the same lever
Screaming bargain
General debate over which of the three major component companies to choose will
Rival’s most recent updates now truly make it a Red group for the
