At Eurobike 2015, SRAM unveiled its long-awaited electronic wireless drivetrain, named SRAM RED eTAP. At Interbike 2015, Cyclocross Magazine had one of the first rides on the new drivetrain. While the first test was on a Focus road bike equipped with road tires, you can be sure of one thing: I was evaluating the SRAM RED eTAP componentry on their cyclocross and gravel-worthiness. Maybe you've read a few words already about the group on road-oriented websites, but we sought to bring a cyclocross and gravel-dirtied lens to view the new electronic and wireless group.
The SRAM RED eTAP electronic / wireless drivetrain shares the same type of battery with the front derailleur, and controls all the pairing. Short cage only, max 28t for now. © Cyclocross Magazine
SRAM has its cyclocross-oriented Force 1 (formerly CX1) component group, and nearly all of its sponsored cyclocross athletes will remain on Force 1 this season, with a few notable exceptions, such as Wout van Aert riding with SRAM RED 22 mechanical at CrossVegas. But you can be sure that enthusiasts building their dream cyclocross or gravel bike, and racers looking to try the latest and greatest, will be anxious to test the new electronic group in the harsh elements of cyclocross and gravel riding. As CXM's resident senior bike geek, I certainly fall into that group.
On paper, SRAM's accomplishments are impressive, and there are a few attributes that separate it from Di2 and Campagnolo. The SRAM RED eTAP wireless system makes installation easy, quick and clean, eliminating battery or wiring placement concerns. Also, in typical SRAM fashion, the system also gives a nod to weight weenies, with a negligible weight gain over its already lightest-in-class RED 22 mechanical groupset (when you consider the weight of cables and housing with the mechanical system). It's also more than half a pound lighter than Di2 for a full component group. See the table in our slideshow for full SRAM RED eTAP component weights.
SRAM RED eTAP Installation and Maintenance: The Mechanics’ Dream Installation
Wireless and electronic components may instill fear in the retro grouch and occasional home mechanic when it comes to setup, but I can’t overstate how SRAM RED eTAP has instantly become my favorite component group to install on a frame, even though I haven’t even touched a single component with an Allen wrench yet.
Battery indicator lights on the SRAM RED eTAP electronic / wireless derailleurs and shifters. © Cyclocross Magazine
The wireless, cable and housing-less design makes installation on any bike so easy that it could easily save an hour of setup time for the anal-retentive mechanic who solders cable ends or attempts to seal housing and cable systems. Not having to measure, file, route and ferrule shift cable housing is amazing, and compared to Di2, you don’t have to mess with wire routing and battery mounting, which can be a challenge in modern, internally-routed frames.
Through a simple sequence of function buttons on the derailleurs and shifters, the components pair up, and remain exclusively paired until you need to change out a component. SRAM’s proprietary AIREA wireless protocol, with 128-bit encryption, helps keep the pairing secure, and free from noise from Bluetooth and ANT+ devices.
Maintenance involves mostly keeping the batteries charged, while typical moving parts would warrant a bit of lube (like pulleys). Batteries on the derailleurs are interchangeable, should deliver months of riding (1,000 kilometer estimate, although that’s a road estimate), charge via a USB charger in 45 minutes, and have colored LED lights that provide a quick indication of battery level. The shifters use a disposable CR2032 coin battery that is said to last for up to two years, and can be found at your local drug store.
Keep reading for our summary of pros and cons of the new group, plus SRAM RED eTAP specs and prices.
