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Analysis: SRAM Wireless Electronic Group | Cyclingnews.com

Finally, SRAM steps up their game and takes the technology lead.

I, for one, cannot wait for wireless components to remove clutter. I have absolutely no interest in wired electronic groups.

06SpiceRed

Ill stick with a wired gruppo like Di2 for now. Theyve got a lot of proving to do both in the reliability and functionality department especially with the success of EPS and Di2. Sounds like it means more batteries to charge and potential signal disruptions but it is an early product and it is very cool to see them join the banwagon.

TrojanHorse

How can they take the lead if they haven't even introduced it yet? As far as I can tell they finally got their mechanical drive trains up to par. It's nice that there's another choice and I personally like my sram but I would hesitate to call them "in the lead"

WhyFi

Sweet, soon you'll be able to hack in to your rival's groupset network and make them drop their chain.

therhodeo

Its SRAM so you can just wait till they just drop their own chain.

merlinextraligh

Back in the day, you had to reach over and flick their D/T shifter; technological progress is great.

merlinextraligh

Presumably that's why they're racing it at ATOC. If the prototypes survive a race season that's a pretty good test

Batteries are definitely an issue. However, it looks like the batteries in the shifters could be very long lasting Lithium ion. The shifters don't need much power, and likely you could have disposable batteries there that last a season.

That leaves you with 2 batteries, one for each derailleur. If those come on and off easy, and plug in easily to the same charger, I'm not sure 2 batteries is much more of an issue than one.

grolby

I assume that the shifters will take a 2032 or similar type large watch battery, these are more than sufficient for a low-power transmitter and will last roughly a season, no problem. That doesn't make the batteries a non-issue, though; four separate batteries is kind of a PITA no matter how you slice it, though a dual charger for the derailleur batteries would help a lot.

Regarding the hacking thing - I don't know much about signal technology, but encryption and pairing technology is pretty well-established. Nothing is unhackable, but I'm not too convinced that this is a big deal. Maintaining reliable signals despite interference is a much larger concern. That is, the thing MUST shift when you hit the button. If SRAM releases something with a reputation for dropping the signal, they're going to be in a world of hurt.

And remember that, while this looks like solid research, there's still a lot of speculation here.

Gluteus

It's SRAM. No need to hack anything; they will drop the chain.

pavemen

Can't wait for the other guy in the competition (or some other hater) to somehow jam the signal or cause an unexpected shift by messing with the signal remotely. Unless they are doing revolving codes like garage door openers.

Cni2i

I am all for technological advances in any industry. But I have to say that I am very happy with my DA 9000 mechanical gruppo. Buttery smooth upshifts and downshifts. Very dependable. No worries about battery life or charging issues. Keeps weight down. Clutter? With internal routing, really? I am not saying that the wireless concept is not cool, but I am not overly excited about it at this point in time.