Home > Feature Stories

Prototype Electronic SRAM Red Drivetrain Spotted!

100 Comments
Support us! Bikerumor may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More
Prototype electronic SRAM red shfiters and derailleurs
Prototype electronic SRAM Red drivetrain spotted! Photo: Von R Buzard, used with permission.

Spotted at the Illinois state cyclocross championships and photo’d by Von R Buzzard, this presumably prototype SRAM Red electronic derailleur and shifter could mean they’re finally powering up their own version.

Buzard told us he shot the photo without realizing what he captured, but thanks to an eagle eyed Bikerumor reader (thanks MacArthur!), we were tipped off to it (after it was first posted to VeloNews)and, well, here it is. Even at full res and full size, it’s a bit grainy, so there’s only the obvious to spout. First, it obviously works quite well cross chained, as does the current Red 22 group. Second, there’s a small boxy section at the rear of the derailleur that likely houses the motor. Lastly, looks like a battery on the stem, and possibly (hopefully) some sort of tie in with the Garmin computer on the front. That last bit is doubtful, but how sweet would it be for it to tie into Quarq’s (owned by SRAM) power meters and use that to highlight power output in different gear ratios. Hello, geekery!

Tap that ‘more’ button for closeup crops below…

Prototype electronic SRAM red shfiters and derailleurs
Photo: Von R Buzard, used with permission.

A bit boxier than Shimano Di2 and Campagnolo EPS, but who knows where it is in the development stage. We’re guessing close if it’s out in the wild, but we’re also guessing it’ll get a bit more streamlined before making its debut.

Prototype electronic SRAM red shfiters and derailleurs
Photo: Von R Buzard, used with permission.

These are mated to standard cantilever brakes, so it’s no surprise the lever hoods are pretty sleek. They still appear to have SRAM’s tall front poke, which I think is quite comfy, but the button nub looks pretty small. It’ll be interesting to see how they get around the other two designs. Could give DoubleTap a whole new meaning. Or, what if there’s only one button per side and it automatically shifts front and rear to keep the gear ratio ideal? Obviously, that wouldn’t be how it’s working here given the chain position, but still cool. And entirely possible from a technological standpoint. Of course, this is all speculation. So far we haven’t heard back from SRAM, and typically it’ll just be that they’re “always testing stuff”. Calls are in, update here if/when we get it. Official SRAM Comment: “Development product, no specifics available, no additional comment.”

Huge thanks to Von R Buzard for sharing the pics!

Now, let’s have some fun. Shimano’s calling it Di2 (Digital Integrated Intelligence), Campy’s got EPS (Electronic Power Shift). What do you suppose SRAM will call theirs? Leave it in the comments, keep it clean. Best answer (as determined by us and that we don’t have to delete for language) wins a Bikerumor pint glass!

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

100 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Daren
Daren
10 years ago

SRAM LTP (late to the party)

Hmmm
Hmmm
10 years ago

EDT – Electronic Double Tap. What else could it be?

Freddy
Freddy
10 years ago

Maybe learn to make your mechanical stuff shift first?

Lala
Lala
10 years ago

POS, Positively Outstanding Shifting… I like EDT…

J Rees
J Rees
10 years ago

How about SRAM SPAM?
SRAM
Programmable
Automatic
Mech

🙂

brattercakes
brattercakes
10 years ago

@Freddy ZING!!!

I actually thought this wouldn’t happen for a long while.

brattercakes
brattercakes
10 years ago

I second Hmmm’s choice, EDT.

Hoss
Hoss
10 years ago

SRAM EMP. Electronic Money Pit.

Will
Will
10 years ago

SRAM HGH (Haters Gonna Hate)? It would be appropriate for Bikerumor commenters.

Given their history of distilling a feature to a short word or two (e.g. DoubleTap, ExactActuation, Yaw, ZeroLoss, HydroR, AeroGlide, OpenGlide, XGlide, XActuation, etc.), it would break from convention to use a 3 letter combination. My guess is that they will have some feature that sets it apart from Campy and Shimano, and that feature will be summarized in 1-2 buzzwords. I doubt they will just bring a “me too” product to market several years late — they’re going to have some unique feature that people will love or (in the case of BR) hate. Plus, they have to get around patents, and they are good at creating new features in the process.

So, perhaps they do have a smart shifting system that automatically puts you in the right gear to maintain ratios? It may not be seen in this picture because there might not even be a front derailleur on that bike. So, I’ll go with XTap, even though I’m sure they will do better.

Disclosure: I like SRAM.

Teddy
Teddy
10 years ago

Looks like Freddy didn’t go to school and learn how to set up his gears properly.

endurobob
endurobob
10 years ago

SRAM DoubleZap (get it? get it?)

Chris
Chris
10 years ago

SRAM WT (WireTap)

Sean Y
Sean Y
10 years ago

Just for S&Gs I hope they call it RipShift.

Ben
Ben
10 years ago

SRAM shifts fine if you have the ability to set it up right.

RideBeerSleep
RideBeerSleep
10 years ago

Sram – Redrum

MarkV
10 years ago

SRAM SRAP

Elliot
Elliot
10 years ago

Really putting it through the ringer there eh? I guess if it can handle that kind of cross shifting they must be doing something right.

gravity
gravity
10 years ago

@Ben – Yes, SRAM shifts fine. Unfortunately for them, everyone else’s stuff shifts great.

Also, Velo News reported this over a day ago.

Tommy
Tommy
10 years ago

SRAM MARS (Mechanical Actuation Really Sucks)

TJ
TJ
10 years ago

I’m guessing SRAM will use the term Actuation in whatever it ends up being called.
Electronic (Exact) Actuation? EA II?
Digital (Exact) Actuation?
X2 Actuation?
XXX Actuation?

Sean Y
Sean Y
10 years ago

Personally, I’m hoping they call it RipShift.

Jacob
Jacob
10 years ago

It’s the future so it was only a matter of time before they developed their own system. eSRAM is my name choice. I don’t think it will be double tap but it will be the lightest and probably not as good as Di2.

EG
EG
10 years ago

just in time for XTR Di2?! i still think mtb makes far more sense for electronic shifting… you could even do it with servos and a screw and lose most of the chain bounce.. instant chain retention

dub
dub
10 years ago

SRAM WROTW (warranty replacement on the way)

deboat
deboat
10 years ago

no disc brakes???? One step forward two steps back!

LULZ
LULZ
10 years ago

SRT =

SRAM Roubaix Technology

Wil
Wil
10 years ago

ET

Electronic Tap!
Electric Tap!
Spinal Tap!

William
William
10 years ago

SRAM HydroE otherwise know as SRAM HydroElectric

The new era of Powerful Breaking now joins blissfully smooth electronic shifting!

Ultraclyde
Ultraclyde
10 years ago

SRAM DoubleClick

dislivello
dislivello
10 years ago

Front?

fraser
fraser
10 years ago

I wonder if they release a working ‘Pro’-front derailleur after over two years?

And maybe they finally build a rear derailleur, that dosn’t collapse while riding…

ve
ve
10 years ago

I wonder what the weight is going to be line considering the biggest advantage SRAM had over Shimano in group weights game from the mechanical shifter design.

Dan
Dan
10 years ago

They should just recall it now…

LilJoe
LilJoe
10 years ago

The SRAM “I don’t have anything witty just give me a damn pint glass so I can drink some beer?” drivetrain?

dislivello
dislivello
10 years ago

S2ES: SRAM DOUBLE electronic Shifter

nobrakes
nobrakes
10 years ago

How about a specifec cyclocross version called double-cross?

Chris
Chris
10 years ago

SRAM ZapTap!! I want a pint glass….

Some Guy
Some Guy
10 years ago

@Teddy, So instead of coming up with a cleaver name you go out of your way to bash another cyclist. Real nice, real nice.

Yeah, the rider is cross chaining to hell and back. The race that this image was taken at was the Illinois State Championships. The course is in the open and right on Lake Michigan, it is a sandy course and that day had snow, wind and 20 degree temperatures. If you have ever actually raced in those conditions you would know that you don’t really worry about what gear you are in and you just go.

If the guy is still a fred…well, check out his results, they aren’t that hard to find. My bet is you’re not a CAT 1 cross racer who is not getting lapped by Tim Johnson and friends in National races…

jt
jt
10 years ago

Looks Like Mike Hemme racing…

Keith
Keith
10 years ago

I don’t own a skinny tire bike, but I’d have to guess it’s not a triple chainring right? So with a double isn’t it one of the features to be able to cross like that without any issues…… That’s how it works on 2×10 mountain set ups. Just sayin….. I’d also say the folks racing in those conditions are more of a man/woman than any of the haters….or even the non haters on here!

Credible Source
Credible Source
10 years ago

Industry secret! Sram’s development has taken awhile because they want to make a closed system. This occurred after it has uncovered that the NSA had hacked in to wireless power meters that were integrated with Di2 to spy on the training methods of cyclist that could be terrorists.

Mercury Bicycle Fit
Mercury Bicycle Fit
10 years ago

Elvis.

Dockboy
Dockboy
10 years ago

SRAM could call it ElecTap or DigiTap.

scott
scott
10 years ago

SRAM RedEye22PS

Robert
Robert
10 years ago

SRAM Spark ??
I think it could fit.

VonKruiser
VonKruiser
10 years ago

@Robert… SRAM Spark is perfect since they had Spark name in the past.

Zeb
Zeb
10 years ago

Sram, make it all black or all polished, no in-betweens. Then I’m down.

Dan
Dan
10 years ago

SRAM SingleTap
Only need one button for front derailleur .

Herbie
Herbie
10 years ago

Sram Me2

RAMBIS
RAMBIS
10 years ago

I will go electronic when it goes wireless. Now that would be awesome. Sram Red mechanical has worked great for me and still does. My guess is the Tech. is here. Get rid of the wires. Sometimes I feel stringed along.

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.