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Carbon comes to SRAM for 2006 New
carbon fibre shifters |
Words and photos by Stuart Kernaghan
2005 isn’t even half over, but some companies are already rolling out their 2006 product. That includes the SRAM conglomerate, made up of SRAM, RockShox, Avid, and the company’s latest acquisition, Truvativ.
SRAM flew a bunch of media types – including yours truly – down to Truvativ world headquarters in San Luis Obispo, halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco on the California coast, for a few days of tech seminars, riding, and a look at new product that will be released by the four companies in the months to come. This week, we’re going to feature exclusive shots and info on new gear from SRAM and then Truvativ, and move on to RockShox and Avid next week.
SRAM’s reputation as a leading drivetrain component manufacturer is well established by this point, but the folks from Chicago aren’t about to sit back and chill.
The 2006 model year is going to see sweet revisions to drivetrain parts, most notably to the X-O line. This flagship shifter and derailleur combo has been available for about three years now, and both get a significant update for '06.
X-O trigger shifters are an entirely-new product – in the past, the only X-O shifter option was twist shifters. Rather than upgrading existing X-9 technology, though, SRAM redesigned the top-of-the-line triggers and in the process made a set of shifters that is miles ahead of the competition.
In order to take the X-O shifters to the next level and make a tougher, lighter, and more user-friendly product, SRAM tapped into the BlackBox Racing program, which in the past has been used to develop components like high-end racing RockShox forks. Steve Peat was involved in the development of these new shifters, and gave the engineering team at SRAM the benefit of his real-world racing experience.
The new SRAM X-0 trigger shifter for 2006
The first thing you’ll notice about the X-O shifters is the carbon fibre cover, which both reduces weight and adds to the aesthetics of the shifter. But there are other functional differences that set this trigger shifter apart.
One of the sweetest is an adjustable clamp that allows you to move the shifter body left or right by about 5mm – without removing the clamp from the bar – in order to fine-tune positioning once you've installed the shifter either inboard or outboard from the brake lever clamp.
The front shifter, set up inboard of the brake, but in the right mounting position -
Unscrew the 3mm plug, unscrew the 5mm bolt, move, and screw it all back together
Second is the adjustable pull lever (the large lever that pulls the cable and moves the derailleur from smaller to larger cogs). This lever can be moved within a 30° +/- arc and positioned closer to, or further from, the rider to set the starting point for the shift wherever you want it. Production models will have textured levers.
The bottom of the X-O - loosen the bolt and move the lever back or forward
The combination of these two adjustment features means you’re able to set up the shifters just about any way you’d like in order to accommodate hand size, grips, different brake levers / bodies, bar spacing, or personal preference.
There are a couple of other technological advances on the X-O triggers – Zero Loss Travel, which SRAM claims cuts the seven to 15 degrees of play at the lever it takes for the engage the shifting pawl down to less than one degree. That results in much more responsive, quicker shifting. You also get a re-engineered front shifter with a Cable Cradle that was designed to equalize the effort and travel of shifts from small to middle ring, and from middle to large.
The 9-speed shifter uses SRAM’s 1:1 actuation ratio, making it compatible with every SRAM shifter out there and Shimano front derailleurs. Weight for the X-Os comes in at 225 grams per pair.
Cable changes are simple thanks to the stainless steel wheel that holds the carbon cover in place. Twist off the wheel, which threads into the shifter body, and you can access the guts of the shifter to change cables or perform maintenance. One particularly nice feature of the X-Os - parts don’t go flying when the cover comes off and accidental shifts aren't the end of the world.
The 'exploded' view - unscrew the wheel, take off the cover, and pull out the cable (with pink tablecloth as an added bonus)
Other small details worth noting – four cartridge bearings (two on top and two on the bottom) to keep everything moving smoothly, positive clicks on the barrel adjusters, a raised edge on the alloy body that mates up with the carbon cover to keep out the elements, and Teflon-coated cables that come stock.
And then there’s the revamped X-O rear derailleur. As I said above, this derailleur has been around for a while now but SRAM has upgraded it for ’06 with three sizes and carbon fibre cages. The biggest benefit of a carbon fibre cage instead of aluminum, according to SRAM, is four to five times higher impact energy absorption, so the cage will move during an impact but won’t bend or break as easily as aluminum.
 The backside of the X-O mid-cage - raised edges for added durability |
To ensure the cage doesn’t get chewed up by the chain or trail obstacles, SRAM has used polyamid composite on the side of each plate, as well as building up the exposed external edges of the cage. You’ll be able to get the fancy carbon cages on the short and medium-length versions of the X-O derailleur; the long-cage version will have a CNC’d alloy cage. Weight is set at 210g for the long cage, 197g with the medium, and 192g for the short. |
In addition to the derailleur and shifters, SRAM is also offering other new drivetrain components. Topping the list are two new 9-speed cassettes, the The 990 features a new lightweight aluminum spider that is supposed to be stronger than similar products on the market. The red anodizing on the spider and spacer doesn’t hurt, either. The 980 brings alloy spider technology and benefits to the masses with a three-ring spider that is more than 60 grams lighter than a regular steel cassette. Both the new cassettes are available in 11-32 and 11-34 ratios. |
 Bet you never thought you could pimp out your cassette, did you? |
Other new '06 products from SRAM include:
- price-point derailleurs – the 8/9-speed SX 5 and the 7/8-speed SX 4, both of which are available in medium and long cages
- the SX 4 7/8-speed shifter
- the TRX Shimano-compatible 7/8-speed shifter
There haven’t been any significant changes for this year to the X-O twist shifters, X.7 or X.9 components, or the Shimano-compatible products, but expect to see more of the X.Generation and the 3.0 front derailleurs in stores.
The higher-end X.Generation is designed for a 44/32/22-tooth set-up, either 8 or 9 speed, boasts a forged alloy clamp, top or bottom pull options, silver or black finish, and comes in 34.9, 31.8, and 28.6 (with adaptor) clamp sizes.
Ride impressions of the X-O shifters and derailleur
One of the nicest things about media camps is the chance to ride somewhere different. This time, it was at Montaña de Oro state park, a series of what, from a distance, looked like rolling hills right on the ocean. Rolling hills turned out to be steep, skyward grunts, but it was difficult to get too cranky about things when the view was as amazing as it was.
The SRAM test track - it was a sweet cruise down to the ocean after that climb to the top, and then we hit the waterbars
We did two loops on the same trail – about a 45-minute climb up rock and hard-packed dirt trails, with a few flat stretches and some muddy sections to keep things from getting boring. Once we got to the top, it was a 15-minute run down, through a few rock gardens, some awesome bermed turns, and as mountain bike Hall of Famer and SRAM consultant Greg Herbold put it, “75,000 water bars.” It was a sweet little 4X-type rip that more than made up for the climb.
I didn’t do much with the shifter set-up to start with, but it didn’t take long to notice that they were really crisp. There was no slop in the lever, and shifts happened almost instantly – both up and down. Because of the type of trail we were on, you didn't need to do a whole lot of shifting but downshifts under load, from middle to small ring and smaller to larger cogs, were all smooth in spite of the sometimes significant loads I was putting on them trying to muscle up short little rises in the trail. After we got to the top of the hill and started cruising the downhill section, things stayed super smooth. Hammering through rock gardens, hitting the water bars, pedalling hard through corners, coasting, back-pedalling, there weren't any missed shifts and the chain stayed in the correct gear the whole time. Before we started up the climb a second time, I made some adjustments to my set-up. I slid the Juicy 7 brake levers - and consequently the shifters - closer to the stem, dialled the pad adjustment in a bit, and moved the shifter pods from the right mount to the left. |
 Wagon-train of editors coming down the hill || Photo © SRAM |
Everything was even better than before once that last adjustment was made, which was a pleasant surprise because I normally have to run my brake levers inboard and shifters between the grip and brakes to get everything spaced out the way I like it. I was happy with the neutral start position for the pull lever so I didn't adjust that, but it would have only taken a few seconds with an Allen wrench if I had.
Modest Bike's Ian Miller, showing them how we do it north of the 49th || Photo © SRAM
It will take some time on the new X-O shifters and derailleur to get a feel for how they work in real-world conditions, without the team mechanics there to make adjustments, but I’m impressed from what I’ve felt so far. The other thing I’m glad to hear is that there will be rebuild kits available if you auger in and destroy a shifter. SRAM is planning on selling the shifters as a pair or a right-only option.
Thankfully, you won’t have to wait for too long to get ahold of most of these sweet treats, with X-O shifters and the revamped derailleur scheduled to hit stores in June and cassettes in May; the X.Generation derailleur is out now.
Stay tuned for more new 2006 product from Truvativ later this week, and RockShox and Avid next week.
