Prepare to be toyed with, again, SRAM's ready to tease us with more hardware
Previewed: SRAM Develops XX Group
Lou Mazzante
Could XX be a combination of a lower-geared 10-speed Red cassette with a lightweight version of the Hammerschmidt, plus all the other goodies from RockShox and Avid? Unfortunately we're going to have to wait to find out...
SRAM is good at marketing. Its quiver of brands (SRAM, RockShox, Avid, Truvativ) feature some of the best graphics around. The ads are great. Even their catalogs win design awards. The company is also pretty skilled at viral marketing and isn't afraid to tease riders in the hopes of building anticipation for new product. Well, get ready to be teased.
SRAM is developing a new cross-country group called XX that it will introduce next summer. The group reportedly will include parts from all the SRAM brands and be labeled simply XX. But we're not sure. So far, company officials are saying only that the group will feature some "amazing technologies" that will "exceed the demand of cross-country athletes."
So we're assuming it will be lighter, better, and probably more expensive than anything we've seen. But what about the name? XX? Could mean a bunch of things. Maybe it's simply the evolution of X.O. Or could the Roman numerals XX represent 20, as in 20 gears, as in a 2x10 set up. Hmmm, we thinks we'll take what's behind door number 2.
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If so, that raises another interesting possibility. Has SRAM developed a lightweight version of its Hammerschmidt internal transmission? The company only recently unveiled a heavier duty version of the system that allows riders to instantly shift between two front gears via a planetary gear system and a single chainring. The system was designed around a 2x9 set up, but would be perfect for a 2x10, if engineers can lighten it up. That might be less feasible than a conventional 2x10 derailleur system, but it's an interesting idea and you can bet it has crossed the minds of SRAM engineers.
There will surely be improvements to the cranks, brakes, forks and shocks, but given the name of the new group, we would expect most of the innovation to focus on the drivetrain.
Stay tuned. There's definitely more information to come.
What do you think XX is? Leave a comment below.
Reader Comments
Posted Thu Nov13, 2008, 2:37 PM — By Downhilldoug
The drawback for the hammersschmit system is that if you don't have the Iscg tabs on your bottom bracket it is virtually useless. On the plus side seems like a neat system 2x10 seems cool As for shifting and durability the jury is still out on that one.
Posted Thu Nov13, 2008, 8:33 PM — By okiecalvin
What does it mean? It means I'll be broke again next summer.
I'm glad to see the drivetrain innovate. Without SRAM change would be very slow.
Posted Fri Nov14, 2008, 1:17 PM — By Uphillmike
I agree with Downhilldoug. I'm for anything that is lighter, more reliable, and less maintenance, but SRAM needs to come up with a work-around for the iscg requirement.
Posted Fri Nov14, 2008, 8:12 PM — By Spandrew
Perhaps it could be a bb-mount (like an e-type front der.) version of the hammerschmidt, with a bunch of carbon and ti mixed in?
Posted Tue Nov18, 2008, 5:42 PM — By Chris
The hammerschmit drawback everybody overlooks is the effect the small ring has on most suspension designs. Almost all the designs out there have a substantial amount of pedal jack in the small ring. I'd be all over the system if it used a middle sized ring and had an underdrive ratio rather than the current small ring/overdrive setup.
Posted Thu Nov20, 2008, 9:23 AM — By superdork
I don't know bout you people, but I use my big ring when riding cross country. I can't see a system that basically eliminates that, being any good for XC
Posted Tue Nov25, 2008, 4:48 PM — By Sport
Chris hit the nail on the head as did Downhilldoug. No ISCG's (seems it could be adapted to the bb bearing up assembly), needs to mimic middle chainring, no large weight penalty.
Posted Mon Dec 8, 2008, 5:21 PM — By brian
Superdork - a lot of xc racers run a 2x9 setup consisting of just a big and middle ring, so a 2x10 system aimed at xc could eliminate the granny gear.
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