SRAM Force Test Ride - First Impressions
 

River City had a couple Orbea's in stock with the new SRAM Force road group. So I took a test ride around the parking lot for 5 whole minutes.

Shifted smooth, looks great. Brakes felt amazing.

The one impression I did come away with was the feel of the brifters. The hoods reminded me of Shimano while the levers and overall appearance reminded me of Campy.

They didn't have a group for sale, so I couldn't get a price on it alone.

FWIW.

55/Rad

So was the double tap shifting pretty intuitive?

are they supposed to be priced similiar to dura-ace and campy? (the force group)

A recent magazine review implied that the SRAM system has it all over Dura Ace and Campy when it comes to upshifting during a sprint (i.e. you don't lose nearly as many watts during the shifting process for some reason). IF there is any truth to this, watch out. Could be a new ball game - and SRAM will sell a TON of road groups as Shimano and Campy play catch up. That would be pretty key in a race situation.

Sounds fun! I'm envious, I've wanted to try out the Force gruppo for a while.

I don't know about the levers, though. They DO look a little Shimano and a little Campy, but to me they don't look like anything at all, and that's not in a good way. These levers lack passion. They're just sort of like.. things that make your calipers close.


http://bikemag.com/news/newsarchive/sram-road-300.jpg

Hmmm. I personally like the looks of the Force levers more than Campy. Perhaps you should be looking at these levers instead.

http://www.velonews.com/images/report/9723.14367.f.jpghttp://www.velonews.com/images/report/9723.14370.f.jpg

Mmm. Those actually look pretty nice/blingy. :D

This just inspired me to make a poll.

http://www.shirlsgirl.com/images/gra...omer_drool.jpg

MMMMm, Purdy!

how was the actual operation of using the double tap rad? caught on pretty quick, pretty easy to use or did u have to actually think about what type of shift (up or down) you wanted to do and listen for the clicks? I suppose you didn't have a whole lot of shifting time in 5 mins though.

With out using it myself, I know I would have a learning curve to it use effectively. I think the simplicity of the single lever is it's biggest down fault as well... In the heat of the moment I can see mis-shifts happening, because I pushed the lever too far, or not far enough...

I like the 2 lever Campy system best, it leaves little to chance what my intended shift requirement is.

Oh yeah, I didn't ride it enough to feel intuitive. I came away thinking it would take some getting used to. The "crispness" reminded me more of Campy than Shimano if that means anything.

All in all though I felt it was different - a group unto it's own. I can see getting into it once it passes the introductory phase and deals could be found.

55/Rad

Ahh......Shimagnolo.....:)

I rode SRAM force today, for more than 5 minutes. Yes, intuitive. Takes about 2 minutes to adjust to, then super smooth. I thought I wanted an Orbea with Campy Record(when I can afford such). I think now I want an Orbea with SRAM Force(when I can afford such)

give us a full report on shifting and braking

Well if the hoods feel like Shimano then I'm out of the running, that's the reason I switched to Campy in the first place. Whenever I'm asked the 'question' which is better DA or Record I always answer which ever fits you the best, for me that's Campy hands down (no pun intended).

You know. I think Shimano should think about migrating their DCL shifting technology from their MTB line to their road groups. I'd like to see a lever that swings both ways. In reailty, I'd like for them to fix the brake lever and just have the secondary lever swing both ways. Inboard to pull cable tension and outboard to release. Additionally, place a thumb-extension on the lever so you can actuate a cable release via a thumbshifter. And of course make that extension removable like the thumb-assists on the MTB DCL for those who find them unnecessary.

That's all moot when this prototype comes to fruition.
http://www.velonews.com/images/report/9591.14084.f.jpg

Help me out a little. I'm having trouble visualizing how you would be able to push (or pull?) the lever both ways?

The lever would simply be made to swing in both directions just like with the current MTB DCL shifters. The tab area would either have to be larger or you could make two tabs so you could hit it at the lower portion with your fingers and use the thumb on the upper portion. An assist extension could be mounted as an option so that you could press down on it when on the hoods and it would swing the lever outboard. This would give you a thumbshifter ala Campy Ergo. You might even be able to make the upper portion of the tab also a removable part and make different sizes so you could tune the height in accordance with a rider's thumb placement. Different sizes and shapes of the assist extension could also be made to accomodate different rider's thumb lengths so they can actuate the "thumbshifter" from their favourite hand positions.

If you're talking MTB tech, you might as well be speaking Swahili, here in Corn Country there's pretty much no use for a mountain bike. I get what your saying, though... kind of an L shaped lever, got it. thaNKS.:)

Not a whole lot to report, really. Braking feels like braking...squeeze the levers, stop. The shifting is one click to downshift, two to move up...or was it the other way around?

i actually talked to someone who worked for sram in chicago. there are two groups...which one is force, is this lower or upper. they are supposed to be lighter than the top two shimano groups, respectively, but more expensive.

is sram in the "pre-broken-in" camp or not... anyone know? i forgot to ask.

That'll be the day.

I can't wait for Electronic D-A.