MONTEREY, Calif. (BRAIN) — SRAM is introducing two single-chainring road groups for the 2016 model year, the Rival 1 and Force 1 groups (the previous cyclocross group, Force CX1, is now renamed Force 1).
Both group borrow technology from the company's mountain bike and cyclocross single-ring groups and are being aimed at gravel/adventure riders, as well as criterium, time trial, triathlete and fitness riders.
The groups offer chainring sizes from 38 to 54 teeth, and 11-speed cassettes as narrow range as 11-25 tooth or as wide as 10-42 (which requires a XD driver body).
The system includes SRAM's wide-narrow X-Sync chainrings and road-specific versions of its Roller Bearing Clutch rear derailleurs.
Drop bar levers are being offered with right side-only shifting for use with hydraulic or cable-activated brakes. Trigger shifters for upright road bikes are also being offered.
SRAM is introducing the single-ring road option on its two mid-priced groups, rather than its high-end Red group, and is not claiming the groups are appropriate for regular road use, beyond specific applications like criteriums and time trials.
The final line in the company's press release announcing the new groups said, "While 1x is an exciting new option and canserve an incredible range of riders and rides, SRAM remains completely committed to its 2x (two chainrings) drivetrains."
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The Force 1 chainring in a 54 tooth. -
The Rival 1 rear derailleur long cage version. -
The Force 1 rear derailleur.
