2010 SRAM Force

[bigskyTi]

http://cxmagazine.com/new-sram-force-gr ... 0-and-gore

I've not taken the time to verify the weights, but that is damn light for a second tier grouppo.

[2 wheels]

2010 SRAM Force sheds 10 grams, weighing 2097 grams in the GXP version while reaching 1951 grams with the BB30 crank option (new for 2010).

146 g saved with BB30, that's quite a lot: 791g - 645g = 146 g

For comparison FSA SL-K Light "only" saves 90 g by going from external BB to BB30: 780 g - 690 g = 90 g

[bcheung]

Looks like they've ditched OpenGlide for PowerGlide.

[SushiJoe]

Looks like they've ditched OpenGlide for PowerGlide.

Yep. My LBS told me that a couple weeks ago but I couldn't confirm it so I didn't mention it. Apparently SRAM found that OG was a better idea on paper than in practice.

[2 wheels]

Hi-res image: http://cxmagazine.com/wp-content/galler ... oupset.jpg

[holycao86]

Does that mean the next generation Red cassette will also not have OpenGlide? I admit, the Openglide cassette is the only feature of my Rival that I don't like.

[are]

Great looking gruppo.

[Tinea Pedis]

I'm going to ask a very stupid question, but any idea on a release date...?

[BeeBee30]

Wow! 10g saved on the standard GXP group! Bet they cherry picked the groupset parts to get that huge saving lol. But I know its more about the added strength and funtion. It does look cool also. I love my Force.

2010 SRAM Force sheds 10 grams, weighing 2097 grams in the GXP version while reaching 1951 grams with the BB30 crank option (new for 2010).

146 g saved with BB30, that's quite a lot: 791g - 645g = 146 g

For comparison FSA SL-K Light "only" saves 90 g by going from external BB to BB30: 780 g - 690 g = 90 g

[prendrefeu]

Any word on RED 2010?

I'm liking how SRAM moves around their groups with each year. Seems like 'big leaps' for each tier, compared to Shimano/Campagnolo which just seem to shuffle down the line with slight or minor improvements (eDA or R11 exempt)

[2 wheels]

Any word on RED 2010?

http://cyclingnews.com/mtb/2009/apr09/s ... a_otter092

The top-end Red group remain unchanged for 2010 save for some minor chain and cassette revisions already put into production in January.

Revamped Force group borrows more heavily from Red, new cable sets developed with Gore

SRAM's second-tier Force group joins the sub-2kg club thanks to new trickle-down features added for the 2010 model year. Claimed weight is now as low as 1957g as compared to Red's 1914g.

The biggest savings comes with a new BB30-compatible Force carbon crank, said to weigh just 645g complete with chainrings, hardware and bearings; the standard GXP version remains in the lineup but adds another 140g. In addition, brake calipers now use the same aluminum forgings as Red for improved stopping performance but with less aggressive machining to cut costs.

Visually, Force also adopts a darker 'zephyr silver' finish for all of the forged aluminum bits – now using a 6000-series alloy – and a bolder black-and-white graphics package bears strong resemblance to the Red design motif. Otherwise, the rest of Force is essentially unchanged for 2010.

The new Force version will be available to consumers around June or July and pricing will be consistent with 2009: USD 1399 with GXP cranksets or USD 1439 for the BB30-compatible package.

Also new is the 'SRAM Professional System by Gore', otherwise known as a modified version of Gore's own sealed derailleur cable and housing set. As with the Gore version, the SRAM set uses a specially coated inner cable for reduced friction but substitutes the full-length liner for an abbreviated one that runs in between the two sections of rear derailleur housing. For the front derailleur, the liner runs between the end of the housing and just below the cable clamp.

For both sides, the liner starts just behind the housing caps at the down tube cable stops and is sealed at the other end with Gore's familiar grub seal. According to SRAM, this setup maintains the original's impressive low-friction and sealing capabilities for faster shifting and more reliable performance but is easier for mechanics to install.



SRAM give Force an update for 2010 to make it the company's second sub-2kg group.
Photo ©: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com


The biggest change comes with the new BB30-compatible crank which saves about 140g relative to the standard GXP version.
Photo ©: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com


The new Force brakes share their aluminum forgings with Red but are machined less aggressively to save costs.
Photo ©: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com


New forged alloy parts are now finished in a darker 'zephyr silver' hue.
Photo ©: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com


The standard carbon cranks remain largely unchanged save for the new graphics package.
Photo ©: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com


There's little mistaking what brand of crank this is now.
Photo ©: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com


The top-end Red group remain unchanged for 2010 save for some minor chain and cassette revisions already put into production in January.
Photo ©: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com


The new 'SRAM Professional System by Gore' cables are sealed and specially coated for low-friction performance.
Photo ©: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com


Grub seals finish off the ends of the liner to keep dirt and water from entering.
Photo ©: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com


The abbreviated liner system offers similarly low levels of friction as on the standard sealed Gore version but is easier to install.
Photo ©: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com


Looking for something a little quieter? The PG-1070 cassette supposedly runs with a little less racket than the OpenGlide cassettes.
Photo ©: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

[2 wheels]

http://www.rbaction.net/fly.aspx?layout ... 7&cid=1451

TECH FEATURES: SEA OTTER TECH: SRAM LAUNCHES 2010 FORCE
Philip Booth
April 17, 2009

Three years ago at Sea Otter SRAM released the first Force gruppo, and quickly made a name for itself in the world of road bikes. Force as since been replaced at the top of the SRAM line by the professional level Red gruppo, and with the revamped Rival gruppo debuting last year, it appeared Force was becoming SRAM’s forgotten gruppo. For 2010 SRAM’s original top-end professional road gruppo returns to the spotlight with several Red inspired upgrades.



The New SRAM Force borrows heavily from SRAM’s professional RED gruppo, including Red’s bold race-inspired graphics, featuring the new Force white logo against black carbon. The aluminum is anodized with what SRAM is calling “Zephyr Silver” finish that adds a high-end look to the visual package. Another carry over from RED is that the SRAM logo will be featured on the inside of both crankarms.



SRAM Force moves to unidirectional (UD) carbon throughout, which adds strength and provides a more high-end feel to the group. The aluminum parts of the gruppo are now forged, providing more strength, lower weight, and a more robust finish. For 2010 the brake leavers are upgraded to unidirectional carbon, with the shift leavers remain magnesium.



While all the SRAM technologies including DoubleTap™, ZeroLoss™, and Exact Actuation™ remain unchanged, the brakes get a significant upgrade with a RED-styled skeletonized Dual Pivot design featuring spring tension adjustment and centering adjustment. SRAM Force brakes are lighter than last year’s models but feature improved stopping power, and easier adjustability and set-up. The Force brakes are essentially same as Red brakes except Force forgoes the machined brake pad holders which adds a couple of extra grams.



The unidirectional (UD) carbon pulley plates save weight and increase stiffness and shifting performance. Both the front and rear derailleurs are finished in SRAM's Zephyr Silver.



The new SRAM Force will be priced exactly as it was in 2009, $1399 (US) for the complete gruppo. Additionally, 2010 SRAM Force sheds 10-grams, weighing 2097 grams in the GXP version while reaching 1951 grams with the BB30 crank option (pictured above), which is new for 2010.

[djconnel]

I'm glad to hear the update on the cassette, but the cassette was always separate from the rest of the group, since SRAM is and always have been fully compatible with Shimano cassettes. So really it's just an upgrade on the cassette, and on the graphics, and on the cables.

Which is great. The graphics look really good....

Too bad, I'd have been at Sea Otter, if I weren't in NJ for my niece's birthday party.

[mitre_tester]

I've not taken the time to verify the weights, but that is damn light for a second tier grouppo.

Well, that depends on your notion of 'second tier'; Force was the Pro Team group until Red came along, so you could say Force=Record and Red=Super Record. From where I'm sitting, 2009 Force is only £100 less than 2009 Record, while Red is £300 more than Super Record.

Not that any of this concerns me, as I've just received Red shifters to go with my Rival mechs, so I won't be in the groupset market for another 4-5 years given how little I use a geared bike.

[lalahsghost]

I don't think I will get another SRAM product for a while (bought '09 rival for my first real road bike).

When are they going to add more trim functions to their front derailleur shifter? I can't use my 12/13 and sometimes 14 tooth cogs without crosschaining in my 39 OR 34 chainring (two diff cranksets). I know there are shifting equivalents, but still....