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TECH NEWS: 2009 SRAM RIVAL
Road Bike Action
February 18, 2009
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A hot topic with product managers is SRAM’s 2009 Rival Group, and it is showing up on a lot of mid-level bikes that are floating through the RBA offices. We decided to take a close look at SRAM Rival to decipher what this talked-about group is all about. Originally launched with Force in 2006, the 2009 Rival features many upgrades, including the polished black anodized finish, carbon levers, zero-loss shifting, multiple cable-routing options and reach adjust for both the shift and brake levers. SRAM proudly states that Rival is 214 grams lighter than Shimano’s Ultegra SL and costs $380 less at the retail level.
RIVAL CHANGES FOR 2009
The new SRAM Rival comes with a black anodized finish, full reach adjust for both brake and shift levers, carbon brake levers, aluminum shift paddles, OCT (Open Core Technology—brought over from the mountain bike side) hollow forged aluminum cranks, Zero-loss shifting front and a newly designed wider and extended shift paddle with a lengthened shift lever.
THE SRAM NEWBIE TEST
We put one of our trusted testers who had never ridden SRAM Red or Force on a brand new setup of 2009 Rival to get an objective opinion of how Rival stands on its own. Here are the highlights from his first experience with SRAM Rival:
DoubleTap levers (320 grams/pair): “I found the clean look and crisp shifting of the Rival levers to be a pleasure to use. SRAM designed their lever set to hide the shift cables, along with the brake cables, under the bar tape, improving aerodynamics. Their ergonomic design places them right where they should be for comfort and ease of use. Riders that have smaller hands will appreciate the ease of use and security SRAM’s single pivot brake levers offer while braking from the drops.”
Brakes (287 grams/pair): “I liked the powerful braking provided by the cold forged aluminum Rival brake set. SRAM also designed the brakes to cheat the wind by tapering the leading edge of the dual pivot calipers. The brake pad compound worked very well on our aluminum rims and provided us with quick, powerful, and easily modulated stops. SRAM also saw fit to design indexing adjustments in the brake quick releases, allowing for precise pad clearance without any guesswork.”
Front derailleur (87 grams): “The steel-cage front derailleur performed well, and the shifts were easy and precise, but the shift from the 39 to the 52 seemed to have a rather long throw at the lever. The Rival front lever has a trim adjustment feature that comes in handy at those times that gear selection is at greater angles. Another nice touch is the placement of the two limit-adjustment screws. The outer screw limits the travel of the derailleur’s outer movement and vice versa.”
Rear derailleur (188 grams): “It worked flawlessly. Adjustments were easy, and once accomplished, my shifts were precise with each and every gear change. Even shifting late on a steep hill, or while sprinting, was always performed without complaint.”
The conclusion: All in all, the Rival Group is an excellent system at a lower price point.
PRICE: $919
CONTACT: www.sram.com
WEIGHT: 2149 grams
BONUS POINTS: Flawlessly shifting, lightweight, and price
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