Interesting to switch in the middle of the season. Even more interesting is that SRAM is saying that it is NOT a sponsorship deal but that Saxo has purchased the grouppos from SRAM…
Nothing terribly new here.
This is apparently the way that Riis operated when the team was with Cervelo - they bought the kits that they wanted for the bikes. Now he wants SRAM!!
Yes, no doubt.
I’m sure it turns into a sponsorship deal for next year!!
As far back as 2006 Riis was seen testing the stuff, so this is not shocking. Maybe 7900 wasn’t up to snuff for him or the mechanics.
Bob
As far back as 2006 Riis was seen testing the stuff, so this is not shocking. Maybe 7900 wasn’t up to snuff for him or the mechanics.
Bob,
Indeed.
I have noticed a big change in the look of the pro Peleton - in the past with the Shimano dominance - the exposed DA shift cables out front seemed normal. Now with SRAM, Campy and now also the new Shimano DA 7900 running both brake and shift cables along the bars and under the tape - the look has changed. Wondering if this will start trickling down next year in the Shimano line.
Oh absolutely. Shimano has always trickled “improvements” down the line over the subsequnet years. 2010 will see Ultegra, 2011 105, etc…
I think the advent of SRAM has allowed teams to pick the best possible option, not the lesser of two evils. This is a good thing.
Bob
“…when the team was with Cervelo - they bought the kits that they wanted for the bikes. Now he wants SRAM’s check!!”
…edited that for you :0)
.
As I recall CSC, at least last year, never was sponsored by Shimano. They bought their component groups from Shimano so they could fulfill other sponsorship requirements to FSA. Unless they plan on dropping FSA and going fully SRAM sponsored, they’re probably going to keep paying for what they want.
To me that’s a more glowing endorsement. They’re willing to shell out the dollars for what they want, and their dollars are going to SRAM.
Article mentioning the component arrangement previously
I think I read at the beginning of the year that they were going to roll with the Specialized crank.
Looks like they are keeping it too even with the SRAM.
I have noticed a big change in the look of the pro Peleton - in the past with the Shimano dominance - the exposed DA shift cables out front seemed normal. Now with SRAM, Campy and now also the new Shimano DA 7900 running both brake and shift cables along the bars and under the tape - the look has changed. Wondering if this will start trickling down next year in the Shimano line.
It will. Shimano has already revealed the new 2010 Ultegra 6700 group that will replace the current Ultegra 6600 + Ultegra SL groups.
Ultegra 6700 has hidden cables.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=/tech/2009/features/shimano_launch_new_ultegra09
Dual Control levers
The new ST-6700 Dual Control levers have composite blades, reach adjustment and cable routing designed to be run underneath bar tape. A new pivot location is intended to provide improved control when riding on the hoods. Claimed weight is 445g per pair.
http://happymtb.org/...egra-2010/#more-1329
Even more interesting is that SRAM is saying that it is NOT a sponsorship deal but that Saxo has purchased the grouppos from SRAM…
That’s not correct and not what SRAM are saying. SRAM is a new official sponsor for Team Saxo Bank and that’s also what SRAM says. SRAM even sent guys out to help the team mecahincs to mount the new groups on all their bikes.
Where have you heard/read SRAM claiming Saxo Bank purchased the groups?
I like this slightly modified screenshot of http://willyoumaketheleap.com
http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=46974&start=1380
Original: http://willyoumaketheleap.com
.
I don’t think I really need to reveal my source but it is true and it came from someone at SRAM. It may turn into a sponsorship deal in the future.
If you click on the second screen shot you just posted here is what is says:
**Team Saxo Bank switches to SRAM RED**
Harelbeke, Belgium - March 28, 2009
After a period of test-riding, Professional Cycling Team Saxo Bank is changing its racing componentry to SRAM RED.
Team Director Bjarne Riis, renowned for his selectiveness, has asked SRAM to assist in swapping Saxo Bank’s entire fleet of bikes to RED. “SRAM RED is proven reliable, remains the lightest gruppo available, and delivers perfect ergonomics. SRAM has demonstrated impressive product development, great quality and intense focus, just like our team. We are looking forward
to racing with SRAM.”
David Zimberoff, SRAM’s Global Marketing Director, added “The mating of SRAM RED componentry to the Specialized S-Works frames, along with Zipp wheels, will make the team’s bikes amongst the fastest, most comfortable, and most responsive in the peloton.”
Team Saxo Bank will be racing fully SRAM RED-equipped bikes starting with the E3 Prijs Vlaanderen-Harelbeke and the Criterium International, on March 28. The team will race on SRAM RED-equipped Specialized S-Works Tarmac and Roubaix SL2’s, and time trial on the S-Works Transition.
SRAM RED was launched in the fall of 2007 and remains the World’s lightest, most ergonomic and most efficient road component gruppo. Cost - $2,099(US). Weight - 1926 grams.
Michael Zellmann
U.S. PR & Media Manager
312 664 8800
mzellmann at sram.com
Harelbeke, Belgium
back
Notice it does not say anything about ‘sponsorship’
Cheers.
Hmm… 2 broken chains for Sram this week… Cancellara and Navarro from Astana.
I read on cyclingnews, I think, that Saxo Bank changed all of their chains back to shimano after Flanders.
In a somewhat related story, the Cervelo Test Team switched back to DA 7800 from DA 7900. Interesting indeed.
As many other pros. Cancellara is not using all the lighweight fragile RED front shifter - using the heavy and robust Force shifter instead.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech/2009/probikes/?id=fabian_cancellara_saxo_bank_specialized_s-works09
Yeah, Cancellara almost always goes for the more “robust” pieces (like his old Gossamer crank), etc. Now after his chain debacle … Now Sastre - seems to like the uber stuff (Zipp 202s, carbon everything). Of course, they are about night and day different types of riders …
In a somewhat related story, the Cervelo Test Team switched back to DA 7800 from DA 7900. Interesting indeed.
I heard the reason Cervélo Test Team switched back from 7900 to 7800 is because there’s too much shifter cable friction for good shifting action with the S2/S3 internal cable routing in combination with the new hidden behind bartape 7900 shifter cables.
As many other pros. Cancellara is not using all the lighweight fragile RED front shifter - using the heavy and robust Force shifter instead.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/...pecialized_s-works09
So are most other SRAM sponsored pros. Several riders ride SRAM ‘Red’ rebadged front derailleurs with steel cage.
Some steel caged SRAM ‘Red’ front derailleurs:
Michael Schär, Team Astana: http://cyclingnews.com/...9/GW_Astana_Schar_FD
SRAM ‘Red’ front derailleurs with retrofitted stiffer steel cages are becoming a common sight in the pro peloton.
Photo ©: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com
Matti Breschel, Team Saxo Bank: http://cyclingnews.com/...axo_Bank_Breschel_FD
…but a special steel-caged Red front derailleur which is presumably preferred for its greater cage rigidity.
Photo ©: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com
And in the same way a lot of Campagnolo sponsored pros prefer the metal Chorus front derailleur instead of the carbon Record or Super Record
Here’s one example of a Chorus front derailleur from Ronde van Vlaanderen:
http://cyclingnews.com/...quigas_Franzoi_crank
