2006 Sea Otter: SRAM 2007 MTB Product Launch
The big launch for SRAM was their new FORCE road gruppo collection. SRAM made a huge commitment entering the road market, but rest assure as they haven’t forgotten or left any of the mountain bike segments behind. This past weekend during the Sea Otter classic, SRAM launched some new 2007 MTB products and I was there to get the full scoop..
![photo]()
Last year SRAM launched their new X.0 component line, this year they revamped their X.9 line, which picks up may characteristics from their X.0 brothers. SRAM has really closed the gap between X.0 and X.9 in their product line and raised the level of value in the X.9 line. The X.9 line is less expensive than the X.0 but still offers the same great performance as with the X.0 line. So no you can get a taste of the X.0 durability, quality, style, look and performance at a wallet friendly price.
Ron Ritzler, Product Manager at SRAM, gave us the rundown of the new SRAM X.9 line.
X.9 Triggers ![photo]()
Ron first showed us the new X.9 Trigger shifters, which look very similar to the X.0 Triggers. Compared to the X.0 Triggers, the X.9 Triggers are the same size and have the same chassis. Internally, the X.0 Triggers use 4 sealed bearings that walks up and down the mechanism. For the X.9 Triggers, SRAM replaced those sealed bearings with a bushing system, which is less expensive but still maintains a nice tight feel. So other than that an a few small parts, the rest of the internals are pretty much the same as the X.0 Trigger.
Not only do the X.9 Triggers look similar, but they also offer the same zero loss shift quality and dual position adjustable clamp. The X.9 Triggers have the same cable change port at the top. Simply unscrew the knob with your fingers and pop the cover off – no special tool required. Visually noticeable - Instead of carbon, the X.9 Triggers support a composite upper cover.
The X.9 Trigger uses the same Pull lever as the X.0 but without the adjustability. For those of you familiar with the Pull lever adjustability on the X.0 – the pull lever on the X.9 Trigger is permanently set to ZERO position of the X.0.
X.9 Rear Derailleur ![photo]()
The first thing you will notice about the X.9 derailleur is that it’s a little bit shinier than last year. SRAM really polished it up! Compared to last years X.9 rear derailleur the new X.9 rear derailleur got some significant material upgrades, which includes Aluminum alloy links and forged B-knuckle. All these material upgrades made the X.9 rear derailleur lighter and tougher! What are the weight savings you ask? Well SRAM shaved off about 30 grams off last year’s model. The new X.9 derailleur comes in long, medium AND short cage lengths – weights for each: 230g for long cage/227g for Med cage and 212g for the short cage.
X.9 Front Derailleur ![photo]()
There is also a brand new front X.9 derailleur. The new front derailleur is more in line with the X.9 family. It's a bit more purpose built with a nice cut out cage, which dropped about 18g off the X.9 X-Gen derailleur. The new X.9 front derailleur is a single pull design and uses forged pieces instead of cast. It looks pretty nice with its shiny chrome plated cage.
Closing note
Note about other Shifters in the MTB product line under X.9. Last year’s X.9 Trigger shifters have now been dropped down to the X.7 price point. They also has been re-branded as such (e.g. X.7).
Former X.7 Trigger shifters have also been dropped one level to SX5 opening 9spd price point.
![photo]()
Jeremiah Boobar, BlackBox Program Manager and RockShox Product Manager, showed us the new RockShox ARGYLE Dirt Jumping fork. This fork provides dirt jumpers with everything they need. This is not an entry level fork but a high end fork geared toward the performance dirt jump market.
![photo]()
The Argyle features:
• 100mm of travel (adjustable using all-travel spacers)
• Aluminum steerer for light weight (Steel for 318 and 302 models)
• Forged 6061 T-6 Aluminum crown
• 32mm 4130 taper wall steel upper tubes for the best combination of stiffness and strength to weith.
• Magnesium lowers with increase of material at the brace which keeps your fork stuff when you come up short
• Maxle 360 which now allows you to position the lever where ever you want
Comes in 3 flavors:
409 – The higher the number, the bigger the features. This is the top end one. Comes in Punish-Mint or White. Upgrades over 318: Solo air, Internal Floodgate adjust. Would also like to point out that for this model doesn’t have an external Floodgate adjust knob like other motion control forks. The decided to do away with it for frame clearance issues. To adjust the Floodgate on the ARGYLE all you have to do is use a 2.5mm hex wrench and adjust it internally. Pretty trick!
318 – This is the Coil version. Upgrades over 302: External compression and lock. This model also comes with Steel Steerer compared to an Aluminum one for the 409 model.
302 – Like the 318, this model comes with a Steel Steerer tube. Doesn’t have Motion control and only had external rebound adjustability.
![photo]()
New Suspension actuator: PushLoc ![photo]()
The PushLoc is the next version of RockShox PopLoc. The PushLoc was designed to address all the shortcoming of the PopLoc. The first problem with the PopLoc is the amount of real estate it occupies on the bar – add all the other things mounted on the bar (like brakes, shifters, etc) and it gets pretty crowded!! When developing the PushLoc they looked at ways of decreasing the overall footprint on the bar, which they did by getting rid of the release lever that the PopLoc has. The PushLoc uses a single lever actuator that works much like a pen. You press the lever down and you are now in the lock setup. Press it again and it releases the lever and now you are back to unlock. Very simple, clean and easy to use!
Another thing that RockShox wanted to offer is new ways of mounting this system. The fist way you can mount the PushLoc is the traditional way via a discrete clamp that simply mounts to the bar. The optional way is using a new mounting option called MatchMaker. The MatchMaker is a new way of mounting shifters, brakes and suspension actuators on the bar. In addition to this you can mount it on the right of left in what they call the vertical orientation and they also have an horizontal mount which allows you to mount it above the bar also on either the right or left side. This will be sold in the aftermarket as a kit, and all the mounts will be included in this kit.
One other problem with the PopLoc, which you might have experienced if you regularly ride in foul weather, is that grime and grit tends to find its way into the actuator. Unlike the PopLoc, the PushLoc is an entire sealed until. The entire mechanism is housed inside a snail shaped piece and the lever is clamped on the outside. I would also like to point out that all the parts on the PushLoc are made out of metal, expanding its life expectancy.
![photo]()
Paul Kantor, Product Manager for Avid, showed us a new lighter weight Juicy called “Ultimate”. The new Juicy Ultimate is Avid’s top end XC brake which features Magnesium lever body (master cylinder) that has been reshaped and shaved to save weight. New Carbon fiber lever blade that is more slender and made in-house at their new common factory in Taiwan. The Juicy Ultimate has a new sleeker and sexier pad contact point adjuster, which you could miss if you don’t pay attention to details, since it doesn’t have the knob anymore. On the Juicy Ultimate you adjust pad contact point with a 2.5 mm Hex wrench. The Juicy Ultimate has a new forged Monoblok caliper body that is lighter since you don’t have to use body bolts (to hold both caliper pieces together). The Juicy Ultimate uses full Ti hardware and organic pads.
![photo]()
The entire package simply looks light and fast. All the changes made to the Juicy Ultimate helped Avid shave off almost 50 grams. The front post mount 160mm brake weights approximately 345g. There will also be a 140mm (rear only) rotor available for this brake system.
You will also be happy to know, especially gravity riders, that you can retrofit the pad contact point adjuster to any pre 07’ Avid Juicy (e.g. ones that use a no-tool Pad Contact Adjuster).
![photo]()
Juicy Carbon will remain the same. Juicy Seven will have a new graphite finish to match the X.9 line and a new aluminum Pad Contact Adjuster like the current Juicy Carbon. Juicy 5 gets a split clamp and silver paint finish. Juicy 3 is a new entry level/OE product.
![photo]()
Mark Pippin, Product Manager at Truvativ/SRAM chains and cassettes, showed us a new high end line of cranks called Noir MTB. The new high end cranks feature unidirectional carbon fiber laid over a Forged AL 66 spine. Truvativ then clear coats the monocoque design for a nice glossy finish. You can get these cranks with either TNT or Hard Anodized Chainring finishes. TNT is Truvativ’s new finishing process for their chainrings. TNT stands for TRUVATIV NICKEL TEFLON, a finish that provides superior durability and greatly reduces friction. The TNT finish is available exclusively on the Noir HCT Road and Noir MTB cranksets.
![photo]()
The Noir MTB is the lightest MTB crankset Truvativ has ever produced at around 800 grams. The Noir MTB uses the robust TEAM GXP bottom bracket system. For MTB, all 2007 Truvativ GXP systems will now be e-type compatible. The Noir MTB will be available in 175 and 170 lengths and have a 22-32-44 ring configuration. All Noir MTB cranksets come with 7075 T6 alloy chainring bolts.
The new cranks look cool to boot!
SRAM
RockShox
AVID
TRUVATIV
SRAM Force
Sea Otter Classic
Bikes are cool - get out and ride! Go FLAT out....
SRAM
Last year SRAM launched their new X.0 component line, this year they revamped their X.9 line, which picks up may characteristics from their X.0 brothers. SRAM has really closed the gap between X.0 and X.9 in their product line and raised the level of value in the X.9 line. The X.9 line is less expensive than the X.0 but still offers the same great performance as with the X.0 line. So no you can get a taste of the X.0 durability, quality, style, look and performance at a wallet friendly price.
Ron Ritzler, Product Manager at SRAM, gave us the rundown of the new SRAM X.9 line.
Ron first showed us the new X.9 Trigger shifters, which look very similar to the X.0 Triggers. Compared to the X.0 Triggers, the X.9 Triggers are the same size and have the same chassis. Internally, the X.0 Triggers use 4 sealed bearings that walks up and down the mechanism. For the X.9 Triggers, SRAM replaced those sealed bearings with a bushing system, which is less expensive but still maintains a nice tight feel. So other than that an a few small parts, the rest of the internals are pretty much the same as the X.0 Trigger.
Not only do the X.9 Triggers look similar, but they also offer the same zero loss shift quality and dual position adjustable clamp. The X.9 Triggers have the same cable change port at the top. Simply unscrew the knob with your fingers and pop the cover off – no special tool required. Visually noticeable - Instead of carbon, the X.9 Triggers support a composite upper cover.
The X.9 Trigger uses the same Pull lever as the X.0 but without the adjustability. For those of you familiar with the Pull lever adjustability on the X.0 – the pull lever on the X.9 Trigger is permanently set to ZERO position of the X.0.
The first thing you will notice about the X.9 derailleur is that it’s a little bit shinier than last year. SRAM really polished it up! Compared to last years X.9 rear derailleur the new X.9 rear derailleur got some significant material upgrades, which includes Aluminum alloy links and forged B-knuckle. All these material upgrades made the X.9 rear derailleur lighter and tougher! What are the weight savings you ask? Well SRAM shaved off about 30 grams off last year’s model. The new X.9 derailleur comes in long, medium AND short cage lengths – weights for each: 230g for long cage/227g for Med cage and 212g for the short cage.
There is also a brand new front X.9 derailleur. The new front derailleur is more in line with the X.9 family. It's a bit more purpose built with a nice cut out cage, which dropped about 18g off the X.9 X-Gen derailleur. The new X.9 front derailleur is a single pull design and uses forged pieces instead of cast. It looks pretty nice with its shiny chrome plated cage.
Closing note
Note about other Shifters in the MTB product line under X.9. Last year’s X.9 Trigger shifters have now been dropped down to the X.7 price point. They also has been re-branded as such (e.g. X.7).
Former X.7 Trigger shifters have also been dropped one level to SX5 opening 9spd price point.
RockShox
Jeremiah Boobar, BlackBox Program Manager and RockShox Product Manager, showed us the new RockShox ARGYLE Dirt Jumping fork. This fork provides dirt jumpers with everything they need. This is not an entry level fork but a high end fork geared toward the performance dirt jump market.
The Argyle features:
• 100mm of travel (adjustable using all-travel spacers)
• Aluminum steerer for light weight (Steel for 318 and 302 models)
• Forged 6061 T-6 Aluminum crown
• 32mm 4130 taper wall steel upper tubes for the best combination of stiffness and strength to weith.
• Magnesium lowers with increase of material at the brace which keeps your fork stuff when you come up short
• Maxle 360 which now allows you to position the lever where ever you want
Comes in 3 flavors:
409 – The higher the number, the bigger the features. This is the top end one. Comes in Punish-Mint or White. Upgrades over 318: Solo air, Internal Floodgate adjust. Would also like to point out that for this model doesn’t have an external Floodgate adjust knob like other motion control forks. The decided to do away with it for frame clearance issues. To adjust the Floodgate on the ARGYLE all you have to do is use a 2.5mm hex wrench and adjust it internally. Pretty trick!
318 – This is the Coil version. Upgrades over 302: External compression and lock. This model also comes with Steel Steerer compared to an Aluminum one for the 409 model.
302 – Like the 318, this model comes with a Steel Steerer tube. Doesn’t have Motion control and only had external rebound adjustability.
The PushLoc is the next version of RockShox PopLoc. The PushLoc was designed to address all the shortcoming of the PopLoc. The first problem with the PopLoc is the amount of real estate it occupies on the bar – add all the other things mounted on the bar (like brakes, shifters, etc) and it gets pretty crowded!! When developing the PushLoc they looked at ways of decreasing the overall footprint on the bar, which they did by getting rid of the release lever that the PopLoc has. The PushLoc uses a single lever actuator that works much like a pen. You press the lever down and you are now in the lock setup. Press it again and it releases the lever and now you are back to unlock. Very simple, clean and easy to use!
Another thing that RockShox wanted to offer is new ways of mounting this system. The fist way you can mount the PushLoc is the traditional way via a discrete clamp that simply mounts to the bar. The optional way is using a new mounting option called MatchMaker. The MatchMaker is a new way of mounting shifters, brakes and suspension actuators on the bar. In addition to this you can mount it on the right of left in what they call the vertical orientation and they also have an horizontal mount which allows you to mount it above the bar also on either the right or left side. This will be sold in the aftermarket as a kit, and all the mounts will be included in this kit.
One other problem with the PopLoc, which you might have experienced if you regularly ride in foul weather, is that grime and grit tends to find its way into the actuator. Unlike the PopLoc, the PushLoc is an entire sealed until. The entire mechanism is housed inside a snail shaped piece and the lever is clamped on the outside. I would also like to point out that all the parts on the PushLoc are made out of metal, expanding its life expectancy.
AVID
Paul Kantor, Product Manager for Avid, showed us a new lighter weight Juicy called “Ultimate”. The new Juicy Ultimate is Avid’s top end XC brake which features Magnesium lever body (master cylinder) that has been reshaped and shaved to save weight. New Carbon fiber lever blade that is more slender and made in-house at their new common factory in Taiwan. The Juicy Ultimate has a new sleeker and sexier pad contact point adjuster, which you could miss if you don’t pay attention to details, since it doesn’t have the knob anymore. On the Juicy Ultimate you adjust pad contact point with a 2.5 mm Hex wrench. The Juicy Ultimate has a new forged Monoblok caliper body that is lighter since you don’t have to use body bolts (to hold both caliper pieces together). The Juicy Ultimate uses full Ti hardware and organic pads.
The entire package simply looks light and fast. All the changes made to the Juicy Ultimate helped Avid shave off almost 50 grams. The front post mount 160mm brake weights approximately 345g. There will also be a 140mm (rear only) rotor available for this brake system.
You will also be happy to know, especially gravity riders, that you can retrofit the pad contact point adjuster to any pre 07’ Avid Juicy (e.g. ones that use a no-tool Pad Contact Adjuster).
Juicy Carbon will remain the same. Juicy Seven will have a new graphite finish to match the X.9 line and a new aluminum Pad Contact Adjuster like the current Juicy Carbon. Juicy 5 gets a split clamp and silver paint finish. Juicy 3 is a new entry level/OE product.
TRUVATIV
Mark Pippin, Product Manager at Truvativ/SRAM chains and cassettes, showed us a new high end line of cranks called Noir MTB. The new high end cranks feature unidirectional carbon fiber laid over a Forged AL 66 spine. Truvativ then clear coats the monocoque design for a nice glossy finish. You can get these cranks with either TNT or Hard Anodized Chainring finishes. TNT is Truvativ’s new finishing process for their chainrings. TNT stands for TRUVATIV NICKEL TEFLON, a finish that provides superior durability and greatly reduces friction. The TNT finish is available exclusively on the Noir HCT Road and Noir MTB cranksets.
The Noir MTB is the lightest MTB crankset Truvativ has ever produced at around 800 grams. The Noir MTB uses the robust TEAM GXP bottom bracket system. For MTB, all 2007 Truvativ GXP systems will now be e-type compatible. The Noir MTB will be available in 175 and 170 lengths and have a 22-32-44 ring configuration. All Noir MTB cranksets come with 7075 T6 alloy chainring bolts.
The new cranks look cool to boot!
PERTAINING LINKS
RockShox
AVID
TRUVATIV
SRAM Force
Sea Otter Classic
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