Thanks to an anonymous tipster that got really, really lucky with his timing, we got these pics of a prototype SRAM eTAP Hydro setup. Not that it’s any surprise that it’s in development, but it is encouraging to see something in the real world.
As for availability, our source says they heard from two different folks that a retail product is “a ways off” for reasons including brake development that may use a new design “similar to the Guide” and due to manufacturing capacity. Of course, those are unofficial answers, so we reached out to SRAM for comment…
SRAM’s road PR manager confirmed they’re working on it without divulging any details: “We are committed to Hydraulic disc brakes and, as we¹ve noted, we plan to offer a full breadth of road hydraulic options.”
All of us here at Bikerumor are stoked on the new Guide brakes, and with one ride on the Level dual pistons, it seems the thoroughly updated system is on par with the best out there. So, any trickle over tech from these new calipers to the road side means even better brakes on the pavement (not that we’ve had any problems with the current SRAM Hydro brakes, but it’s nice to see things continually progressing).
