Ever since SRAM came out with trigger shifters, it seems they’ve been slowly putting more emphasis on them with OEM placements and now with the 10-speed systems. I asked why the new 2×10 groups went solely with trigger options, and here was the response:
“You’ve gotta start somewhere,” says Chris Hilton, SRAM product manager. “Triggers are an extremely precise system, they integrate really nicely with the brakes, particularly with our Matchmaker set up, and the ergonomics and adjustability are really good.”
Of course, there are those of us that long for top-level twisters to make a comeback, and there are top pros like Julien Absalon (pictured, older photo when he was still running twisters) that, as Hilton put it, have “requested, not demanded” them. So, are they coming? So far, comments around the press camp indicate so, ranging from:
“They’re aren’t any out in the wild. Well, not any you’re going to see.”
“It’s something that’s in the works.”
…and similar such things. No timeline so far, but we haven’t had the first real tech session yet either. Now, about those DH cranks…
While waiting for breakfast from the lovely ladies of Western Spirit Cycling, I chatted up Bryan Bos, one of their drivetrain and component product managers. I asked what he thought about the Hive’s outboard 30mm bearing/spindle system, which he graciously acknowledged as a good “out of the box thinking option for aftermarket upgrades.”
Then we both said it’ll be interesting to see what comes of their new e*thirteen acquisition and how their new DH crankset looks good. Then he let slip: “You’ll see a new DH crankset from us later this year.”
Me: “As in, a new version of the Holzfeller?”
Bos: “Nope, it’ll be something completely new.”
UPDATE: There’s a good chance the DH cranks will be carbon fiber, or at least carbon will be an option. The new XO cranks use “Threshold Technology”, which is their carbon layup design that’s been tested to withstand World Cup DH abuse, which they hinted could be coming.
