SRAM offer RED in black

10 comments
By Matt Pacocha from Boulder, CO | Tuesday, Feb 22, 2011 6.00pm

Yes, the only difference between SRAM's RED and Black RED groupsets is color and an oversized ‘team’ logo on the DoubleTap levers. The new option, simply, speaks to a core philosophy within the brand: if function is on target, then form can't be ignored.

The new color option is a product of the success of SRAM’s Limited Tour Edition (LTE) RED group, which debuted at the Tour de France in July 2010 and was produced from September through December 2010. The group sold out in January; in total, SRAM sold 5,000 LTE groups.

Black RED isn't a limited edition group and falls into the line as an option to the original polished version of RED. Black RED’s shifters are adorned with larger ‘team’ style SRAM logos, still in red and silver, and the derailleurs, chainrings, brakes and alloy PowerDome cassette back plate are anodized black and polished.

The group is available with GXP or BB30 cranks, with multiple road chainring options available. A cyclo-cross outer ring is not yet offered. Cassette options mirror the standard RED group, including the latest 11-28t model.

The black red cranks feature black chainrings, but the same arm logos as the standard group:

The Black RED group features standard crank arms (graphics) fitted with black anodized chainrings

“Consumers and [OE] customers get excited by more custom options,” said Michael Zellmann, SRAM’s road PR manager. “[The Black finish] was a balance demand from different sources [both OE and retail] and we’ve found that color options have proven successful for us. LTE was successful and Black RED is expected to rival or exceed that.”

The new color will slowly trickle out onto the professional circuit. It's currently in the hands of individual riders, including Tim Johnson, Thor Hushovd, Chris Horner and Robbie McEwen, as well as triathletes Chris McCormack, Michellie Jones and Terenozo Bozzone.

RadioShack, Liquigas-Cannondale, Garmin-Cervelo and Saxo Bank-Sungard will race Black RED at select Classics this spring, according to Zellmann. SRAM Black RED will be available for sale in March; its price has yet to be announced.

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User Comments

There are 10 comments on this post

Showing 1 - 10 of 10 comments

  • i'm getting tired of the proliferation of all these red/black/white color schemes throughout all cycling products.

    it's boring.

  • It's boring, yes, but I bet they sell a lot, because they match a lot of bikes...that's just the way it is.

  • Hmmm. Campagnolo released the 10sp record levers with the Red springs to get rid of all the stock, then 6months later new 11sp out.

    Somehow I think that this is what Sram are doing... Get rid of all current Red stock, milk it for what it's worth then release new group.

    Having said that, it's sound business sense...

  • I really couldn't care less if they sell Red in Purple, Black or yellow. But still, I'm happy they do this. Maybe it will convince some of the wealthy color-conscious spend-more-time-looking-at-the-bike-than-riding-it crowd to buy a whole new group. That will mean SRAM can afford to sell their other ranges at a better value. Everybody wins.

  • Well, looks like they've used blue brake pads to appease those colour-criticisms, lots of laughs!

    I had a sharp reminder last night of how much better my Rival brakes are than my Ultergra brakes, I nearly went over the bars on my Rival bike such is the stopping power. What they have they done with those blue pads over the already capable black pads?

  • Hmmm, SRAM black red... Just waiting now for Campagnolo DVD Record and Shimano Dura-Jack-of-Diamonds-Ace.

  • "The new option, simply, speaks to a core philosophy within the brand: if function is on target, then form can't be ignored"

    Has this been lifted from promo material? A brand "philosophy"!? Give me strength...

  • Black red is the new black. Er... red. I mean, er... Eh?

  • i would like to see a completely red anodised red groupset the same red as the x0 stuff.

  • Hmmm, I'm still waiting for my SRAM red chainset with 165 cranks - ordered back in November and have been told it'll be mid to late March....! :(

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