With multiple world and Olympic gold medals under her belt, the 42-year-old Kristin Armstrong can seemingly win time trials with the flip of a switch — or, as was the case on Friday at the USA Pro Challenge, the press of a button. Armstrong rode to victory in the opening stage of the inaugural Women's USA Pro Challenge aboard a Felt with SRAM's yet-unreleased electric time trial group.
SRAM still isn't talking about the group, but components are out in the open now. Armstrong's bike had bare buttons on both the extensions and the cowhorns, with wires running to a junction box atop the stem. The junction box then communicates wirelessly with the derailleurs.
With men's and women's teams setting off on the 8.5-mile course in Breckenridge, Colorado, there was a heathy mix of time-trial gear on display. WorldTour squads like BMC and Cannondale-Garmin mixed with composite squads from Colorado. Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 and Shimano 105 alike were raced.
While K-Edge chain catchers, Garmin mounts and number plates are somewhat ubiquitous now in the pro peloton, that wasn't always the case. It's only fitting that the original K won Friday on a bike with the equipment that was originally designed for her.
Check out the gallery above for a close look at the time trial gear at the USA Pro Challenge, and be sure to follow all the race action at Cyclingnews.
SRAM shift buttons on Kristin Armstrong's TT bike
