SRAM eTap hydraulic prototype group spotted

SRAM eTap hydraulic prototype group spotted

Wirelesss shifters and derailleurs paired with HydroR discs

A prototype SRAM eTap HydroR lever, spotted in Chicago

Courtesy a BikeRadar reader

Ben Delaney

Published: October 21, 2015 at 4:40 pm
A prototype SRAM eTap HydroR lever, spotted in Chicago - Courtesy a BikeRadar reader
The SRAM eTap wireless derailleurs and HydroR calipers are seemingly from current groups - Courtesy a BikeRadar reader
A prototype SRAM eTap HydroR lever looks to combine the electronic operation of eTap lever with the hydraulic operation of an HydroR lever. The extended hood looks quite similar to the SRAM HydroR levers that house a reservoir in that spot - Courtesy a BikeRadar reader
This prototype group also includes Blip satellite shifters, seen as bulges underneath the bar tape on the underside of the bar top - Courtesy a BikeRadar reader

Although SRAM's wireless Red eTap road group is not yet available, the company is already working on an eTap group with hydraulic brakes. A BikeRadar reader spotted two prototype groups at a coffee shop in Chicago, Illinois, home to SRAM's headquarters.

SRAM declined to answer BikeRadar's specific questions about this eTap HydroR group, instead offering this general response.

"SRAM’s commitment to hydraulic brakes for road is absolute and we plan to offer a full breadth of road hydraulic options. More information to follow," SRAM PR spokesman Daniel Slusser told BikeRadar.

SRAM already has the two main pieces necessary for an electric-hydraulic group, with the eTap's wireless technology and the second-generation HydroR road hydraulic technology. At face value, it's only a matter of integrating the shift/brake lever, which is what these prototype groups have done.

A prototype sram etap hydror lever looks to combine the electronic operation of etap lever with the hydraulic operation of an hydror lever. the extended hood looks quite similar to the sram hydror levers that house a reservoir in that spot:

SRAM eTap wireless electronic shifting plus HydroR hydraulic braking would be "eTap HydroR", right?

The prototype eTap/Hydro levers feature a taller hood extension to house the hydraulic reservoir as in the current HydroR mechanical shift levers. The prototype shift levers appear to be the same as the forthcoming eTap shifters, with a single lever on each side. The eTap levers function like Shimano Di2 sprint shifters — the left shifter moves the rear derailleur left, up the cassette; the right shifter moves the rear derailleur right, down the cassette — but with the added twist that pressing both shifters moves the front derailleur to the other ring.

Shimano currently has a similar offering with its R785 electric/hydraulic shifter. Shimano pairs this shifter with an electronic Di2 drivetrain, either Dura-Ace or Ultegra, and the BR-785 calipers, which are basically Shimano XT mountain bike calipers.

SRAM currently has hydraulic brakes incorporated into four road groups: SRAM Red 22, SRAM Force 22, SRAM Rival 22 and the cyclocross-specific SRAM CX1.

BikeRadar will bring you more information and photos on this prototype eTap HydroR as we acquire it.

The sram etap wireless derailleurs and hydror calipers are seemingly from current groups:

The SRAM Red eTap wireless derailleurs and HydroR hydraulic brakes already exist in separate groups. It appears they will soon be paired in a single group, too

Ben Delaney

Contributor

Ben Delaney is a journalist with more than two decades of experience writing for and editing some of the biggest publications in cycling. Having studied journalism at the University of New Mexico, Ben has worked for Bicycle Retailer & Industry News, VeloNews and BikeRadar. He has also previously worked as Global Brand Communications Manager for Specialized. Ben covers all things road and gravel, and can be found logging big miles in the Rocky Mountains that nestle alongside his home in Boulder, Colorado. He has covered the most important bike races in the sport, from the Tour de France and Tour of Flanders, to the Unbound gravel race, and specialises in tech content, showcasing what the pros are riding and putting everyday equipment through its paces.
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