News From EuroBike: SRAM Red Goes Wireless With The New eTap Group.

While not really a Top-Secret project over at SRAM, the new, wireless Red eTap Group has now officially broken cover at EuroBike in Friedrichshafen, Germany.  The big-deal, all-things-bike industry show, which runs from August 26-29, never really disappoints, and this year's really big news was the officially unveiling of SRAM's long in development wireless gruppo.  Yes, gone are the wiring looms and cables, and say "Hello" to batteries.

The quick details are a group pretty darn close to mechanical Red in weight, a one lever shift up, one lever shift down, both levers big-small ring shift, and the ability to run a 28-tooth cassette maximum at present time.  Braking is still via cable-pull rim units, and rumors are swirling of a trickle-down to future wireless Force and Rival groups, as well.

See below for more, in-depth, information.

The Photos (courtesy of VeloNews):

The Video (courtesy of GCN):

  

From The "Wish I'd Thought Of That," Department - Sigma Automatic Brakelight For $10 USD.

All photos courtesy of Sigma

Now, here is an idea so simple, it is a wonder no one thought of it, sooner.  An ingenious, mechanically operated, light which automatically illuminates when the rear brake is applied.  It mounts in seconds, runs off a tiny, replaceable CR 1025 button-cell battery, and is cheap at $10 USD.  What's not to like?

The unit itself mounts to the rear brake cable, via a hex clamp, up against the adjustment bolt, and when the brake is applied, it squeezes the unit, triggering the light.  Release the brake, and the light switches off.

While it is being marketed as an aid to motorists, I see the larger service being to other cyclists, and hopefully, it will help to eliminate the rear-ender in pacelines. 

Safety never looked so simple and cost-effective.

Clicky here for the Sigma web site.

Here is the installation video, courtesy of Sigma.