A couple of years ago, SRAM launched a new 1x11 mountain bike groupset. It binned the front mech and used a single chainring combined with a huge range 11-tooth cassette. From this photo of US cyclocross racer Ryan Trebon, it looks like they’ve adapting it for the cyclocross market.
SRAM hasn’t revealed any official information on this groupset yet so we don’t exactly have many details to share with you. We do know SRAM likes to use its sponsored racers to test new developments; we first spotted its hydro disc brakes on a US cyclocross racing bikes back along. However, we know plenty about the mountain bike version this new groupset is based on, and it doesn’t look from the photos to stray too far from it.

The really interesting aspect about the new groupset is the lack of a front mech or chainguide. SRAM developed a chainring with alternating wide and narrow teeth that fit inside a chain with corresponding alternating inner and outer links. This essentially means the chain fits more securely on the chainring than a regular setup. Meanwhile, the rear derailleur has an internal roller bearing clutch that increases tension on the chain, and stops it bouncing around - which can lead to derailed chains. It's been well proven with many top flight mountain bike world cup and enduro victories to its name already.
The groupset offers a simplicity of shifting - you only have the rear shifter to play with - and much less chance of the chain dropping over rough terrain. I’ve ridden the mountain bike groupset and it does work astonishing well. Shifting is quick and precise and there’s no shortage of ratios at either end of the cassette. It does look like Ryan has been using a regular RED road cassette, probably an 11-26, but we image there'll be a greater selection if, when, it comes to market.
This sort of groupset, with all its benefits, is ideal for cyclocross racing. But we reckon it's ideal too for the new breed of versatile utility cyclocross bikes that are becoming more popular.
Thanks to Bikerumour of use of the photos.
The last helmet that I bought came from Aldi, cost £9.99 and it came with a built in rear light. Hasn't killed me yet.
Exactly - admitting that is an admission of guilt, not a mitigating circumstance, IMO.
I expect we need:...
Riding a bicycle in a "prohibited area": £220 fine plus £226 costs and a £58 victim surcharge....
"It would be a difficult case to make that those 1951 tyres etc. were just as good, doncha think?"...
They'd better make you lightening fast 'cause for sure I wouldn't want to be seen in these ugly ducklings.
Good reason to fit banned motorists with gps tracker cuffs for the duration of their bans. The cost of provision and monitoring could be recovered...
I sprayed my coffee everywhere when I read this. Genius.
Not strictly true, the customary rights of clan chiefs and warlords were converted into legal property rights over the land which was then often...
If it was a road collision death in the UK the road would likely be closed for several hours for evidence collection, similarly for trainline...