The 1 reason this lever design is SRAM's killer feature

[@Mincher]

2 over, 2 under has always felt super comfortable and secure for me, on the hoods.

[@michaelnewman4302]

As soon as this trickles down to SRAM's lower-tiered groupsets, I'm buying.

[@SuperDodoe]

great video...odd choice of music

[@kevinfrost1579]

Paul pleased it’s a problem solver for you and your particular riding preferences 👍 (for others not). For what’s been delivered from the wider possibilities don’t see anything to get quite so fired up about. Worth noting Robbie McEwen is a brand ambassador for Sram

[@petersouthernboy6327]

I'm going to buy these shifters this Summer to retrofit onto my existing AXS groupset. I spend 90% of my time on the hoods, and passing and turning during a gravel race is always a terrifying proposition.

[@Stefanosinf]

This is actually a great feature!!

[@madPac34]

Surprising it has took this long!

[@micktheshaggy3977]

Spot on. Now I'm running Apex 1 (fully mechanical /cable actuated disc brakes). I have small hands and in order to reach the brake lever from the drops with my pointing finger I have to set the minimum distance between the lever and handlebar. It creates the problem shown in the video - my fingers are in the way of the brake lever (it's squeezing my fingers and not able to have the full range of movement), so not ideal for braking force / performance. My solution is that from the hoods I have to use 2 fingers for braking, but as said in the video - this is dangerous on any bumps. Looking forward to see this in Apex (Red is too expensive for me 😕), maybe then I will think about upgrading to full hydraulic, because with the current generation of Apex, I can't see the point - maybe the braking force from the fully hydraulic system would be a bit better, but the problem with the ergonomics would still exist.

[@8rk]

While I like the newer shape, it still looks goofy as hell to me. Still love Shimano lever shapes. Also LOVE the newer force / rival shapes. I don't know why they couldn't just do that. The 3 fingers under level "issue" has never really been a real issue for me and many others. Hate that new lever design makes it a longer reach.

[@rayF4rio]

I've got the (now) older Red shifters and ride on some very rough roads in a very hilly area and my hands never feel like they're going to just slip off, even when drenched in sweat. The great thing about the human hand - its almost infinitely adaptable. But in regards to the new shifters, I do like that I would be able to fit more fingers around the underside of the lever (currently just 2 1/2), and the improved breaking performance with the revised horizontal brake master cylinder orientation. My older Red levers are very finnicky with regards to contact point adjustment and brake master cylinder stickiness on long hot rides when the shifter body becomes hot due to hours in the sun at temps over 100F.

[@DavidStacey-tx7on]

Not a fan of SRAM and hate road discbrakes but can see this being a winner.

[@trelosenario]

Truly , this is the first thing i noticed also. The second was they are still using DOT brake fluid and they are missing a second button on the lever. :) I think i will wait until the next generation ,and until then , the GRX DI2 is the best choice in my opinion. Cheers

[@soapowejazz]

This was done by Shimano GRX Di2 already. Maybe not quite as long, but it was the same design. It looks good, that's true, but the disadvantage is that it just makes the reach of the bike even longer. When I switched to GRX Di2 I had to shorten the stem by 1cm.

[@mf0u3021]

Next thing to solve is water/dust ingress into the gaping hole at the top of the lever when reach adjust is dialled in.

[@MS-bw7yt]

I find 2 finger braking from the hoods works already great on the new Shimano groupsets 🤔 You have still 2 fingers around the hood for a secure grip and because you are using 2 fingers from the hoods, the leverage difference with 1 finger braking in the drops is not very big

[@simonwarmer8777]

Another brilliant solution for a problem we didn’t realize we’re having. Imagine all those previous generation red boys and girls realizing they were riding non ergonomic shifters ! Good that they improve though.

[@Mapdec]

It’s like the invention of electic windows

[@super8hell]

I just got smaller hands instead. Cheaper than new Read😁

[@DanTuber]

I've got that already with ultegra mechanical

[@MisterCOM]

How does this compare to grx levers

[@Mapdec]

GRX is same issue, made slightly better by a big lever and some flare.

[@MisterCOM]

@@Mapdec isn't the pivot point also different compared to the normal shimano road levers?

[@sahasrangshuutube]

Which is best endurance bike for short people

[@Mapdec]

Canyon Endurace those 650 wheels make all the difference

[@global_nomad.]

"when things get a bit chosy"?? .....1:48.....i infer what it means, but also have no idea what it means. thanks for continuing to provide layers of info on this new groupset....even if it gets a bit dirty

[@Mapdec]

Chos. Stones, hedgerow cuttings, pot hole, bit of road kill, hub cap, drain covers. The general term for stuff making for a bumpy ride.

[@global_nomad.]

@@Mapdec i'll add that to 'puddled'...northern slang i've picked up from cycling youtubers .

[@steve6942]

Do you supply/stock the 8 bit burg bar tape (stealth version 🤔) nice video as per. It's a long time coming for road levers to have ergonomics and clearance in one package well done sram

[@Mapdec]

Sadly that was a limited edition and all gone now.

[@Sethimus82]

how much longer is the reach with this?

[@Mapdec]

5mm

[@MasteringGrappling]

I realized this detail by the pictures as i am currently running the previous Force Groupset and i know how tight the spacer is. . I wonder if there is a company that can make replacement lever blades to update the current groupsets. Im thinking for the current Force or Rival groupsets.

[@Mapdec]

the design is really in the layout of the master cylinder, not the lever shape.

[@Larsschmidt14]

Is reach longer as a result?

[@Mapdec]

5mm. Small price to pay. The levers transition to bars so much better, so you don’t notice.

[@chrismeyer9990]

Do these levers add noticably more reach? With my old sram levers I'm right at the max reach where I'm confortable at. Were the new ones any longer I'd need a new cockpit on top of the new expensive levers...

[@Mapdec]

5mm. I haven’t noticed. They just feel better. They don’t drop or protrude sharp edges.

[@borano2031]

Interesting. When I go down a tricky part, I use the drops, NOT the hoods. Gives me a full pull on the lever. I just saved myself a LOT of money, I presume... Rgr

[@Mapdec]

Sure. I hope the section with Robbie helped with the reason it’s important when not in the drops.

[@pollythedog4914]

​@@Mapdec personally I want the opposite. I want the reach adjustment as close as possible to the bars. When I am on the drops I want the levers as accessible as possible for when I need them. Makes more sense to me that levers are the easiest to reach when I am riding my hardest, I.e descending fastest....this is when I need brakes the most, and don't want to loosen grip to reach them. How does the closest reach adjustment compare on the new Sram to Dura Ace/Ultegra?

[@Mapdec]

@@pollythedog4914 the biggest difference is that on Shimano as you bring the levers close you loose a lot of initial bite, and the contact adjust doesn’t really do anything meaningful. Most folk just wind it all the out

[@millsshumps1968]

Given the Sram revolutionized the body design for both large and small hands when it comes to control and braking, they need to revise the rubber hoods for better grip and control as you mentioned the hood material is not as good as shimano. Firmer rubber material and better textured grip on the underside of hoods suitable for all weather or wearing gloves.

[@Mapdec]

Yeah, I think we are all waiting for Shimano to do their usual, copy and refine process. 2 more years maybe before the next Dura Ace.

[@WhaJMc]

Shimano 105 Di2, I have three fingers around the hoods and one finger breaking.

[@Mapdec]

I can’t with my hands. 🤷‍♂️

[@TroggyPK]

the only drawback for me (a tiny one at that even if it is one) is the little plastic/rubber cover over the reach adjust looks like it might come loose and get lost very quickly because its so small and so exposed for a tiny removable part? dont suppose you guys have already checked this out and with being hands on this is a null and void niggle?

[@Mapdec]

its quite firmly attached, and its not something you will touch often. I'll let you know.

[@Gufolicious]

If you have the lever in that setting (all the way out from drops) you can barely touch them in the drops with 1 finger, like you show afterwards. I rather can comfortable touch them in my drops

[@garagesale5948]

The new SRAM Red levers may require a shorter stem length. This is still SRAM with a history of unreliable designs.

[@Mapdec]

its 5mm. I haven't even noticed. Small price to pay if you do.

[@lordalfa600]

Fitting that need short reach becomes a nightmare. Either shorter stem or short reach bars below 70mm reach

[@Mapdec]

It’s only 5mm. I haven’t even noticed.

[@lovenottheworld5723]

You can see with Robbie that the drink is talking.

[@pinkyfull]

For my money, and thick fingers, i don't know that this will be all that useful. I can barely get 2 fingers under a "normal" hood so I've gotten used to controlling the bike with a less positive grip. Having more space just kicks the lever further away, which can be frustrating to descents when you're on the drops.

[@ozgurinsan]

a good ad.

[@JWH.Design]

I don't see how this is any different to other lever designs that allow for reach adjust? The amount of adjustment is no different to the shimano stuff I'm running now

[@Mapdec]

Go and measure it like I did here

[@galenkehler]

Ive had this for quite a few years already on my TRP Hylex, but congrats to sram for catching up 😂

[@Mapdec]

The hylix is really good. They used to make a model you could put a sram blip into.

[@galenkehler]

@@Mapdec probably still can, I have my archer shifter in mine but it's shaped for a di2 climb switch

[@JayLato]

1:32 it’s totally near his fingers.

[@philipegoulet448]

It's seems like such an obvious design choice. I really wonder why no one else did this before?

[@Mapdec]

It’s quite clever to pack a full brake master cylinder in that space.

[@taxi9554]

I have never had this problem with Ultegra or Dura ace 😅

[@Mapdec]

You just never noticed it. It’s like having power steering on your car. Everyone thought it wasn’t a problem until it was on every car ever and now can’t live without it. .

[@stevengordon-head2420]

Wouldn’t make me consider SRAM.

[@Cycle.every.day.]

So it's like a can of coke rolling under your brake pedal in the car

[@Mapdec]

yeah, but its your finger.

[@dominicbritt]

Still touching the bars 😂

[@Mapdec]

what is? even at its closest possible the shift lever misses the bar.

[@11robotics]

What's with this recent obsession with braking with only one finger? Especially from the hoods. I mean aside from technical off-road riding, where in some extreme situations having more fingers on the grips and less on the brake levers could make a difference, even on the crappiest and/or steepest roads I've ever ridden (which are worse than your typical British roads) I've never had any bike control issue whatsoever when using two or even three fingers to brake. Also, the further down the brake lever your fingers are, the better the leverage, so why would you want to brake with your index finger instead of the middle and ring ones? Also, assuming you ride on a really bumpy road that would - for the sake of the argument - justify holding the hoods with as many fingers as possible while braking, what do you do when your only braking finger slips off the brake lever because of those exact bumps? I'm sorry, but these levers solve a problem that either only few suffer from or is largely exaggerated. Robbie McEwen's point about improved reaction times in the peloton is arguably valid, so long as this new lever shape actually has a significant impact on that front - which I am pretty sure nobody has thoroughly evaluated yet.

[@Mapdec]

It’s the future. It’s better, it’s safer. If you can, you will.

[@11robotics]

@@Mapdec oh my, everything makes a lot more sense now.

[@rafaeldegiacomoaraujo8778]

Does this justify the 3.5k? Nope nope nope...

[@Mapdec]

nope, but hold off on buying Force or Rival until they roll this out. Demand it, they will hurry up.

[@rafaeldegiacomoaraujo8778]

To be honest, I avoid sram as much as possible. Sram for me is cycling's version of fast fashion.

[@Mapdec]

@@rafaeldegiacomoaraujo8778 sure. Sram for innovation, Shimano for value, campy for prestige. 👍. Microshift for necessity. LT Woo for quick hit.

[@jeremynorth]

You're making something out of nothing. I've never had a problem like this. Of course now I've just added to your reason for putting up this nonsense, more clicks.

[@Mapdec]

Lucky you. 👍.

[@parthmache4733]

No one pulls break levers like that lol

[@Mapdec]

Yes, because you can't.... If you could, you would.

[@DeanPattrick]

Plot twist: Ultegra mechanical is already like this 😬

[@andreemurray7039]

Never use sram again poor customer service I'll stick to dura ace mercanical plus the price are they having a laugh you can buy a bike for that price dream on

[@Mapdec]

Weird, its the same price as DA Di2 was at launch, and its cheaper than SR, but yes, you can buy a pretty reasonable bathroom suite and holiday in Disney Land for less.

[@johnmontgomery157]

Who picked the music for this🙄 can’t focus on what you’re trying to show us over the lame soppy tune🙄 (old punk rock fan)

[@Mapdec]

I did. Isn’t it lovely 😂

[@johnmontgomery157]

Think you need to get your coat😘