NEW SRAM Red eTap Wireless Groupset – GCN's First Ride

You've seen GCN's first look at the new, wireless SRAM Red eTap groupset, but how does it actually perform on the road?

In this video, Si heads out with a group of journalists to put it to the test. With a unique new system for changing gears, SRAM Red eTap looked very intriguing when we recently got a first look. Well now we've been able to try it out on the open road. Find out in this video what Si, and pro rider Loren Rowney think about the groupset, as they take a ride around the beautiful roads of Schweinfurt, Germany.

We talk lever ergonomics, shifting performance and try out key shifts like when sprinting or dropping from the big ring when climbing.

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The Global Cycling Network puts you in the centre of the action: from the iconic climbs of Alpe D’Huez and Mont Ventoux to the cobbles of Flanders, everywhere there is road or pavé, world-class racing and pro riders, we will be there bringing you action, analysis and unparalleled access every week, every month, and every year. We show you how to be a better cyclist with our bike maintenance videos, tips for improving your cycling, cycling top tens, and not forgetting the weekly GCN Show. Join us on YouTube’s biggest and best cycling channel to get closer to the action and improve your riding!

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[andreasdalhaug]

From 4:21 to 5:18 Simon looks progressively more terrified/sad each time he glances at Scott. Jokes aside though it was a great video! Much respect to you Si

[DN]

You are really making the SRAM guy work hard to explain his product, he looks like he is ready to be dropped any moment in his story. Reminds me of Matt!

[mrlewis]

A wireless groupset test in Germany. I guess they have more work to do to make it 'Hans free'.

[ochai]

Si looked like a little excited kid on Christmas! It made excited on the new shifters, even though it costs loads of money (like loads)

[theylivewesee]

since 90 % of your subscriber base don't have 10 k carbon bikes and can't afford eTap shifting you could do a review on new Tiagra 4700

[brakeforcake]

Great vids! My dream bike now consists of the hydraulic disc version of these levers, and a frame that only has cable routing for the rear brake -no cable routing required for the derailleurs! This groupset makes a frame designers job easier -no internal cable routing for gears and no need for an internal battery as with Di2.

[JOSHakaDRAGON]

That little ring/big ring shifting was nothing short of sexy!

[sebdahl]

Freaking love the electromechanical sound at the end of the video :) Shiftgasm!

[sebastianmontero]

Oh my God! only 8 years have passed! it feels like an eternity

[logfan]

After seeing the picture of Dan in the white Cervelo Test Team kit (who knew??" I can assure you that those are not the smallest levers in the peloton.

[meccaryner]

I live right next to Schweinfurt ... crazy! Hope you enjoyed your visit to Franconia ;)

[echtogammut]

Having just re-cabled my SRAM Red shifters (getting the cable to thread through the shifter is a nightmare that involves liberal use of beer) I can't wait for eTap and never having to re-cable again. Whether I am ready to spend the money, well that is another question for another paycheck.

[jharris-pdxrides]

Si, the GCN kit looks perfect with that Focus Izalco Max, I hope you pulled a Lloydy and made a quick exit with bike in hand.

[governator]

This video has incredible image quality, don't know what changed, but it's nice!

[Mandanara]

New group ride excuse "Sorry, I forgot to charge my shifters."

[SASJACOB]

I've been waiting for this for my Cervelo P5. I've always run SRAM red and been waiting for this for awhile. Hopefully they're using the new shifting setup for the TT bars.

[oscar]

ETAP is wicked and bombproof with maintenance ! ...interesting in this video chainring change is super quick....not on my set, much slower ! be interested to hear other users experiences of chainring change ?

[redhunter]

I have these on my Cannondale, I love them.

[iancornish]

Hi Si! You said the shifting method was different to what most mechanical shifters would use, in that one shifter shifts up and one shifter shifts down -- how then do you shift between the big and small chainrings on a climb? "Little ring, big ring, little ring, big ring! Brilliant!"

[charliedillon]

Couple grand for a drive train? I'll look for this on a 55 year old slow white guy's S-Works at a coffee shop soon.