Page 83 - Trimax_mag166_UK

MATERIAL OF SIMON BILLEAU

EFinally, the maintenance is also
positively affected. There is no
more cleaning or adjustment of
the front deraillor or replacing the
front deraillor cable

Sram has again made a revolution
in the triathlon world. Its Force
and Rival 1X groupsets offering
single front chainring from 38 to
54 teeth allow athletes of different
levels to use it on all types of races.

At roughly 100€, this chainring is
affordable and is a game changer !

More informations on
www.sram.com

1- SRAM is the only manufacturer offering single Never equip a 1x bike with a gear bigger than the
chainring for the road market at the moment. How rider can comfortably & efficiently push; and if any
long did the process take ? Was it a request from sacrifice of range is made, it should be on the top
some of your Pro riders or triathletes (like the end.
Brownlee Bros using the 52T 1X) ? - Then decide on the cassette, based on the selected
As soon we had a production 1x11 MTB drivetrain, chainring and the lowest gear required for the
we started modifying it and experimenting with intended course.
other applications. Cyclocross was the obvious next Don’t worry about larger gear ratio jumps! Athletes
step, in that riders have cobbled together single- find that 1x’s shifting simplicity makes for greater
ring CX drivetrains for decades. Triathlon was the efficiency – because they find the right gear quickly
next area of focus for a number of reasons: simpler & easily – than having more ratios to choose from.
shifting seemed right for these “steady-state” See Ben Collins and Jordan Rapp 1x stories:
athletes, simpler mechanical system for athletes
who often fly to races, aerodynamic gains, potential https://www.sram.com/stories/rappstar-goes-1x
frame design gains, and some examples of DYI https://www.sram.com/stories/perfect-me-jordan-
single-ring drivetrains. 1x was not requested by pro rapp-s-kona-1x-experience
triathletes, but they are now its biggest proponents! https://www.sram.com/stories/sram-1x-shift-logic

2- Could you describe what should a triathlete 3- But we don’t see the 1x being available with the
do switching to 1X with multi-use bike (mostly eTap groupset.
hilly local events and few flat long distance 70.3 or Could you please explain us why? Do you plan to
Ironmans)? create a E-Tap groupset compatible with 1X in a
A triathlete switching to 1x should understand her near future ?
relevant gear range. This bit belies the simplicity of The Rear derailleur’s contribution to a 1x drivetrain’s
1x: the right setup requires some experimentation chain management is critical. An electronic 1x RD
and some thought. is a distinct development from the 2x RD; and we
- First decide on which chainring, based on the chose to prioritize 2x, as it accommodates the vast
highest gear. The rider should determine her top majority of the market.
gear (50x11, or 4.5, is as big as most riders need).

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