SRAM has been pushing the envelope with its cassette and gear range options on its groupsets, so it was only a matter of time until it introduced a wide range version of its top end SRAM Red eTap groupset.
eTap was introduced with much fanfare earlier in the year, after extensive testing, and uses wireless signalling to transmit gear change signals between the levers and the derailleurs, each of which has its own battery pack attached.
SRAM Red eTap WiFli rear mech gets design changes as well as a long cage
The original mechanical braking was soon joined by a hydraulic disc brake option, but the gear range remained a race-focussed 11-28 maximum range. In the summer, Dura-Ace R9100 stole a jump on it though with an 11-30 range. Now eTap WiFli extends the range to 32 teeth, by virtue of a long cage rear mech. Minimum capacity is 11-26 teeth.
At the same time, SRAM has updated the design of the eTap rear mech, to improve the gap between the mech and the chain, which it says offers more consistent shifting. With the 24g battery pack attached, the WiFli version of the eTap rear mech weighs a claimed 243g, against 235g for the short cage eTap mech.
Watch: Buyer's guide to groupsets
If you want to get your extra 4 tooth range, you’ll need deep pockets though: the WiFli rear mech has a recommended retail price of £485.
As well as selling the separate rear mech, SRAM is also selling an eTap upgrade kit consisting of the WiFli rear derailleur, a SRAM XG-1190 11-32 cassette and a SRAM Red 22 11-speed chain. This is priced at £745.
>>> SRAM Red eTap ride review (video)
And a complete eTap WiFli groupset costs £1298 with rim brakes, £1744 with flat mount hydraulic disc brakes and £1753 with post mount discs.
SRAM says that WiFli stands for Wider, Faster, Lighter and that it gives the range of a triple but with faster shifting and substantial weight savings.
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Paul started writing for Cycling Weekly in 2015, covering cycling tech, new bikes and product testing. Since then, he’s reviewed hundreds of bikes and thousands of other pieces of cycling equipment for the magazine and the Cycling Weekly website.
He’s been cycling for a lot longer than that though and his travels by bike have taken him all around Europe and to California. He’s been riding gravel since before gravel bikes existed too, riding a cyclocross bike through the Chilterns and along the South Downs.
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