SRAM

Force Shifters

As the saga of SRAM Force continues to be written, we can't help but notice how close to parallel its story has becomes with Red. Dedicated carbon levers, titanium hardware, DoubleTap, Exact Actuation, Zero Loss -- the list goes on and on. When examining features like weight and precision, the question begs to be asked -- is there a better component value on the market? The SRAM Force Shifters responds with a resounding voice -- No.

Just like the previous iteration of Force, these levers have lots of top-shelf features once only the province of SRAM Red DoubleTap, like SRAM's Zero Loss shifting and the ability to trim the front derailleur. You can also run both the brake and shifter cables along the front of your handlebar, and with SRAM's reach adjustment feature, you can customize the lever reach to the size of your hands.

At heart, DoubleTap boils down to three key parts in the shifter: A transport pawl, a holding pawl, and a spool. In short, when you engage the magnesium shift lever that sits behind the dedicated, carbon fiber brake lever, the following occurs: The transport pawl leaps over the holding pawl, and with the help of the spool, it pulls (or releases) 3mm of cable per shift. Once you've completed the shifting motion, the holding pawl then holds the cable in place. As you probably know, you push the same lever for both up-shifts and down-shifts. A small push of the lever releases cable to put you down into your sprinting gears, and a bigger push pulls cable to move you up into your climbing gears. It couldn't be more simple or elegant.

There are a few practical details worth mentioning. You can go up your cassette into climbing gears a maximum of three gears per shift. You can go down your cassette into the sprinting gears only one gear per shift. One highlight of DoubleTap, though, is that it permits you to do what SRAM phrases as 'Sprint Shifting.' While gripping your handlebars in the drops, you can hold the right-side shift lever against the bar and downshift with a short, quick flick of your wrist. Unlike Shimano or Campy, you don't have to peel your fingers off the bar during a hairy field sprint to shift to your 11. Instead, you can keep your hands securely on the bars while making sure you're in a big enough gear.

One other small design feature is that when you shift, the lever doesn't move strictly right-to-left in the lateral plane. Rather, it sweeps 15 degrees inward towards the head tube of your frame. This action makes the shifting motion mirror the natural inward curvature of your hand. It's a little thing that goes a long way in terms of comfort and shifting precision. Also, the lever is positioned close to your bar in order to minimize user-force on the lever and to further optimize this 15 degree sweep.

Force shifters have no external cables, so they look as beautiful as they feel, while maximizing aerodynamics. They come with a full cable and housing for both derailleurs and brakes. Given the design of DoubleTap shifting, please note that SRAM recommends that you use a complete SRAM drivetrain, including both derailleurs, cassette, chain, and crankset in order to optimize shift quality.

The SRAM Force Shifters is available in one size and in one color. The pair of shifters tip the scales around 302 grams without cables.