Why SRAM’s wireless group might just be the best choice you could make for electronic shifting.
![The Answer Is ETAP](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/2572/252201/5a292f810f4ee/The-Answer-Is-ETAP.jpg)
WHEN SRAM LAUNCHED RED ETAP – its wireless electronic-shifting road group – in August 2015, it was a race-focused offering with mechanical rim brakes and a short-cage rear derailleur. While every story needs a beginning, it was surprising to see SRAM leave out two technologies it had helped popularise: wide-range gearing and hydraulic disc brakes. The omission was even more curious considering that drop-bar bikes have been moving away from racing and strict tar use in favour of being more capable on unpaved roads and trails.
The latest version of eTap fills these holes. SRAM’s top-of-the-line drop-bar group now includes hydraulic disc brakes and wide-range gearing, increasing its versatility and appeal, and making it more relevant to today’s rider.
After six months of testing the eTap disc group (eTap HRD) with WiFLi (which is what SRAM calls its wide-range 11-32 cassette), I’ve come away impressed with the group’s performance.
HOW IT RIDES
AT ITS CORE, this group is still Red eTap, so there’s little difference in shifting performance between eTap HRD and eTap for rim brakes.
Shifting is reliable, secure – solid engagement, no skipping, no dropped chains – and most of the time (but not always), smooth. I love the shift paddles, which are equally accessible from the hoods and the drops. The weight and length of the throw, the volume and feel of the ‘click’, and eTap’s foolproof shifting pattern all make changing gears equal parts pleasurable and seamless.
Esta historia es de la edición December 2017 de Bicycling South Africa.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición December 2017 de Bicycling South Africa.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
![6 WAYS TO BEAT THE HEAT THIS SUMMER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1571210/EXmaHQ18n1708514727809/6-WAYS-TO-BEAT-THE-HEAT-THIS-SUMMER.jpg)
6 WAYS TO BEAT THE HEAT THIS SUMMER
TOP TIPS TO KEEP YOU COOLER AND RIDING STRONGER... NO MATTER WHAT THE TEMPERATURE.
![RAGE AGAINST THE LYCRA](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1571210/cJlUjHDv_1708514581165/RAGE-AGAINST-THE-LYCRA.jpg)
RAGE AGAINST THE LYCRA
WHY MOUNTAIN BIKING IS WAY MORE SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE THAN BEING A ROADIE.
![6 THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT CHAINS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1571210/Lq1kC59yV1708514377540/6-THINGS-YOU-DIDNT-KNOW-ABOUT-CHAINS.jpg)
6 THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT CHAINS
To help you get the most out this crucial drivetrain component, and celebrate just how impressive your loop of metal links really is, we've rounded up six things you might not know about the bike chain.
![EVERYONE KNOWS 52X11 IS BIGGER THAN 48X10. EVEN THOUGH IT ISN'T.](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1571210/Pr_m8AVIz1708514203166/EVERYONE-KNOWS-52X11-IS-BIGGER-THAN-48X10-EVEN-THOUGH-IT-ISNT.jpg)
EVERYONE KNOWS 52X11 IS BIGGER THAN 48X10. EVEN THOUGH IT ISN'T.
\"The human threshold for 'least noticeable difference' is generally on the order of 10 per cent change of a value.\"
![A CELEBRATION OF JUNK MILES](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1571210/iG_ESU4M91708514025735/A-CELEBRATION-OF-JUNK-MILES.jpg)
A CELEBRATION OF JUNK MILES
\"No longer dreading my next bunch sprint, I felt like I belonged on my bike again\"
![KONTREI KUDOS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1571210/9EOHiU6Sy1708513891784/KONTREI-KUDOS.jpg)
KONTREI KUDOS
YOU DON'T HAVE TO TRAVEL FAR TO FEEL SOUTH AFRICAN WARMTH. BUT SOMETIMES YOU CHOOSE TO.
![THE EASTERN CAPE PASSES ADVENTURE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1571210/CiLNmGPLr1708513228774/THE-EASTERN-CAPE-PASSES-ADVENTURE.jpg)
THE EASTERN CAPE PASSES ADVENTURE
SOME OF THE HIGHEST PASSES IN SOUTH AFRICA ALL IN ONE HELLUVA RIDE!
![CAFFEINE - THE EXPERT'S PED*](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1571210/tkTikFeaF1708513000808/CAFFEINE-THE-EXPERTS-PED.jpg)
CAFFEINE - THE EXPERT'S PED*
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR EVERY PART OF YOUR RIDE LIFE
![THE RACES ARE FASTER. ARE THEY CLEANER? AND DOES IT MATTER?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1571210/6hhXQIt4p1708512843993/THE-RACES-ARE-FASTER-ARE-THEY-CLEANER-AND-DOES-IT-MATTER.jpg)
THE RACES ARE FASTER. ARE THEY CLEANER? AND DOES IT MATTER?
THE LAST TWO EDITIONS OF THE MEN’S Tour de France were among the three fastest.
![Perfect Timing](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1571210/Ku6S-4sYy1708512684034/PERFECT-TIMING.jpg)
Perfect Timing
THE SOUTHERN CAPE IS LITTERED WITH EXCELLENT RIDING AND EVEN BETTER COFFEE.