The Answer Is ETAP

Why SRAM’s wireless group might just be the best choice you could make for electronic shifting.

- Matt Phillips

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.