Team SRAM RED is coming to theaters and bike shops hear you in the next few weeks. The following is an introduction to some of the SRAMees who operate behind the scenes and helped to bring new RED to life.

Charles Becker is our meticulous Italian-American Road Category Manager with a love for riding and a passion for the details. Charles is much like the producer of a movie in overseeing the development of the new RED gruppo from beginning to end. He made certain everyone from marketing, sponsorship, and engineering was on the same page. Charles manages the portfolio of SRAM road and triathlon componentry and maximizing their success is his key responsibility.

Bill Keith has spent the better part of his adult years in the cycling industry. His passion for nearly every form of bike racing has undoubtedly helped round out the new SRAM RED group. “BK Ripper” was the Product Manager who kept the pieces of the gruppo puzzle fitting together and the man who finally delivered the intimate details of RED to editors.

Jim Meyer is the mind behind the power of Quarq. An engineer who had a vision to make power measurement better, lighter, and more affordable, he has literally taken Quarq from his garage to the Grand Tours. With new features that give riders every bit of information they need to find improvement, Meyer was extremely excited to launch his latest idea as a fully integrated piece of the new RED gruppo.

As the Project Lead for the engineering teams technical development, Chris Raymo was in charge of the details that make RED what it is. Chris oversaw the team and made sure they were on task, managing the expectations and timelines. Her ability to connect the dots of manufacturing to engineering, quality, and industrial design made her an invaluable link in the development of new RED.

Mark Santurbane is a Design engineer who loves to play outside. Mark was the man and the mind behind fully developing a key technology of the new RED group, the YAW front derailleur. As a former pro racer, Santurbane was inspired to make playing on the bike a lot more fun, fast and easy for the rest of us.

SRAM's engineers Chris and Mark strike a pose with the new YAW front derailleur, SRAM cranks, shift levers, and brake calipers.

SRAM's Road Product Manager Bill Keith and Engineering Lead Chris Raymo ride on the rainy roads of Mallorca. Having come from Chicago's winter, they weren't complaining about a little moisture.

With changes in the weather before the first ride on new RED, the ride route had to change just before the start. The final loop was a perfect four hour spin with a few gentle rises.

SRAM's RED launch hotel in Mallorca, the beautiful Hotel Rural Monnaber Nou

SRAM's Bill Keith powers through the seemingly endless rain on day two of the launch. Most of us had come from snowy conditions in the US or Europe, so there were no complaints

LAVA's Jay Prasuhn unleashes a vicious attack, courtesy of new RED and the draft of the van

Riding bikes is fun? Mauro seems to think so...

US CX superstar Tim Johnson cracks up editors with what are likely the same jokes he told the day before. We love this guy and he represents our brands extremely well

Chechu Rubiera and SRAM's Jason Phillips chase each other up the canyon's of Mallorca's coastal mountain range

SRAM's Ben Raby and Jason Phillips unleash slow motion sprints for the cameras

SRAM's Mark Santurbane takes editors through the YAW FD install step by step

Shortly before the first ride on new RED, Ben Raby tries to share a fine collection of delicious proscuitto

Phillips puts the final touches on his personal machine before the first ride (he was the only guy with white bartape)

Final instructions for the "Grand Tour" group, the first ride on new RED is only moments away...

SRAM RED 2012 global launch

Editors listen intently as Bill Keith turns the heat up and reveals all the secrets of new RED

How do these three guy get in almost every shot?

The last supper at the SRAM launch, Thursday night before editors returned home, the menu was a meat lovers paradise

The Tour of Qatar stage race was won by Omega Pharma-Quick-Step’s sprinting and classics ace Tom Boonen. Boonen’s team, who have adopted SRAM componentry for the 2012 season, controlled the race from the opening as he sprinted to wins on stage one and four.

The team’s componentry performed perfectly, even as riders struggled in the windy and sandy conditions of Qatar. The race was Boonen’s fourth win on SRAM RED (two stages plus overall) following his final stage at Tour of San Luis his inspired start is rivaling his most prolific seasons. Boonen’s bike was equipped with a 53 SRAM TT chainring for added stiffness for the final sprints.

Team Manager Patrick Lefevere said his team was in need of some change and SRAM componentry was critical for the new season. He noted the weight, durability, ergonomics and general success of RED as reasons for the switch.

The team will transition to SRAM’s newly introduced RED 2012 gruppo as soon as quantities become available.

Light, durable, quiet

The strongest link is every link – the newest PC 1091R chain features more heavily chamfered outer plates for improved shif- ting and quieter running. Other advancements include a new inner plate finish plus chrome hardened pin construction, both for longer chain life. The hollowPin construction of SRAM‘s 10 speed PowerChain provides smooth, precise shifting and weight savings without sacrificing strength.

• HollowPin technology equals strength, incredible shifting efficiency, and light weight
• 255 grams, 114 links
• PowerLock connector, easiest install in the world
• PowerLube: high performance grease

A front view of the lightest and most advanced cassette ever built, SRAM's XG 1090

Ssshhhh, the new SRAM RED Powerdome XTM is the most advanced cassette ever made. It is super light, deadly silent, and delivers an undeniable performance advantage. The eight cogs in the middle are machined from a single block of high grade tool steel, increasing stiffness while weighing even less than a titanium cassette. between each cog in the block is a StealthRing elastomer to reduce vibration and noise. Cutouts on the rear cog further reduce weight and add stiffness. It is the final piece in the drivetrain puzzle, paired with the new SRAM RED Rear Derailleur.
It delivers ultra-fast, ultra-quiet shifts that will always put you in the right gear.

• Hollow steel dome makes for the stiffest gear cluster ever at the lightest weight
• Heat-treated, high-grade tool steel provide superlative durability and a beautiful finish
• StealthRing elastomer and advanced tooth profiles eliminate vibration and noise for a smooth, silent ride
• Aluminum cog: lighter, stiffer, stronger due to the choice of design, material and production process

The backside looks even lighter, plus cutouts, StealthRings, and new tooth profiles make it one of the quietest cassettes you will ever ride

SRAM RED 2012 brakes are nothing short of pure stopping power

Your brakes should not slow you down until you squeeze the levers. That is why the new SRAM RED brakeset has been created with a host of wind-cheating features to make the brake body more aerodynamic, helping you keep your speed until the moment you are ready. The new patented Aerolink arm reduces frontal area while improving braking performance and modulation. The brake body has been sculpted to provide a sleek aerodynamic profile to the wind. Even the smallest details, like the barrel adjuster, point away from the wind. And to finish off the package, SwissStop® Flash Pro pads come standard with the brake. It is a better brake in every way.

• AeroLink arm amplifies braking power while reducing frontal area
• Aero design extends to the shape of the indexed four-position quick release, the bladed barrel adjuster, low-profile pinch bolts, and recessed spring tension adjusters
• Wider clearance for modern wheelsets
• Lighter, aero pad retainers carry SwissStop Flash Pro pads standard

Power where it belongs

Now is what power should be – lighter, more accurate power meter completely integrated with the philosophy and performance of SRAM RED. Advances in technology and performance paired with unrivaled ease-of-use. The sleek new geometry reduces system weight and delivers clearance for oversized frames and aerodynamic chainrings. The only visible power component is the low profile, all aluminum battery case. New stress flow lifts accuracy to +/- 1.5% and makes power measurement independent from chainring selection. Integrated electronics minimize interconnections and reduce exposure to the elements, bringing unmatched durability and reliability.

• Power BalanceTM and ANT+TM give you compatibility, flexibility and every available metric
• ANT+TM ID is clearly visible to aid pairing and operation
• LED indicator signals power on and setting zero
• Tool-less, user-replaceable battery is a cycling industry standard CR2032
• OmniCalTM: TT chainrings can be fitted without recalibration
• Rain, mud and snow; the waterproof design will survive the worst conditions

Lighter, hollow, and stiffer translates to more power and a faster rider - 557 grams!

Hollow! Innovation often comes from places you would least expect. In order to make a lighter crankset, we made it bigger. To add stiffness, we used less material. The new SRAM RED ExogramTM Crankset is completely hollow all the way to the spider. Its hidden bolt pattern makes better use of carbon fiber to further improve stiffness and shed weight. The stunning X Glide RTM chainrings are optimized for use with the YawTM Technology in the front derailleur, delivering seamless, flawless performance.
• ExogramTM technology uses a large, hollow cross section all the way to the spider, minimizing weight while maximizing stiffness. Our stiffest crank ever
• Hidden bolt pattern leverages the characteristics of carbon fiber while presenting a sleek appearance
• Stiffer X Glide RTM chainrings feature thicker construction, advanced shift timing pins and ramps, which are optimized for shifting with the YawTM Front Derailleur
• Stunning two-tone finish
• GXP, PressFit, BB30, PressFit 30 availability

SRAM's new RED 2012 front derailleur - more control, faster shifts, integrated chain spotter, and YAW technology eliminates the need for trim - no chain rub, ever - how awesome is that?

At the front – the new SRAM RED Front Derailleur seriously changes everything. Instead of simply moving back and forth, the derailleur cage actually rotates to maintain a consistent angular relationship with the chain. We call it Yaw Technology, and it eliminates the need for shifter trim. As a result, shifts feel more direct, more precise, and combined with the new SRAM RED crankset and chainrings, delivers an unmatched performance advantage in front shifting.
• YawTM cage rotates in line with chain, improving the shifting speed and precision while eliminating the need for shifter trim
• Slim spring design eliminates frame interference
• Optimized for shifting with X Glide RTM Chainrings
• Best combination of aluminum and steel for the strongest and most durable cage we have ever made
• Precision install markings
• Integrated chain spotter protects your frame without adding any extra clunk, and adjusts independently of the derailleur itself

SRAM's new RED 2012 rear derailleur - quieter, lighter, more aero and compact; the best rear derailleur ever made gets better

Bringing up the rear – if you want the fastest, quietest shifting around, look no further. The new SRAM RED Rear Derailleur has been designed to deliver the performance advantage you have come to expect from SRAM. The derailleur is designed with our Exact Actuation technology for precise, efficient shifting. We have paid rapt attention to the finer details, like adding a hollow titanium anchor bolt and even refining tooth geometry of the jockey wheel. The result is that the chain runs through the new SRAM RED Rear Derailleur smoother and quieter than ever before.
• Exact ActuationTM shifting provides fast, accurate shifts
• More clearance with 28t cassettes thanks to a longer B-knuckle
• New silent shifting with optimized AeroGlide Pulleys, ceramic bearings
• New spring-fixed barrel adjuster
• New chain pulley cage adds precise chain management
• Titanium pinch bolt keeps a low profile while minimizing weight