SRAM (USA) – Based on President Stan Day’s original vision, SRAM’s Grip Shift® brought shifting from the downtube up to the handlebar and gave SRAM its start. As of April 1st, 2017, SRAM will be reversing course and, nearly 30 years later, introducing wireless electronic downtube shifters.

The electronic levers will mimic the vague and awkward shifters that were prevalent on all road bikes until the late 80’s. While the all-new non-integrated eTap DT87 Wireless Downtube Shifters will be introduced for road and tri, riders should expect a cyclocross version.

There is currently zero OE spec and no professional athletes have requested the new technology, but there is mild confidence they could find their way onto custom electronic retro builds. Shifters will come in carbon and aluminum versions and will include a frame tapping kit for easy integration on the most modern aero frames. Pricing not yet available.

“No one asked for these, none of our pro athletes want them, and so we thought, why not?” stated SRAM’s Drivetrain Category Manager Ron Ritzler.

“We like to call these non-integrated, it’s a really inconvenient way to shift, but harkens back great memories of unsafe gear changes in tight criteriums and screaming high speed descents,” said SRAM’s Director of Drivetrain Development, Scott McLaughlin.

“You have to reach down to the past to go forward,” said Brad Menna, SRAM’s Road Product Manager.



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