What is so special about SRAM Red?

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The implication then would be that a monopoly would lower prices?
Yes it can believe it or not. Consider satellite radio, where you have Sirius and XM as the dominant players. Many fear that a merger would harm consumers because they would raise prices. But if you listen to CEOs, they say that right now they are spending so much money trying to beat each other that they need to keep the prices high. So if they combine forces, they can pass those savings on to the consumer.

... It could be argued that the 2007-and-subsequent Veloce group (for example) is equal-to-or-better than the 1998 Chorus group, and undoubtedly better than the 2007 Chorus group.YIKES! Sorry, that should have read:... It could be argued that the 2007-and-subsequent Veloce group (for example) is equal-to-or-better than the 1998 Chorus group, and undoubtedly better than the 1997 Chorus group.

YIKES! Sorry, that should have read:... It could be argued that the 2007-and-subsequent Veloce group (for example) is equal-to-or-better than the 1998 Chorus group, and undoubtedly better than the 1997 Chorus group.






'Better' is a big word. When Centaur and below shift innards changed in 2007 to that of Xenon, the RD became a Veloce with a carbon 'bit', when the crank became a Chorus with Veloce CRs, and the hubs disappeared(the nice Centaur aluminum axled ones-2007/8 Centaur is relabeled Veloce), I don't view it, particularly the left lever, as 'better'. Centaur and below shifts like Sram now, not impressed. When selling Centaur I get 2006 Centaur levers and hubs(until they are gone).

I prefer the 'traditional' shift innards of all previous ERGO and today Record and Chorus over the Xenon type.

'Better' is a big word. When Centaur and below shift innards changed in 2007 to that of Xenon, the RD became a Veloce with a carbon 'bit', when the crank became a Chorus with Veloce CRs, and the hubs disappeared(the nice Centaur aluminum axled ones-2007/8 Centaur is relabeled Veloce), I don't view it, particularly the left lever, as 'better'. Centaur and below shifts like Sram now, not impressed. When selling Centaur I get 2006 Centaur levers and hubs(until they are gone).

I prefer the 'traditional' shift innards of all previous ERGO and today Record and Chorus over the Xenon type.FWIW. I also prefer the traditional, pre-2007 mechanism ... so, I would also argue on the same side that you are on that the pre-2007 mechanism is better/(the best) ... but, those 1997-and-before shifters were really heavy, and I think that "only" (?) Jan Ullrich actually liked the shape.



But, there are some people other than Campagnolo's bean-counters who prefer the 2007/(aka XENON) mechanism ...From the bean-counters point of view, if they are able to sell more shifters with the Xenon-mechanism, then it is better regardless of whether or not the core of their ridership embrace it ... they probably figure we can either buy a RECORD/CHORUS or scrounge around for some pre-2007 shifters.



No doubt, the newbie, in particular, who is more familiar with the lighter feel of an STI shifter is less likely to be intimidated by the crisper feel of the traditional Campagnolo ERGO mechansim when first trying out some Campagnolo shifters on a demo bike ... so, that is potentially "a good thing" for the shop owner.


All-in-all, after testing the XENON-mechanism with the bike in a trainer, I deemed it to be "okay" ... and/(i.e., because), I felt/thought I was able to trim the front adequately while using a Shimano front derailleur (that was MY concern ... I only tested the mechanism with a double crank, BTW; so, it might be unacceptable with a triple).

BTW. Peter/anyone, do you know if the index wheel is interchangeable between the traditional ERGO shifters & the XENON shifters, or are they exclusive to the particular designs? I don't feel like disassembling my "test" shifters just to check.

You are nuts dude. Do you know anything about economics? If a company is losing sales because of competition, they will actually lower prices to raise their sales. If they increased prices, then sales would drop more because nobody would want to pay more for something. Plus, who pays retail for stuff anymore? I'll bet very few people here pay retail for their bikes/components because of sponsorships through bike shops.

Plus, have you ridden it before? I raced it last weekend for the first time and absolutely loved it every second I was using it. I agree with your statement concerning economics. I have to disagree with your statement that very few people on this site pay retail for their bikes/components because of sponsorships. I believe that the majority of readers and contributors to this site either do not race or are self sponsored. Maybe this is a topic for a new thread. Are you a sposored racer, a self sponsored racer, or a non-racing rider?

Getting on topic, I have not ridden SRAM Red, but from friends who have and who swear by SRAM, it is the greatest group to come along in years. One buddy who hates SRAM hates Red also, and the others are sort of split with most saying it is nice but over-hyped.