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Introducing new SRAM eTap models

Force eTap models follow successful Red eTap introduction

Following our Red eTap AXS bikes, we now introduce several SRAM Force eTap AXS models. They offer almost the same performance at a very attractive price. Here you'll find all the tech info and a list of where you can see them today.

Text by Various , photos by Marc Gasch, Victor Lucas - 03 April 2019

Our launch of new Red eTap AXS models in February was a big success – many of them are already sold out for the season while for some sizes we were able to produce small additional shipments. But although being a launch partner for SRAM with this groupset was great, even better for us was to team up with them for the launch of their new Force eTap AXS drivetrain.

In the previous generation, eTap electronic wireless shifting was only available at the Red level. This meant the technology was out of reach for a lot of people. With this second generation, SRAM is offering eTap also at the Force level.

While still a premium product at a premium price, the costs of complete bikes with these groups have come down significantly. So now the wireless 12-speed shifting revolution is complete.

We offer two models with Force eTap AXS:

The first is the Strada, 3T’s breakthrough aero frame with unparalleled comfort. Still the only aero frame optimized around larger tires (depending on the tire and rim combo even 32mm effective width tires fit, but always check the fit of your tire/rim combo).

The Force eTap drivetrain comes with a 10-33 cassette and a 44t chainring, giving you the equivalent of a compact crank with lots of climbing gears. In “regular numbers”, the biggest gear is like a 48×11 (or 53×12), the smallest gear is like a 36×27. So you have every gear you need and with 12 cogs in the back, you’ll have nice small steps through the whole range with single-tooth jumps for the first 6 cogs!

The frame gets a small cosmetic make-over alongside the new groupset. You see, before we launched the Strada, the first paint sample came out a soft red, different from what we had aimed for. But people liked it so much we kept it. For the Force eTap AXS bike, we’re returning to the real 3T red, which is deeper and brighter.

Add our revamped Discus C35 wheels, carbon SuperErgo cockpit and Pirelli & Fizik finishing kit and we’re sure this bike will be a winner. You can see the full specifications on the Strada page and more details in this gallery:

Do you like the sound of the unparalleled comfort in an aero bike that the Strada offers but do you still prefer a front derailleur? Then the Strada Due Force eTap AXS is the bike for you.

The Strada Due gets a similar finishing kit to the Strada, but of course with a front derailleur and 2×12 gears. I’ve had the pleasure of testing these drivetrains extensively in the lead-up to this launch, and I have to say, I really like them a lot.

Maybe SRAM won’t like me saying this, but it’s hard to notice a difference between the Force eTap AXS and the Red eTap AXS drivetrains. Of course the Red is slightly lighter, but in functionality, quality and finesse, they are both fantastic. Of course a big difference is the price, and I think that at this level, the Force eTap is tough to beat.

Full specifications for the bike are on the Strada Due page, and below is a gallery with some more photos:

But wait, there’s more. While we do not offer an Exploro with Force eTap AXS, that doesn’t mean it’s not a very good option too. In fact, it’s such a great combo that SRAM uses the Exploro for its demo fleet. So if your interests lie off-road, then you might consider having your 3T Retailer build up an Exploro frameset with the new Force eTap group. Here’s a photo from SRAM’s Victor Lucas showing what that could look like:

Come see it in the flesh!

The following retailers already have some of our new bikes in stock or will have shortly and some of them will also host a launch event: a real “3Tour de Force“.

Work in progress at Record Bike: Federico and Katia are breaking ground on a new area of their store. The Strada Force eTAP is the one who’s got all the floor.

 

ITALY

(bikes in-store now)

Work in progress at Record Bike: Federico and Katia are breaking ground on a new area of their store. The Strada Force eTAP is the one who’s got all the floor.

Work in progress at Record Bike: Federico and Katia are breaking ground on a new area of their store. The Strada Force eTAP is the one who’s got all the floor.

Record BikeVia Porto al Pria, 15MaloVIrecordbike.com
Bike AdventuresVia G. Matteotti, 52BorgomaneroNObikeadventures.it

⇒ April 4, 6:30 PM @ Bike adventure: you’ll be able to hear the adventurer and ultra-cyclist Nico Valsesia presenting our bike together with our Product Manager Alex Locatelli and ask them anything pops up in your mind.

 

GERMANY

(bikes in-store now)

At Bo Bikes they have both Strada and Strada Due Force eTAP: there you can kill two birds with one stone.

 

Radsport CampanaIndustriestr. 53Burscheidcampana-radsport.de
BoBikesGeisselstr. 103AKölnbobikes.de
Rad SalonArndstr. 21-23Saarbrückenshop.rad-salon.com

⇒ April 8, 6 PM @ Rad Salon you can join the presentation by Nadja.

 

FINLAND

(bikes in-store now)

Toni&Toni CyclesLeonkatu 22 (Sörnäistenlaituri 3)Helsinkitonitoni.fi

 

CANADA

(bikes in-store by April 5)

Broad St. Cycles1419 Broad St.VictoriaBCbroadstcycles.ca
Wheels of Bloor2007 Bloor St. WestTorontoONwheelsofbloor.com

 

USA

(bikes in-store by April 15)

As those who were present for his 2018 Tour can attest, Gerard’s unscripted talk full of anecdotes of 25 years in the bike industry and pro cycling is not to be missed.

 

Giant Santa Monica3515, 2411 Main St.Santa MonicaCAgiantsantamonica.com
Pony Shop1224 Chicago AveEvanstonILponyshop.com
Cycleology1 Sasco Hill RdFairfieldCOcycleologybikes.com
Metier Seattle1017 E Union St.SeattleWAmetierseattle.com

⇒ April 10, 7PM @ Rapha Chicago (1514 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622): Join one of the rare opportunities to hear Gerard Vroomen speak and see the new bikes. You can RSVP here.

⇒ April 14, 6:30AM (that’s right, AM @ Rapha Los Angeles (1347 Fourth St, Santa Monica, CA 90401): Gerard Vroomen will join Rapha Los Angeles to watch the finish of Paris-Roubaix and share some race stories. You can RSVP here.

⇒ April 14, 2PM @ 10-Speed Coffee Santa Monica – NEW LOCATION (1919 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica 90404). The only other opportunity to hear Gerard speak, in a great venue.

 

JAPAN

(Rene’s personal bike in-store)

Rapha Cycling Club〒530-0002, Kita Ward, Sonezakishinchi, 2 Chome−6−21Osakarapha.cc

⇒ April 6, 8.30 AM @ Rapha Cycling Club Osaka: join the Flanders Club Ride together with President & CEO René Wiertz and ask him about the new Strada Force eTAP.

 

TAIWAN

3T Taiwan office36, Cunzhong St., West Dist.,Taichung3T.bike
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6 responses to “Introducing new SRAM eTap models”

  1. G

    Gary says:

    09 November 2019

    My wife and I love our Strada SRAM Force eTap AXS models. Gearing question. We are going on a cycling trip to Columbia with some 10K climbing days and the tour company says to bring your bike with a recommended minimum bottom gear of 34×32. Which sounds crazy to me, BUT, we cycled through The Alps and I went with my normal gearing and was not as happy as I might have been (especially my wife). What would you recommend? Maybe a 42t in the front?

    Reply
    1. Gerard Vroomen says:

      09 November 2019

      Hi Garry,

      I think the climbs can be tougher in Colombia than the Alps. That said, it also means that when you go down, you run out of gears regardless of how big or small they are. So you have a few options I’d say:

      1) Go with a 36T front ring, then you have 36×33 so very close to the recommended gear. That means you have 36×10 as your biggest gear, meaning you’d spin out a bit before you would now, but will it make a meaningful difference? It all depends, but this is probably what I would do (I’ve done trips with 34×11 as my biggest gear and not missed anything).

      2) Switch the rear derailleur to an Eagle AXS model, which then allows you to put really big cassettes on. for example, you could put on a SRAM 11-50T or 10-50T Eagle cassette. Or from ROTOR the 11-46T, which has slightly smaller steps so that’s nice. You have to change also the chain when you change to an Eagle derailleur, but the rest all works. See more on that here: https://blog.3t.bike/2019/09/12028/gravel-tech-hacking-sram-axs-drivetrains/

      Hope that helps.

      Reply
      1. G

        Gary says:

        18 November 2019

        Thanks Gerard. Our trip is in February, so I’ll experiment with a 36T front ring now and if I miss having a bigger gear, then I’ll go with option 2 and the Eagle AXS derailleur/ROTOR 11-46T. Your recent blog post “Strada Mountain Champion” was also super insightful. Really, the main reason for this response is to say thank you. Thank you for your accessibility, blogs, touring talks and taking the time to respond to consumer questions on this website. It makes a difference and is greatly appreciated.

        Reply
        1. Gerard Vroomen says:

          18 November 2019

          And then I misspelled your name! Sorry Gary.

          Reply
  2. B

    BMAC says:

    21 May 2019

    Absolutely LOVE my Red AXS Strada w/ C45 wheels. I haven’t been able to find any data around ideal tire pressure for these wider wheels. Any info would be much appreciated!

    Reply
    1. Gerard Vroomen says:

      07 June 2019

      Well, in general lower pressure means better comfort and up to a point also better rolling resistance (this is counterintuitive and often messed up, but more pressure isn’t always better, you need some give to soak up the irregularities because the up and down movement of the bike robs speed). It’s hard to give a fixed rule as there are so many factors, but definitely you can stay far away from the max pressure indicated on the tire, that’s really not necessary at all (especially because with the wider rim, the tire is actually sitting wider than the tire manufacturer assumed when suggesting the max pressure).

      And just experiment. If you’re comfortable and not flatting, you’ve probably got it dialed in well.

      Reply
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