eTap is SRAM’s take on electronic shifting, utilising proprietary Airea wireless tech in conjunction with ANT+ for peripheral devices. eTap was also solely the preserve of SRAM’s road drivetrain… until now!

The rear derailleur on Nino Schurter’s bike during the World Cup in Stellenbosch showed a similar battery location to the road set-up, and the shifter looked to be not that different to SRAM’s traditional thumb-operated trigger shifters. After we spotted the new tech at Coetzenburg, SRAM’s engineers were quick to remove the shifter at race end, as it had (and at the time of going to print, still has) yet to be launched.

Besides the bling factor, there are plenty of other elements that make wireless electronic shifting appealing: lack of cables, ease of installation, fewer moving parts to be maintained. Mechanics acknowledge that current electronic groupsets require little maintenance, even at demanding events such as the Cape Epic.

While SRAM are keeping mum on when – or if – Eagle eTap will become a reality for us mortals, it’s safe to say wireless electronic shifting wouldn’t be tested at such an important event, by such a high-level rider, just on a whim. We predict a launch in late 2018. Hold on to your wallets.

GET IT NOW: capecycles.co.za

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