This SRAM Rival was released as part of SRAM's first road range, in late 2006. SRAM's own history was entirely as an ATB and leisure brand, so a move into the road market was a big deal. SRAM's initial road range only included the, high-end, SRAM Force and this, mid-range, SRAM Rival. The, very high-end, SRAM Red did not appear until 2007 - I remember seeing it for the first time at the Tour de France Grand Départ in London in July of that year.

This first generation SRAM Rival is a very tidy and surprisingly lightweight unit. Typically for SRAM, it has a composite p-knuckle - something that Shimano would not contemplate at the time. It also features something called 'Exact Actuation'. As I remember it, this is very slightly different (do I mean improved?) from the classic SRAM 1:1 actuation. Whatever the actual geometry, I believe that you have to use Exact Actuation levers with Exact Actuation derailleurs etc. etc. Do I hear the unmistakable gushing sound of profit margins rising?

This example has the following features:

• It sports a rather silky silver finish.
• It has a short (55mm) pulley cage.
• The inner pulley cage plate has no cut-out at the guide pulley end.
• The pulley wheels are solid, without lightening (not lightning) cutouts.

• Derailleur brands: SRAM
• Categories: SRAM - the Rival story
• Themes: Ultra-lightweight - road racing models
• Country: USA, manufactured in Taiwan
• Date of introduction: 2006
• Date of this example: unknown
• Model no.: # 00.7515.007.000
• Weight: 189g
• Maximum cog: 28 teeth (SRAM)
• Total capacity: 28 teeth (bikeshop folklore)
• Pulley centre to centre: 55mm
• Index compatibility: 10 speed
• Chain width: 3/32”
• Logic: top normal
• B pivot: unsprung
• P pivot: sprung
• Materials: largely aluminium with a composite p-knuckle