SRAM’s Purchase of Zipp May Mean Larger Share of Peloton

It was announced at Interbike last month that Zipp wheels was being purchased by SRAM.  For us fans of SRAM components, this was fantastic news.  There are only a few major categories that SRAM isn’t leading right now, and wheels is one of them.  In fact, SRAM has no wheels.  It is no secret that competition in the high end wheel sector is sky high right now.  Shimano has been fast to market with new wheels that are really nice.  SRAM had two choices when they were deciding what to do to get a foot into the wheel market…..They could either develop a line of wheels by themselves, or they could buy a company that already knows how to make wheels.  SRAM did the right thing and bought a company that already knows what they are doing in the wheel market. 

When it comes to wheels Zipp is by far the leader in technology.  Even teams that are not sponsored by Zipp seem to end up with a few Zipp wheels on team bikes.  That is because, quite simply, Zipp makes the best wheels in the world.  In Zipp, SRAM has added a unit to their company that matches SRAM’s longstanding tradition of producing highly innovative product.

Now that SRAM has the best wheel in its product line, will more teams line up to use SRAM components?  My guess is…..yes.  Team CSC loves the innovation and R&D that Zipp has given them, and there may now be some pressure from SRAM to pick up the entire SRAM Red group to go along with those wheels.  Likewise, Saunier Duval has enjoyed using SRAM components on their bikes for the past year, and they are not happy with Mavic wheels.  Do you remember David Millar’s wheels falling apart during the Tour de France?  That might make Saunier Duval a Zipp team in the near future.  I am sure that there are other teams that used Shimano components because they also provided wheel support, but now SRAM has a complete lineup of product that is lighter, more aerodynamic, and better functioning than any other company in the world.

Look out, SRAM is taking over the world…..Or, maybe they already have.

15 October 2007 | Industry News | Comments