Bora-Hansgrohe confirm switch to SRAM for 2024

The 2024 season is not yet underway but now that the new year has arrived, we can finally take a look at all of the kit, bikes and components that teams will be using for the year ahead. One of the big changes for German WorldTour team Bora-Hansgrohe is the move from Shimano to SRAM drivetrains.

After images emerged in the winter of Bora-branded Specialized bikes equipped with SRAM componentry, the team officially confirmed the news on Tuesday.

The team will be using the American brand's flagship RED AXS groupset that features wireless shifting as well as the option to run a single or double-ring set-up. This is something that the then Jumbo-Visma (now Visma-Lease A Bike) squad used to notable success last year.

The use of SRAM groupsets also allows for cross-compatibility with other SRAM components, such as mountain bike gearing much like what Bora's Primož Roglič used in the final time trial of the 2023 Giro d’Italia.

• Read more: 2024 Men's WorldTour bikes: A guide to the bikes, groupsets, and tech of the top-tier teams

Ralph Denk, Bora-Hansgrohe team manager, had this to say about the new partnership with SRAM: “In the 90s, SRAM gave me the opportunity to take the very first steps in my professional career. Back then I experienced SRAM as an innovation-driven company with a strong hands-on mentality. Now we’re looking ahead to our partnership with SRAM and after our initial talks, I can already confirm that the mentality and motivation from back then are still there.”

© Bora-Hansgrohe

Finishing off the adornment of SRAM componentry are the Karoo 2 head units from SRAM owned brand Hammerhead

In regards to the reconfigurability of the groupset, 2022 Giro d’Italia winner Jai Hindley has expressed his approval of the option to use a one-by set-up in some races, saying: “I was already able to test the RED AXS groupset and I’m really happy with it. Particularly the possibility of using a single chainring set-up for some races or stages can be very beneficial in my opinion.”

• Read more: Complete guide to road bike groupsets 2024

The move to SRAM looks to be born out of the desire to have more choice when it comes to gearing and how easy it is to configure specific components to the needs of a race from day to day. SRAM is also well known for its groupsets being completely wireless, meaning that swapping rear derailleurs or removing front derailleurs altogether is a very simple and easy job for the mechanics.

“From the technical side, we have seen huge developments at SRAM over the past years," the team’s head of technical performance Gerd Kodanik said. "One thing I really want to point out is the super wide range of gearing options. For every rider and every race, we have individual and very specific set-up options.”

Although some teams have trialled using Shimano drivetrains in a one-by configuration, there is currently no official option for this whilst remaining within Shimano’s own product range.

As it stands, this will be SRAM’s fourth WorldTour team partnership for 2024, joining Lidl-Trek, Movistar and Visma-Lease A Bike.

What do you make of the move from Shimano over to SRAM and do you think we will see more teams making the move in the future? Let us know in the comments below.