These are the first official pictures of the 2007 SRAM X.9 drivetrain components, as ridden by OE customers (that is, the people who buy transmission parts by the tens of thousands) in Spain last week.

The all-new X.9 features a lot of trickle-down from the ultra-high-end X.0 group. The new trigger shifters have adjustable clamp positions, letting you move the shifters in or out to work favourably with your chosen brake levers. They’ve also got Zero Loss Travel – there’s no backlash in the push lever, it starts pulling cable as soon as it begins to move. The lever is alloy, but it’s not adjustable for angle – that’ll still be unique to X.0.

At the other end of the bike, the X.9 derailleur adopts the look and feel of X.0 but with less carbon fibre – the cage is aluminium. It’s said to be only slightly heavier than X.0, though.

It’s certainly a good-looking setup. Don’t start badgering the shop for this stuff yet, though – it won’t be on sale until late summer.